Need Job Advice Please

[Cincychic]

Hi. I am in need of some advice. I have been unemployed for over 3 years. I moved from Cincinnati to a small town for my husbands job and then I had a baby and decided to take a little time off, and have not been able to find a job here since then.

I have a bachelors in criminal justice, and was working on my Masters in business, but took a break because it was getting to be so expensive and I thought I would have found a job by then. My last job I worked was in pharmaceutical sales. I have had 2 interviews here for office type jobs, but there were like 20 people going for the same job.

My problem is I really need to go back to work. I have 3 kids. I have a ton of student loans in deferment that I am accruing interest on. What I was thinking, since my schooling is obviously of no use here, is to go for some type of certification. I was thinking of maybe going for medical assistant or phlebotomy or something like that. I know it will cost me money, but it may be the only way to get me into a job that may pay something.

Do any of you work as medical assistants or have a phlebotomy certification? If so, how did it work out for you? Or does anyone else have any other advice? I really do not want to have to drive an hour away, I want to try to stay local, and I just thought this would be the best way to do so.

Thanks so much!

 

[mominwestlake]

I am sorry that I have no advice, but I do have a question. MY ds 17 wants to major in criminal justice in college. I see that you have a bachelors in criminal justice. Are you not able to use it? Would you dissuade him from that major?

 

[danygirl]

First, I would suggest working with an employment counselor I used Jewish Social Services (I am not Jewish) but other groups also have them. Take a job hunting workshop where you go over your resume and learn how to target your search. With three kids at home, and living in a town where you have not worked, you might find that you can direct your search better if you get some help.

Second, tell everyone you meet that you are looking for a job. I found my current job because I mentioned to a neighbor that I was looking for a new job which would help me pay for college - she knew about a job at a university.

Third, if you are going back to school for any kind of certificate, try your community college first - I would avoid any of those "medical career training" places.

Elderly care is the growing field - helping people stay in their homes by making meals, keeping them company, driving them to the drs - if you are a mom of three you have all the skills you need for that!!!

good luck!

 

[Cincychic]

Hi again!

Mominwestlake, not sure what your sons goals are, but if I could I would not get a degree in criminal justice. I have never worked in the field at all. Sure it's very fascinating, and all of these commercials make it look like there are so many jobs out there in the field, but I never found one. Maybe I was just unlucky though. However, I do know a lot of other people with the same degree in the same boat as me. I hope that helps. Good luck!

Danygirl, I have been working with an employment agency called Workone. They can help get certifications, associates degrees, help with job searches, and resumes and things like that, but still no luck. I was also going to meet with a counselor at a community college here where I live this week. Thanks for your advice though. I think if I go outside of where I live I would probably find something, I am just looking at an hour drive each way, and that's when the weather is good!

 

[dunningdisney]

I was at an unemployment meeting a couple of years ago and they also suggested that you tell everyone you know. (I can't remember the exact percentage) but they said something like 78% of people get their jobs from networking, not from the newspaper, online, or job placement.

 

[Colleen27]

Be careful what program you choose. A LOT of my classmates when I was working on my AA at community college had certificates from for-profit programs that turned out not to be worth the paper they were printed on in the job market.

 

[dunningdisney]

At the unemployment meeting, they also said that working two or more years in an industry is equal to a bachelor degree. If that helps at all.

Best of luck!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Having worked in a Dr. office I can say MA work very hard. So you have to be ready to hit the ground running every day. Often times you only get 10 minutes to eat lunch. Your work day never ends on time even though the Dr. take their last pt. at 5 p.m. A Dr. doesn't keep a 9-5 schedule. Or if you are employed at a hospital you will more than likely work 12 hours shifts!

I would think be a phlebotomist would be a little less taxing and open you up to working in a hospital, independent lab, a traveling phlebotomist for a home health agency.

 

[Colleen27]

Elderly care is the growing field - helping people stay in their homes by making meals, keeping them company, driving them to the drs - if you are a mom of three you have all the skills you need for that!!!

Yeah, but that doesn't pay. I don't know about where the OP is but around here that's an $8-9/hr job. You could make the same money working at any of the better retail chains with much less physical and emotional stress.

Danygirl, I have been working with an employment agency called Workone. They can help get certifications, associates degrees, help with job searches, and resumes and things like that, but still no luck. I was also going to meet with a counselor at a community college here where I live this week. Thanks for your advice though. I think if I go outside of where I live I would probably find something, I am just looking at an hour drive each way, and that's when the weather is good!

That's life in a small town. I'm in the same boat - if I were to get a full time job when I finish my degree I'd have at least an hour's commute, maybe more, but I chose a field that is fairly well suited to self-employment to have other options.

How much networking have you done since moving to your town? Have you developed a group of friends that will keep an eye out for openings that might suit you? They say that most people find jobs through contacts rather than through advertisements, and that's doubly true in small towns. Also, have you taken a good hard look at the employment market in your immediate area? It would be a shame to choose yet another program for which there just isn't local demand; a better place to start might be with what job openings are out there. Watch the want ads and talk to people for a while and you should get a sense of what type of training will be most marketable in your community.

 

[starwart]

How about going for a B.S. RN. There is (and will be a bigger demand in the near future) need for "dedicated" people in this field. There may be available programs in your state or hospitals that may help pay for the tuition. Plus you may get credits for the college courses you already took. Your work schedule in this field will also be flexible.

 

[danygirl]

I meant a not for profit employment counselor- for profit agencies only work to place you in jobs where the employer will compensate them. A not for profit agency will help you explore what is best for you.

 

[Egdisney]

To the poster who asked, I know many people with a criminal justice degree. Most of them are not working in the field. Those that are did not get Into the field right out of college and were only able to get into the field through part time jobs. My husband sees many criminal justice graduates apply for jobs at the casino he works for in either surveillance or security. Graduates fighting for jobs that pay 11- 12 dollars an hour. What does he want to do with his degree?
To the OP- many community colleges have certificate programs for Paralegals if you already hold a bachelors. You would be able to complete that in a year, and should be able to do it online. Do not go into the medical field unless it truly interests you. It is hard work and if you don't have the desire to do it it is difficult to be successful.

 

[StephMK]

I am sorry that I have no advice, but I do have a question. MY ds 17 wants to major in criminal justice in college. I see that you have a bachelors in criminal justice. Are you not able to use it? Would you dissuade him from that major?

To the OP - I would check to see that it's something you really *want* to do before spending more money to get qualified for a job.

To the PP above, my DH has a Criminal Justice degree and works in banking fraud. He loves his job for the most part! He has also worked in fraud for a long distance carrier and a student loan company.

What does your son want to do with his degree? Depending on where you are or where he wants to live, there are several cities that are hubs for certain types of security - mortgage, health insurance, credit cards, banking, financial. Some are more IT based, some more customer/account focused.

 

[Cincychic]

Thanks for all of the great advice! My problem is I do not know a lot of people here because I don't work. I think I am really going to have to start telling everyone I do know to spread the word for me, and hopefully something will show up. I have waited 3 years, I guess I can wait a little longer!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

OP - I also have a criminal justice degree. I wanted to go to law school, but that never panned out and I ended up going to graduate school instead. I think it is fairly common for criminal justice majors to end up in other careers.

Is there a temp agency in your town? If so, you should consider applying there. Temp jobs can help you meet people you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to, and sometimes it helps just to get your foot in the door.

 

[holden]

Not sure how old your children are, but volunteering at school is a great way to network. You get to know other parents who also volunteer, plus the staff at the school. All those people can be connections to job openings.

A friend of mine also started volunteering and wound up with a paying job at the school (cafeteria monitor at an elementary school). It doesn't pay much, but it's a foot in the door. Plus the hours are perfect for her.

At my kids' school, they post job openings in the main office. If the staff gets to know you, that could help with getting a job in the district too (if that interests you).

HTH!

 

[Colleen27]

Thanks for all of the great advice! My problem is I do not know a lot of people here because I don't work. I think I am really going to have to start telling everyone I do know to spread the word for me, and hopefully something will show up. I have waited 3 years, I guess I can wait a little longer!

Try getting out some and meeting people. I know it isn't always easy in a small town, especially if most of the people around you are born and raised there, but try volunteering at your kids' schools, joining a playgroup if you have a little one that isn't yet school aged, looking into book clubs or exercise classes or other activities in your community, etc. You never know what contact might lead to an opportunity.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Try craigs list!

 

[Cincychic]

Thanks again for all of the great advice!

I have helped out at my children's school a couple of times. A friend of mine told me I could substitute if I had an associates degree, not sure if this is true or not? My degree is not in childhood education.

As for the employment agency, I have been registered with one here for 3 years, and they have never found me anything. Usually the only types of jobs they get are factory jobs.

I am in the middle of Cincinnati and Indianapolis, so I guess I may have to just start looking there and be prepared for a drive and to spend some money on gas!

 

[southlakejr]

Thanks again for all of the great advice!

I have helped out at my children's school a couple of times. A friend of mine told me I could substitute if I had an associates degree, not sure if this is true or not? My degree is not in childhood education.

QUOTE]

I can only speak for CA- but yes and no. CA requires a BA or higher, passing of the CBEST, TB clearance, and fingerprinting. The CBEST is a basic skills test that shows you know the basics of English, math, etc. I think the requirements are relatively similar for most states. The work isn't always consistent, but it could be a good option for you!

As for the commute option.... I do it. I commute 35 miles (ish) each way. Wouldn't be quite as bad but it's SF Bay Area traffic . It is something you really get used to. We bought a used hybrid to save on gas, and I just mentally prepare myself to spend more time in the car. Highly recommend something like Pandora or other radio to get you through the drive! But, getting a job farther away for a year or so may be what it takes to help you get a job closer to home (sad but true, many employers don't care to pick unemployed applicants)