Career Advice - 06/03/10 11:03 PM
Hello....I am in a fix....I have limited skills to get a decent job....have been a SAHM for 19yrs (worked a retail job in there somewhere for awhile back in 2002) but my main education was from Dorsey Business school way back in the 80's....I worked in several hospitals (finance/billing) & mental health/substance abuse program secretary....worked for a insurance company for 1yr.....so I have very little to go on.
Looking at current listings for jobs say in health care for either a receptionist/secretary or a Nurses Assistant would require me to return to school most likely....as technology is so advanced compared to how it was in the 80's and early 90's when I was working.
Cost is a huge issue.....since I have no income of my own....don't know about getting a loan...maybe? We are putting one son thru college now plus needing to get vehicles for the other 2 sons and the cost/insurance....it's all bad timing BUT if I wait the time will never happen so I must think this out smartly & make it happen.
I can't seem to figure out what I should pursue....I know some of the jobs I don't want and/or wouldn't be interested in going to school for. That's the easy part....what I am comfortable in (office work) doesn't really pay well to be honest...at least from the ads I have looked at.
So trying to make up my mind on that plus could I actually pass the classes necessary to be X? How many yrs to be X?
Dr.H said I have about 3yrs based on my youngest being 16....soon.
Anyway here are my ideas so far:
1. Pharmacy technician
2. Medical office assistant
3. Business office assistant
4. Accounting perhaps (not sure on this one)
5. Nurses assistant
None will pay very well long term....but I am not that young and need to get back to something soon....and with no degree I am stuck (Dr.H's words)
I heard Dr.H say certain personality types are not suited to say sales....I would agree....I am not suited to anything in sales.
So should I go back to a school like Dorsey and get updated in one of these careers? or maybe take some computer classes at the community college and see if I can get hired in faster?
I feel confused and unsure....I have answered ads for jobs...only got one call...they hired me on the spot if I wanted the job BUT I had to say no...turned out to be too far away plus no hours....maybe 10per week...and they wanted me to come in to cover for maybe a 1 or 2 to let the office manager go to doc appt's and with a 1hr drive each way that just isn't a good thing or being sent home early due to lack of patients! I thought WHAT kind of job is this LOL....but at least someone actually wanted to hire me.
If I could meet with the employer I am much more likely to "sell" myself as a wonderful employee...I can do that but getting in the door to meet them is the tricky part.
So any tips or thoughts? I feel silly I am in my 40's and have no idea what to do....I have ideas but unsure which is the right path for me.
Thanks for your help!
Looking at current listings for jobs say in health care for either a receptionist/secretary or a Nurses Assistant would require me to return to school most likely....as technology is so advanced compared to how it was in the 80's and early 90's when I was working.
Cost is a huge issue.....since I have no income of my own....don't know about getting a loan...maybe? We are putting one son thru college now plus needing to get vehicles for the other 2 sons and the cost/insurance....it's all bad timing BUT if I wait the time will never happen so I must think this out smartly & make it happen.
I can't seem to figure out what I should pursue....I know some of the jobs I don't want and/or wouldn't be interested in going to school for. That's the easy part....what I am comfortable in (office work) doesn't really pay well to be honest...at least from the ads I have looked at.
So trying to make up my mind on that plus could I actually pass the classes necessary to be X? How many yrs to be X?
Dr.H said I have about 3yrs based on my youngest being 16....soon.
Anyway here are my ideas so far:
1. Pharmacy technician
2. Medical office assistant
3. Business office assistant
4. Accounting perhaps (not sure on this one)
5. Nurses assistant
None will pay very well long term....but I am not that young and need to get back to something soon....and with no degree I am stuck (Dr.H's words)
I heard Dr.H say certain personality types are not suited to say sales....I would agree....I am not suited to anything in sales.
So should I go back to a school like Dorsey and get updated in one of these careers? or maybe take some computer classes at the community college and see if I can get hired in faster?
I feel confused and unsure....I have answered ads for jobs...only got one call...they hired me on the spot if I wanted the job BUT I had to say no...turned out to be too far away plus no hours....maybe 10per week...and they wanted me to come in to cover for maybe a 1 or 2 to let the office manager go to doc appt's and with a 1hr drive each way that just isn't a good thing or being sent home early due to lack of patients! I thought WHAT kind of job is this LOL....but at least someone actually wanted to hire me.
If I could meet with the employer I am much more likely to "sell" myself as a wonderful employee...I can do that but getting in the door to meet them is the tricky part.
So any tips or thoughts? I feel silly I am in my 40's and have no idea what to do....I have ideas but unsure which is the right path for me.
Thanks for your help!