Careers?

[Beth]

This winter I plan on starting a few classes. Hopefully things will not change on the home front to change these plans.

My thing is, I am wanting to attend school not only for intellectual fulfillment, but also to earn some money. Right now I am soley dependant on my husband financially and I want to earn enough to support myself if the need ever arose. My husband has a rather dangerous occupation. Plus, it would be nice to have supplemental income.

My thing is, I haven't a clue as to what I should look for. I need a 8:30 -5:30 job so that I can get kids off to school and pick them up when the after school programs end. I need a job that is not extremely demanding so that I can continue to put my kids first.

My one skill is photography, although it really needs to be honed. I love it, I would love freelance stuff, but it would probably conflict with family life with the demands of time. I would really like a teaching career, but teachers do not get paid very well in elementary education, plus I am not sure I could handle the demands of the job, and to teach adults would require a much longer education.

My dream is to get my degree in archeology. It has been a dream since I was a wee little lass and it is one that I intend to fulfill, even if I am in my forties before I do. But I am not sure this would pay the bills, pay for the kid's wants and needs, and so on.

I was thinking computers, but after writing code and working on a website, I realized I probably just might go mad if I had to use that language day in and day out. I am excellent at hardware and fixing my system and helping others with theirs. But I fear that computer repair probably pays crap or is not a high demand job.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could get any suggestions as to careers that are mom-friendly and do not require many, many years to enter.

[Nil Desperandum]

Beth, if you have an interest in computer hardware, I would strongly suggest looking into it. Everyone has a computer, everyone needs to have their computer fixed, and most people are ignorant when it comes to doing such, so you can help them out.

A computer repair technician might be something for you. I am not sure if you have to have certification (A++, MCSE, et cetera), but it is certainly something to look into.

I know I will have a technician job when I get out, having previously troubleshot the Avionics systems for the F-117A Stealth Fighter. If I can trouble-shoot that, I think that trouble-shooting computers wouldn't be nearly as difficult. Ok, GETTING a job troubleshooting them. I just have to get kicked out of the Air Force before I can do that.

I would think it would be somewhat stable, and not all that demanding. It would totally depend. I have not been a civilian, ever, so yeah...

I'd say go for it. Hardware is fun, and EVERYONE wants a working computer. Think of how happy you can make others!!! :) :)

[LadyShea]

Good for you, Beth! Best of luck. I am also looking toward a career change, and was all set to take a doula/childbirth education course, I bought and read all the required books, then they cancelled the class ( :fuming: )

Anyway, off the top of my head

Childcare/preschool
Medical office
Portrait/boudior/glamour/pet photography at an estblished studio
Wedding photography (though it might not fit with your hours)

For 8:30 to 5:30 you might be left with no choice but to look into office management/administration. Make sure your Excel/Word/Access skills are up to par and you can make anywhere from 10-20/hour



You could look into historical preservation which is sometimes an added degree with archaeology. Preservationists work with architects, museums, archives, etc.

[dave_a]

I don't know what kind of money you are looking for, but I would think a help desk or even desktop support (more hands on) position in an office would satisfy the work hour requirement as long as you don't take a position requiring 24x7 pager support. You might even consider looking for such a position in a school or university and perhaps you could get some sort of educational benefit that would make continuing education less expensive.

Just a thought.

[Nil Desperandum]

Oh, forgot to congratulate you on your desire for self-growth and nuturement. It makes me happy to see anyone feel more independent, free, and confident about their futures.

Best wishes to you, sweetie.

[Dingfod]

Careers? I like careers, some better than others. You just cannot beat the rear view of a 1990-1996 Nissan 300 ZX, but some suck big time, like the backside of the Lincoln Versailles or the 1979-1980 Cadillac Seville.

[livius drusus]

No matter what you decide to do in terms of immediate career needs (and I'm certainly not the person to help with that), you should definitely look into the archaeology distance learning (http://www.le.ac.uk/ar/dl.htm) program from the University of Leicester. You pay up front and they send you books and a syllabus. Follow along at your own pace over a period of 3 months and send in a final paper to get your grade.

I loved the intro courses I took, and you can even get advanced degrees from them. It's not cheap, but neither is it pricey and it's a great way to learn about your real passion as you work on short-term goals.

[wildernesse]

My dream is to get my degree in archeology. It has been a dream since I was a wee little lass and it is one that I intend to fulfill, even if I am in my forties before I do. But I am not sure this would pay the bills, pay for the kid's wants and needs, and so on.



My undergrad is anthropology with a focus in archaeology. It is loads and loads of fun if you like being outside, digging in the dirt and looking at small pieces of what is essentially junk (if you are lucky).

If you have an undergrad in archaeology (or even if you have no experience in some cases but you have a real desire to learn and you are a hard worker and a good one), most of the time you will be working either as a field tech or a lab tech. If you have little to no experience, you will likely be a field tech--even if you know a good deal about the artifacts that you will be dealing with.

Field techs in the SE US generally work for archaeology firms that bid for projects that involve doing survey work for some kind of construction involving government money. The people are hoping you won't find anything of note--and most of the time you won't. A lot of this is: survey a straight line and flag every so many meters; grab shovel and screen and walk to flag; dig small circular hole; screen dirt; record whatever you find; next. All day long. It's tedious. It can be hot. You probably won't be working 8-5, more like 6-3 in the summers. In any event, you'll probably start at 7. The pay is not spectacular--most of the field techs I know don't own their own homes or have families. Most are under 30, and most of the ones I know are far from what I would call conventional people. Many companies have projects that are not local--and you could be away from home for a week at a time (at least).

Lab techs have the advantage of working inside with all the junk--and getting to see a lot. They probably make the same amount as field techs, although in some cases they make end up making less (not getting per diem for travel). Very scrupulous record keeping. Very. Much more regular hours though.

If you have a grad degree in anthro/arch, you can move up to "management". You lead the projects, manage the lab, write the papers. These are the types of positions that pay the bills and pay for family--IMO.

I loved it very much--sometimes I wonder why I'm not still doing it, but if you're interested, you should look around the Tampa area and see what's available. There are some field schools--and that's where the most important skills are. It's not like you can't learn in an instant what salt-glazed pottery looks like--but the field stuff needs lots of practice.

This is just my basic opinion--based really on GA. I've really only puttered around the edges of arch work, so take it with a grain of salt.

[livius drusus]

At LadyShea's request and with Beth's blessing the pronunciation discussion has been split to this thread (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=747). :)

[viscousmemories]

Good luck, Beth. I'm far from the person to help with career advice, but I wish you well.

[Beth]

A computer repair technician might be something for you. I am not sure if you have to have certification (A++, MCSE, et cetera), but it is certainly something to look into.Yeah, I think I do need certification to be hired. But that is not too much of a problem. I'm willing to go to school if there will be a job waiting for me after making that effort and expense.

I know I will have a technician job when I get out, having previously troubleshot the Avionics systems for the F-117A Stealth Fighter. If I can trouble-shoot that, I think that trouble-shooting computers wouldn't be nearly as difficult. Ok, GETTING a job troubleshooting them. I just have to get kicked out of the Air Force before I can do that.

I would think it would be somewhat stable, and not all that demanding. It would totally depend. I have not been a civilian, ever, so yeah...

I'd say go for it. Hardware is fun, and EVERYONE wants a working computer. Think of how happy you can make others!!! :) :)Hehe. Thank you. Good luck with your future. I am surethat with your skills, tech work would be a breeze. :)
Oh, forgot to congratulate you on your desire for self-growth and nuturement. It makes me happy to see anyone feel more independent, free, and confident about their futures.

Best wishes to you, sweetie.Thank you. :) Best wishes to you, too.

[Beth]

Good for you, Beth! Best of luck.Thank you:)

I am also looking toward a career change, and was all set to take a doula/childbirth education course, I bought and read all the required books, then they cancelled the class ( :fuming: )[/qute] Oh, I'm sorry to hear they cancelled the class, especially since you put out all the expense of the class. I too would have been livid. Is there any chance they'll have another in the near future?



[quote]Childcare/preschool Well, my deal is that it may be a high stress job. Believe it or not, these little critters can be very, very demanding. Volunteering for me is always stressful when I go to the kindergarten class. They are adorable, but require constant supervision. Plus, I get sick alot from the younger kids. Every time I volunteer for the younger kids, I get very sick. The kids wipe their noses with their hands then touch everything. I cannot seem to wash my hands enough. I missed the last day of school party last year and my son's football party because I picked up abronchitis from a kindergartener.
Medical office I have thought of this. In fact, I think I may put feelers out for a position as receptionist or secretary at the end of this year. I have secretarial skills and am excellent at filing, love it, in fact. .
Portrait/boudior/glamour/pet photography at an estblished studio I thought of this. I did have a position as a photographer once but had to turn it down because the kids were young and I could not get help with them. I was pretty heart broken. My thing is, the pay is not always the best when you begin. I wanted to try the glam stuff. I think I have a good eye for it, and even thought of doing make up for them. But that requires a cosmetology lisense, if I'm not mistaken.

I do know some of these places do train, though and I could build a portfolio.
Wedding photography (though it might not fit with your hours)Probably not. But I think the pay is pretty good for just a few hours work.

For 8:30 to 5:30 you might be left with no choice but to look into office management/administration. Make sure your Excel/Word/Access skills are up to par and you can make anywhere from 10-20/hour I have these programs, but I am not really that skilled in them. Maybe I should do some tutorials and get a couple ooks on these programs to get to a marketable level.



You could look into historical preservation which is sometimes an added degree with archaeology. Preservationists work with architects, museums, archives, etc.
I never thought of this. I definitely will look into the goings on of this.
Thank you, Brandi. I hope your career search turns out well.:)

[Beth]

I don't know what kind of money you are looking for, but I would think a help desk or even desktop support (more hands on) position in an office would satisfy the work hour requirement as long as you don't take a position requiring 24x7 pager support. You might even consider looking for such a position in a school or university and perhaps you could get some sort of educational benefit that would make continuing education less expensive.

Just a thought.My sister in law was an on-call tech. The pager thing worries me about this job, but you offered a very good suggestion. I wonder what opening the local university or community college has.

It would be lovely to have a job that will pay to further my education, or at least offer me a break in the cost!


No matter what you decide to do in terms of immediate career needs (and I'm certainly not the person to help with that), you should definitely look into the archaeology distance learning program from the University of Leicester. You pay up front and they send you books and a syllabus. Follow along at your own pace over a period of 3 months and send in a final paper to get your grade.

I loved the intro courses I took, and you can even get advanced degrees from them. It's not cheap, but neither is it pricey and it's a great way to learn about your real passion as you work on short-term goals.Wow. This sounds very interesting. Does this course offer credits?

[livius drusus]

Wow. This sounds very interesting. Does this course offer credits?

It does, but since it's in the UK, I wouldn't count on them being transferable to US schools. I know the intro courses credits count towards the masters and PhD programs they offer. Beyond that, I can't really say.

[Beth]

Wow. This sounds very interesting. Does this course offer credits?

It does, but since it's in the UK, I wouldn't count on them being transferable to US schools. I know the intro courses credits count towards the masters and PhD programs they offer. Beyond that, I can't really say.
Thank you. Hehe. I suppose it would give me a reason to travel to the UK.:D

[livius drusus]

He he... Yeah, a pretty good one, I'd say. The thing is, you could do the whole nine yards strictly via correspondence if you needed to. You could take the intros and move on to a masters or straight into the PhD program sitting in your Florida living room. :relax:

[AspenMama]

Good luck Beth! This is a very smart move on your part. You may want to re-consider the 9-5 thing-- I have found that it is very hard to volunteer at my children's school during the day with my set schedule. For me, a flexible schedule would be ideal. Have you thought about some sort of mixed media career like maintaining websites or online newsletters? There are several jobs in the PR area that I cannot apply to because I do not have those technical skills-- digital photography included. If you are interested in nonprofit work, let me know and I can give you some more pointers.