<p>Hi, drdrewsmom – Thanks for the encouragement. Today I spoke with a counselor at a vocational service that helps with resumes, etc. She said that she couldn’t offer much help to someone who had been out of the work force for so long. What an education! I don’t think that my daughter, who is entering her sophomore year in college, learned as much last year as I have in the past few weeks.</p>
<p>Georgemma,</p>
<p>Can you attend the local community college to obtain a certificate in something while you work at a less desirable job?</p>
<p>Yes, hi momwaiting, I have been looking into that. Next week I am meeting a lawyer to discuss the paralegal possibilities. I am also considering teaching English as a second language, because I did that as a volunteer. I lived in Paris for ten years and had shorter stints (approx. two years) in Athens, Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Montreal (my husband was a hotel executive). Library science is another idea, because I have always regretted not pursuing it. My parents rolled their eyes at me and said that I had to become a librarian because I knew so much useless information. Thanks, Mom and Dad. I looked up Drdrewsmom’s threads on changing jobs, as she suggested. It is reassuring to see how much I have in common with other cc parents who have loved doing research.</p>
<p>My wife was never really out of the employment world, but everything she has done for the past 18 years stemmed from a volunteer position she took on while she was on extended maternity leave when our children were babies. If you get involved with something that interests you and that you love, after a while you will have real expertise and a real network, and you will know about the opportunities when they arise. You may even be able to create them for yourself, or have others do that.</p>
<p>Thank you, JHS (junior high school?!). Just today I faxed the volunteer form to the main branch of the library and said that I would be willing to do any number of things, i.e., story-time in French or German. I also e-mailed a theology school and offered to assist out-of-town visitors who go there to do research (that occurs quite often).</p>
<p>I spent a lot of time this year on another site. I had a malignant tumor, surgery and adjuvant therapy. (I am fine now, no evidence of disease.) I had a terrific cyber support group, there as well as here. I am so glad to be back at cc again.</p>
<p>Goodness:</p>
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<p>I agree with whoever suggested working to help expats get settled in the US. How perfect.</p>
<p>Our public school system has a program designed for people who’d like a second career as a teacher. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree in something, you can sign up for an interview, and if selected you do a 6 week training in the summer and then into a classroom for the school year. They give you a mentor at your school and other support and basically it’s on the job training, which if you make it 2 years with good reviews from your principal, leads to state teacher certification. A friend of mine left her bank job to switch to being a 5th grade math teacher so her schedule would match her kids. The first year she worked really long hours doing lesson plans and stuff she wasn’t used to, but then the second year it was much easier. Our school system is desperate for teachers I guess, but maybe something like that might be available.</p>
<p>You sound like a clever lady with a depth of experience and knowledge. I think you would make a great PA in our office because so many of our clients and empolyees are from overseas. That makes me think that you would make a great employee at a firm with intl clients and employees. When you think law firm–think law firm with intl offices. </p>
<p>What are your computer skills? Word? How fast do you type? Do you use any computer accounting programs? (They are not hard to learn–and it might be worth buying Quickbooks and putting your own accounts on QB–just for practice).</p>
<p>I’m going to take a guess and say that you are located somewhere east of the Mississippi.</p>
<p>For grins, I looked at the Cleveland Craigslist job listings.</p>
<p>Here’s a legal listing that had possibilities–and includes a library of sorts.</p>
<p><a href=“http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ofc/373597330.html[/url]”>http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ofc/373597330.html</a></p>
<p>What are you missing from that description?</p>
<p>Power point? Not too hard to learn.</p>
<p>Excel–also pretty easy to learn/use.</p>
<p>You may not have database experience but they can train you to use theirs.</p>
<p>Your key selling point? English grammar–and foreign languages should they need them!</p>
<p>That’s the kind of ad you should make a run at…says me. </p>
<p>High maintenance hair isn’t the burden you imagine. Wait until you see yourself with a few blond highlights before you make a judgement. That’s what I told my “I’m never going to dye my hair” mother about ten years ago. She did it once–and couldn’t live without the subtle hints of blond in the gray-- at age 73. </p>
<p>You’re trying so many new things…pick out a woman you know who has lovely highlights–and ask her who does her hair. Then get yours done–just once. THEN make a decision about what you want.</p>
<p>Just a couple additions - I went back to full time work after 22 years. I had sent out resumes to jobs in my old field and never got a response. I took a civil service test (in my old field) and was hired off the list. They had to interview me because of my score. I don’t know why my resume brought no response - either they were hiring friends or they didn’t want to take a chance on someone with no recent work experience. I’ve found out there are many civil service tests (including ones for librarians and for schools) and quite a few of the people benefiting are women returning to the workforce after raising children. This might be a regional thing (New York state).</p>
<p>I didn’t claim to have any specific computer skills either, but when I made that statement at the interview, was quick to add that I used e-mail, the internet, adapted an Excel template to keep the PTA membership list current and did our personal taxes using TurboTax on the web. I tried to stress that I learned what I needed to get a job done - and would do that if they hired me. My only ‘formal’ computer training was three evenings at the library where very basic computer use was explained. I agree with posters above - literacy can’t be taught in a week, but logging onto an employer’s e-mail and learning their specific computer uses can.</p>
<p>As for the gray, I kept mine. </p>
<p>Living in foreign countries shows an ability to adapt and learn that would be an asset on the job.</p>
<p>Good luck - and don’t listen to the naysayers.</p>
<p>I haven’t read all the replies but the first question I have for you is … what do you like to do? If you love to read look at your local library of local family owned book store? Love kids … look to the teen center, YMCA. Love the arts … look to the local dance company or theater. … etc … I believe the closer you can relate to the product of your employeer the more fulfilled you will feel. As someone mentioned earlier if finances are not an issue starting as a volunteer is a great way to gain experience that eventually can be leveraged into a payign job. </p>
<p>PS - while it’s an old book I’d recommend “What Color is Your Parachute” … it is a great book which tries to help the reader figure out what they enjoy and what jobs that might lead to.</p>
<p>Georgemma:
I don’t know where you live, but look and see if you city has a place like this:
<a href=“http://www.rochesterworks.org/[/url]”>http://www.rochesterworks.org/</a></p>
<p>This is a non-profit that is funded by our state labor department. They offer wonderful support to all job seekers. I took both a resume class and an interview class there, and both were really good. I have a fairly uneven job history, due to being home with kids for a long time, but they helped me put my resume together so well that I nearly always get an interview when I apply for a job (and here, in job-depressed upstate NY). Also, getting tips on, and practicing, interviewing is key.</p>
<p>So, maybe call up your state labor department and ask them if there’s something like that where you live. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I’m still a little unclear. Is this a time when you want to pursue a career (like the library science thing) or do you want a job you enjoy. There could be a difference. First, I agree with everyone else…your family’s lack of support is not particulary accurate. It sounds like you have a LOT to offer. If you are looking at pursuing a career, something like library science will probably take you at least two years to complete (a master of library science typically takes two years of full time study). If you “need” a job now, that might not work. Re: computer skills…look at your town continuing education information. Many towns offer short courses in these things in the evenings…they are terrific. Have you considered contacting a temporary agency? Around here, some actually offer beginning training in computer skills (the basics). Also, working as a temp, you might find something that piques your interest. Most of all, ask yourself what you enjoy. I’m actually nearing the end of a long career in the same field and am looking for other options that do not involve my training and experience at all…things like selling furniture and appliances, working for a non-profit arts group. I have NO experience at all in either field but would work in a very low level entry level position because I would enjoy these jobs in my “retirement”.</p>
<p>I need to post again just to tell you that I am sooooo jealous of your living in Paris for 10 years! That is totally worth whatever job search problems you might be having now (which I assure you are only temporary). Ditto Athens, Tel Aviv, etc. Living abroad for such an extended time is an oppty my spouse and I would jump on in the proverbial NY second. Be eternally grateful for it.</p>
<p>Back to advice. Another option you mentioned re: library. Our library system has jobs that they call “library tech” for people with “just a bachelors” degree not in library science. Basically they train you to be a librarian, but you get paid less than if you had the library science degree. If you can afford to be part time and go back to school for the library degree (say work nights and weekends) they will pay you a higher hourly rate and then move you up to full pay/full time once you have the degree in hand. I have a friend who did this option (library tech, no school) just to get health insurance once her husband’s job decided to eliminate that little perk. (can anyone say “national health insurance”?)</p>
<p>Right now while you have free time is the time to join, join, join. Clubs and organizations with meetings, seminars and luncheons you can attend and meet people in fields or areas of interest. Also start learning that pesky computer. Everyone above who stated that the mere fact you are literate and responsible is a plus is correct. At H’s office they go through about 4 receptionists a year 'cause they can’t find anyone with the skills to do that job in a high demand professional area w/o screwing up. And you wouldn’t think it would be that hard, but it is.</p>
<p>My sister has done the temp agency thing. Her H travels a lot for business and she loves to go with him (they have no kids), so she works temp full time and just blocks off the weeks she’s traveling. She started out as a receptionist and worked other people’s vacations/maternity leaves. She gets her benefits from the temp agency.</p>
<p>Catholic Charities does a lot of work with relocating and settling refugees, a lot from African countries, some of whom are French speaking. They might could use you too. Best of luck and I am soooo jealous!</p>