Hi,   My name is Barbara, I am astay at home mom of 4, I have been wanting to go to school to get a career for when I get all my kids in school, the problem is, I dont know what to study, dont know what kind of career I want, I had some thoughts, an real estate appraiser, cosmetology. But I hear bad things about those professions, so I am kind of stumped here, I know I cant get someone else to choose a profession for me, but I do really need some advice and direction here. I dont want to waste money and time studying for a profession that will be hard to get a job in.

I dont know!

Does anyone have any thoughts? Advice? Direction? Please!!!

Dental assistant and nursing are great careers since health care is more in demand than ever before.

Penn Foster Career School has some interesting programs that don't require full degrees.

Hi Barbara! Well, here are a few things you might consider to help narrow in on a field of study ...

Your interests:

• What activities do you most enjoy and why do you find them interesting?
• Among these interests, is there one which gives you more satisfaction than others?
• What do you spend most time on now?
• Are there any interests that you would like to develop or to spend more time on?
  
  

Your personal values:

Which of the following are important to you? Also, which are NOT important? Your values might also influence your choice of a career.

Here are some to consider:

• INDEPENDENCE. Freedom to work alone, make your own decisions, plan your own work.
• HELPING. Helping, advising or caring for others in face-to-face work situations.
• RISK-TAKING. The sense of excitement, adventure and challenge that comes from taking risks, whether personal, physical or to an organisation.
• VARIETY. Change and diversity in work content, personal contacts or location.
• PRESTIGE. The status, recognition and importance of a job, either within your own organisation or that accorded by the general public.
• LEADERSHIP. Work in close co-operation with others to achieve a common goal.
• TEAM MEMBERSHIP. Working in close co-operation with others to achieve a common goal.
• ADVANCEMENT. Promotion, career progression and upward mobility.
• MATERIAL BENEFITS. The financial, or other material rewards that ensure a comfortable lifestyle.
• SECURITY. Stability of employment and assured salary.
• ARTISTIC CREATIVITY. Engage in creative work in any art form.
  
  

Your Personality

Your personality will play a role in your decision as well. I'd suggesting searching for a free Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test. MBTI helps people to identify their personality preferences.

If this seems like alot of work ... well, you're right! So, if you just want something quick to do for now, take a career test which can essentially consider all of the above (and more) for you ... click here to try one for free.

Hope this helps .... GOOD LUCK and keep up posted!!

Hi Barbara!  I can relate to your exasperation.  I'm in a stable job now, but not so long ago I was desperately seeking work that goes with a disability.  But enough about me.

One resource I found helpful is a website by the US Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (I hope the link works.  But if not, just do a search on Occupational Outlook Handbook and it should come up at the top.)

http://www.bls.gov/oco/

You can find information on just about any job that exists, and for each job you can find out (quote from the first paragraph of the site):

• training and education needed
• earnings
• expected job prospects
• what workers do on the job
• working conditions

They also list the job market in each state.

I hope this helps in your search.  Good luck to you!

Patty

 

If you're interested in cosmetology school, try looking up Cosmetology Campus.com at www.cosmetologycampus.com or the American Association of Cosmetology Schools at www.beautyschools.org as a good starting place.

For real estate appraisal, you might try Allied Schools or RealtyU Online or Van Education Center .

You can check with local employment services that may offer testing to find out what sort of aptitude you have for certain jobs.  I remember when I was on unemployment, you were required to take this test and it gave you an idea what might be suitable for you.  A good place to start might be the unemployment office or perhaps they can steer you in the right direction for taking this sort of test.  Good luck!

Melissa

Barbara:

I know someone in the real estate appraisal business, which is one possibility you mentioned. He works out of his home (that's where most of the work is done, online) and goes out to inspect properties a few days a week. He really likes it a lot, and makes a very nice living.

Steve

Hi Barbara, I'm Cheryl, and soooo new, I'm still trying to figure out where I've been, and who's bloggin who!

I appreciate your delima regarding what to do. I've done many things and have always gone back to nursing. I took a test on-line once, based strictly on picking a color and shape I think. At the end, the very first thing on my list of best professions was NURSING! I've been doing some kind of health care since HS. Now..I am going back for my BSN I hope, to keep up with the times, but also, I hope to become a Nurse Practioner. I love geriatrics, and with the aging population, I feel the need is great. I'm not getting any younger either..lol. Anyway, my CNA instructor told us to find a job that you would be willing to do for nothing, and then find a way to make money doing what you love. May seem to idealistic in this high dollar world. But.......you have years of life experiences raising children, being an anchor to your family, and all the many roles a mother, spouse, women fills.  Look to what is most familiar and comfortable. There is always someone out there who needs your expertise, and most would be willing to pay for it! I can start an IV on a turnip, but I can't make my home look like a well oiled machine, or get my teen-ager to hear me clearly the first 5 times, BUT...I teach everyday on the job, prioritize, and manage important things, and deligate and direct people, but I can't make a decent pie crust, or make it home from the store, with everything I need to prepare a pie, let alone  feed my family without a recipe!  

My hats off to your ambition and goals, and I'm sure that whatever you choose, you will bring vast amounts of valuable life lessons to the career and be an assest to any organization.

Ha,

Dont feel bad about that!!! I changed my major from nursing to occupational therapy to legal secretary and now I am taking a medical office assistant program at PCDI in Medical office assistant. I think you will never find out what career you are going to like by listening to other people's opinion about a career. The best thing to do is think about the activities that bring you pleasure. Think about your talents and also whether you want job security or whether you can deal with working on commisson. Also take into consideration your reasons for going back to school. Is it for a career or just a way to make a living. The decision is your to make. Try taking a career assessment online( not always accurate), speak with the career advising department at the college you are thinking about attending, contact a person who works in the perfession you are interested in and ask them questions. Also visit Occupationaloutlookhandbook.com or the Unemployment office for career information. Let me know how it turns out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Desiree

Hi Barbara,

I would really agree with helenh's reply.  In my humble opinion, it is smarter to take stock of your passions, strengths, interests and goals before choosing a specifc career or degree.  If I had to do it again, I would try to take my own advice instead of going through 4 years of undergrad, 2 years of grad school and spending thousands of dollars to only not enjoy what I am doing now.

If you are unsure about what your strengths and natural abilities might be, there is an online test called the KOLBE test that you can take.  It will help show what your natural strengths are.  Next, survey others to see what they view as your strengths.  Often times, our friends can pinpoint them easier than we can.

If you are looking at an online degree program, I would recommend enrolling in a free online seminar from Capella University.  You do not have to do there obviously, but it will give you a feel for what an online program might be like.  This is a new thing offered by the school for both undergrad and grad students alike.

Hope this helps,

David