
Alexander Moore
February 9, 2023
Job loss was one of the many stressors when the pandemic began, and indeed many employees were laid off. However, many who remained gainfully employed are now taking their career in to their own hands.
Record numbers of mid and late-career Americans are voluntarily resigning from their jobs—so many that the phenomenon has been dubbed “The Great Resignation”. Most aren’t leaving for a new job, but to curate their own careers. Here are just a few reasons why people are quitting high-paying jobs, and why community caregiving may be the right fit for you.
This answer is debatable as many experts believe that The Great Resignation began before the pandemic, just at a rate that wasn’t as easy to measure. However, the record number of resignations began in April of 2021 and peaked in September.
Exit interviews found that the percentage of people who were voluntarily resigning weren’t doing so because they had found a new job, but because they were looking for a higher quality of life. They were achieving this goal by exploring their self-employment options.
By August, voluntary resignations peaked at 2.9% of the population. That number may not sound like much, but it accounts for approximately 4.3 million people. The tech, leisure, health, and hospitality industries had higher resignation percentages than most—but all industries are feeling the impact.
Overall, the number of voluntary resignations rose over 20% from 2019 to 2021. This is primarily employees ages 25+, but most of the resignations are adults ages 30 to 45. Pre-pandemic, voluntary resignations were most common in the 20 to 25 age group. However, this younger age group’s resignations decreased during 2020 and 2021. It is assumed that, due to the pandemic, the desire for financial security has minimized younger and entry-level employees from exploring their options.
The pandemic has had a positive ripple effect, including forcing us to consider what is truly important in life. While we’re still trying to determine what our “new normal” looks like, many Americans have reassessed their priorities.
Adults who weren’t seriously considering resignation or self-employment pre-pandemic are embracing the idea. Here are the top reasons why:
The options are endless, and it’s up to the individual person. Joining the gig economy is a popular choice as you can jump right in. This includes on-demand and scheduled services such as Uber, TaskRabbit, or community caregiving which provides flexible hours. For example, a parent could drop their kids off at school, only picking up caregiving shifts during school hours.
Many adults are freelancing in their previous industry or offering freelance services in other skilled areas. For many, this means jobs that can be completed with nothing other than a laptop and internet connection so that they are free to travel.
Now is also an ideal time to take advantage of affordable online training courses. This goes beyond college classes to hyper-targeted training and certification programs. These online courses empower adults to develop the skills required to launch the business or career they’ve been dreaming of.
Finally, many adults are curating a career that includes multiple streams of income.
Caregiving may not be something you’ve ever considered, but it may be the perfect fit for you! No special skills are required, but you must be kind, patient, and have a genuine desire to help people in your community.
Most of your clients will be senior citizens who require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Things most of us don’t think twice about until our mobility or health begins to decline. In other words, you already have the skills required to get started.
Here are some of the most common services seniors schedule community (aka. non-medical) caregivers for:
As you can see, you already have the skills above!
Nope, Yümi is a caregiving app. For seniors and their family members, we are a flexible caregiving option. Caregiving agencies often required set schedules, but with Yümi clients can schedule services as needed. Like traditional agencies, we complete an in-depth background check on all caregivers before their profile goes live.
Once you are pre-screened and your background check is complete, you can log in to the app and create a profile. The hours you work and the rates you charge are entirely up to you. The app also allows you to send family members photos and messages while you are with your client. For example, a photo of their mom’s dog Rosie after picking her up from the groomers. Or sending real-time updates, such as letting your client’s son know you’ve arrived at the doctor’s office.
In addition to the flexibility of working as a community caregiver, your shifts will be enormously rewarding! You will see and feel that you have made a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s one shift or a client becomes a regular, you will make meaningful connections each shift.
While this blog post is geared towards those who’ve taken part in The Great Resignation, Yümi caregivers are a mix of college students, empty nesters, mid-career switchers, and even retirees. Start your prescreening process today!