What do you do for a living? I need a change...

Hi Sisters! I need your help...

After reading Missie's "What to do with my life" thread (and other similar threads), I realize I'm not happy with the work I do now, & want to change the path I'm on. I won't bore you with my past dreams/ current interests/ etc. , but suffice it to say I've always done accounting/office work, and it's boring me to death! Like quite a few other sisters, I'm finding my recovery has brought my dis-satisfaction to the forefront, and I want to start investigating where I want to go from here.

So, with that in mind, I'd like to ask you what you do for a living. I'm finding it hard to brainstorm by myself - my creativity feels like it's been smooshed into some dark, dank corner of my mind, & I need help to get started. Perhaps by sharing, we can inspire each other to research new careers/business ideas so we can be happy with our "new" lives!

Thanks so much, Karen

Hey hillbilly! This is a great place to get info and I wish you the best of luck!! I'm getting tons of good advice and ideas and if you give a little insight you can get alot of ideas. Is there anything you are interested in? C'mon this is hyster sisters, nothing is boring to us! If we can talk about gas and diarrhea and sex lives do you think you could possibly bore anyone with your actual interests?

Good luck!

Missie

Missie, you crack me up!

Ok, here's the "boring" tidbits... When I was young, I thought the dream job was being an airline hostess - I loved, and still love, to travel. My parents nudged me away from that towards business - I'm sure they thought it was the best thing for me. I don't want to be a stewardess now, but I still love to travel. Not much of a writer or photographer, so those avenues in the travel industry probably won't pay the bills. I started college as a music major (performing), but that was too hard & I didn't have enough talent. I enjoyed my astonomy & geology classes, but that's just too much science for me to pursue as a career. Ended up getting my BA in Business Economics. Most of my work has been in accounting/tax prep/office clerical work. I don't think my personality is cut out for the dog-eat-dog business/corporate world. Working with computers is fine - it's a given in today's world, & I do fine with it. Math is easy, too.

I've tried real estate sales, & realized I don't want to sell anything I don't believe is good/doable for the client. Teaching music was fun 20 years ago, but I've let my music go by the wayside. I'm not interested in dealing with children or sick people in a direct, daily basis, although being involved with education (college-level?) or alternative health therapies, or maybe main-stream nutrition or massage at some level might be interesting.

I feel I need to be more creative - right now all I am is a paper-pusher. Current interests/hobbies include crafts (needlework & pottery), books, TRAVEL. I'm very much a libra, and like to help people enjoy themselves, & I like art & quality architecture & the other fine things of life - maybe working with those, somehow, would be cool! I'm timid about the idea of running my own business, but am willing to give it a go IF I can do something I believe in.

Ok, if any sisters can give me brain-storming ideas, I'd really appreciate it. I went to the library this afternoon and got a few books to start researching. Thanks, everyone! Karen

Hi,

I'm a full-time instructor at a community college. I teach medical transcription, medical terminology, and Microsoft Office classes.

Teaching adults is a wonderful career. I don't think I could teach kids, but adults (for the most part) really want to be in class and want to learn, so you don't have the attitude and the lack of interest you might have with children or teens.

I used to be very shy when I was growing up; how on earth I turned out to be a teacher, I'll never know, but I've been doing it for over ten years and I love it! I can't imagine doing anything else! It's so rewarding to help others succeed in life.

As for medical transcription, it's a great career too which doesn't require years of extensive training. And it can be done from home (though it's recommended that you work at least two years in a speciality office first to get the experience.) You're not working with sick patients, but you get to learn a lot of interesting medical information, and once you get the experience, the pay isn't too bad either. (Some of my former students earn more than I do!)

Good luck on your career search.

s,

Lisa

Lisa,

Thanks so much for the ideas! Teaching at a community college, eh? I'll have to look into the qualifications for that...

I too was very shy when I was young, & I'm still not an "extrovert", although I do fine now.

I have a good friend who's done the transcriptionist gig - I'll talk to her more about that as well. Initially, the teaching idea sounds more appealing, but I'll make sure I look at everything remotely interesting so I don't miss any golden opportunities!

Thanks again, Karen

Hi, Hillybilly,

I agree with Missie, what is there left that has not been shared on this web-site?

My job is as a Child Nutrition Director (CND) for our county school system. We have four schools and cafeterias which I am in charge of everything from ordering trash bags to personnel to budgets to dealing with federal rules and regs, etc. Right now we are being bombarded from all sides concerning childhood obesity, like it is all our fault. :hair:

This is a job that I sorta grew into. I started out as a receptionist, went into the bookkeeping dept and now into this. I had an associates degree in bus. admin. tech. from our regional community college, went back to college and got my BS in accounting. At that time, to become a CND you had to have a 4-year degree in something. Now most systems want someone with a degree in nutrition, but don't always want to pay for that.

I probably could have made more $$ as an accountant but at the time I needed the security of a job that had benefits and paid regularly. I've been with the school system for 17 years and I will begin my 11th year as director in November. Too much time in now to start over unless it was something else with the school system.

I don't know if this will help you with your quest for something else, but I wish you blessings if you go looking.

Have a great day.

Donna

My story is a lol!

Growing up Jewish, I had aspirations of marrying a rabbi and living in a huge city. However, during my teen years I read a NewTestament by mistake, and in turn, converted to Christianity. As you can imagine, this didn't go over well with my family.

I married a wonderful man who is a farmer. Worse than that!...He raises thousands of hogs/year. I had never had pork in my life until I married him! We have been married 29 years and have 3 grown children. I taught school until 3 years ago. I "retired" early to help him on the farm. This is quite ironic because I had never been in the hog buildings or driven a tractor. I have truly enjoyed the office part of our business, I can actually help with the hogs (which was a MIRACLE to get over my phobia!), and I'm on the verge of driving a tractor. I love my new life!

I have subbed at school and enjoyed it, but the more involved I get in farming and my other new interests, the less time I have to sub.

I followed my heart to marry my husband, and I took up my new "job" only to make our life as a couple better. And very glad I did!!!

Karen,

Many community colleges (depending on which state you live in and what you are teaching) require a bachelor's or master's degree. There are also private business schools where you could teach accounting or office procedures often with just a BA degree or a set number of years experience in the field.

It is a very rewarding career, and the benefits are pretty good too. I have the entire summer off (with pay), a week off in the fall (with pay), almost a full month off during Christmas between terms (with pay), and another week off during Spring Break (with pay), not to mention various paid national holidays. The salary isn't bad; I have full retirement in addition to a 401K; health, dental, and life insurance; etc. I work 30 hours a week (though quiet a few hours at home too), set my own schedule, and don't have a boss breathing down my neck.

However, I love teaching so much, I would almost pay them to let me teach. I just love helping people change their world for better!

Let us know what you decide on. And whatever it is, make sure it's something you enjoy doing. Life is just to short to be stuck doing something you don't like!

s,

Lisa

Wow! Thanks so much for the input, sisters!

Donna - What you said about non-teaching jobs related to education is indeed helpful. I'll have to look into that. And it helps to see how you advanced from one position to another.

Elayne - Hogs, eh?! That's a funny story! I understand perfectly about working with your husband. That is one area I'm considering, since my DH works for himself.

LIsa - Thanks for the extra info. The schedule certainly sounds good, especially since my DD is still in jr. high. And since I already have a BA, part or all of that requirement is taken care of. Here in my town, we have a small but growing college - I may have to go & look around before I head back to my current job...!

Thanks again for the ideas, Karen