Need ideas for next phase of life

[Maxine in WA]

Hi everyone. I really need some good brainstorming here. I am starting the next phase of my life. I have loved being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mommy to 2 beautiful girls. Things have changed dramatically for me. My oldest is expecting a baby in June or July (she still hasn't seen a doctor -- whole 'nuther story) and my youngest is pretty self-sufficient with her co-op classes providing all she needs, except math (which Dad could do). I am going to be getting divorced and possibly move back to CO. Until I make the move, I need to get a job here in WA. And here's my dilemma.

I have been sending out my resume to every major company I can think of, both in WA and CO. NO one is calling me for an interview. I've finally come to the conclusion that my job skills are too old for the jobs I'm applying for (Information Technology - programming, test, or tech writing). No one wants to hire a programmer who hasn't worked in the past 10 years; technology has changed quite a bit. I even sent it to 2 companies I worked for in the past, same department even, and nope, nada, zilch.

So...

I need to make a career change. That's where I need your brainstorming ideas. What job would you like to do if you were to make a change now, especially if you are over the age of 45? What sounds fun, challenging, exciting, doable?

Here's the kind of things I enjoy doing: research, reading, writing, typing, and learning new things. I also love, love, love babies. I am slowly getting into knitting and crocheting. I love plants and trees and flowers. I enjoy being outdoors. The things I dislike are: dealing with angry people, answering phones for other people, and driving a lot.

Any ideas? :)

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Nursing school. NICU nurse, maybe?

I have an obsolete degree in CS, too.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Something in a library sounds like it might be right up your alley.

[BamaTanya]

Maxine - I went through this decision-making thing last year. I decided to go back to school to become a gifted/talented teacher. There's a high need for them in our region. I like learning new things and research, too! It's not a high-paying job, but it's decent. Some places have special abbreviated certification programs for high need teachers . . . maybe even paying for schooling.
OTOH, I've kicked myself more than once for not getting an education in something that I could do part-time, like nursing or accounting.
Good luck!

[Scarlett]

Is your CS degreee 2 year or 4? If you have a bachelors I would think you could get a teacher's license fairly easily. Also, if you wanted to stay in the CS field you could easily update your skills with some classes and certifications. CS doesn't sound like your cup of tea though the way you described your 'likes'.

[Maxine in WA]

Is your CS degreee 2 year or 4? If you have a bachelors I would think you could get a teacher's license fairly easily. Also, if you wanted to stay in the CS field you could easily update your skills with some classes and certifications. CS doesn't sound like your cup of tea though the way you described your 'likes'.

It's a 4 year degree. I've also completed the 2 yr writing program from "The Institute of Children's Literature". Writing would be my number one choice, but it's so hard to break into. I will continue writing, but I need something that pays now.

I actually really loved programming. I looked at it as a mystery to be solved and I love mysteries. I guess I should have included as part of my interests that I do enjoy searching for and resolving problems. I also really enjoyed the creative side of programming.

I will definitely look into getting a teacher's license. Someone on another loop suggested I open up my own preschool center. That would be an absolute blast!

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Maxine in WA]

Nursing school. NICU nurse, maybe?

I have an obsolete degree in CS, too.

NICU nurse would be very fulfilling. I will have to think about that one. My entire life my mom told me that I could never be a nurse or doctor because I'm too tenderhearted. I would think that would be an advantage, but that programming all those years made me stay far away from pursuing the medical field.

So, did the CS degree help in any way? I actually graduated in 2000 (although I am over 45yo) so it's not really that old. I did learn things like C++ and Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems, but I guess that's not what hiring mgrs look at first.

Thanks for the suggestion!:)

[Maxine in WA]

Something in a library sounds like it might be right up your alley.

I worked as a Page in our local library for about 6 months a year ago. It was fun. I am thinking about maybe pursuing my MLS degree to become a research librarian. Unfortunately, I need a job/money now, so the MLS will have to wait.

Thanks for the suggestion.:)

[Maxine in WA]

programs for high need teachers . . . maybe even paying for schooling.
OTOH, I've kicked myself more than once for not getting an education in something that I could do part-time, like nursing or accounting.
Good luck!

I didn't know about the possibility of them paying for schooling. That is definitely worth looking into. These decisions are hard, yet exciting. I'm looking forward to going back to school.

I never even thought about the idea of getting an accounting degree. Hmmm, I may have to look into that, too.

Thanks for the suggestions.:)

[Amy in Orlando]

Nothing to offer you, advice-wise, Maxine, but I'm kind of jealous - a whole new start??? Scary, but very exciting! What do you/did you really want to be when you grew up?

[Liz CA]

...you could look into "direct entry" midwife program. Direct entry means you don't have to have a degree in nursing.
One such program is offered *National Midwifery Institute*. They offer online courses. Check if CO would accept that if moving there is a definite.

Good luck and chin up.

*A deed begun is a deed halfway done*

:)

[Maxine in WA]

Scary, but very exciting! What do you/did you really want to be when you grew up?

Yes, it's very exciting. You know what? I wanted to be a hairdresser and a clothes designer. I loved to style all my dolls with funky, interesting hairdos and clothes I made for them. Boy, did my life take a wide turn. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. This was fun. I'd forgotten about those dreams until now.

[Maxine in WA]

...you could look into "direct entry" midwife program.

:)

Really?! Wow! I'd never heard of such a thing. Midwifery is really big here in WA (at least in this area) and I know just the person to talk about this. Thanks for the tip! http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-cute-smileys-223.gif (http://easyfreesmileys.com/)

[GVA]

I've been a part-time computer science professor for the last nine years for the very reason you mentioned for your rejections. It's a field that is difficult to get back into if you don't do anything with it. My undergrad degree was from the 1980's, and I did my graduate work over six years after that, so I'd have the same problem if I hadn't been working all along.

You need to call employers, but in this area at least, there's still demand for web developers with skills in the Adobe Products - Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, etc. I did a general web certification several years ago (basically four courses - HTML, Dreamweaver, Flash/Illustrator, and networks) called the Certified Internet Webmaster. This summer I'm planning to work on my next certification level there or get the Dreamweaver certification. I'm figuring now that I have to do something every summer or I won't stay current.

Another alternative would be Java certification. If you knew C++, the jump to Java isn't bad. I was a Fortran and C programmer, so I'd have further to go to learn Java (although I need to do that sometime!).

[LNC]

Travel agent? See the world as a side perk?

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

So, did the CS degree help in any way? I actually graduated in 2000 (although I am over 45yo) so it's not really that old. I did learn things like C++ and Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems, but I guess that's not what hiring mgrs look at first.

Thanks for the suggestion!:)

I finished the core of my major in '87, so I learned things like C (no pluses, not even one, lol) and Fortran.

It helped only indirectly, in that I'm a pretty darn good problem solver and I can think systematically and logically.

It's easy for an older new grad nurse to get hired. That's just not the case in many other professions, sadly.

Here, if you can get into the nursing program (it's previous GPA dependent if you're applying second-degree), the local hospital will pay your tuitions, books, and a stipend if they accept you into their "scholarship" program. It's not quite enough to live on, but it sure helps. I'm sure there are other programs and other hospitals out there that will sponsor students.

[Maxine in WA]

Another alternative would be Java certification. If you knew C++, the jump to Java isn't bad. I was a Fortran and C programmer, so I'd have further to go to learn Java (although I need to do that sometime!).

I would love to learn Java. My husband, who is also a programmer, hates Java. He thinks it's too buggy. I'm sure they've worked the kinks out, though. I think you will like Java and/or C++. A lot of the same syntax that was in C is still in C++. You just have to change your mindset from structured programming (C) to Object-Oriented (C++). Object-oriented programming is so much fun.

You know, I really do miss programming. Maybe this is what I should pursue first. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

[Catherine]

I second the nursing/midwifery idea. It's a profession that is recession-proof. There are serious shortages and hence a great need for qualified people. Nursing or health care in general are fields that often offer flexibility that is a boon for those of us with children or other interests. You can very easily find work anywhere, do charity care, specialize as much or little as you like, and choose part-time with no problem. The challenges tend to be to one's stamina and emotional fortitude, not to one's patience. "Difficult people" are ones that have chosen their own fate, not ones that harass or berate you, generally speaking.

[mommylaw]

Wow, how exciting to start a new life! I wish you the best.

I'm currently going to nursing school in Colorado. It's been a long and tedious process. The waitlist for nursing schools is between 2.5-3 years AFTER you've completed the prerequisites (A&P 1 and 2, microbiology, pathophysiology, psych 101 and human growth and development). I didn't have the prereqs needed for the prereqs (Bio 101 & 201 and sociology) so I had to take those before starting. It's taken me a long time to get here. I'll graduate next May with both an associates in nursing and a BSN.

While I was waiting on the waitlist I finished all the BSN requirements. I was accepted into the nursing program at the community college before the state university so I accepted. But now I'm duel enrolled. It's so confusing. :rolleyes:

The nursing program is awesome but it takes so long to get into it. :( Since I'm working 12 hour shifts during clinicals at the hospitals I can no longer school my kiddos. It sounds like you have that all taken care of already. :)