Where's the justice?

[severine]

Not to be crude but I'm going to talk money for a moment....

In my former life (i.e. before kids) I was a municipal secretary. No education requirements other than a high school diploma and the ability to use a computer. I don't remember the starting pay, but when I left (after 8.5 years) I was making $19.99/hr.

Now I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do with my life once the kids are in school full time. I have an A.S. in Liberal Arts & Sciences but never finished my Bachelor's because I changed my mind a few times on what I want to do "when I grow up". Before I got pregnant with my daughter, I was considering becoming a Park Ranger and I entered a Recreational Leadership A.S. program at the local community college (then dropped out when I was pregnant).

Now I'm reconsidering it but what I found appalling today when researching job options and requirements is that these people aren't paid for crap! I already knew it was mostly seasonal (part of the appeal for me!) but I'm seeing job listings for Park Ranger at $14-$15/hr (including the law enforcement ones, which isn't the area I want but I'm still exploring options). Another sad one? Wildland Firefighter - $10.09/hr! WTF????!!! These people deserve to be paid more than this!!!! Where's the justice?

I'd really like to find a career I enjoy so I can do something I love... but heck, I wasn't rolling in the dough before and this would only be worse, except I'd have added student loans to our debt to make less money. I obviously need to do a lot more research about my options....

 

[drjeff]

Dental Hygienist. Mine get paid WWWWWWAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY to much $$ (even my accountant agreed - although as she put it "your hygienist make 2% more than the average of all the practices we handle" :roll:

Seriously though, a big shortage exists, hours are good, and the total compensation (take home + benefits) in many places gives 'ol Ben Franklin something to do each hour

 

[severine]

The thing is, I kind of want something that's either warm-weather seasonal (so I can keep working at the local ski area in the winter because I really enjoy working there), or year-round at a ski area (for the ski benefits - but this would also require moving elsewhere as those jobs are not plentiful in CT). Not looking for management or anything like that - I don't mind being the peon. That way work stays separate from home.

 

[snoseek]

The thing is, I kind of want something that's either warm-weather seasonal (so I can keep working at the local ski area in the winter because I really enjoy working there), or year-round at a ski area (for the ski benefits - but this would also require moving elsewhere as those jobs are not plentiful in CT). Not looking for management or anything like that - I don't mind being the peon. That way work stays separate from home.

Private country club.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Carrie i hear your anguish :

UnfortunatelyPart time work that pays $$ is rather limited UNLESS you are in the skilled areas in Health Care as Doc Jefff mentioned .

Look at Parttime work as perhaps a Dental Hygienist or Physical Therapy Assistant or even Nursing partime . Some of our nurses at our regional medical center work 3 days a week at 12 .5 hr shifts ., others work part time traditional schedules .

Several Comm Colleges have Associate Degree RN programs. PTA programs , Pharmacy Technician programs etc

The college i was at for yrs had ALL these programs at Assoc degree level and also PT, Nursing Mggt and other degrees in the Healthcare industry @ BS level also

GOOD LUCK in your search -----keep on keepin on-- something will hit your target

WD

 

[Paul]

I feel that way about teacher's salaries. Sad that they're paid as if they were mere Babysitters, which is how most (at least elementary level) of them are perceived.
I'd kill to be able to throw off the shackles of AT&T oppression and go back to teaching, but from a $$ and benefit standpoint, that just ain't happenin'.

 

[dmc]

those salaries are starting salaries.. Once your in the "system" and are part of the union - you'll get regular salary increases...

 

[severine]

those salaries are starting salaries.. Once your in the "system" and are part of the union - you'll get regular salary increases...

It isn't what it used to be. Much of the old ways have been phased out (speaking as a former municipal employee who was a part of union negotiations for benefits, I've experienced first-hand how much has been taken away from all - fire and police included).

Not sure I could do healthcare field though. Even with having 2 kids, I'm just a bit too squeamish for that sort of thing. I think I need some career counseling. I did take a career directions course eons ago during my A.S. program. All I learned was that I would never put a job first - family would always be my highest priority. I thought the instructor was full of sh*t at the time, but it's proven to be true thus far.

 

[extreme_me]

Oh, we really need money.
But as long as we grow older, we have more expenses and we hot more necessities and wants.
Anyway, I still got enough money.
But what's the most well paid job hat we can possibly get?

________________________________________
the way you think.......it's just the way you are
I want downhill skiing than alpine skiing.

 

[nelsapbm]

I'm a municipal employee...while our pay isnt great, the benefits kick arse....so I'm happy and staying put.
Anyway......does your town or any surrounding towns have an active recreation department? I know ours is always looking for part-time help, especially in the summers, to help run programs, coach, etc. Pay probably would not be great, but it sounds like it may be your cup of tea, and you could still have your winters to work at the ski area. Just a thought. Good luck!!