Picking Up The Pieces And Starting Over

[Eowyn]

The notary idea is a very good one - maybe a good thing to market to smallish to medium companies?

[Anastasia13]

The notary idea is a very good one - maybe a good thing to market to smallish to medium companies?

Community/Continuing education course sources might be able to help, like the appropriate office as a jr. college in the area.

[Winchester]

Temp work to build your reputation back up, and possibly find a permanent position, might work. I was offered permanent jobs from my short stint as a temp worker.

 

 

[Spem in alium]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm writing a thesis at the moment, and although I've done well in my course an English, History and Theology degree doesn't go very far here unless combined with something else (hence all the jokes about Arts majors working at fast food joints). I'm also at a disadvantage when it comes to employment because of "disability", and it can be hard for potential employers to look past that.

 

My key advice to you would be to not give up the search. My mother's been out of work for most of the last twenty years. She has the training but not the sufficient experience for most positions, and sometimes she gets so frustrated she just wants to give up. But it's important not to.

 

If you have done any volunteer work at all, put it on your resume. Put any training or courses you've done too. It all helps. Throughout high school I did no paid work, but I volunteered a fair bit and actually got some job interviews based on that commitment. 

 

Making your own work is good too. As a self-employed tutor, I can vouch for that. You make your own hours, choose your own jobs, make your own pay and establish your own reputation. It really works well with my physical "disability" too, as it's not a primary requirement that I present well and represent something by my appearance.

 

Blessings and prayers. 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2013 by Spem in alium

[AnneLine]

I have a couple of ideas for you.

 

Sometimes you can get permission to do an internship and get college credit for it.  Sometimes you can even get a PAID JOB and get some college credit for you.   (You might only get minimum wage, but you'd still be getting a reference, a small paycheck and college credit....) 

 

You might check at the career center of your school to see if they ever can help to arrange this or whatever ideas they might have for you.  The references from your professors and excellent grades will help make some small medical group or small business very eager to see you come to help them one or two days a week.

 

I really like what Luigi told you above.... you need to be proactively ready to answer their questions... ideally before they even ask them.  That helps them to keep from getting so skittish.  And it REALLY helps to have a call from a teacher or someone else who knows you in to tell them that you are applying.

 

Second thought... regarding having to stay at the 2 year college an additional year....

 

From what you have said, you're hoping to move from a 2 year to 4 year college, but are going to have to wait an extra year because a required class isn't offered.  Sometimes it's possible to get some of the 'general ed' classes out of the way while still attending the first college.  I'd go make friends with someone at the college you want to go to attend, explain the situation, and get someone to help you figure out which classes might transfer and be used as transfer credit toward your BA or BS.

 

Here in California, it is called 'articulation' and here's a website that explains how it is done.  You'll have to see if your state and/or your colleges do anything like this.

 

Here's info from the U.C. (University of California) system that discusses it....

 

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/transfer/advising/transferring-credits/

 

And here is the website with all the detals of what would transfer.  

 

http://www.assist.org/web-assist/welcome.html

 

Show these to  your advisor, and ask them to help you make the most of your school units right now.

 

I know you have indicated before you might want to look at nursing; I just did a quick check with the assist website and there were literally DOZENS of general ed and major classes that would transfer.  It is certainly worth exploring, Mater.

 

Alternatively, PM me and I'll see what I can do to help you get info you can take to a counselor at either/both schools.

 

If you play your cards right, Mater, you could zoom through a BUNCH of classes over the next two semesters..... and get a real heads up on your 4 year degree.  Even if you didn't shorten the additional 2 years, you might not have to take as many classes, or could take something like an art class as a relaxing thing while in the intense nursing program.

 

Praying for you!

[Guest Allie]

Also if you know anyone who has a connection with a person who has hiring authority,  See if they will put you on the on-call list.  I worked on call  for an events  planner  (who is the stepmother of a friend) while in college and made money and useful contacts.   ALso got to eat some wondrous left-overs.

[OnlySunshine]

I have a couple of ideas for you.

 

Sometimes you can get permission to do an internship and get college credit for it.  Sometimes you can even get a PAID JOB and get some college credit for you.   (You might only get minimum wage, but you'd still be getting a reference, a small paycheck and college credit....) 

 

You might check at the career center of your school to see if they ever can help to arrange this or whatever ideas they might have for you.  The references from your professors and excellent grades will help make some small medical group or small business very eager to see you come to help them one or two days a week.

 

I really like what Luigi told you above.... you need to be proactively ready to answer their questions... ideally before they even ask them.  That helps them to keep from getting so skittish.  And it REALLY helps to have a call from a teacher or someone else who knows you in to tell them that you are applying.

 

Second thought... regarding having to stay at the 2 year college an additional year....

 

From what you have said, you're hoping to move from a 2 year to 4 year college, but are going to have to wait an extra year because a required class isn't offered.  Sometimes it's possible to get some of the 'general ed' classes out of the way while still attending the first college.  I'd go make friends with someone at the college you want to go to attend, explain the situation, and get someone to help you figure out which classes might transfer and be used as transfer credit toward your BA or BS.

 

Here in California, it is called 'articulation' and here's a website that explains how it is done.  You'll have to see if your state and/or your colleges do anything like this.

 

Here's info from the U.C. (University of California) system that discusses it....

 

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/transfer/advising/transferring-credits/

 

And here is the website with all the detals of what would transfer.  

 

http://www.assist.org/web-assist/welcome.html

 

Show these to  your advisor, and ask them to help you make the most of your school units right now.

 

I know you have indicated before you might want to look at nursing; I just did a quick check with the assist website and there were literally DOZENS of general ed and major classes that would transfer.  It is certainly worth exploring, Mater.

 

Alternatively, PM me and I'll see what I can do to help you get info you can take to a counselor at either/both schools.

 

If you play your cards right, Mater, you could zoom through a BUNCH of classes over the next two semesters..... and get a real heads up on your 4 year degree.  Even if you didn't shorten the additional 2 years, you might not have to take as many classes, or could take something like an art class as a relaxing thing while in the intense nursing program.

 

Praying for you!

 

I already have my 2-year college degree (Associate of Arts; May 2012) that took care of general education and electives.  They say that if you get a 2-year degree from a public college, you are guaranteed a spot in one of the universities but you aren't guaranteed a spot at your first choice, so I am looking at other possibilities in my state if I can't get into the nearest school.  My next choice is in a town about 2.5 hours from home and it's a really good school.  My first choice is the school that my mom went to so I have alumni in my family and that helps the application.  For some reason, they like people to go to the same school as their family members.  Also, they really like people to get in from the metropolitan area.  :)
 

Edited June 4, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[AnneLine]

 My comments are in blue...

 

I already have my 2-year college degree (Associate of Arts; May 2012) that took care of general education and electives. 

 

I remember that, Mater (and congrats!), but there are also general ed requirements at 4 year colleges, too.  Some of those MAY be able to be fulfilled at the junior college level. So... if you have extra units, check it out!  That's where the 'assist' kind of website can help.  As can a good college transfer advisor.  just go in and explain the problem and see if they can help you find some classes that would transfer to ANY of the public universities in your state.   Things like languages, history, government, arts and similar kinds of things almost always will be required and almost always will transfer.   Check with the counselors....

 

 

They say that if you get a 2-year degree from a public college, you are guaranteed a spot in one of the universities but you aren't guaranteed a spot at your first choice, so I am looking at other possibilities in my state if I can't get into the nearest school.  My next choice is in a town about 2.5 hours from home and it's a really good school.  My first choice is the school that my mom went to so I have alumni in my family and that helps the application.  For some reason, they like people to go to the same school as their family members.  Also, they really like people to get in from the metropolitan area.  :)

 

So it sounds like you have a good plan in the works -- go see if the counselor can help you find a few classes that would work to transfer to any of those places.  That will ALSO look good on a future college application, btw....

 

 

And do see what you can do about getting college credit for work and/or some relevant experience in your field.  

 

We're rooting for you!!!!!
 

 

[littlesister]

Since you have some medical background, would it be possible to take a Nursing Assistant course?  Many of them are in community colleges, the Red Cross, or public schools, and financial aid is available.  If our area, and many others like it, are any indication, there are always openings in that field, and you could even have four months to work before the certificate is mandatory.  More and more, we are finding B.S.N. courses that require C.N.A. as a pre-requisition for starting clinicals.

 

Just a thought.  Best wishes on your search.

[OnlySunshine]

Since you have some medical background, would it be possible to take a Nursing Assistant course?  Many of them are in community colleges, the Red Cross, or public schools, and financial aid is available.  If our area, and many others like it, are any indication, there are always openings in that field, and you could even have four months to work before the certificate is mandatory.  More and more, we are finding B.S.N. courses that require C.N.A. as a pre-requisition for starting clinicals.

 

Just a thought.  Best wishes on your search.

 

I actually used to be a CNA but hated the physical work it entailed.  I LOVED the patients but the heavy lifting and rolling was taking a toll on my back, even when I used proper body mechanics.  My CNA instructor told me that I should become a nurse (she was a nurse of 20 years at the time; that was back in 2008) because she saw that I liked the mental aspect of it and I dedicated myself to my studies.  I performed very well at the clinicals, too.  :)

[OnlySunshine]

 My comments are in blue...

 

Thanks for clarifying what you meant.  I was fortunate to attend a school that had connections with the local university so you were able to do something called a Degree Audit to make sure you were taking all the classes necessary to make the transfer easier.  Usually, all the classes that you need are included in the AA degree requirements, which I have fulfilled.  The only thing I have not completed is Foreign Language.

 

Right now, with my AS degree, I am on my second Associate degree.  I have over 90 credit hours which prompted the Financial Aid Office to suspend my Pell Grant due to excess credits.  I had to explain to them that I was attending to receive a workforce degree and I have been out of work for a while.  Thus, I had to agree to only take the courses required by my major, otherwise, my financial aid will be terminated and I will not be eligible again.  I would like to take the prerequisites for nursing school now, but that is impossible due to my agreement since they are not required for Office Administration.  I have to wait until after I graduate to take any courses that are not on my current degree's list.  I only need these classes to apply to nursing school:

 

Human Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ Lab)

Human Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ Lab)

Microbiology

Chemistry w/ Lab

 

I have already taken a Chemistry class but it was Chemistry for Liberal Arts which doesn't count toward nursing school requirements.  Liberal Arts are for non-science majors.  I have completed all Math (College Algebra and Elementary Statistics), Humanities, English, and Science (Biology and the Chem class) requirements which fulfill general education.  :)

 

One thing I am thinking about doing is taking a Spanish or American Sign Language class as Personal Development (doesn't count towards financial aid) and then doing the CLEP to test out of those subjects and save money.  I can also do it for Anatomy classes.

Edited June 6, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[Maggyie]

Mater I think a key thing is to choose your next line of work very carefully. I think kids tend to stress you out right? So applying the local preschool may not be the best idea.

 

If you are handicapped then there are going to be certain positions that you aren't able to handle, and that's ok. The biggest thing is that you MUST make your next job last so you can start building a history. Even if the job makes you very unhappy, you've got to stick it out and realize it just won't do to quit for at least a year. You can minimize the potential of that happening by thinking hard about what daily life at the job will be like, and if the job duties suit your personality. I think it's easy to feel like "It's hard for me to get hired, I can't afford to be particular" but in reality that's what causes this situation, is job-seekers not being particular enough! So they take any job they can get and the cycle repeats. Don't let that cycle keep going whatever you do, even if it takes you forever to get your next job.

[OnlySunshine]

Mater I think a key thing is to choose your next line of work very carefully. I think kids tend to stress you out right? So applying the local preschool may not be the best idea.

 

If you are handicapped then there are going to be certain positions that you aren't able to handle, and that's ok. The biggest thing is that you MUST make your next job last so you can start building a history. Even if the job makes you very unhappy, you've got to stick it out and realize it just won't do to quit for at least a year. You can minimize the potential of that happening by thinking hard about what daily life at the job will be like, and if the job duties suit your personality. I think it's easy to feel like "It's hard for me to get hired, I can't afford to be particular" but in reality that's what causes this situation, is job-seekers not being particular enough! So they take any job they can get and the cycle repeats. Don't let that cycle keep going whatever you do, even if it takes you forever to get your next job.

 

Thanks, Maggie.  Yes, you are right that teaching does stress me out but being with infants does not because I LOVE babies.  I could not handle the toddlers at all.  I just don't do well trying to care for them during their "terrible twos."  It's one thing to deal with just one but having to cope with 6-12 of them at the same time is not possible for me.  Preschoolers and Pre-K kids have their own issues but I found them a little easier to deal with.  I have a difficult time with lesson planning and incorporating the lessons into the daily routine.

 

You brought up a very good point about not being particular enough.  I think that my last job working as a teacher in the toddler room would not have come about if I had not spoken up and asked when I was going to start.  I was very impulsive and didn't think that through and what stress I would be under on a daily level.  I was under pressure to get a job from family and friends and just took the first job that I thought I could get.  It did not end well AT ALL.  I had a major anxiety attack on my way to work.  :(

[Lilllabettt]

I hear you on toddlers! This summer I've been working on call as a nanny for a single dad with 5 kids. I thought: well, probably I can handle this. And guess what? The days are SO easy and peaceful. Until the 3 year old gets home from his day school and then OH MY EVER LOVING CALIFORNIA DAIRY COWS.  In one way he IS easier than the older kids - in that there is no reason to "reason" with him, just let him experience natural consequences and deaden my brain to the resulting child screams.

 

So ... I know what you mean ... age group does make a difference ...

[OnlySunshine]

I hear you on toddlers! This summer I've been working on call as a nanny for a single dad with 5 kids. I thought: well, probably I can handle this. And guess what? The days are SO easy and peaceful. Until the 3 year old gets home from his day school and then OH MY EVER LOVING CALIFORNIA DAIRY COWS.  In one way he IS easier than the older kids - in that there is no reason to "reason" with him, just let him experience natural consequences and deaden my brain to the resulting child screams.

 

So ... I know what you mean ... age group does make a difference ...

 

Amen!  :)

 

I found the worst thing to deal with was potty training -- especially when the 3 yr. old is supposed to be potty trained and then wets his/her pants.  I had a little girl -- sweet little thing -- who was moved from the 2 yr old room to the 3 year old room TOO fast and wasn't adequately trained to potty yet.  It was all I could do to keep my sanity.  She wet her pants almost every single day and, since I was the one who took care of the room during nap time (which is when she usually wet), I had to help her change her clothes.  The smell of urine day after day gets to you when it's not contained in a diaper.  I really wished we had washclothes at the daycare because I wanted to bathe her so bad but I had to use paper towels, which is not easy.

 

It's really difficult to be patient, especially when the parents are no help whatsoever.  I always thought that little girl should be moved back to the 2 year old room but the director didn't listen.  :(