A.P.
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I would like to get a job but I need daycare which is pretty expensive. I was a former teacher yet do not wish to return to teaching, although I would substitute if it was a permanent position. I have thought about working in a daycare if the daycare allowed my daughter to attend for a nominal fee (daycares do not pay employees well) but I feel like I am settling.
I look at office jobs and entry level positions but either they require many computer skills or they require office experience. Most of these jobs only pay $10-$12 anyway. I haven't worked in two years and certainly haven't looked for a job outside of education so I am "out-of-the-loop" in terms of my expectations and what might be offered to me.
Are there entry level positions that will train you for the job? Should I look into getting a certificate/training in computers? I really don't want to work just to pay for daycare. Thank you for the advice.
Thank you everyone for the advice about jobs. All ideas were great and some are being considered. Since I knew I never liked teaching, I guess it would've been wise to figure out alternative career/job options before I had my daughter. When she was born, my husband and I were living in a less expensive state with more money, a lower mortgage and my husband was available to help more with childcare. If I get a job my daughter has to come with me or go to daycare. My mother was a lot of help for a long time but she can no longer help on a steady basis. I guess entry level pay really is $10-$12 an hour and my expectations are too high in this economy. I agree that the person who told me if I do not have "relevant & current training & experience" it will be hard to find a job. I spent so much time doing the same thing (teaching) at the time that I didn't think about what it really would take to get a $30,000 + job if I left. Thank you for the advice and making me see things more clearly.
What about offering tutoring?
Why not start your own daycare?
Maybe try a temp agency - you can work a little in different types of businesses and see if there is one that you like. You can then pursue education in that field.
Another thing would be to look at the health care field. You can get trained to be a technician of some kind or another in 18 months, and I think that is a pretty stable field right now.
Hospitals are a great place to look. A lot of positions - registrar, scheduler, etc. do not require much, if any, experience. The pay is usually not great, but many hospitals offer benefits to part-time employees which is a nice perk. The other benefit is that because they are open all the time, the shifts vary and you might find something with hours where you won't even need daycare.
A.,
Look into your local WIN job center (usually run by the state Office of Employment). They offer computer trainings and other classes (for free here in Mississippi) that will help jump start your office skills. $10-$12 is actually normal for entry level office jobs. Some jobs do offer on the job training - you may want to look into paid internships - the pay would be lower at first but often can turn into a full time position with the company at a higher rate. Banks will train you on the job - but their starting salaries are low also.
Since you have a teaching background have you thought of the YMCA, Boys & Girls clubs - other youth organizations where your skills would be valuable? My teacher cousin has worked for Sylvan Learning Centers during summer break.
You could also go back to school and get an associate's degree in business administration - that may help you jump up the pay scale.
Right now it is am employer's market - with so many people out of work there are many taking jobs "below their pay grade" just to be working, so finding even an entry level position has become much harder.
I wish you luck into returning to work. Be patient and persistent and you will find the right job for you.
Look into computer courses at your local community college. You may even consider taking business courses for a semester or two to see what you like. Many community colleges have on-site daycares which are often "learning labs" for students and are high quality/low cost if you are a current student or faculty member. Most jobs will not provide you with training that is not directly related to your role.
Daycare is very expensive and many people elect not to return to work b/c of it. If you do not want to return to teaching, then you need to build skills in another area. I would also suggest doing some volunteer "office work" to build your resumee. You may also need to take the Civil Service exam, so do your research before applying.
Just FYI I just hired a new assistant... 9 days of interviews b/c we had 60 applicants and it was a Civil Service position. The job market is flooded and if your resumee doesn't reflect relevant and current training and experience then you will have a difficult time.
In today's job market there are very few positions that will train you. Look at it from an employer's point of view, there are lots of qualified people available, so there's no need to train anyone.
I don't know that you need to get a "certificate" in computers, but you really should look into sharpening your computer skills (microsoft office - word, excel, outlook).
