Volunteering turned my career gap into a superpower

The unexpected joy of job-free days

When I left my corporate job, I felt fear, panic, and relief all at once. Would I find a new job quickly? How long could I go without one? What do I even want to do next? Would a company think I am too experienced or too old now that I am in my 50s? At the same time, there was relief. I finally had the chance to find joy in something new. My role had shifted in a direction I did not want to go, and I had to be brave enough to step off the carousel to explore a different path.

How long could this job-free life last? According to The Wall Street Journal, adults aged 55 to 64 take an average of 26 weeks to find new employment. That is 6 months! Maybe I should have read that article before I made my big decision. Luckily, I have a loving husband whose income covers the basics. We can pay the mortgage and eat, which is wonderful, but it also means no more shopping sprees or tropical vacations. Goodbye, Florida beach. Hello, budget-friendly Netflix nights.

For someone used to being in control, I had to act. I launched into full-time job hunting like it was an Olympic sport. Mornings were packed with informational calls and coffee dates. Afternoons were for sending networking emails. Evenings were spent scrolling through job boards until my eyes blurred. If someone said the word “networking,” I was already adding their event to my calendar.

I attended career transition groups, industry meetups, and webinars. I was like a professional RSVP-er. At one of those career meetings, someone suggested that volunteering might be a good way to meet people. I thought, okay, why not. I had the time, and maybe I would meet someone who knew someone in my target companies. At the very least, it would be a break from my nightly staring contest with LinkedIn. What I did not expect was that it would turn into something much bigger.

A detour that sparked joy

I signed up to volunteer at a local food pantry. But this was not just a place handing out mystery boxes of canned goods. It was set up like a small grocery store where clients (yes they called them “clients”) could shop for what they needed. They were greeted with care, dignity, and sometimes prayer, since the pantry is supported by local churches.

At first, I helped carry grocery carts to people’s cars. Yes, real grocery carts, not those tiny baskets that hurt your wrist. Later, I became a “shopper,” walking with clients as they picked out food, toiletries, diapers, and even dog food. It was personal, it was human, and I found myself looking forward to it each week.

A shift in perspective

Volunteering started as a way to network, but it quickly became something else entirely. I met people who were simply down on their luck and needed a little support. Many were not used to asking for help, and it meant a lot to them to be treated with kindness and respect.

And it meant something to me too. I realized I was no longer defined by my job title. I could be more than just a Director of Marketing. I could be a helper, a listener, a grocery-cart sidekick. I started to see that this career transition was not only about me or my next paycheck. It was about how I could show up for others in my community. As Refreshing a Careerputs it, “If you are an older worker that is out of work, it can make a world of difference to be part of a project that is socially positive and will remind you of the impact you can have on others.” Volunteering gave me that sense of purpose when I really needed it. It also reminded me that maybe it was time to stop obsessing about not being able to take that Florida vacation.

It’s not just about the job search

In your 50s and 60s, life starts to feel different. Maybe you are figuring out what is next. Maybe you are looking for something more than just another bullet point on your resume. That is where volunteering comes in. It is not just a way to fill your calendar. It is a way to reconnect, contribute, and feel part of something bigger than yourself.
Yes, my job search is important. But so is living life while you are in between roles. Volunteering reminded me that the most valuable use of my time was not always LinkedIn or another career webinar. Sometimes it was walking beside someone as they picked out groceries and making sure they felt seen.

Try it and see

If you are navigating a life or career shift, consider volunteering. Find a cause that speaks to you. Start small. Stay open.
You might think you are just giving your time. But do not be surprised if you walk away with a bigger gift. You may even discover a whole new side of yourself… and that side might be surprisingly good at restocking canned green beans.