Dionne Foster, 52, a seasoned business analyst contractor, faced an unexpected setback when she lost her job in April 2024. After a year of relentless job searching, she accepted an eight-week summer internship at an IT company, earning $20 an hour—her lowest wage since college—working alongside a high school student.
“I haven’t made $20 an hour since I was in college,” Foster said.
Despite applying broadly for full-time and contract roles, Foster struggled to secure work, a stark contrast to her past experience, where new contracts quickly followed the end of previous ones. “I’ve never been rejected like this before,” she said.
For many Gen X professionals like Foster, the job market has become increasingly challenging. Automated résumé screening, frequent ghosting by employers, and being deemed “overqualified” are common hurdles. In response, some are turning to unconventional roles to stay financially afloat while pursuing careers they’ve built over decades.
**Turning Hobbies into Income**
William Simon, 49, believed his medical equipment sales job was secure until he was laid off from a startup in April 2024. Facing fierce competition, he noted that employers often favor younger candidates for lower salaries and greater malleability.
To make ends meet, Simon has relied on savings, unemployment benefits, and sold his boat while cutting back on leisure activities. He’s also monetized his hobbies, officiating ice hockey games and picking up shifts at a friend’s indoor golf lounge.
“What was a fun hobby that I fortunately got paid for has now turned into a lifeline,” Simon said.
**Embracing Creativity in New Roles**
Cathy Valentine, 60, lost her six-figure job as a corporate change management coach in November 2023. After a brief stint as a government contractor, she took a job as a prep cook and pastry chef at the Garden Cafe at McKee Botanical Gardens in Vero Beach, Florida, earning $15 an hour.
“I get to be creative in that job,” Valentine said, appreciating her coworkers and the serene garden walks before shifts. However, the low pay has left her struggling to cover rent, forcing her to sell valuables and forgo visits to her grandchildren. The café’s long hours have also interfered with job interviews, with one exhausting shift ending at 4 a.m., followed by a poorly timed 9 a.m. interview.
**Holding Out for the Right Fit**
Julie Jordan-Wade, a Gen X professional with over a decade in meeting and event planning, has been unemployed for two years. She’s declined two job offers, unwilling to settle for roles without long-term potential. To stay afloat, she’s taken part-time work in communications at a church and as an outreach educator at the Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum.
The museum role offers modest pay with a flexible schedule, allowing her to continue her job search while engaging with meaningful nonprofit work. “I don’t think we have to get all of our fulfillment from our jobs, but there needs to be something about it we look forward to,” Jordan-Wade said.
As Gen X professionals navigate a brutal job market, they’re finding ways to adapt—whether through internships, side hustles, or creative roles—while holding out hope for opportunities that align with their expertise and aspirations.