Choosing a career after 40?

Question

All my life all I have ever done is taken care of children. I have an AA in Early Childhood Education. Ive worked in daycares and preschools and now I want out. i just dont have a patience to work with kids anymore, but Im scared cause its all i know. Im a single mom, I just lost my job cause my car broke down, and I need to get an income going asap. I think of all the different paths (job choices) out there and Im embarrassed to say that NOTHING sounds the least appealing. I dont know what is wrong with me. Im just not intersted in anything. Im not lazy..just cant think of anything that I want to do. Any advice?

Answer 1

Read the book, "I Could Do Anything, If Only I Knew What It Was" by Barbara Sher

Talk to an employment counsellor at a community college

Pray for guidance

If you need an income, sometimes we have to do things we don't like while waiting for the right job to come along. Be patient and hang in there. Maybe you don't need a whole new career; maybe you just need some hobbies to make the rest of your life more satisfying.

Answer 2

I was thinking that in the interim while you are taking courses in what you eventually decide you would like to do, you could see if there is some kind of clerical/office work you could do that taps into your experience with children. This could pay your bills while you retrain in the arena you wish to move into. Maybe in a department of welfare involving children. Or even a call centre operator. I know these do not sound exciting but they are different and can tide you over till you are able to do the work that really excites you. What do you think?
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I'm 45 and am 5 weeks into a change of career path. I am single but I had to be unemployed for 3 months before I found this gem of a job. It was definitely worth the wait. However it is very hard but I am teaching myself to have faith in their training methods. They want me to succeed which helps my confidence enormously. But I also having to settle into a small team and find a place for my personality amongst the already established harmony of the long term members of the team. It is and was always going to be a challenging time. My mantra is one day at a time...you can do it.
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Have faith in yourself. You are not the only one reevaluating your career choice and path. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I have two sisters and a brother-in-law and a cousin and and aunt and uncle who have been involved one way or another in childrens education and caring. So I really do understand how you can feel just so burnt out. Your work is very challenging, emotionally and mentally plus you have the same challenges with your own children when you get home. Both my sisters are in the same boat!! You do need a break. Just maybe it does not need to be permanent. Give some thought to what it is that really, really is getting you down about you work and go from there.
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Make some phone calls and get a feel for what is available out there. This should help you make a decision on how you want to proceed. Sometimes all we need to do is make a sideways move after a bit of a break. Get your head clear. Visit a friend. Let the kids have a sleep over at a friends. Give yourself a chance to be by yourself.
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Good luck my friend. Don't be to proud to apply for a social welfare payment of some sort or at least see if one is available for you in your situation. It is important that you keep your money worries at bay. Check in with us. Let us know how you do. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

Answer 3

Its difficult to say, because I don't know you personally. What is it that has caused you to lose patience? Is it too many kids at one time? If you had worked with older children, I would say to consider becoming a tutor. Many schools have students who need home instruction for one reason or another, and need qualified people to provide that instruction.

I'm guessing you'd need something rather quick. Perhaps you could find some sort of "fast food" or "walmart" type job to pay the bills while you get some education in another field. For instance, hospitals/nursing homes/etc are still in need of CNAs and nurses. CNA certification is usually fairly quick (a matter of a few weeks), and then you can work while getting a nursing license. Or there are plenty of online/mail-in courses for clerical types of jobs, but I'm not sure how in demand these jobs are.

Whatever you decide on, I wish you all the best! Its not easy to change careers, but believe me, you can do it! I went through my credentialing program with a 60 year old woman, so if she can do it, you can too.

Answer 4

The easiest thing to do is to stay in the same industry and change your job. Try management at a childcare facility where you manage the process of taking care of children and you don't have the day to day responsibility.

Find a position with a chain of daycare centers as a teacher, but make sure you screen your new employer to find out if they promote from within. When my children were in daycare several of their teachers were promoted into supervisor roles and one made it up the ladder to be director. They usually had a bachelor degree. You might need to go back to school part time to work toward that degree.

You can't skip right over other teachers and become a supervisor directly. You need to start your new job as teacher to prove yourself. I think you can reenergize yourself to work with children if you know you have a plan to get to the next position. It wouldn't be politically correct to say,

"I've had it with kids."

You need to say,

"I'd like to grow in my career and am eager to take on new and different responsibilities."

Ask if you can be the field trip planner, emergency evacuation planner, start a nutrician committee to improve snacks, the safety coordinator..... in addition to your regular job as teacher. You can gain experience and have a break during the day to learn some supervisory skills.

Good luck.

Answer 5

dear , first change the way of ur thinking i.e attitude towards life ,whatever has happened was a bad dream , forget it ,start a new life ,jot down on a paper what are the possible ways u have , give ur life a 360 degree turn ,i m sure the world do not end here , u have many options yet , u will bounce back , believe in god , coz belief can move mountains , history is full of examples , whether it is J.K.Rowling or many many more , everybody passed through this situation , its a oppurtunity for u from god itself to become winner , u just open ur eyes and saw it clearly , i am dam sure u will be the winner.
if u think you can , you will ,so start thinking positively you will get what you want .
do this :
1.jot don on a paper what are the things now you want to change
2.then what are the possible ways to change it
3.then what you can do change the sitations (just think ,you will find your way)
4. follow your own way
5. always believe on your intutions
6.do what you love to do.

Answer 6

I had the same dilemma. I decided, at age 43, to go to college and get my bachelor's degree. When I started, I had no idea why, or what I wanted to do. But I got through it, took a temporary job after I graduated, and the answer became very clear to me. I have a gift for working with troubled adolescents. I never, ever would have discovered this without getting my college degree. Keep iimproving your mind and exploring. After 40 is a great time to find your purpose.

Answer 7

if you can get the money to take the real estate course and pass the licensing exam. Real estate is a good job. I use to do it a few years ago. The class was only two weeks and even though I had a broker and a great company, I could still set my own rules and hours. You can take the classes at a local college and try to get a grant. Good luck

Answer 8

Hahaha... I can relate !!! Although, my kids are grown now and out...

You can start your own business from home. Figure out what you would like to do and search it on the web. Whatever your interest research the company before making any final decisions.

There's a post on my blog on what to look for when investigating online businesses. If you'd like, go read it and you'll be a little more prepared before you make a decision. Be very careful of scams.

Answer 9

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OK .... so you're challenged for patience now with the kids.
Well, what about the parents? How many parents face the
enrollment for the first time ... putting a child in daycare ... or
choosing the best school, etc .. ??

You have the experience, you can always market that in the
way of being a Consultant for parents.

In the interim ... here is a book I highly recommend. You can
see it here:
http://mymegastore.vstoremarket.com/48-Days-To-The-Work-You-Love-Books_stcVVproductId3073111VVcatId8560VVviewprod.htm

Good luck ... your career is in YOUR hands.

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Answer 10

Check out this site for ideas. Lots of information. I found an idea on one of the ebooks and things are working. Maybe you can find a great idea for you.