I'm screwed six ways to Sunday

[Anonymous]

...as the saying goes. I've been jobless and hunting for a year and a half. No one will hire me.

I've posted before, so I don't really know why I'm laying this out again. I guess I just need to feel heard. I'm at the end of my tether. I'm a single mom in my 40's, with two SN kids. My meager savings are long gone, and I've got no helpful family around.

I "fell into" teaching years ago. I enjoyed it, and was good at it. I've taught many subjects, many levels. When my last position turned sour, I left, believing I could find another.

Obviously, I was mistaken. One huge problem: I have skills and experience, but I don't have certifications. Another big problem: I am "old." A problem that's getting bigger and bigger: I've been out of work for so long, I look like damaged goods.

I can't even get a minimum wage job. It's not like I have any pride getting in the way-- I've applied everywhere, for everything (or at least it feels like it). The mall, the grocery store, and the daycare don't want me, either.

It seems like the only thing to do is go back to school, but that's a gamble. I'm not sure what to go for. I have to choose, get into a program, pay for it with loans, get through the program, then start applying for jobs AGAIN and hope that I didn't waste my time and dig myself into a deeper hole.

I wish I had a crystal ball, so I could know what to do.

[Anonymous]

I'm an RN. In the past, I've worked with many LPNs who started out in their second career. There are 18 month night programs available as well as full time days. The good thing about LPNs is that they are covEted in the nursing home and home care settings. Pay isn't amazing, but it's not bad. And there are online LPN to RN programs if you decide you love it (and sometimes places will pay for it!). I have a friend who is an LPN in MA and her program (certificate) was 9K.

Obviously you need to research the job market where you are. LPNs are not always sought after depending on the state.

[Anonymous]

What about getting going back for your teaching certification?

[Anonymous]

What about a job as a special ed. teaching assistant or working at a daycare and taking some classes at night or online?

[Anonymous]

It's not just you. My 16 year old is competing against 200 others, mostly 30 year and over adults for min. Wage jobs!

[Anonymous]

I sympathize. But 40 is awfully late to still think it's ok to quit a job without another lined up. You have to play it safe when you're a single mom.

Can you see if there's a career coach who will do pro bono work and talk with you about next steps? I have worked with career counselors before and I believe they have to do so many hours of free work to maintain their certifications (or something like that)? Maybe post on Craigslist or your neighborhood listserv and ask if anyone is/knows of a career counselor you could talk with who would be willing to waive the fee given your circumstances.

Since you have teaching experience, can you apply to Kaplan or Princeton Review to be a test prep teacher? They pay decently well (like $20/hr). Or offer 1-on-1 tutoring (advertise on craigslist, etc). Lots of places like Inlingua or LADO need English teachers for ESL students. Use your teaching background to help find a stopgap job!

[Anonymous]

Since you have SN experience getting a SPED certification would probably be pretty easy for you. I think GW has a year long program. There are typically special ed jobs posted throughout the school year because demand is high. You could also look into alternative licensure routes.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you be more precise on exactly what your experience is (years, type of job, what degree or training), a little more about the job going "sour", and what you have done so far to try and get a job so we can actually give some suggestions.

Also what are you living off currently, is this an ongoing source of income, when is it expected to end (ie child support) and how much do you need to make?

[Anonymous]

OP, what about home companion for seniors? There are agencies like Home Instead - think taking folks to grocery store, doctor appointments. The agencies do not pay much but if you find you like the work you can transition into private pay, or more of a health care angle.

[Anonymous]

Can you be a substitute at a school while you try to get your certifications? What type of schools have you applied for jobs at?

[Anonymous]

You should post on a neighborhood list serve offering services as a K-12 tutor for neuro typical or special needs students. In my affluent and competitive community, parents pay big bucks for tutors to keep their kids up on skills or provide support where needed. My kids have had tutors in their 50s and 60s who were either retired from the teaching profession or were unemployed. They charge as much as $60 per hour. It can be very lucrative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can you be more precise on exactly what your experience is (years, type of job, what degree or training), a little more about the job going "sour", and what you have done so far to try and get a job so we can actually give some suggestions.

Also what are you living off currently, is this an ongoing source of income, when is it expected to end (ie child support) and how much do you need to make?

I don't actually want to identify myself (though it's probably too late for that). I don't have an education degree, or any certifications. I have a Master's in Liberal Arts, and 2 or more years teaching experience in early childhood, early elementary, middle school, high school, and community college. I'm sure the "jumping around" is part of the reason I haven't been able to get hired, but at the time my (then) husband needed to relocate a lot for his career, and I took what was available. I do get child support from him.

As for my last position, I inadvertently made a group of people look bad. They were angry, and decided to make things hard for me. My supervisor supported me, and since I hadn't done anything wrong, I thought it would blow over. At the end of the year, my supervisor told me that the backlash was likely to get bigger in the next year, and that since there were more of them than me, I'd probably be the one to "lose." It seemed at the time that not renewing my contract was a smarter decision than staying and fighting it out.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I've actually tried most of them, but I'll look into the others. I think I'll end up going back for certification. I've just been resisting the idea, hoping that a job will come along. I'm nervous about the idea of losing more money and time, and it's a challenge when your kids don't do well in child care, or with schedule changes. I guess we'll muddle through.

[Anonymous]

You could nanny for temp money while you are out looking, or getting a certification?

Also, 40s isn't really that old, all things considered. But after a long time away from working, your self esteem takes a hit and you probably are sending off unconscious signals to interviewers. How do you present yourself? Can you buff up your resume and self presentation?

I'm sorry OP, wish this was easier for you.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax county is hiring teachers for homebound students . I. Think the pay is around $30 per teaching hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you be a substitute at a school while you try to get your certifications? What type of schools have you applied for jobs at?

My friends are doing this in MoCo. It can take a long time to get called in, but it's good to get on the list. Also, can you submit your resume to be a para in the public schools? I imagine they are always in need of good people.