<p>Congrats kelsmom! 
Gives me hope for when I make my move.</p>
<p>Congratulations! Let us know how you like it once you start!</p>
<p>Congratulations! I hope you celebrate tonight!</p>
<p>Congratulations ! You give us out of the workforce too long people hope ! I hope you’ll find time to let us know how it goes now and then.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Kelsmom! I am so happy for you!
And thanks for all of the CC financial aid advice!</p>
<p>Congratulations! I am going to make the 3rd day of every month my ‘red pumps’ day.</p>
<p>Congrats…I expect to see lots of very smart posts from you on the FA pages!</p>
<p>You are all so wonderful … thank you so much for the virtual congrats! As for the red shoes, I only wore them to that one interview. </p>
<p>3bm103, yes it is … and the commute is going to be a bear. 38 miles each way (but at least not through the mixing bowl). I actually drove farther for my last paying gig, but it was in the other direction, with much less traffic. Yes, the gas will be expensive, but it will still be worthwhile.</p>
<p>To move up within this particular school, I will need to get a masters (faculty union rules) - but it would be paid for. Hmm, what looks easy … :)</p>
<p>kelsmom, I recently started a new job = long commute+wonderful boss. Sure beats what I had in the past: short commute+A-Hole boss It is not just the $$$ that makes us happy about our jobs. Again, congratulations!</p>
<p>Oh, this is great news, kelsmom! Congratulations!!!</p>
<p>way to go!!!</p>
<p>Wonderful news!!</p>
<p>Congratulations to you. A college seems like it would be a great working environment. :)</p>
<p>It’s funny that I’ve come across this thread, as I’m a S.A.H.M. of several years who’s been giving quite a bit of thought recently to returning to the workforce. Seeing here how someone, like yourself, is about to return to the career track is really encouraging. Best of luck in your new position.</p>
<p>very cool. congratulations!</p>
<p>Audiobooks are available to make the long car ride bearable. Our local library subscribes to a service where I can download books for free! (These aren’t necessarily the latest bestsellers, but good books nonetheless.) Or you can watch for sales at the Barnes & Noble for books on CD.</p>
<p>Congratulations. And I second the suggestions the audiobooks–they can be addictive and make solo driving a pleasure.</p>
<p>kelsmom:</p>
<p>Many universities had programs that allow members of their staff to take one course per semester (or maybe more?) for free and lets them take the time off work to do so. If that is the case, you could get your Master’s in a relatively short time and move up to a position where more of your skills would be in play.</p>
<p>As for the commute, it really depends, doesn’t it? S1 has a 20 mile commute each way, which takes about 25 minutes. S2 had an internship in a company that in the morning took 20-25 minutes, but the return commute sometimes took two hours. And that was in the summer, with no snow or rain!</p>
<p>I drove to the school today to formally accept my job & to sign some papers. The drive was long … the orange barrels are in full bloom! However, there are several different routes I can take, so I can mix it up. I do like the idea of audio books. I am really bad when I read … I can’t put a book down. Audio books would let me get my book fix without the late nights.</p>
<p>I am really getting excited! It’s the first week of school, and there were so many students milling around. It’s an urban state U, and there are students of every race, class, religion, ethnicity, age, etc. Very dynamic environment. Financial aid folks take turns manning a desk in a busy lobby, and it’s apparent that many students neglected to plan ahead for how they were going to pay for school … the lobby was packed with students waiting to talk to the f/a reps! I love the personal interaction with students, so I won’t mind. Of course, my first 2-3 months will be a training program. Even though I’m pretty knowledgeable, there is still so much to learn …</p>
<p>For those SAHMs thinking of returning to work: It’s not easy. I scanned thousands of job postings, sent out dozens & dozens of resumes, and only scored a handful of interviews. Of those, I am pretty certain one place turned me down because of my age … the others, because of my absence from the work force (even though I did sub teach for the past 5 years). In the end, I am working in a job that pays a bit less than I made almost 20 years ago … but it’s enough to take care of the school bills, and there may be promotions in the future. And you can’t beat the generous vacation & holiday time!</p>
<p>I can get my masters for free, so I will look into that. I enjoyed re-learning higher level info when I subbed in advanced classes, so I know my brain still works. I just want to avoid classes that require group projects!! ;)</p>
<p>kelsmom
the diversity aspect of working at an urban public U is what I loved most about mylast job in FinAId at my CUNY branch.You feel like you are really making a difference and helping someone get their education.I dealt with every type of student imaginable,like you will, all ethnic groups,all age groups,all financial situations.Theres nothing to compare to when a studet comes back and thanks you for helping them understand their eligibility for aid,etc.It was so much more satisfying than a suburban private U I worked at previously.
If you enjoy working in Student Services, look into Higher Ed Admin for the Masters.
You will learn, and learn rather quickly on the job. I’m sure they will send you for training also.</p>
<p>Kelsmom,</p>
<p>Congrats and all the best as you start your new job. Glad to know we now have a ringer on the FA threads ;)</p>
<p>Come on over to SA so we can buy you a drink (and wear your red shoes!)</p>