What should I do with my LIFE?

[Swamp Dog]

seriously, what would you do if you were me. Here's some facts, ask if I've missed anything vital:

46 yr old female.

married 25+ years

2 kids, oldest is 23 and planning on "boomeranging" when her lease is up (I'm ok with that). 2nd is 19 yr old son in 2nd year of college.

I have a (very) small pension that I receive after leaving a crappy "career" in 2002.

Obtained my BS in Elementary Education after leaving said crappy career.

Can't find a teaching gig here in the Lakes Region of NH.

I've had a variety of interesting jobs since 2002, but nothing that really grabbed me.

Working on getting into the local RN program, but that doesn't fill me with excitement either. Just another way to make ends meet.

We sold our home to move here, so we're in a rental unit, now on a month to month basis. Thirty days notice and we can be gone.

Spouse has a stable job.

I'll be subbing in a few local schools and hope to get something at Gunstock when they open.

Money is tight. As usual.

ok, let me have it. What would you do if you were me? While you all fix my life, I'm going to go take a nap because A&P is going to make my head explode.

Ellen

 

[thetrailboss]

Hmmm...good question. What do you like to do? I would focus on that. Working at Gunstock as a patroller or ski school will be fun and a good way to pass the time until you find the right job for you.

 

[RootDKJ]

See how medical treats you. I loved being an EMT except for the crappy pay, worse working conditions, drug addicts, carrying fat people down 4 flights of stairs, getting puked on and eating while driving...

I miss it sometimes. I know lots of people who entered into RN programs as a life change and made out really well. One guy is now one of the top RN's in a Burn Center.

 

[severine]

Where do you feel your heart lies? Don't get into the medical field because there are jobs/money; if it's not something you see yourself doing then you're just wasting time and money getting there.

Do you feel you belong in schools? Are there any other jobs in them that you would take until a teaching job comes along? You know: aide, secretary, etc. Could you be happy working in a college even if it's in an office? There should be at least one nearby--I seem to recall that when we considered moving to NH several years ago.

At this stage of the game, while money is tight, it sounds like you want something that ignites your passions... that you feel is meaningful and (is it possible???) enjoyable. The suggestion of working at a nearby ski area this winter is a sound one. Maybe that will give you a chance to bring in some money while giving you time to think about what it is you really want to do. Life is too short, KWIM?

Good luck!

ETA: I would also have that boomeranging kiddo of yours kick in for some of the household expenses while she stays there.

 

[Johnskiismore]

See how medical treats you. I loved being an EMT except for the crappy pay, worse working conditions, drug addicts, carrying fat people down 4 flights of stairs, getting puked on and eating while driving...

My friends who are EMTs/Paramedics say the samething!

 

[RootDKJ]

My friends who are EMTs/Paramedics say the samething!

So true...to this day, I still hate eating and driving.

 

[tjf67]

Find which public school you like the best and sub there. Get to be a long term sub and if you are good when a position opend up you will be in. In the mean time you can grow weed to help suppliment the household income.

 

[deadheadskier]

A friend of mine just got a teachers aid position in Tuftonboro while he gets his teachers certificate from a school in Lebanon.

keep plugging away. I'd have to imagine that as towns face revenue shortages, teachers will be offered early retirement packages to try and get less expensive instructors. Would mean not as good of pay for you, but you'd have a job.

 

[Warp Daddy]

First of all DO WHAT YOU LIKE and LIKE WHAT YOU DO !

No amt of $$$ will make you happy if you have no interest , desire or passion for something . In one former life as a Dean of Life Long Learning at a college i had several advisees who fir your demographic profile . I too didn't even start my advanced degrees until late 30's and was still doing Phd workln my mid 40's .

If teaching lites your fire then continue to search it out . The previous suggestios as subbing , then perm subbing is a fine one , Carrie's idea about working at perhaps a regional community college or even 4 yr school perhaps as a Professional Tutor in a Special Services to the Disadvanteged Program or a One of the other TRIO programs ( federally funded programs for special needs students ) is a nother possible venue . Your in teh Lakes region there also may be a PRIVATE tutoring market .

My daughter in addition to her reg teaching has a GREAT Private duty tutoring business She gives PRIVATE hr long lessons to 4-5 kids an hr . Lessons are weekly > Her contract run over the entire school year at $60/75 an hr She is certified with a Masters and CAS .

 

[Swamp Dog]

Thanks for the input all.

Sev, I like medicine and would probably consider medical school if I were much younger. I don't think I would survive with little sleep and resident hours if I even got that far. I think I will like nursing if I am able to get into the program.

to those who mentioned school: I subbed here last year and applied for every position that opened up. Aide, para, long-term sub, co-teacher, you name it. Never even got an interview. The last job I applied for had over 75 applicants, including people with actual classroom experience, of which I have none.

I like teaching, helping kids learn things, facilitated learning if you will. That's why I can teach swimming, skiing, reading, etc, and help my kids friends choose a college. I like kids of all ages, for the most part I've had good experiences in schools.

Warp Daddy...it's definitely NOT about the money. That's why I left that crappy job in 2002. I was making pretty decent coin but hating every second of it. I've been told if I had a degree/certification in HS Math or Science it would be easier to find a job, so maybe that's an avenue I need to pursue.

Deadheadskier....I saw that job posted in Tuftonboro. There was another in Wolfeboro but I decided to try to find something closer to Gilford.

alrighty then, thanks for the replies all. I guess I'm on the right track, just seeing where it leads.

 

[riverc0il]

The idealist notions on doing what you want to do are great in ideal but horrible in practice in NH. My significant other has accompanied me on two moves as I followed my dreams of having a great professional job while moving away from the city and into the mountains. Suffice to say things have not worked out as well for her after she finished up her bachelors degree and loudly proclaimed "I want to work in Social Services per my degree, hire me!" That was quickly abandoned to the reality of paying the bills so she took up jobs in businesses in Tilton and Concord, only after LONG amounts of time searching for ANYTHING.

If you want to create dreams and follow them, you are likely going to have to leave the state. Otherwise, this is a tough market and you may need to take what you can get for jobs. That is hard reality and we know it here in this household because my significant other continues to keep her eye on the job market for a better job than what she has regardless of whether or not she enjoys the field. Choices are just not available for most people in the state right now, especially those with out degrees or those with degrees that are a dime a dozen (a BA in Ed is worse than a dime a dozen as who knows how many thousands of college grads flood the New England market from this past May looking for jobs that are not available).

I wouldn't suggest leaving the state. You obviously moved here for a reason. As did I. I had the career lined up before I moved here and my SO knew the game plan going in... that she would finish her BA and take what she could get. Neither of us thought it would be as bad for her as it turned out... especially with a degree. Look to Manchester as your best option but that is a long commute from the Lakes Region. My SO can attest that Concord does not have much to offer right now.

Tough choices but I say your job comes second..... what you do with your life is what you do outside of work for most people and work is a means to get it. Some of us are fortunate to do some with our lives at work and love what we do. That comes second, IMO. I hated my job long before I grew to love it for more than just geographical mobility.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Our daughter has Math Certification and Admin cert so it works fine

As a Medical Center Board member i can attest that there are always nursing jobs . Be sure to test the environment because it is a difficult but rewarding career IF you can adjust to the complexities and the ebb and flow of financial ramifications facing most /many institutions now and the impact on nursing staff ratios .

My college had both ADN and BSN programs so i was able to see various hospital environments and assess same .,

Good luck in your future decision making

 

[wa-loaf]

Thanks for the input all.

Sev, I like medicine and would probably consider medical school if I were much younger. I don't think I would survive with little sleep and resident hours if I even got that far. I think I will like nursing if I am able to get into the program.

I like teaching, helping kids learn things, facilitated learning if you will. That's why I can teach swimming, skiing, reading, etc, and help my kids friends choose a college. I like kids of all ages, for the most part I've had good experiences in schools.


alrighty then, thanks for the replies all. I guess I'm on the right track, just seeing where it leads.

Pediatric Nursing?

 

[Hergini Coop74]

ever thought of being self employed? Small in house daycare\preschool and free lance as a consultant for parents of future college students locating the "right" college for them.

Getting into the medical field and combining that with your education degree can possibly get you working with special need children. Not only in a public school but possibly at a care facility.

 

[severine]

In the vein of what Hergini is suggesting, I think it was already mentioned about tutoring. That could be an outlet in self-employment that engages your mind and passions.

In house daycare can be rewarding emotionally but has a lot of pains that come with it. My aunt did it for 10 years; a lot of hoops to jump through and a lot of crappy people out there who will screw you over, sadly. If you go that route, be sure you have a solid contract that stipulates when you are paid, the circumstances (like what the policy is for sick days, vacation days, etc.) and that you give yourself a vacation as well. I have a friend doing that right now who is having problems because the parents keep putting off paying and send their kid sick to her--she has children of her own who are affected by this. You would never be able to send a sick child in to a daycare center yet people think they can with in-home daycares.

 

[snoseek]

Two years ago when I moved to Colorado I couldn't find a decent job to save my life (actually I spent first six months skiing and fucking off) . I actually had many offers but they were low ball-not worth the effort imo. Most had to do with economy but some was that my kick-ass east coast resume meant shit out here. Self-employment was my ticket out.Self employment has pretty much paidt he same dough as those low-ball jobs but way less hours and more flexibility.

 

[RootDKJ]

I'll give another insight on medical. There's a huge reward factor, that I've not felt in any job I've held since I've left that field. The first time you save someone's life is something you'll never forget. I'm not talking about making sure the paitent gets all their meds and follows the Dr's orders, but actually using your skills to bring someone back from near death.

Toast26102 (on PASR) posted the story on how he was just walking down a hallway in the hospital that he works at, when someone who wasn't even in his wing, just coded right in front of him. Training kicked in and he saved that guy's life. To me, that's huge. That guy lived to discharge. Amazing. Days like that one, make all the hard work and all the BS, totally worth it.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Maybe the best advice is to not take the advice of a bunch of strangers on the internet.

 

[bvibert]

Maybe the best advice is to not take the advice of a bunch of strangers on the internet.

That's the first thought that I had when I saw this. But I think she's gotten some really sound advice in here.

 

[severine]

Maybe the best advice is to not take the advice of a bunch of strangers on the internet.

That's a given but since she asked...I figured she had already considered that and was looking for outsiders' insight to maybe mull around with what she had already been thinking.