If you changed careers, or started working again, what helped you decide what to do?

[gatorsmom]

This is so true. Anyway, I have 2 very different recommendations. 1)Talk to anyone you know who is doing something that is even remotely a possibility to you and see how they like it; local is best b/c I am thinking it is important to know about a particular environment not just the job, but in some cases just learning about the role. 2)For a specific possibility how about special education advocate. I am a little unclear about if you want something paid, could go either way or prefer unpaid...but all of these roles exist for special education advocates. In my area, there are some parents who just help other parents free of charge; we also have agencies with paid employees in this role (although that gets very interesting as far as whose interests they are really there to serve but that is another story).

Inunderstwnd what you mean by whose interest do they serve if they are paid by the hospital/employer. I would volunteer my time likely. And I would really like to be a resource for families who cannot afford special ed services. I think I would enjoy that quite a lot. But would I need to get my PhD? How long would that take starting with a Bachelors?

[gatorsmom]

I stayed home for 8 years. I was a civil engineer for 11 years before having DS1, mostly overseeing construction projects. I didn't like overseeing construction projects and had started to examine other options when I got pregnant. The 2009 recession hit and then-H got laid off a few weeks after DS2 was born. He was able to work a little bit here and there, but after a year or so we decided I needed to try to get a job too. It took a while, but when DS2 was 3 I got a job overseeing construction projects. I took the job, it's a great public agency with lots of engineering opportunities. I met a woman whose job sounded perfect for me, and after a couple of years I was able to transfer into her group. I've now been doing this job for 10 years, I took over the group when the other lady retired. I live what I do and plan to continue until I'm ready to retire.
Sometimes you take what you can get, and keep your eyes open for where it can lead you.
My first thought in reading your OP is looking at your local county office and see if they have a resource specialist position. I know someone that does that here- they answer calls and help direct the public in finding the resources they need (meal programs, housing assistance, senior programs, mental health supports, etc). My DS1 does something kinda similar for meals on wheels as a volunteer- he is assigned homebound senior citizens who he is to call at a set time every week, talk with them, see how they're doing, if there any resources or assistance they might need. I don't know if there is much of a French speaking community in your area, but if so that would be a great asset to these types of jobs.

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I love that you stumbled into a job you love. I hope that happens to me.

[gatorsmom]

I would think you would be great as a counselor. I don’t know how much schooling is needed though. If you aren’t looking for a salary, you could donate your time to people who don’t have the means to pay for counseling services.

Ive been dreaming of something like this for years. I’m just not sure my brain is capable at 52yo of the schooling to be qualified.

[pinkmomagain]

Did you end up with a bachelors in Psychology as an undergrad or did you get a business degree? How much schooling did you need to go into counseling? I loved psychology and intended to go into counseling but also loved the research aspect. My counselor at the time told me I would need a lot more schooling than I thought I could afford and my parents were discouraging me from taking loans so I got a minor in business and went that route. But I was sad to give up psychology.

Is 54 years old too old to start classes again? My brain is NOT what it used to be. lol.

I ended up as an English Major as an undergrad. I did have a few psychology classes on my transcript.
Then a few years after graduating, I went for an MBA.
When I was looking into programs to become a therapist, the main degrees were Clinical Counseling, Social Work or Marriage & Family Therapy. All were about 2 years of classes and internships. And then another year or two of clinical hours (getting paid low hourly wages) to become licensed. Once licensed, I immediately went into private practice. Some of the masters programs asked for pre-req classes, but the one I completed did not. I also did not have to take the GRE.

54 years old is not too old. I was in my 40s at the time and it got my brain working again. I'm really glad I went back to school in middle age.

[JustMe]

Inunderstwnd what you mean by whose interest do they serve if they are paid by the hospital/employer. I would volunteer my time likely. And I would really like to be a resource for families who cannot afford special ed services. I think I would enjoy that quite a lot. But would I need to get my PhD? How long would that take starting with a Bachelors?

So, where I live there is a local facebook group of parents whose kids have IEPs. Some parents just volunteer to attend IEP meetings with other parents, and either just take notes, provide support, point things out if they see a parent/child not being treated well/within their rights. etc. No specific education needed, just helping other parents...so maybe see if there are any local groups relevant to parents with kids on IEPs? As I said, in term of the agencies we have, there can be conflicts of interests, especially for the employees, but maybe see if you have any local organizations that would allow you to do informational interviews or learn about any volunteer work..that way you would also learn what is involved/needed.

I am going to PM you the name of a group that is local to me, but has a lot of good info on their webste.

[firstbaby]

How important is flexibility to you when easing back in? Do you think you want something FT 9-5 52 weeks a year? Is the $ / income most important or something meaningful to do with your time?

With your bilingual skills, I would try to leverage that - the idea of being a French tutor is great (we paid big $ for quality language tutoring) or maybe an au pair / nanny agency job of some sort since you have nanny experience and you could help support the live in au pair / nanny and the families they live with.

Or be an entrepreneur and put together tour groups for trips to France.

I stayed home, worked p/t for a few years and have been back to FT for the last 4-5 years. I enjoy what I do but miss the p/t flexibility.

[echoesofspring]

gatorsmom I don't think it's ever too late to go back and study something you love. You might not have the career path you would have had starting in your 20's but I'm sure you can find a path that's fulfilling. I have an acquaintance on FB, I don't know her very well, but I know she had a corporate career. She recently made a post about almost being done with her clinical hours (therapy) and mentioned that she went back to grad school at 52.
If you want it you can do it!

[gatorsmom]

gatorsmom I don't think it's ever too late to go back and study something you love. You might not have the career path you would have had starting in your 20's but I'm sure you can find a path that's fulfilling. I have an acquaintance on FB, I don't know her very well, but I know she had a corporate career. She recently made a post about almost being done with her clinical hours (therapy) and mentioned that she went back to grad school at 52.
If you want it you can do it!

This is encouraging! I’m always happy to hear others’ success at this age. It gives me hope!

[StantonHyde]

The mental health world desperately--really desperately--needs social workers. You could get your LCSW--Masters Degree plus supervised clinical work. That would allow you to do many things--be a therapist, develop programs in schools or community centers, provide Case Management services, work in an Emergency Room, etc.

Or you could become a certified Case Manager (which is actually really easy in the state where I live--just take an easy test) and you could get hired/volunteer at non-profit/community mental health centers or primary care clinics that treat homeless/working poor. This involves helping people connect with resources and follow treatment plans.

What about becoming a Guardian ad Litem? Kids really need someone to stick up for them in high conflict divorces.

[hwin708]

Since you have language skills I wonder if you could find a position (volunteer or paid) where you help refugees who speak French?

I was going to say the same thing. There's been a growing number of Haitian refugees in my city. You really don't know who is around you, as some refugees often land where their sponsor is. You can always email the major refugee organizations in your state, and they may be able to point you to a local group or family.

I also know many people who volunteer in hospitals after retirement. There are loads of different programs there, and they will match you according to your assets and preferred work. The info desk and family relations (helping the families in the waiting room who are waiting for updates on their loved one etc) are the most common jobs for people I know, along with holding babies in the NICU. But I know there are many other jobs, like overseeing the chemo patients' comfort. Even the floral design is partially volunteer at one of my local hospitals. And they might take French translator services while you are there.

DCFS is hideously understaffed, and many of the jobs (at mine, at least) only require a bachelors and 4 years of administrative experience.