<p>I am early 40s, single and close to an empty nest although I have at least 7 more years of my childrens’ college tuition. The problem is I’m a journalist and really need to find a new career. I love the work (I have covered hard news, international news) but am just holding it together financially, have no benefits, the field is contracting and my age counts heavily against me. Lots of journalists go into public relations but I think I would hate it. I love international affairs and public policy would love to get a graduate degree (in journalism, English, government, history, foreign language) and go into academia (focusing on the areas I covered) but I don’t think that’s realistic because I couldn’t support us as an adjunct and it seems impossible to get a professorship at my age. The other thing I am considering is to try and get a federal job because I live in the DC area-- but I’m afraid my experience doesn’t line up too well with many of the positions I see posted online. Other than that, I would need to shift gears completely. (I like education and would enjoy cc-type jobs-- financial aid counseling, admissions–but am not sure there’s enough money to support the kids through college and live in this area. The only other thing I can think of is to become a school psychologist but that would be expensive and take years since I don’t even have the prerequisite coursework.) Any advice? I can’t really afford career counseling (the real issue is I need to find some realistic options and make up my mind) but if someone has experience with any company that deals with applying for federal jobs, I sure would love to hear it.</p>
<p>How about becoming a high school English and journalism teacher? Tutor on the side for extra money.</p>
<p>get a federal job and use their tuition benefits to go to school.</p>
<p>You don’t have to have the exact skillset necessary for the particular job (in many cases). Health care, pension. Do it if you get the chance. And yes, we’ve hired interns in their 40’s at my defense agency. Govt employees tend to retire earlier than many other people. I work with people that came into federal service right out of HS and have 30 years by the time they are 50 yo. I think you need to work at least 10 years to get a federal pension.</p>
<p>the process for federal jobs is so automated and it seems like you never know what your situation is. Sue, do you have any hints for those who are trying to get a gov’t job to make their computer application stand out?</p>
<p>There are some CC posters who are technical writers. It seems that your skill set would be transferable to this career.</p>
<p>‘ellemenope’ beat me to it (again) - I was going to suggest ‘Technical Writer’ if you have the ability to understand things reasonably well at a non-trained technical level and if you think you could do well writing procedures, technical descriptions (with the basic material coming from subject matter sources), etc. as opposed to flowery novels. Expect to face deadlines and many times an inadequate amount of time to do as good of a job as you’d like but you need to meet the deadlines anyway.</p>
<p>Tech writers are employed in many different industries including the government and also ‘high tech’ areas that sometimes pay reasonably. There are lots of the major defense industry companies located in and around the DC area that are potential employers.</p>
<p>A lot of TWs work under contract so you might want to locate a leading contractor firm in your area that places TWs. You could conceivably have a job quickly if you go that route. You could apply directly to the companies as well. If you have trouble finding an ideal position then take what you can find to build up the resume’.</p>
<p>Hmmm…I’ve got an empty nest and tuition payments coming up next year. Maybe I should think of becoming a technical writer…</p>
<p>The 2 journalists I know have become communications people for local colleges. Seems a good fit.</p>
<p>PM Notmamarose. Both she and her husband have journalism experience/backgrounds, and both have made transitions into other areas with the skills they gained working for newspapers. She also lives in the Baltimore area.</p>
<p>As for me, my undergrad was in journalism/public relations, but I managed to do very little with it before I got pregnant with my oldest child. When I went back for my master’s degree (seminary), I was amazed by how much my writing skills put me ahead of my other classmates. Ninety-nine percent of my seminary work involved writing papers of one kind or another, so I was ahead of the game compared to people who came in with non-writing backgrounds. Just something to keep in mind if anything requiring grad school appeals to you.</p>
<p>Dragonmom: In partial answer to your question regarding how to make your application for a federal job stand out, here is a link to a newsletter written for federal employees that addresses just that. [News</a> Articles: Effective Resumes and Your Federal Career](<a href=“Federal Employee & Retiree News - FedSmith”>Federal Employee & Retiree News - FedSmith)</p>
<p>The use of keywords from the job announcement is crucial.</p>
<p>Problem with technical writing now is that tech companies have brutally cut back, laying off large numbers and cutting contractors.</p>
<p>One other problem is outsourcing–many things that can be are outsourced to be cheaper. I agree that looking to see if you can work perhaps for the alumni or development office or communications/PR/marketing office of a college would be a good fit. Your kids could probably get discounted/free tuition at your college as well. You may also wish to try that field for a medical insurer or even perhaps with your elected senator or representative?</p>
<p>Sue, it’s reassuring to know that one may not need the exact skillset. The job requirements are usually so precise that I thought many were out of reach unless I had experience basically doing the same job in the private sector. I do think a federal job would be my best option. </p>
<p>As far as technical writing, I don’t think I would be very good at that (I’m not very technically adept) but the other suggestions are very helpful. </p>
<p>HImom, you are right about outsourcing. It has affected journalism and writing careers quite a bit.</p>
<p>My D has a friend she used to work with who quit work so he could do his blogging full-time (a technical blog). Maybe there’s a niche for you in blogging where you could put your journalism skills to work.</p>
<p>[FederalSoup.com</a> - Federal Employees Discussion Board - powered by Infopop](<a href=“http://community.federalsoup.com/4/OpenTopic?a=cfrm&s=4944011921]FederalSoup.com”>http://community.federalsoup.com/4/OpenTopic?a=cfrm&s=4944011921)</p>
<p>this is a message board for federal employees (and wannabee employees) there may be some good info to be gleaned here.</p>