What can I do for work that does not involve computers?

Question

I am getting carpal tunnel and don't want to ruin my hands.

I am 35yrs old, female, college graduate.

Answer 1

There are literally thousands of jobs out there that don't require computers, many of which have varying skills. I'll suggest to you what I did a while back... find out if your city has something like "Job Services" or a place that has applications for many companies (not their own). If you can't find one in the phone book, you could probably call a couple temp agencies and ask if they know of one (typically temp agencies will know if there is one). Most of these places (regardless of their names) have skill assessment tests and consultants that can help anyone try to decide what kind of job they would thrive in. All sorts of people use these offices, whether they are just graduating or coming out of retirement, recently laid off or looking for a better job, and everything in between. They are great places to not only learn what you may like and learn what you'd be good at, but you can fill out multiple applications without driving all over town to get them and deliver them (saving time and gas money).  ;-)

The main reason I suggest this first is because nobody here would know what career you would most enjoy (working with people, face-to-face or via phone, mechanical, electrical, food service, one that requires a lot of physical activity, etc, etc). A job counselor or a skills assessment test would be able to give you a better insight into the types of jobs you may really enjoy. I know I was surprised at a few of the options that were given to me. LOL! Good luck!

Answer 2

I was going to suggest working as a chef or a massage therapist, but that was before I read about your carpal tunnel syndrome issues.  These two career fields would only aggravate that.  I do suggest you go get chiropractic adjustments.  I was working in a Spa in CA that had alot of '49's as clients.  B/c I am also 6' tall, I seemed to pull way more of the "larger" and male clients.  When I started to develop repeated stress and carpal tunnel like symptoms in both wrists, I went to my chiropractor for this and he was able to help me to the point where it was no longer an issue.  As the only other treatments I know of are bracing, anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery and stopping doing whatever activities led to the condition, it would make a great deal of sense to me that people tried less invasive, more holistic methods FIRST!

Gardening, horticulture and agricultural jobs.  Childcare, baking, making beds and cleaning houses, doing laundry and cleaning bathrooms.  Animal care.  Dog walking.  Tutoring.  Teaching English as a Second Language classes.  Learning and teaching sign language.   Training animals to be personal assistants for handicapped folks.  Physiotherapy.  Working as a personal trainer, a cab driver, a yoga, dance or Pilates teacher.  Running a florist business.  Catering.  Waiting tables.  Working as a librarian, to an extent.  Teaching hand work or handicrafts or ecology to children.  Working as a docent in a museum.  Working as an art restorer or a art historian.  Working as a personal aid to handicapped or elderly people, and assisting them w/ learning how to use their adaptive devices.  Working as a paraeducator in the public school system and helping handicapped kids learn, and all kids, for that matter.  Working as a lifeguard or a swimming instructor.  This is just a short list of ideas.  

Whatever you choose to look at doing, I would definitely go see a chiropractor first to get this condition healed.  I have also known other people who've gotten acupuncture for carpal tunnel with excellent results.