I am hoping someone will be able to help me with this.
I am thinking of going back to school. I need to find a new career. Currently I work at home for a company doing typesetting. They are sending the work overseas, and my job just isn't what it used to be.(Not much work, not much income). My initial plan was to typeset until I just couldn't move my fingers anymore. But, now, that the work is so slow, my youngest child just started kindergarten this year, so next year she will be in school full time.
So, what will I do??? I do have a high school diploma, I went to Vo-Tech, in high school, for Business Data Processing. With the way computers change so much, my training is near obsolete.
I really want to make a change, it is scarey, I haven't been out in the real work force, for 10 years! I though maybe if I "start over" and go to school first, it will make the transition easier. I keep thinking something in the medical field, like maybe a Respiratory Therapist, or I would love to do something in the Maternity at the hospital.
What I would like help with, is finding the path I should take. I know when I was in High School there was a test they gave us, that helped us decide what to "do". Does anyone recall a test like this? Does anyone know where to get a sample test like this online? It was like a test that helped us decide what we were good at.
And can anyone help me take the first steps into going back to school?
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Karen
When I was young, I always said I wanted to be someone...I guess I should have been more specific!
You should look in your county to see if they have a "work force center", not that its done dh much help...However they may have some answers to your questions, you could talk to a counsler who maybe could refer you to something else. It wouldnt hurt to give it a try! Oh and its all FREE!
Most universities have advisors. Talk to an an avisor about what your interests are and find out what what degrees are available for your interest. Another thing you can do is talk to someone doing what you would like to do for a living and ask him/her what he/she had to do as far as education.
If there is an adult school in your area, you might check with them. They offer classes that don't cost as much as college and some also give the tests to find out what you would enjoy doing. The one here used Myers-Briggs at the time that I took it and it was free then. You could try typing that in on Google and maybe find it that way too.(I'm not positive of the spelling). Computers have become a lot easier to use in the past 15 years and you obviously know how to use one. You might check and see if they have computer classes at the adult school too since just about everybody has to use them in business now. They had one class in Microsoft Word and one in Excel here the last time I checked but that was awhile ago.
I was a secretary/bookkeeper and then took a medical terminology class in adult school, which eventually led to me getting a job as a medical transcriptionist. They also offered a course in that too. It was not as easy as those ads make it sound and it took a couple of years but was a lot less expensive than a vocational school or university.
A brother of one of my coworkers is going to school to become a physical therapist and there is a lot of schooling involved, including dissecting cadavers. If you can stomach that then more power to you.
Hi. I was reading your forum & you mentioned that you work at home. My 2 children are in 1st & 4th grade & I am interested in earning a little extra income. What type of work do you do?
samanthaj, I work for a company right here in our town. It is typesetting articles of research for medical and science journals. We have a 24 hour turn around period. We have to pick up work every day(excluding Sat. and Sun.) and the work needs to be returned the following working day.
It was a great job when I started eight years ago. The work was like full time work. But, now they are sending the typesetting part over seas. Sometimes I go for two to three days with no work.
Sorry that I can not be of any help to you. I know there are other companies out there that have typesetting to do at home. It is just having the luck of finding one! Or I would just stick to what I am doing!
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Karen
When I was young, I always said I wanted to be someone...I guess I should have been more specific!
mom2-4~ going into the medical field is a smart choice. With the worlds population aging, nurses will be in great demand. Look into RN, LPN, or CNA postitions. Most CNA's don't have to have formal education, just training that most places provide onsite. At least I think that is the way it goes...I am a social worker and I work with the mentally retarded and individuals with mental health issues. It is a very rewarding job. When you get home from work, you feel like you have achieved something. Most social work positions require a Bachelors Degree, but some will allow any an Associates. Good luck!
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“Perhaps they are not the stars,but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”Eskimo Legend
I have a couple of friends who go to college during the day while their children are in school. Also, many colleges have computer programs that have quizes that you can take to find out career areas that you are good at. I took it a couple of years ago even though I already knew what I wanted to do just out of curiousity. It said that I would be good in the field that I am going for, so no surprises for me. I think these are good for those people who just aren't sure or know what their talents are but just don't know what careers they are cut out for.
mom2-4, if there is a local community college or university where you are call and arrange to take an evaluation test. this will tell you what your life experience is worth towards a degree/certificate.
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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
'Herm Albright'
Ellen in PA 
