60, re-entering market after SAH - it CAN be done!
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Anonymous
Creative market. Think companies like Brother, Bernina, Husqvarna Viking. Many different types of jobs within these company (some companies are larger than others) and all value people who know about their industry/product lines. Some sewing machines, for example, can cost up to 15K (Baby Lock)! These companies use project managers, product managers, mechanical engineers, tech people, or if you are really crafty - ambassadors to teach online classes, etc. Quilting, for instance, is a big industry, and quilting robotics is a huge thing now. So they employ software engineers, design folk, etc. Online education is growing in this field. So is software for these markets. And with all the new blade and laser cutters coming onto the market, it’s going to grow. I was cutting out a child’s jacket in a very fussy plaid fabric yesterday and my very tech husband was watching the process and remarked “this would be a great application of laser precision cutting and software that perfectly places the pieces onto the fabric before laser cutting”. If you’ve ever tried to cut pattern pieces to make sure plaids match at seam lines, and then add a slipperyish fabric into the mix, it’s a nightmare, let me tell you! knew exactly what he meant! (I always but another yard of fabric just to cover my butt, and that adds to the expense) Add to this, the messy cutting of the French velvet cuffs and what should be the oh so fun cutting of the flannel-backed satin today for the lining - as a tech person, I can immediately see the usefulness of software combined with a larger format cutter (A large Cricut, for example - they already exist). I’ve used a Brother Scan n’ Cut in the past, to cut tiny precision circles ifor a project. For people who do English paper piecing or appliqué work (look up Baltimore Album quilts for example) these machines are really useful! For those older people who just want a job and don’t care about ‘career’, some of the larger online quilt organizations will pay around 35K just to cut fabric for quilts. Not a lot of money if you need to live on it but if you just want some extra cash, it’s something, and great while the kids are in school. For those more inventive, invest in a few tools and create your own business! OK, I’ve gone on enough. This might or might not interest a lot of you, but it’s a good example of how one can put their education, experience and interests together to create a career that extends well into the golden years, if desired. |
Anonymous
| Thank you to all who sent their well-wishes. I think a lot of you are correct - keeping the mind active and using education/skills during the at-home years, makes a difference. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for starting an inspiring, positive thread! |
Anonymous
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Except you were not a true SAHM. My wife for instance has not done anything work related in 23 years and my mom when suddenly widowed was out of work 21 years.
Great for you. But often, divorce, death or husband lay off throw a women back in work force in prepared. My sister in law last worked in 1996. If she had to go back will be hard. I think companies should rehire women who left to raise kids even after 25 years. That is how long minimum break you need if you have 3-4 kids. And being a mom is a full time job. |
Anonymous
There are many kinds of SAHMs, for goodness sakes. I’ll bet your wife could parlay her experiences running an efficient household - managing people, resources, timelines and budgets - into all kinds of management or professional development jobs. One SAHM I know stated a consulting business helping women transitioning back into the workforce. Another went to work for Kellogg’s in the marketing division. Sometimes it takes creativity, intelligence, will, and the support of those who value life skills in all their applications. Congrats OP! |
Anonymous
| OP, are you in the DC area? |