What do I do?
I am in a quandary!!! I need a job. I have a single subject and multiple subject teaching credentials, but I haven't worked in 13 years. If I go back to teaching(which at the moment is not a good move, especially in Wisconsin,ha ha)I need to update my credentials. I spent $300 a year ago to take 3 tests and I passed one. I had taken no classes or prep just did it. That tells me 2 things 1.) the tests are in reality a joke,(I barely didn't pass the other two, we are talking by 3to7 points out of 300 possible, passing was 200, I got 197 and 193!)and 2) I am a lot better at taking tests and being a teacher than I realize. My quandary is I can take the test again this June and they offer prep classes for the two parts I missed. Cost $150 and $250 plus cost of retaking two parts I missed. Then I move on to more tests. Or do I go to the local Junior College which as an excellent health program and spend two years getting a degree or credentials for some sort of health care job. There is no promise I could actually finish in 2 years but it is supposed to be possible. I am kind of interested in Occupational Therapy Technician or maybe LVN. But we are looking at even more money to pay for the school, etc. Granted this is possibly the cheapest way to earn these credentials. But there is also awaiting list. What do I do? I am 58 going to be 59 this year. Will there be a job for me in 2 or 3 years? I just want to be able some day to retire with some dignity and I want to move on with my life. I can't seem to get a minimum wage job, but I have no experience for other jobs. I need to make a firm decision by this Friday. This Friday mainly because the soon I get started the easier it may be to accomplish. If I stay with teaching I will try to work in a prison, mainly because they are the only one's that seem to be hiring and because when I did work I taught in a High School Diploma program and most of my students were just out of jail or on their way back! Any who, one nice thing about Prison teaching you have a captive audience and they know it is a privilege not a right so there is virtually no disciple problems. But I have always like any thing to do with medicine and think that is interesting and maybe more lucrative. But when I think about it, how many old nurses have you seen in a hospital? There are always relatively young. What happens to the old ones? Teachers that is another story. There are lots of them around. So before I make my salad to take to the Potluck tonight, I will think real hard about all of this. Tonight is "Surf and Turf"night, but since I don't know how to cook fish or meat very good and it is too expensive for me,I am bringing a salad tonight. I am not good at salads either, but it is easy enough to buy a bag of salad and add to it!HA HA!
Replies
Don\'t let your age get in your way. When my daughter went thru nursing school over half her class had gray hair. Some were LPN\'s trying to advance their salaries. My daughter did the nursing program in two years. Her school taught to the test they would have to pass. Apparently that makes a big difference. I really don\'t know if that would even apply to what you want to do.
You could take the teaching job and possibly go to school at night. My daughter got a lot of her classes at night while she worked a full time day job. Then switched to night for the others. That was just before the economy got stupid.
You do have a tough decision to make but I\'m glad to see that you are moving on and looking towards your future. This is a big step for you and I can see how much you have moved on with your life.
Sorry, I\'m not much help with this. Maybe someone else can give you some ideas.
You were great. I don\'t actually have the teaching job, just keep seeing openings on a State of California website. I think I have applied but have never heard from them. I am not updating any skills in nursing, which is why I am afraid when I go for jobs they are going to be surprised and not in a nice way. But I think school full time next fall is a good deal, I would have a purpose everyday and lots of things to do. Just have some stage fright. Once I actually do it I will probably be has happy as a lark. Which reminds me how are all your wild birds at the moment?
The birds are good. I have a three trunk tree with a depression that holds water. I had a red bird, blue jays, wrens and the black and white wook pecker taking turns for their morning drink.
I think your reasoning is good. Fill up your mind and time with something useful and can help support you.
I was taking classes on UOP online and there were many of my class mates that were in there 50s and even one that was 65 :). I say its never too late to follow your dreams. One thought that came to mind is substitute teaching could be be a part time option for you? My Ex father in law was a 45 year retired teacher and did that and also drove buss part time. I am just throwing out options that I have heard of . If you have a income of some sort that can sustain you I say get back in school and learn till your hearts content :).
Best of Luck.
02/23/2011 11:30am
Not sure how to advise you, but I\'m sure you will figure out what works for you. I\'m glad you\'re looking into the future, you\'re never too old to make a change.