job help please...kind of long

[ASFCurly]

like my job, I work at a preschool/daycare, I have always like working with kids, hence working at summer camp for 6 years, and at the nursery in my church. I NEVER knew what I wanted to do, I have always been unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I just sort of fell into the job, I was talking to someone and they casually mentioned it, and since I couldn't think of anything else, I just decided that it sounded good, I mean I do like working with kids.

The problem is that the hours can be unsteady and the pay is low. If I always worked 40 hours a week I could just make it, if I didn't spend much on anything but the basics, and I don't want that, no vacations, or anything, and some weeks I only work 32 hours. Plus I get stressed easily and don't want to have to worry about money all the time. I would rather not get a second job, I work 9-6 Mon-Fri and am tired at night, and really need to recover on the weekend.

I wouldn't mind going and getting a 2 year degree in something else, or doing something I might not need training in, and switching to another job, one that would pay more. The problem is that I really have NO idea what in the world that would be.

I like kids, disney, reading, computers (am self taught and can fix most problems that aren't major issues) but have no idea what I want to do with my life. I am fairly shy, but if I know what is expected or someone asks me a specific question, I can talk well about it.

Does anyone know of jobs that they think would be good, or know of places or books that could help me figure it out. My uncle is a web designer, and suggested that, though I know nothing about it, he suggested a book to see if it would interest me, and said I could probably get some 2 year degree to learn about it, and don't really have to know all that stuff now. Can someone help, PLEASE!

 

[Aurora63]

Have you considered starting a home based day care?

The laws vary from state to state on what you need to start one up, but I'd consider it...if you are your only employee, and say you have four kids under your care, at $400/month per kid, thats $1600 a month...once you got established, you could expand and take it from there.

Just an idea Good luck to you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wanted to pass on my good wishes, Alisha.

 

[billelissa]

Have you considered becoming a Nanny? Good luck in what ever you try!

 

[ahutton]

What about some type of teaching? I don't know about other states, but in Texas is you finish school and teach for 5 years the state will pay off your student loans. You would still be able to work with kids, be able to go anywhere to work, and still have lots of free time available. While you won't make a ton of money it is very rewarding.

 

[MizlurksaLot]

I can't really help you , but I just wanted to let you know, I know how you feel . I've been working at a day care for three years now. I love the kids , but it's never been my long term goal ~ I'm just not completely passionate about the job. I try to be, for the kids sake, but deep down, I'm just not. It is an extremely stressful job, and the pay is horrible . After 4 years out of school, I've finally decided to go back. I'll be studying Veterinary Technology, hopefully starting in January (I'll have to check into financial aid). My ultimate goal is to work in a zoo, I know the pays not too good for that either, but I'll be glad to be doing something that I love. It has taken me forever to decide what I want to do with my life and I'm still not completely sure. Part of me still wants to be a writer ~ I've decided to study animals because they are the one thing that has always made me happy, and I figure that I can always write about them Good luck to you ~ may you find your true passion ! That is my wish for everyone , that they live life with passion!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Career testing!! Maybe there are some online. When I was at the college, I took a couple tests of theirs online. It's helps!!! Good luck!

 

[MizlurksaLot]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
Career testing!! Maybe there are some online. When I was at the college, I took a couple tests of theirs online. It's helps!!! Good luck!

That's a great idea I should have thought of that

Here's a few I've take :
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=jobinterestsogt&c=5957
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=classiccareerogt&c=5582
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=rightjobogt&c=5522

Not sure ~ you might have to sign up to take them

 

[canwegosoon]

This is kind of a long shot, but since you live in Ohio, did you ever thing about working for a College? Perhaps you could work in an entry level job that might have something to do with computers, admissions, registrar etc. Then you could take courses in the evening, and have the career services taken care of. Also I know that many colleges have an Internship with Disney. I don't know how old you are, or what your expenses are, but a college/education/degree would look really good to employeers. You could even get a teaching degree if that still really intrests you. A friend who just did the Disney internship, was offered a post internship to stay at Disney. You never know.

 

[LuvTigger]

There is a book called, "What Color is Your Parachute?"

My boss at the first "real" job I ever had recommended it to me. Sadly, I have two versions of the book (they update it pretty regularly), and I've never finished the whole darn thing! I guess because like you, I've "fallen" into jobs, but most of the time I really like them.

It took me 11 years to graduate from college with a degree in history. While I don't use the degree directly, the job I have now (in a nutshell, research and writing), required any type of college degree.

I can relate to how you're feeling. Good luck to you, and keep us posted!

 

[orvilleair]

Hi, I'm in south Ohio around Dayton. How about architectural/engineering. The best use of a two year degree where I work at is to start out preparing drawings in AutoCAD. These are basically blueprints for buildings (example: new parking garage at the Dayton Airport). As your skills grow, you could prepare 3D movies and renderings. There is high demand for that kind of talent as more and more clients want computer modeling.

The associates degreed person we hired here does the printing and file managing on the computer, she does a lot of drafting. The skills can apply to any part of the country, and you can advance into architectural or engineering by getting a Bachelors degree.

I know some CAD drafters make up to $15 an hour with paid overtime.

I've read that you like your involvement with kids, but in my little world at work, drafting is what I could think of. Hopefully, you'll get a lot of ideas and help in your decision.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Alisha, Hi! Have you thought about going back to school and majoring in elementary education? You would be around kids, have wonderful benefits, and have summers free.

TC

 

[Cindy B]

That is a tough situation, and I have been there..

Well, you said you have some computer knowledge. Could you enivision yourself doing computer technical support ? That is what my DH does, (he's actually was the supervisor for a group)

They hired tons of former students. The hours are pretty much the same that you have now, but no diapers... Any job with diapers NOT in it is a PLUS in my book.

Most entry level tech support jobs are fairly scripted, almost in the customer service realm.

The college suggestion is a really good one as well. I bet Kent would have a few good positions.. or if you felt like drivingto the Cleveland area, maybe Case or somewhere like that. I worked at a college, part time, and it was like $10.50 an hour part time with benefits (401K AND vacation). It was a great deal, and I regret not taking advantage of the free education . (I was really insecure that I would not do well.)

I did mostly secretarial work. It wasn't rocket science, but it was interesting, and the people for the most part were really nice.

 

[orvilleair]

Tuffcookie made a good point that elementary teaching would be a good fit based on what you do now. Word of caution is that Ohio requires a masters degree to be a public school teacher, so check with an Admissions officer at the U. of Akron. Other states may not be as strict. My wife is a teacher in Ohio, and she was "grandfathered" in the teaching license process (she has a Bachelors in Music Education). It's a crazy rule.

Had a coworker's wife get an Associates in Education but I don't know if that gains you any money at the daycare.

 

[ScarlettO]

Anything in the Health Field will be booming in the future....were you good in Science? Maybe an RN or working in a Doctor's office?

 

[DMickey28]

Alisha,

I just wanted to say that I feel for you. I am in a very similar situation. I have two associate degrees and one class short of my bachelor's however they are all in a field, that while I really like it, I don't want to work in it.

I want to go back to school but I struggle with what to do??? I truly believe I want to be an Elementary Teacher. I am on the path to do that by taking that last class this fall and then an online Master's Program in January for my Masters, however I am scared.

I am scared because I can convince myself at any given moment, that ANYTHING, is the "right" thing for me. Does that make sense? I could convince myself throughout today that being a vet is the only thing I want to do. I am scared that my sureness of wanting to be a teacher is just that, something I convinced myself of. I find reassurance in the fact that I have always worked with children until I graduated college and that I love kids to no end. I love the hours and the actual job of teaching, it's what I like to do in my job train however the students are too old!! Those facts help me find comfort in the fact that I want to do this. I know the pay is not great and that's ok with me. It's about on par with what I am doing now and it's better beni's and better schedule. It's something I can continue when we start a family.....

I think you need to really read some books, the parachut one is a good one as well as maybe a book of careers. I did that just to be able to flip through and find out the real details on different professions. Part of life is taking what you know you love and what you have interest in and finding a way to mold it into a career.

If I remember correctly you are still young. What about going back to school for Elem. ed and english. You like to read and write, as I do. If I was at the beginning I would go to school to be a freshman or junior high english teacher.....

Good Luck....