Need career advice

[Amber H.]

This is really hard for me to admit to so many people, but I need help.

I was a stay at home mom for nine years, and have suddenly found myself out on the street with nothing but the clothes on my back and a couple of pieces of (sewing) equipment (couldn’t afford a lawyer).

I need to rebuild a new life, but what direction do I go in? Are any of these skills useful in a technical field?


Ability to –
See 3D objects peeled open and set on a 2D surface.
Draft original clothing patterns
Sew
Cook
Housekeep
Budget
Read music

It’s sad, but it’s all I've got right now. I just need direction.

Any ideas?

[Joe Matt]

See 3D objects peeled open and set on a 2D surface.

I know the government gives out tests that have questions like that. If you get a good grade on it, every sector of the gov will want you.

GOOD LUCK MS. TREE! WE ALL LOVE YOU!

[jrgrim12]

I have two suggestions.
They first is to find an apprenticeship. If you can, this will be very helpful. They pay you to work and they teach at the same time. There is usually little or not out of pocket. You can go to the Department of Labor for more info on who you can contact local for more information. There are all sorts of apprenticeships out there. (I'm in one now) I'm an apprentice tool and die maker. Top pay is well worth the work and I had to pay nothing. They sent me to school and paid for everything. Sometimes starting pay sucks but it's money. The end result is well worth it.

The second is medical field. They are really short on nurses, rad techs, surg techs. I lot of hospitals will give you college reimbursments. I think there are alot of grants and what not out there, since they are in such demand. Some of the tech programs are 2 year degrees so you can get to work faster and while you are in school they have tech assistant openings to make money as you go. (my wife is a rad tech) starting pay is good and you'll have a job before you graduate.

I hope this helps get you going

[jrgrim12]

Also go to a bookstore or library and look for that book that was written by the crazy guy with all the question marks on his coat. That book has a lot of ideas for how to get money from the government. Good source book.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Miss Tree

Ability to –
See 3D objects peeled open and set on a 2D surface.
Draft original clothing patterns
Sew
Cook
Housekeep
Budget
Read music

It’s sad, but it’s all I've got right now. I just need direction.

Any ideas?

Well, that first bit might useful to someone who works with sheet metal. From what I've been told, they have the highest average I.Q. over any other profession.

If you can make clothes well, maybe you could pursue work with a theater company? They always need new costumes.

Cooking, Housekeeping and Budgeting. . . if I knew how to Budget, I could afford to hire you to cook and clean up after me or something

I'm just a dumb college student, but I've always believed that you should pursue what interests you most. If there's something that you love that you haven't had a chance to do yet, now is the time do it. Maybe, if you're lucky, or persistent, or gifted, you'll find that you can support yourself doing something you look forward to every day. Even if it doesn't pull in $100,000+/year, if you're happy, that probably won't make a difference.

Good luck. I wish we could do more.

[Amber H.]

You've all done more than you could possibly know.
Right now a direction to go in is what I need most.


Thank you so much,
Amber

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by Miss Tree
You've all done more than you could possibly know.
Right now a direction to go in is what I need most.


Thank you so much,
Amber

I REALLY want to help, but I'm just a softmore.

Keep up the fight. You'll make it.

Actually, I have an idea. How about working for FIRST? Sure, a plane trip, but send a letter to Dean. He might fligh you out of there.

[MissInformation]

How about starting at a temp agency? When I moved from Maryland to Virginia I decided I wanted a Monday-Friday 9-5 job (before I was a bartender and a corporate trainer for a restaurant, so my schedule was sporadic) so I started temping. Temping was good because you could switch around to different jobs and sort of get an idea of what was interesting and you have the option of just doing temp jobs or having them send you to places that are looking at temp to hire. Most temp agencies also offer training programs where you come in on your own time and do tutorials on different computer thingies.

MissInformation

<===========>

[Amber H.]

Well, Here's a little more detail to the situation. I have a wonderful opportunity to return to school with a possible grant in the fall and to fill in the gaps I can score a talent scholarship easily with my previously acquired skills as a classical soprano.

I can do anything, provided I take part in some performing ensemble on campus to maintain the scholarship.

I would go into music seriously if I still had the heart to do it, but something technical seems much more realistic.

Let me clarify:
q:What's the difference between a large pepperoni pizza and a musician?

a:the pizza can feed a family of four.


Shcool is there and available in eight months. The question is; What do I do with it? What am I suited for outside of the arts?
I need a strong career option if I ever want to get my kids back.

[Joe Matt]

I'd go with Nursing still. We hear adds in Richmond all the time saying "We'll fund your collage, just sign up!" They are really in the dumps comming to that. Good pay, fun, and not to much college.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Miss Tree
Shcool is there and available in eight months. The question is; What do I do with it? What am I suited for outside of the arts?
I need a strong career option if I ever want to get my kids back.

Have you considered becoming a music teacher?

[Amber H.]

Yes, M I did consider becoming a music teacher years ago. It was my dream to teach high school choir. Unfortunately I have lost the heart to do it. I'd explain, but it would not be appropriate on a family oriented site.

Somethihng technical seems like my best bet. While I enjoy the arts, I have this obnoxious need to know how things work from the inside and behind the scenes. I have also found my self in a few situations of late in which I seem to be the only person able to figure out the sound system or air conditioning controls without an available instruction sheet while the other ladies panic at social functions I have been involved in.

I'm thinking that I might find some aspect of it rewarding. The question is: Which aspect?

[jrgrim12]

I still would recomend an associates degree. They are only 2-3 years and you'll be out.

I still suggest becoming a radological or surgical technologist. This may be good for you because there is some physics, math, science and it's an art form as well. To help give you an idea of what this degree can do for you. You can continue schooling after you have a job and earn more money. Starting pay averages $30,000 per year. You are pretty much garanteed a job BEFORE you graduate.

If you really want to get into "technical" field. I would look at 2 year degrees that you can add to after you graduate. Go to the Department of labor website and look at the occupational outlook handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and see what might interst you. Then check to see if it looks like it is going to stay in demand or if it's overfilled right now.

I hope that helps some. What are you thinking about doing?
That may help us help you.

[Amber H.]

What am I thinking of doing?

All I really want to do is find the best way toward a viable career that won't kill me so that I can afford to return and live in New hampshire and see my kids again.

My mom is a stay at home mom but since you can do book keeping try to get a job at a buisiness office being a secretary. you can try to be an accountant for now and you can make clothes/ repair them. if people like your work try to get hired at a sewing shop or you could come up with some new clothing design and sell the idea to some company. that is all i can think of for now. Oh! you can get a job at a school in the meantime as a cook. it works until you can get a better job and i herd it was kind of fun for people who like to cook.