Career Changes Support Group
This community is dedicated to the difficult challenges of transitioning from one career or job to a new one. Especially as we grow older, it can be very difficult to acquire the skills and relationships and take the financial risk to make the switch.
Feeling particularly nervous about reentering the work force after being a fulltime stay at home mom for 5 kids. I am about to finish my online masters degree (family therapy), so I feel equipped skills-wise, but not so much emotionally. My troubles center on stuff that seems simple and somewhat mundane, yet I am stuck and would love a fresh perspective and support.
I have always been outgoing, but I have become a bit shy and introverted over the last the 20 years.
I notice that my 54 yo brain does not work as fast as all of the young adults that I know. While I have loads of hope, life-experience, and empathy for helping families, I am extremely nervous about the paperwork and organizational end of this kind of work.
I feel at a loss even with simple things such as when I try to identify what clothes to wear that reflect my age and personality. ugh...last time that I dressed professionally, I was 26 yo!
Most crucial right now is my almost paralyzing fear of trying to market myself for an internship. I guess I am a funny mix of confidence and self-doubt. Anybody out there experiencing similar stuff?
Thanks in advance for reading and caring.
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I so exhausted from pain in my back that started Sunday but was mild and almost gone till I took bath that night and think I twisted or did something to take it to excruciating...I am away for work in a different state so traveled Monday and worked today then called my boss to fyi her about fact I am falling apart and walking like elderly person! I did telemed and they called in prednisone and...
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Can't wait to burn my pumpkin spice candle! National Coffee Day is coming up on the 29th so I hope to score up on a free coffee.
Suggestions,
1. Help? Just looking at your responses above, you seem pretty competent.
2. Programs Perhaps you may be asked to use some computer programs, and the introduction could be brief. Spend some time off-hours learning the program, taking a tutorial, or viewing a Youtube video.
3. Clothing and dress. If you have a male boss, you can ask him once, and he'll probably say dress professional or casual. He does not what the ... is going on with woman's clothes and only knows that comment about it can get him in trouble. (that dress looks nice on you is probably a no-no, and that's dress doesn't look good on you, is also bad). So only ask a male boss once about clothing and figure it out otherwise.
4. Be confident Perhaps its different in a therapy scenario but various studies have shown women tend to be more deferential and use softer language.
Be nice, but don't be afraid to be clear, brief, and direct. Generally do not tell a boss about your personal worries, insecurities, concerns, just do your job to the best of your ability.
5. Adapt to the workplace Again, you seem pretty bright so I'm probably not saying anything you don't already know, but people and entities vary. Try to get a sense of how things work, and emotional intelligence is a large component of success.