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Post by Isabellas39 on Jun 11, 2016 13:53:59 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue?
I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant ..
Any suggestions ?
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Post by greatcoastal on Jun 11, 2016 14:19:55 GMT -5
I can't give you specifics on degrees and which is better. I hope this will help you find better answers. Google Informational Interviewing. And go do it. Make phone calls send emails drop by a physical therapist office and ask for twenty minutes of their time. Keep a journal., wright down your questions. You will be picking up interviewing skills as well.Remember you are going to need insurance after a divorce. So think of a career that gives you the best opportunity for full time employment, and hours that will allow you to be with your son after school. Factors that would be important during a divorce.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 15:44:52 GMT -5
Have you done any part time work? I was primarily at stay-at-home mom for 19 years, but I did part time work for several years and was able to turn that work experience into a full-time job just recently, even though it was a completely unrelated field.
If I were you, I would investigate what kinds of jobs will open up to you with a business degree versus an associate's degree. You may be better staying the course with the business degree in the long run, but I don't really know. I do know that the income for OT and PT assistants is pretty limited, at least here in CA, so make sure you check to see if that level of income will allow you to become financially independent. What happens when you hit the top of the salary range as a PT assistant? Can you move into a higher salary job or would you have to go back to school?
And start networking now. You never know who will know of a job that might suit you. I got my job because a friend heard about it and thought I would be perfect for it. He had a connection with the partners and forwarded my resume to them (Side note - you might want to put a resume together now. It's easier to adjust a resume that make one from scratch. I had to create mine overnight and it was massively stressful.).
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Post by obobfla on Jun 11, 2016 16:31:49 GMT -5
Isabellas39, I was never a stay-at-home parent, but I have rebuilt my career several times, going back to school and earning my BA when I was 45. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up because I never grew up. But I like making money by writing. The best career advice I got was "What have you done that makes you feel useful?" This comes from the book, What Color is Your Parachute? List the accomplishment that you are most proud of and see in which field they lay. Were you working with people or by yourself? Did you have to multi-task or did you get to concentrate on one area? For example, I do not multitask well. I prefer wearing blinders and concentrating on one thing at a time. That is why I never worked as a waiter, since it would stress me out. Too many things happening at the same time! If you have a hard time handling rejection, I would not recommend a career in sales. A lot of people say "Do what you love," but I would say "Do what you don't hate." You don't have to be passionate about your career, but don't go into a field that you know you don't like or troubles your morality. If you are a vegetarian, don't become a butcher. As to what you described, get some general skills, such as using Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel. A good generalist is always employable.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 17:41:41 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue? I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant .. Any suggestions ? Get out there on LinkedIn and social media. The last time I looked for a job was the years ago so it's a whole new world. |
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Post by misssunnybunny on Jun 11, 2016 19:57:59 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue? I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant .. Any suggestions ? Since you are working toward a degree: Most schools (college/university) will have career counselors to help students. They primarily work with students set to graduate, but it might be a good place to start for leads. Best of luck to you! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2016 12:55:52 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue? I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant .. Any suggestions ? Do you live in an area with opportunities in your chosen field? Are you passionate about your chosen field? Will it be "work" or an enjoyable part of a chosen lifestyle? I have an old friend -- a woman -- that after surviving breast cancer at 45, went to nursing school -- at great expense -- and got her BSN. She did it rediculously quickly and year round, and belted it -- second in her class. She was riddled with self doubt and insecurity because she had been a mother and housewife for 25 years, had never been much of a student, and had a husband that ridiculed her about it. But she did it. And proved everyone wrong. Do what you love, and it won't be work. |
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Post by Isabellas39 on Jun 12, 2016 22:09:26 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue? I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant .. Any suggestions ? Do you live in an area with opportunities in your chosen field? Are you passionate about your chosen field? Will it be "work" or an enjoyable part of a chosen lifestyle? I have an old friend -- a woman -- that after surviving breast cancer at 45, went to nursing school -- at great expense -- and got her BSN. She did it rediculously quickly and year round, and belted it -- second in her class. She was riddled with self doubt and insecurity because she had been a mother and housewife for 25 years, had never been much of a student, and had a husband that ridiculed her about it. But she did it. And proved everyone wrong. Do what you love, and it won't be work. That's very admirable! I wish I had some passion then that would make choosing a field easier...I'm going for something that's in demand, and doesn't require a lot of experience instead. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 8:10:24 GMT -5
Isabellas39, is your husband supporting you in your schooling?
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Post by Isabellas39 on Jun 13, 2016 10:13:14 GMT -5
Isabellas39 , is your husband supporting you in your schooling? Yes, he's very supportive .. |
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Post by cagedadventurer on Jun 13, 2016 13:05:20 GMT -5
I would like to hear from those who left/leaving their sm that spent years being a stay at home mom...How did you regain you independence? What jobs did you pursue? I have no family members here and I am currently working towards a business degree, but I feel like I may be better off getting a job that only requires an Associate Degree such as an occupational therapist assistant or physical therapist assistant .. Any suggestions ? There is good advice in this thread, the income may be nominal but cost to get there could be high. I'd suggest caution about allowing too much debt with secondary schools for the occupational therapist or physical therapist assistant degrees.
Being at home with kids, while noble, can certainly make you feel like you are living "ground hog" day especially if your refuser H shows no gratitude. I think IT is good for the kids to see your ambition. Independence is a great feeling. Teaching at a school maybe? Schools are always in need it seems and an AA is often sufficient to start.
I love your idea of the business degree though; I'd suggest learning Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and Publisher.) So many practical uses in almost every job. And if you are even barely creative, building marketing flyers and presentations with Publisher is easy and can be so valuable. The MBA has the purpose of getting you into a Company, Microsoft Office makes you useful from day one. I am in the home building business and there are so many functions in the industry but you would find a minor or major in finance (business degree) the best financial return for the schooling.
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Post by DryCreek on Jun 13, 2016 19:34:45 GMT -5
Isabellas39, "Dig your well before you're thirsty." Networking is a really smart idea; the better job will be had because you know someone who gives you an edge or the inside scoop. A university isn't a bad place to work if you plan to continue education, because the tuition is often free for employees. If you look to an office job, I'll reinforce the suggestion to be proficient with MS Office. For me and my customers, MS Outlook email (and calendaring) are easily used 10x more than the next tool. MS Excel is the next most popular tool in the technology field, which gets used 10x more than the 3rd most popular tool, which may be Word, PowerPoint, or an industry-specific tool (like a drawing package). Obviously these ratios vary for different jobs, but you'll find that knowing the 1-2 most relevant tools will carry you a long way. As a student, you qualify for a low-cost license for MS Office (and many other software). Take a look at www.AcademicSuperstore.com for tons.
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