Joan You are NEVER too old to try something new. BTW, do you live in Roseville or Carmichael or somewhere else local?
Everyone has made excellent suggestions, however, both Chris and Sharon have mentioned some considerations that I would like to reinforce. 1) Check out the re-entry counseling available to the local community colleges (American River College or Sierra College or similar) or Sac State. As Chris said, talking to them will give you ideas, even if you don't immediately sign up for classes. I know Sac State used to have this type of counseling available. 2) You need a resume as well as a portfolio. These both need to look professional. Find someone who can take your experience as the educator, "office" manager, "facilities" manager, scheduling coordinator, cook, party planner, clean-up crew, gardener, repairman, etc., and translate it all into modern workplace terms. I believe there are services which specialize in this type of resume, etc. 3) Look for a job with benefits, even if it's part time to begin with. It will give you both some income/benefits and a job track record while you are either taking classes to increase your skills or looking for a better job in a more compatible field. 4) Even though the State of California has a hiring freeze on right now, you should check out the State Personnel Board website for job possibilities. A simple entry level Office Assistant (Typing) position starts at $12/hr. This would be a full time position, but the benefits are very good. And, by the time you went through the testing, the hiring freeze should have been lifted. At the very minimum, you would be eligible for consideration as soon as that happened. While these suggestions are tailored for the Sacramento area, the basic ideas should work wherever you end up living. Yes, this is a difficult time for you, but with perseverance and creativity, you can make a place for yourself. If you would like to talk to me directly, send me an e-mail off list and I'll send you my phone number. Good luck. Ginni Morgan Sacramento, CA >>> Joan Broneske <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 8/15/08 11:47 AM >>> I'm not sure where to start with this, but I figured you kind people on this list may be able to point me in the right direction. Without getting into too much detail about the circumstances surrounding my personal life at the moment, I find myself in a situation where at age 44 and after being a stay-at-home mother and homemaker for 14 years, I may need to "start my life over". My great love over the years has always been costuming, making things, building things, helping with events, putting on elaborate Halloween displays in my garage, helping with school plays and things of that nature. I have never been paid for any of it, and it has always just been a "hobby", never anything professional. I have no college education in anything (other than a few college courses over the years in various general things like English, Logic and Anthropology) and no real work experience other than a few stints as a clerical worker, medical typist and retail clerk. I am seriously thinking of pursuing some type of career where I can use these strengths that I have, because I know that I have them. What I could really use some direction and assistance on is: A) Am I too old to pursue this? B) What kinds of things could I do with these talents? C) Would I be able to pursue something which I could make a comfortable living at? (other than an $8 an hour receptionist) D) What types of schooling should I be looking into? E) Would it help me to create a sort of "portfolio" of the hobby things I have done over the years with pictures, etc.? I appreciate any insight, assistance, suggestions.. I currently live near Sacramento, California, but there is a chance I may end up near Utica, NY or near Winston-Salem, NC. Thank you all for your time. Joan B _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication. _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
