Feeling lost career wise at 40

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest taking a STC job at the World Bank. The positions are often part-time and can lead to more meaningful careers in international development or non-profits. You will need to network to find the right TTL who is hiring, but your law degree will be a plus.

Odd suggestion. Everyone I know at World bank calls it a sweatshop and divorce factory!

+ 1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest taking a STC job at the World Bank. The positions are often part-time and can lead to more meaningful careers in international development or non-profits. You will need to network to find the right TTL who is hiring, but your law degree will be a plus.

Odd suggestion. Everyone I know at World bank calls it a sweatshop and divorce factory!

+ 1

The people you know are probably staff. STC jobs can be crazy flexible and OP would make at least $40/hour with a JD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest taking a STC job at the World Bank. The positions are often part-time and can lead to more meaningful careers in international development or non-profits. You will need to network to find the right TTL who is hiring, but your law degree will be a plus.

Odd suggestion. Everyone I know at World bank calls it a sweatshop and divorce factory!

uhhh I work there and love it and all my co-workers are happily married. It really depends on the department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

I must have read wrong, I thought you didn't really have a previous career? You would put your child in aftercare or get a nanny or whatever else working parents do. That's why I don't work. Logistics and lack of financial need. If you want the money/career enough, you figure those things out. It really isn't rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest taking a STC job at the World Bank. The positions are often part-time and can lead to more meaningful careers in international development or non-profits. You will need to network to find the right TTL who is hiring, but your law degree will be a plus.

Odd suggestion. Everyone I know at World bank calls it a sweatshop and divorce factory!

uhhh I work there and love it and all my co-workers are happily married. It really depends on the department.

+1 Silly to generalize an org with 70,000+ employees based on the one or two people you know. Even people who have actually worked there don't know what goes on in all departments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

I must have read wrong, I thought you didn't really have a previous career? You would put your child in aftercare or get a nanny or whatever else working parents do. That's why I don't work. Logistics and lack of financial need. If you want the money/career enough, you figure those things out. It really isn't rocket science.

OP here. I have a job that I've worked in for two years, but I've never really had a "career." I'd like to have a career now but am not sure about the logistics. Ideally I'd like to work full-time but not sure how I would cover sick/snow days and summer vacation so I thought it wasn't a realistic possibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

OP, I'm beginning to think you're a troll. Do you really not know any working parents? For summer vacation, you hire a babysitter or send the kid to day camp (most elementary schools have them on the campus) or some combination of both. On sick days, you take sick leave or hire a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with previous poster. There's NO way you're going to start a meaningful career at age 40 when you only want to work 10-3pm.

LOL

You are looking for the golden unicorn. If any of us had the answer we'd be in that career ourselves tomorrow.

+ 1

I really don't know what you possibly think people can suggest in this thread. Come on, OP. You're being completely ridiculous. "I want a meaningful job. I want what I do to *matter* to other people. But I also want it to pay decent money. I've been out of the workforce for the past 4-5 years. And oh yeah, I only want to work between school hours!"

Buzzz. Next.

Right, people spend their 20s and 30s devoting time and energy to their careers so they can eventually get to this point in their mid to late thirties when they have children. You don't just waltz into this kind of well paying, super flexible job without putting in your dues. If I'm reading her OP right, she has a JD but never worked as a lawyer and a teaching degree but worked as a teacher for a year or two? And she doesn't want to do teaching anymore anyway?

What are you expecting from this thread, OP? You're looking for a miracle worker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

I must have read wrong, I thought you didn't really have a previous career? You would put your child in aftercare or get a nanny or whatever else working parents do. That's why I don't work. Logistics and lack of financial need. If you want the money/career enough, you figure those things out. It really isn't rocket science.

OP here. I have a job that I've worked in for two years, but I've never really had a "career." I'd like to have a career now but am not sure about the logistics. Ideally I'd like to work full-time but not sure how I would cover sick/snow days and summer vacation so I thought it wasn't a realistic possibility.

That is why I was confused when you referenced your previous career. You didn't have a previous career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

I must have read wrong, I thought you didn't really have a previous career? You would put your child in aftercare or get a nanny or whatever else working parents do. That's why I don't work. Logistics and lack of financial need. If you want the money/career enough, you figure those things out. It really isn't rocket science.

Before and after care for school, babysitter for no school days, and summer camp with before and after care for summer. Boom, done. The logistics aren't hard. It's the doing it day in and day out that is hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

OP, I'm beginning to think you're a troll. Do you really not know any working parents? For summer vacation, you hire a babysitter or send the kid to day camp (most elementary schools have them on the campus) or some combination of both. On sick days, you take sick leave or hire a babysitter.

OP here. I have lots of full time working friends but they either have au pairs who cover sick/snow and summer issues, have local grandparents who babysit/nanny, or one spouse works full time from home and can cover sick/snow days. I don't know anyone who uses summer camps, hires sitters for sick/snow days or who doesn't have local family to help out.

[Anonymous]

Op I am similarly situated. 38, 2 kids, JD & no career. I've made some different choices and some sacrifices though. I am finishing up a second bachelors and applying to masters programs.

Here are the other things I'm doing differently:
1. Fully intend to work full time
2. My kids are older so more independent
3. Moving to be closer to family so we have back up.

Also I am just accepting that I don't get to have my super relaxed family life AND a career. Nobody does, really. Me being is school is a nice transition for my kids so they can get used to the new paradigm. It's scary basically starting over at middle age but if I get lucky and work hard I can still have a good, long career and so can you - but something does have to give.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

OP, I'm beginning to think you're a troll. Do you really not know any working parents? For summer vacation, you hire a babysitter or send the kid to day camp (most elementary schools have them on the campus) or some combination of both. On sick days, you take sick leave or hire a babysitter.

OP here. I have lots of full time working friends but they either have au pairs who cover sick/snow and summer issues, have local grandparents who babysit/nanny, or one spouse works full time from home and can cover sick/snow days. I don't know anyone who uses summer camps, hires sitters for sick/snow days or who doesn't have local family to help out.

My DH works 70 hours a week, I work 45, we have 2 kids in elementary school and no fily within 3 hours. We use before care, aftercare, babysitters, and camps and work out whatever needs to happen with a lot of planning. It's not impossible but you do need to stay very on top of your schedules and have backup care at the ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what's wrong with the position you have? With your spouses schedule and your medical challenges it sounds absolutely perfect for you? I have a spouse who works and travels like yours and a full time job for me would simply make our family life shitty, so I don't do it. I'm grateful that I have that option.

OP here. There's nothing wrong with the job, but it's not related to my previous career and I only make $15 per hour. Also, it's only 12 hours per week with no chance of increasing those hours. I just want something more is all. More hours, more intellectual stimulation. But not full-time.

I guess I could look into aftercare options at the Kindergarten level for next year. But then what would I do about sick days/snow days and summer vacation? My husband cannot cover any sick days or snow days, he can't call off work last minute. And we have no family options to cover any part of summer vacation (grandparents live far away and aren't capable of babysitting). Most jobs I've had in the past have 2 weeks of vacation, I'd run through that very quickly covering sick days and snow days. My child has already missed 8 days of preschool so far in two months due to illness.

I must have read wrong, I thought you didn't really have a previous career? You would put your child in aftercare or get a nanny or whatever else working parents do. That's why I don't work. Logistics and lack of financial need. If you want the money/career enough, you figure those things out. It really isn't rocket science.

OP here. I have a job that I've worked in for two years, but I've never really had a "career." I'd like to have a career now but am not sure about the logistics. Ideally I'd like to work full-time but not sure how I would cover sick/snow days and summer vacation so I thought it wasn't a realistic possibility.

OP, what do you think working parents do? Seriously. Your kid will go to camp. You will get aftercare. You will take time off for sick/snow days.