25 best jobs for boomers? Sure, if you’re up for law school or medical school.

With all the talk of boomers reinventing themselves, according to a new book you can reinvent yourself all the way to the operating room as an anesthesiologist or a surgeon. Have you got the stuff of a CEO? It’s not too late, suggest Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin in their book, “225 Best Jobs for Baby Boomers.”

A careerbuilder.com writer profiled the book on CNN.com. I wasn’t the only one shaking my head at the “best jobs” list. In the “comments” section on CNN.com, readers likewise found the suggested vocations implausible. One reader said, “He forgot to put Astronaut on the list.” Others called the list “absurd,” “ridiculous” and “as stupid as they come.”

Readers logically point out that many of these supposed boomer-friendly professions would require years and years of expensive college education. Imagine this breakfast-table discussion between two boomers:

“You know, dear, we’re not getting any younger.”
“And…?”
“And, I was thinking. It’s time I finally pursued my dream of becoming a surgeon. Maybe transplants.”
“That’s wonderful, dear. And you know I’ve always wanted to be a pharmacist. Or a lawyer.”
“Well, what’s stopping us?”
“Better call today. We’re not getting any younger!”
[They throw their heads back and laugh]

The book reportedly has some 70 lists, but here’s the list for the 25 overall best jobs for all baby boomers:

1. Management analysts

2. Teachers, post-secondary
3. Logisticians

4. General and operations managers
5. Registered nurses
6. Anesthesiologists
7. General internists
8. Obstetricians and gynecologists

9. Family and general practitioners
10. Psychiatrists

11. Surgeons
12. General pediatricians

13. Medical and health services managers
14. Financial managers, branch or department
15. Treasurers, controllers and chief financial officers
16. Chief executives

17. Government service executives

18. Private sector executives

19. Pharmacists
20. Lawyers

21. Education administrators, elementary and secondary school

22. Administrative services managers

23. Sales representatives, agricultural
24. Sales representatives, chemical and pharmaceutical

25. Sales representatives, electrical/electronics


Pity the list doesn’t bare much resemblance to reality. Surely, the authors know that 70% of U.S. jobs are in the service sector. The other 30% are highly skilled jobs like those on the list, for which boomers compete with an endless stream of younger, more qualified applicants starving for opportunity in a down market.

It wouldn’t be fair to criticize the entire book, since I haven’t read it. But this excerpt alone suggests yet another boomer book whose research findings, lists and tabulations indicate the authors have illuminated something new about boomers. The truth is, readers hoping for boomer enlightenment could be left fumbling around in the dark.

Jody Olson, Chapter Two Communications

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