Could Use Some Prayers/Positive Thoughts/Advice

[Eeyores Butterfly]

My husband has been looking for a job for over 2 years now. He is certified to teach secondary social studies, but he does not coach or play sports. Over the summer he did get certified to teach special ed, but it was too lte for the current school year. He has been applying to every district known to man in our area. He has been applying for both teacher and para positions. I know that he hates that he's having trouble even finding para positions when he has his master's degree.

He also recently got his CCNA (computer networking certification). He participated in a competition through CISCO called NetRiders and his team placed first in our state and 11th in the region which included both US and Canada. He is now trying to apply for networking jobs as well.

This has been a very long, exhausting, and frustrating hunt. I think he keeps thingking there is something wrong with him, but it's just our area and the economy. When I graduated in 09, I was one of two people in my program who even had a job- out of all the different majors. Schools here laid off teachers last year and increased class sizes. I know that when our district hired two new teachers mid year, they had over 180 applicants for each position.

I'm not too worried about financials. When I bought the house I made sure I could afford all the bills on my salary alone. I still can, but they started taking out his health insurance which is second only to my mortgage in how much I have to pay. He does sub, so we're certainly not in danger there, but I know he wants a full time job, and I want him to have benefits as the health insurance is outrageous.

If you could just keep us in your thoughts, I would appreciate it. And if you have any job hunting advice, we'll take it! Thanks.

 

[themilesfamily]

I hadn't heard you got married -- so congratulations to you!!!

on the job situation. I will keep you two in my thoughts and prayers.

Do you guys have a Barnes & Noble in your area? I've heard they offer health insurance, including a dental plan and flexible spending account, to their part-time people. Maybe he could do that, sub and look for a job all at the same time?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I have talked to him about those kinds of jobs, but right now he won't apply for them. Our theme park is getting ready to start up again, so he'll be working close to full time hours through the end of summer. If he does not have a teaching or IT job by the start of the school year, I will start pushing it again. He gets incredibly defensive and irritated anytime job stuff comes up. I completely understand why. I see him doing all of these applications and going on interviews, so I've been biting my tongue.

 

[NotUrsula]

Smaller private schools are usually thrilled to find a certified teacher who can also function solidly as an IT manager; those would probably be good places to focus on. The pay probably won't be very good, but that two-for-one capability gives him a bit of an edge that might make up for the whole coaching thing.

 

[katesorad]

I know that it's completely out of his field, but what about security? My DH graduated with a BA in history (at the top of his class, I might add..), and he can't find a job at all in CA.. so he's now working as a security guard. He pretty decent benefits, and he has only a 2 minute commute to work, because they place you close to where you live. They will hire anyone who has a degree, and pay a bit more for people with degrees than people without. Plus, the hours are usually rather flexible, so he will have plenty of time to job hunt outside of work.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Wow, I should have posted this sooner. He had a second interview yesterday for a para position (a saga in and of itself as he was driving through some pretty heave snow to get there!). He sent them a thank you via email and heard back from the principal saying they are recommending to HR that they hire him.

Here's my question. If he gets the job (we're being cautiously optimistic), he will have insurance through them. We have one time a year we can enroll. After that, it has to be a qualifying event. My marriage was considered a qualifying event. I can't get onto our district website right now to look it up. Would the spouse getting a job with benefits be considered a qualifying event to most companies?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

 

[gillep]

Here's my question. If he gets the job (we're being cautiously optimistic), he will have insurance through them. We have one time a year we can enroll. After that, it has to be a qualifying event. My marriage was considered a qualifying event. I can't get onto our district website right now to look it up. Would the spouse getting a job with benefits be considered a qualifying event to most companies?

First , second, at both mine and my husband's companies yes this would qualify!!!

 

[piperdown]

Best of luck on the potential job offer. Just wanted to reply because your story sounded strangely familiar, as my husband was in the exact same situation 15+ years ago. He was/is certified to teach secondary social studies, but also had no desire to coach. Larger schools wanted experienced teachers, and smaller schools wanted coaches (esp in Texas). He substitute taught for a few months, hoping to get his "foot in the door."

Out of the blue, he got a call from a professor that had taught one of his education classes. She had a second job at a small educational publishing company. As part of the class, she had the students keep journals, and sometimes when she came across a particularly good writer, she would recommend them for contract writing positions with the publishing company. DH was one of the lucky few. The contract position turned into a permanent position, and his 15 year career as an educational writer/editor was born.

He always regretted not using his teaching credentials, so 3 years ago he started his second career as a middle school math and science teacher. Yes, he was originally certified in social studies, but before starting his teaching career, he also became certified in math, science, and computer applications. He's loving it, and doesn't even mind the huge pay cut.

 

[amyy]

Sending pixie dust your/his way.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Best of luck on the potential job offer. Just wanted to reply because your story sounded strangely familiar, as my husband was in the exact same situation 15+ years ago. He was/is certified to teach secondary social studies, but also had no desire to coach. Larger schools wanted experienced teachers, and smaller schools wanted coaches (esp in Texas). He substitute taught for a few months, hoping to get his "foot in the door."

Out of the blue, he got a call from a professor that had taught one of his education classes. She had a second job at a small educational publishing company. As part of the class, she had the students keep journals, and sometimes when she came across a particularly good writer, she would recommend them for contract writing positions with the publishing company. DH was one of the lucky few. The contract position turned into a permanent position, and his 15 year career as an educational writer/editor was born.

He always regretted not using his teaching credentials, so 3 years ago he started his second career as a middle school math and science teacher. Yes, he was originally certified in social studies, but before starting his teaching career, he also became certified in math, science, and computer applications. He's loving it, and doesn't even mind the huge pay cut.

Have you read any of the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs? The main character is a certified history teacher turned mechanic who specifically says she couldn't find a job due to not being able to coach! I keep trying to get Aaron to read them. (They are fantasy books.)

One of Aaron's networking profs actually approached him about the possibility of being an adjunct professor with the community college next year, but we have not been banking on it. For one thing, we don't even know if ther ewill be a position available. For another, it would be strictly part time with no benefits. We're still hoping that pans out, as he would be able to do that on top of whatever para or teaching job he has.

 

[Cindy B]

I have been there done that.. I just got my teaching job after 22 months.. that's right 22 months.

Don't focus on what he doens't want to do (coaching sports). I am the most unathletic person on the earth. I really wouldn't want to coach but if it came between me and a potential job, I would do it.

I had a teaching interview where one of the principals asked me about coaching. I said as strongly as possible something like "I'd do anything that helps the school achieve its objectives. I'd be much more comfortable becoming an assistant or co-coach at first, but I'd be willing to try." The principal (male) liked my response and he told me that one of his first jobs he was the cheerleading advisor...

Don't focus on what he can't or won't do but focus on what he can-- possibly student government, tutoring, AVID, student mentoring,etc.

Some schools also hire a technology coordinator. He should look into that as well.