SAHM wanting to work - would you "pay" to work?

[Anonymous]

I am originally from another country, have a law degree (there) and license to practice law (there). I work as an intern in a law office there during my 5 years of college and after graduating had my private practice for about 18 months. I have been living here in the US for the past 10 years without working. The first years I was working on improving my English (it was VERY basic level when I moved), then I had children.

Now I have a K and a 18m baby, but I really would like to work outside the home again. It was never really my plan to be a SAHM and I am already 36y old, so I think I should get back into the work force as soon as possible.

I would have to get an entry level office position and the salary is around 28k-30k/year. At this salary level, I would literally have to pay to work and would be in the negative U$1000 to U$1500 per month to cover childcare and work related expenses.

Realistically, I think it would take at least 2 years for me to be able to apply for a position that offers a higher wage in order to at least break even.

While we could theoretically afford this in the short term through the use of savings, I am not sure if is smart. Or maybe I could hire an aupair (we have the room).

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

No, I would not pay to work.

And, I don't believe an entry-level office position is your only option. I'd look at some sort of my own business that I could quickly ramp up if you don't feel you can get something higher paying at a company (which you totally can).

Read the book 48 Days to the Work You Love. There is NO reason you need to take a $30k a year job.

[Anonymous]

You need to do the numbers both short term and long term. An AP will run you about $350/week all in, but they also can only work 45 hours a week so you need to make sure that will work for your family.

You also need to project out how much you will be making in a few years, any benefits your job would bring like 401K etc. Add that all into the equation both now and 5 years out.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you are so educated and have to go back to an entry level job. That stinks, but it is reality.

I would wait a year until you can get your youngest into preschool, and then hire an Au Pair (we have one, they are great), and then go back to work. Maybe in the meantime, take on some part-time projects or volunteer work that sharpens your skills. Maybe that will help you start at higher than entry level.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to think long-term and I would do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I would not pay to work.

And, I don't believe an entry-level office position is your only option. I'd look at some sort of my own business that I could quickly ramp up if you don't feel you can get something higher paying at a company (which you totally can).

Read the book 48 Days to the Work You Love. There is NO reason you need to take a $30k a year job.

But most, if not all, businesses have some sort of start-up costs, so OP would initially have to "pay" to work. Then there is the question of will she be able to make a profit of more than $30k plus the value of the benefits an office job would have.

[Anonymous]

I would wait until my 18 month old could go to preschool and do it.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely would - agreeing with the others that you have to look at the long term. You're making a short term investment for higher long term earnings - the longer you wait the more you'll be hurting your total net earnings in the long run

[Anonymous]

This is what I'm going to have to do (currently a trailing spouse overseas). Though I think you do have other options, I think it would be worth it. In the long term you'll end up making more, and what's the alternative - never work?

[Anonymous]

Child care isn't just coming out of my salary; it is coming out of both of our salaries.

[Anonymous]

I would do it! I do think entry level for a lawyer is more like 40-50k though at a minimum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do it! I do think entry level for a lawyer is more like 40-50k though at a minimum.

OP may not be qualified to practice law in this country.

[Anonymous]

I read that book and it was nothing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that book and it was nothing

Enroll in a LLM, take the bar, and profit!

[Anonymous]

Voice of another immigrant here - think about what you want to do in the long run. Do you want to practice Law? Anything else sounds interesting? You're still young enough to start a career here, and I don't see a reason to work dead-end admin job, especially if you have to pay to work.
I would go back to school while your kids are young and you have some cushion to do so.
I'm to this day regret not going back to school when I moved to US, I got entry level job instead. Yes, my pay doubled since than, but it's nowhere near potential earning I would have with US degree.