Back on the job market after 11 years out of work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend who lives in Boston area left the workforce to raise her kids until they went to college so she stopped working 15-20 years. Undergrad Finance major with MBA. She did a ton of volunteer work at school and in community … fundraising, festivals, school libraries, software implementation projects at school.

She ended up going to work for a local bank and is now a commercial loan officer (she started lower level). She loves the job, no age discrimination.

Good luck! 46 is still young!

This, Capital One Bank!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably only getting rehabilitative alimony because of credentials and 15 years marriage. This is why I would not ever give up my job. You will need to start at the bottom again. Good luck OP.

I would appreciate advice about starting at the bottom. I have tried and I am getting the feedback (indirectly, not from the hiring managers because pretty sure that would be illegal) that my experience isn’t the right fit and they would rather have a cohesive team, train from the beginning, etc.

Is there an industry or specific fields that are open to experienced hires basically starting from scratch? The only suggestions I’ve received so far are substitute teaching and working towards certification, and at this point it seems like it may be my only option.

This is just code for "you're too old" and is straight up age discrimination, but it would be hard to prove.

There's nothing wrong with teaching, but you can find something more relevant to your background. Keep looking.

In this job market? You need to get a teaching job asap before all the laid off Feds and tech workers scoop them up.

DP. Can we stop throwing teaching around as some easy, readily available option?

Teaching isn’t remotely easy, nor are most people prepared to simply jump into the classroom. It does a disservice to students and to existing teachers, who have to give up their precious planning time to cover classes when others quit.

If you’re genuinely interested in the work to become a strong teacher, then that’s a different sorry. But I think you’ll find it a short-lived backup career.

No but she needs a job so yes, she could jump into teaching. I wouldn't recommend it but it's an option.

No, you can’t simply jump into teaching. I know people like to think they know what the job requires because they sat in a classroom once, but it actually takes training and skill.

You’re still going to need to become qualified. That means additional coursework, certification tests, observations, and evaluations. I’ve directly worked with new teachers for years. Many career changers don’t even finish the process because teaching is more challenging than they had anticipated.

She can apply to her state’s alternative teaching program. Some districts have more than one of them. If she applies to one of them and is accepted (most just require a bachelor’s degree in any area), she can be a teacher. Certainly not easy but the bar is pretty low. College degree, clear background check, you’re in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably only getting rehabilitative alimony because of credentials and 15 years marriage. This is why I would not ever give up my job. You will need to start at the bottom again. Good luck OP.

I would appreciate advice about starting at the bottom. I have tried and I am getting the feedback (indirectly, not from the hiring managers because pretty sure that would be illegal) that my experience isn’t the right fit and they would rather have a cohesive team, train from the beginning, etc.

Is there an industry or specific fields that are open to experienced hires basically starting from scratch? The only suggestions I’ve received so far are substitute teaching and working towards certification, and at this point it seems like it may be my only option.

This is just code for "you're too old" and is straight up age discrimination, but it would be hard to prove.

There's nothing wrong with teaching, but you can find something more relevant to your background. Keep looking.

In this job market? You need to get a teaching job asap before all the laid off Feds and tech workers scoop them up.

DP. Can we stop throwing teaching around as some easy, readily available option?

Teaching isn’t remotely easy, nor are most people prepared to simply jump into the classroom. It does a disservice to students and to existing teachers, who have to give up their precious planning time to cover classes when others quit.

If you’re genuinely interested in the work to become a strong teacher, then that’s a different sorry. But I think you’ll find it a short-lived backup career.

No but she needs a job so yes, she could jump into teaching. I wouldn't recommend it but it's an option.

No, you can’t simply jump into teaching. I know people like to think they know what the job requires because they sat in a classroom once, but it actually takes training and skill.

You’re still going to need to become qualified. That means additional coursework, certification tests, observations, and evaluations. I’ve directly worked with new teachers for years. Many career changers don’t even finish the process because teaching is more challenging than they had anticipated.

She can apply to her state’s alternative teaching program. Some districts have more than one of them. If she applies to one of them and is accepted (most just require a bachelor’s degree in any area), she can be a teacher. Certainly not easy but the bar is pretty low. College degree, clear background check, you’re in!

I am the person you’re responding to. I’m well aware of those programs. I went through one myself. I’m the only person remaining who is still teaching out of my entire entrance class; literally every other career-changer quit by year 3. Some didn’t make it through the first year.

And it’s more than “here’s my degree… give me a classroom!” I had to take 9 credits at night my first year. I had to attend weekly meetings with my cohort. I had to attend daily check-in’s with my mentor. I had to pass all licensure exams. I had to work 70 hour weeks.

So please don’t spread falsehoods. Sure, a bachelors can get you in the door but it doesn’t mean you’re going to make it past year 1. It does a disservice when people come to DCUM and say “it’s easy to become a teacher” when it’s not.

[Anonymous]

I’m not dreading falsehoods. All the OP needs to do to get her foot in the door is to apply. Unless she has a criminal background, she will be accepted. The bar to being accepted is low. Those are the two requirements. That’s it. Whether or not she succeeds is a different story. Most people don’t.

[Anonymous]

I read this thinking you were late 50s or 60. You’re fine. Get a headhunter and talk to career services at your MBA. You’ll be doing well soon enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not dreading falsehoods. All the OP needs to do to get her foot in the door is to apply. Unless she has a criminal background, she will be accepted. The bar to being accepted is low. Those are the two requirements. That’s it. Whether or not she succeeds is a different story. Most people don’t.

The reason the bar is so low is because we are so ridiculously desperate for teachers. The job has become unsustainable and demoralizing, so people aren’t making it through the year.

It’s wrong to tell people “it’s easy” when what you really mean is “it’s easy because people quit this unrealistically demanding job at record numbers so we’ll literally take a pulse just to fill a classroom.”

You give people false hope, so they put their own effort and resources into something that they don’t understand.

[Anonymous]

This seems very much like a troll post, written by the usual person who always slams SAHMs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems very much like a troll post, written by the usual person who always slams SAHMs.

I think you’re right. Largely because of the “Ivy League degrees” trope that SAHMs love to use—it seems OP was mocking that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This seems very much like a troll post, written by the usual person who always slams SAHMs.

I think you’re right. Largely because of the “Ivy League degrees” trope that SAHMs love to use—it seems OP was mocking that.

+1
And the husband "turning on us" and her "desperately needing a job." It's the usual schadenfreude nonsense except fictional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not dreading falsehoods. All the OP needs to do to get her foot in the door is to apply. Unless she has a criminal background, she will be accepted. The bar to being accepted is low. Those are the two requirements. That’s it. Whether or not she succeeds is a different story. Most people don’t.

The reason the bar is so low is because we are so ridiculously desperate for teachers. The job has become unsustainable and demoralizing, so people aren’t making it through the year.

It’s wrong to tell people “it’s easy” when what you really mean is “it’s easy because people quit this unrealistically demanding job at record numbers so we’ll literally take a pulse just to fill a classroom.”

You give people false hope, so they put their own effort and resources into something that they don’t understand.

Don't be so obtuse. It IS easy to get your foot in the door. Period. If the OP needs a job soon without any barriers for her, teaching is it. I met a friend of one of my coworkers last spring. She was on her college's spring break. She didn't have any idea what job to do after her graduation in May. I guess she decided to teach because she is starting at a neighboring school in August. College degree + no criminal background= you're in. Will she last? No idea. We've had teachers with zero teaching experience and zero experience with kids go on to become good teachers. You never know. Some people are just very persistent and won't let the hard times cause them to quit. Others realize that it isn't for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not dreading falsehoods. All the OP needs to do to get her foot in the door is to apply. Unless she has a criminal background, she will be accepted. The bar to being accepted is low. Those are the two requirements. That’s it. Whether or not she succeeds is a different story. Most people don’t.

The reason the bar is so low is because we are so ridiculously desperate for teachers. The job has become unsustainable and demoralizing, so people aren’t making it through the year.

It’s wrong to tell people “it’s easy” when what you really mean is “it’s easy because people quit this unrealistically demanding job at record numbers so we’ll literally take a pulse just to fill a classroom.”

You give people false hope, so they put their own effort and resources into something that they don’t understand.

Don't be so obtuse. It IS easy to get your foot in the door. Period. If the OP needs a job soon without any barriers for her, teaching is it. I met a friend of one of my coworkers last spring. She was on her college's spring break. She didn't have any idea what job to do after her graduation in May. I guess she decided to teach because she is starting at a neighboring school in August. College degree + no criminal background= you're in. Will she last? No idea. We've had teachers with zero teaching experience and zero experience with kids go on to become good teachers. You never know. Some people are just very persistent and won't let the hard times cause them to quit. Others realize that it isn't for them.

I’m not sure why you called me obtuse because you illustrated my point. Yes, it’s easy to get approved as a teacher. You say she “is starting,” so she hasn’t actually experienced the classroom yet. That’s when the test begins, and that’s when many fail.

Yes, some (a few) will rise to the challenge and become good teachers. Most will quit. But here’s what you don’t understand:

Those who quit create more work for those who stay. We end up giving up our precious planning periods to cover their classes when they leave midyear. You do a HUGE disservice to students and to professionals when you say “just teach.” The new teacher puts a ton of work into a dead end, and then students end up with another overburdened sub.

[Anonymous]

Oh I understand. I’ve been on the receiving end of teachers quitting for years but I’ve also been in the OP’s situation too. Single parent needing to provide for my kids alone. Those people don’t quit. It’s the younger ones who can go back home to their parents who quit. Not the ones who are the sole providers for their kids.

[Anonymous]

Op is all “he did this, he did that…” something she’s not telling us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend who lives in Boston area left the workforce to raise her kids until they went to college so she stopped working 15-20 years. Undergrad Finance major with MBA. She did a ton of volunteer work at school and in community … fundraising, festivals, school libraries, software implementation projects at school.

She ended up going to work for a local bank and is now a commercial loan officer (she started lower level). She loves the job, no age discrimination.

Good luck! 46 is still young!

This, Capital One Bank!

Are you serious?! It's hard to break in there. Most of their work force is IT on H1B visa.

[Anonymous]

+1 on the capital one remark about it being a hard place to break into…
That and Freddie Mac.