If you love your career please tell me what you do and why you like it!

[kyra's mommy]

Hello!

I am probably going to retire in four years from my job as a flight attendant. I'll be 43 and I'm now trying to decide what I'll want to do after I retire. I'd like to continue working because I think that it's healthy to work and I'll be too young to stop.

So I've been weighing my options. So far I have been thinking about going back to school to finish my bachelors degree ( I have only 8 classes left- I hope, it depends on how many of my prior credits they would take ) and then get my masters in counseling. However, with the cost of school these days and not knowing as of yet how many classes I'd have to take for my bachelors degree I need to be sure of my career choice. I don't think taking on potentially $40k worth of school debt would be wise.

I'd love to hear from all of you as to which career you have chosen and if you're happy with it. Also what type of degree ( or not ) that you needed.

Thanks!! It'll be fun to learn more about you all!!

 

[Hook326]

Hey! I'm a therapist so I think your choice would be a good one! I love my job! It's so inspiring to watch someone go through whatever part of their life journey you get to help them with!

As far as taking on more debt, I would encourage you to look into state universities as they would obviously be cheaper. Depending on what program you decide on, it will take you 2.5-3 years fulltime. Do you eventually want to work in an agency, private practice, school setting? Depending on your state which degree you get determines your licensure options. I have my M.S. Ed in Counseling and am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (L.C.P.C). Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[Lisa71]

I'm a Registered Nurse, and I have been for 17 years. I love helping people and educating them about what is happening to their bodies. It is a lot of stress, and I just finished my MSN, but you can work in most states with an ADN. I know many for whom it was a "second career", but it is busy and stressful, so not for everyone>

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Hi - I simply couldn't resist. I retired this year when the company I worked for eliminated my position and quite honestly it's the best career move I've made in years. I'm also much older than you - even though at 57 I wasn't ready to retire, either financially or physically; I plan on putting my good health into enjoying more time with my friends and family. Best of luck to you in your next career - whatever you decide.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I've worked as a director at two large centers, as well as having my own childcare business. Over the last few years I've settled into providing private nanny services and I can't ever see doing anything but. I start with a family with a newborn/toddler and stay with them until kindergarten. I love going to work every day, and also love that every 5 years or so I get to reprioritize and figure out what hours work best for my family before comitting to a new job.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Hey! I'm a therapist so I think your choice would be a good one! I love my job! It's so inspiring to watch someone go through whatever part of their life journey you get to help them with!

As far as taking on more debt, I would encourage you to look into state universities as they would obviously be cheaper. Depending on what program you decide on, it will take you 2.5-3 years fulltime. Do you eventually want to work in an agency, private practice, school setting? Depending on your state which degree you get determines your licensure options. I have my M.S. Ed in Counseling and am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (L.C.P.C). Hope that helps! Good luck!

Since I'm just in the beginning stages I don't know yet in what capacity I want to work but so far I love the idea of being a school counselor followed by private practice. I find it ironic that you were the first post. Maybe I'm hoping it's fate but I have always felt a desire to become a therapist either psychologist or counselor. So I'm really happy that you love what you do. Thanks so much for responding!

 

[kyra's mommy]

I'm a Registered Nurse, and I have been for 17 years. I love helping people and educating them about what is happening to their bodies. It is a lot of stress, and I just finished my MSN, but you can work in most states with an ADN. I know many for whom it was a "second career", but it is busy and stressful, so not for everyone>

I don't have the stomach for your career. That being said, let me say that I respect you so much for being able to do such a tough job. My Grandpa died this summer and I spent the last week with him in the hospital. Those nurses held me up through some of the hardest moments I've ever had. Their kindness still makes me tear up. Thanks so much for what you do.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Well that's okay too! Enjoy yourself! I don't think it's a one size fits all kind of thing. Working will be good for me but I would just retire too if that fit my life!!

This post was for Cinderella's slipper. Sorry I missed the quote. Lol. I definately won't be a computer engineer, haha.

PriorityOneCB- that's a great idea, I love that you can reevaluate every five years. How perfect.

 

[ToddyLu]

. I have been a nurse for 18 years. I first got a degree in psychology (BA ). Because I wanted to help people. Then I could not find a job that would pay enough with that degree for me to live on my own. I was in a bad car accident about a month after graduating and needed several surgeries. Sooooo I decided at the end of that year to go back and get my ADN ( 2 year RN degree ). went to work right away and now specialize in wounds. My brother wanted to be a nutritionist or dietician but I talked him in to doing that as a nurse and now he is a Nurse Practioner in Pain Management with a focus in holistic medicine.


Actually nursing is similar to being a flight attendant in certain ways. You have a set schedule for the day, deal with different type of people and personalities, pass meds instead of cokes, talk with Drs instead of pilots and oxygen pretty much comes out of the wall instead of the ceiling......soooooo you might want to think about nursing.

I am 42 now. I have several certifications in my field and of course the next step for me would be a BSN, then masters....but I am really happy where I am in this field and really do not want to go back to school....I hav e 2 degrees and just enjoy coming home from work and doing what I want. If I were 28-30 my choices would be different I think.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm a high school math teacher.

Aside from Stay at Home Mom, there simply is no other job in the world for me.

I love interacting with teenagers every day. I love those "aha" moments. I love when they realize they CAN do math. I love when they see a real world application to what we've covered in class. I love when they come back 4 years later as a member of the faculty (sometimes in math, sometimes in another subject) and thank me for what I taught them.

I'm fortunate enough to be in a phenemonal (Catholic) high school with a wonderful, supportive administration. We're treated as professionals.

Aside from 5 years as a SAHM, I've been teaching since 1980. While it most certainly isn't the right career for everyone, it is the ONLY one for me!!!

As to certification: in NY, you eventually need your Master's Degree. (I got mine in 1984.) I'm not sure of the current requirements, since I was grandfathered in at that point.

eta-- Oh, and if you want to talk fate, one of my daughters is named "Kira"

 

[kyra's mommy]

.

Actually nursing is similar to being a flight attendant in certain ways. You have a set schedule for the day, deal with different type of people and personalities, pass meds instead of cokes, talk with Drs instead of pilots and oxygen pretty much comes out of the wall instead of the ceiling......soooooo you might want to think about nursing.

Haha. You cracked me up! Which do you think is worse pilots or dr's?

I'm sorry about your surgeries, that sounds like a nightmare. Maybe all that medical care led you to your choice?? Probably having a psyche degree helps you in your field.

Nurses are the best. I wish I could make that choice but if I even hear about anything bloody, gutsy, yucky my legs feel weak. I just can't do it. If I could handle it I'm sure that's the direction I would take, since it is flexible and in demand plus I know nurses are paid well.

 

[Maddykins06]

College professor (Exercise Science & Wellness).

I have a Master's degree in Sport Mgt, but now I am also pursuing my PhD (graduation expected in spring 2014).
Two SUPER nice perks: my PhD is free & as long as I stay here my DD gets two years free @ the university of her choice or all 4 years free at my university.

Former life was in Corporate Wellness - LOVED IT!
I'm also a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, Reiki practitioner, American Red Cross Professional Rescuer instructor.

BEST WISHES TO YOU!!!!

 

[arthur06]

Pharmacy!

 

[kyra's mommy]

eta-- Oh, and if you want to talk fate, one of my daughters is named "Kira"

Well you have excellent taste in names!

I wish I had you for math, it woud've made a huge difference. It sounds like you understand math anxiety and help your students work through it. I think that is really amazing because I remember how difficult it was for me. I worked my tail off to pass my tests, and pass my classes but I never felt a confidence in my ability.

 

[Kate and Pete]

I am a high school English teacher and I loooooove my job. High school students are so fun - it really is a different job every single day! On top of working with the students, I get to spend all my free time reading and writing - two activities that I adore, of course!

How wonderful that you are getting to choose the job of your dreams! Good luck!

 

[S. C.]

Retired

 

[bluesaturn]

Since I'm just in the beginning stages I don't know yet in what capacity I want to work but so far I love the idea of being a school counselor followed by private practice. I find it ironic that you were the first post. Maybe I'm hoping it's fate but I have always felt a desire to become a therapist either psychologist or counselor. So I'm really happy that you love what you do. Thanks so much for responding!

In most states you cannot have a private practice without a doctorate. In most places a master's level therapist would be supervised by a psychologist with a doctorate. In a few states you can practice privately with a master's, so you'd have to look at the regulations. But you'd probably need a certain number of years with supervision before you are fully licensed. Of course as a master's level therapist you could always work at someone's private practice!

 

[Hook326]

In most states you cannot have a private practice without a doctorate. In most places a master's level therapist would be supervised by a psychologist with a doctorate. In a few states you can practice privately with a master's, so you'd have to look at the regulations. But you'd probably need a certain number of years with supervision before you are fully licensed. Of course as a master's level therapist you could always work at someone's private practice!

Yes, every state does differ on their private practice requirements. In Illinois, Wisconsin, and many other states I know for sure you can be Master's level and have a private practice with no supervision by someone with a doctorates. I don't know about every state though. In Illinois, you have to have two years of supervision before being able to do private practice. I did a quick peek at Arizona, where it looks like you are from, and there are Masters level therapists there in private practice.

Since I'm just in the beginning stages I don't know yet in what capacity I want to work but so far I love the idea of being a school counselor followed by private practice. I find it ironic that you were the first post. Maybe I'm hoping it's fate but I have always felt a desire to become a therapist either psychologist or counselor. So I'm really happy that you love what you do. Thanks so much for responding!

I thought it was ironic, too, when I read your post and what it was that you were interested in! Maybe it is a sign for you...

If you do want to be a school counselor, make sure you check the requirements in Arizona (or wherever you want to end up). In IL, there are different certifications needed to be a school counselor than for a private or agency counselor. For example, here you need to student teach to get that school counselor certification. Arizona may be different though. I would encourage you to pick at least 4 schools (if possible) that are options for you and look at the class requirements and programs. It's amazing the differences in some! Not necessarily good or bad, just certain ones will appeal to you more than others! Good luck!

 

[tasha99]

I'm a speech language pathologist, and I love it. I love helping people and I get a big kick out of the kids I work with. I also love it that I have a choice of taking the summer off, or taking a travel or hospital/nursing home job for extra money. I like working with the elderly (usually for swallowing disorders, or speech or cognition problems after a stroke) and I figure I'll eventually move from an education to a health care setting in 10 years or so.

Look into loan repayment programs. I found that it didn't matter if I owed $40,000 (which I owed for my BA) or $100,000 (which I owe now after grad school)--by choosing income based (or contingent, can't remember the exact terminology), my payment would be based on my income. Anything after 10 years will be written off as long as I work for the public sector or a non-profit. Doesn't work for every career, but it's a big help for anyone planning to work in schools.

 

[baseballmickey]

Hello!

I am probably going to retire in four years from my job as a flight attendant. I'll be 43 and I'm now trying to decide what I'll want to do after I retire. I'd like to continue working because I think that it's healthy to work and I'll be too young to stop.

So I've been weighing my options. So far I have been thinking about going back to school to finish my bachelors degree ( I have only 8 classes left- I hope, it depends on how many of my prior credits they would take ) and then get my masters in counseling. However, with the cost of school these days and not knowing as of yet how many classes I'd have to take for my bachelors degree I need to be sure of my career choice. I don't think taking on potentially $40k worth of school debt would be wise.

I'd love to hear from all of you as to which career you have chosen and if you're happy with it. Also what type of degree ( or not ) that you needed.

Thanks!! It'll be fun to learn more about you all!!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you luck on choosing your new career path. I also never completed my bachelor's degree and would like to go back and do that eventually. In high school I decided I wanted to be a film director, and I made it my goal. In college, the emphasis switched from film to television. When I left school, I got a job a cable news channel and I worked my way up to directing! I was laid off back in 2008 and since then I've been freelancing in the same field. I don't love it though. I reached my goal, and wasn't satisfied and I find myself thinking "now what?"

This week DW goes back to work teaching and I will be taking on the role as stay-at-home dad during the week, and keeping my freelance gig on the weekends to help pay the bills. So in 9 months or so, assuming we survive this grand experiment, we'll reevaluate and maybe I'll be back to looking for a full-time job. Perhaps by then I'll have a better idea of what I would like to be doing!

So good luck!