#SAHM #workingmom #careeradvice
Considering Your Options
As a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) who is contemplating re-entering the workforce, it’s crucial to weigh your options and consider what will work best for you and your family. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you navigate this decision:
Evaluating Your Skills and Interests
Before diving into job hunting or considering further education, take some time to reflect on your skills and interests. What are you passionate about? What are you good at? Consider your love for learning, expertise in finances and budgeting, attention to detail, communication skills, and interest in nutrition and science. These attributes can guide you toward a fulfilling career path.
Exploring Education Options
If going to college has always been a dream of yours, now might be the perfect time to pursue it. Research online programs or local universities that offer flexible schedules for non-traditional students. With your preference for remote work, an online degree program could be a great fit. Consider degrees in finance, nutrition, or related fields that align with your interests.
Considering Immediate Job Opportunities
While furthering your education is a fantastic long-term goal, you may also want to explore immediate job opportunities that align with your skills and interests. Your diverse work experience from your teenage years, including babysitting, nannying, cooking, and managing a department in a health food store, showcases your versatility. Look for remote job openings in these areas or consider freelance opportunities.
Updating Your Resume
Since it’s been a few years since you’ve worked, it’s essential to update your resume to highlight your skills and experiences. Focus on transferable skills such as communication, organization, and attention to detail. Emphasize any achievements or responsibilities from your previous jobs, even if they were years ago. Consider reaching out to a career counselor for assistance in crafting a strong resume.
Seeking Support and Advice
Transitioning from being a SAHM to re-entering the workforce can be a daunting process, but you’re not alone. Connect with other working moms for support and advice. Consider joining online communities, networking events, or seeking guidance from career mentors. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals in your desired field for insights and recommendations.
As you navigate this next chapter in your life, remember that it’s okay to seek guidance and take your time in making decisions. Trust in your abilities, passions, and desire for personal growth. The journey from being a SAHM to a working professional is a rewarding one, and with determination and dedication, you can achieve your career goals. Good luck! 🌟
>I’d ideally love to be remote for now cause childcare would be pretty complicated and my husband works from home so we could tackle childcare together that way.
I wouldn’t assume you can take care of children while working remotely, without neglecting one or both. Also, remote jobs don’t really grow on trees. It could take a long time to build up the skills and experience to get a remote job that pays more than beer money.
>I’m good at.
This is going to be something that you know better than we do. We don’t know what you’re good at, and those are probably questions better asked in a relevant career focused sub.
Have you consider taking some online community college courses?
I’d recommend being an accountant and doing some business classes. You can start your own accounting business and work from home (or anywhere).
Kudos to you for thinking about your future and making such a positive change for your family. It’s never too late to pursue what makes you happy and fulfilled!
There are a more resources for student parents these days than when I was in school. Look into subsidized (family) housing, childcare, etc wherever you go. Tax credits for student parents in child care as well
What do you see as your short term plans? The next 4 years? Are you going to want to have more kids? Are you done after 1? Do you have family that can watch kids a day or two a week?
Doing a career change with kids is tough but it’s even tougher with a newborn. If you’re planning to have more kids it might be worth it to have the kids then go back to school.
Considering you don’t have any experience, it’s going to be tough getting your foot into the door. And without a college degree you’ll be stuck with a ceiling on how far you can climb.
So you can get a job that doesn’t require a college degree. You won’t have as many options which also limits your schedule and pay but this is the fastest way to get back into the workforce. You can always go to college again later.
Or you can start on a college path. Start with community college. You want to dedicate yourself to it 100%. It is so easy to get frustrated and fall behind. I also would recommend at least a few in person classes you’ll learn more but more importantly you’ll learn how to learn. You can pick up study tips and study friends much easier in person. There are a lot of little things that you don’t get from a video. Also, this is more important for you because it’s been so long since you’ve been in school you could really benefit from the kick start. That said, online is better than nothing if you need to.
It sounds like you’re interested in an accounting path. At the community College ask the advisor what you need to transfer to a 4-year college for an accounting degree. You’ll get a bunch of general education requirements and a lot of business classes. One of the first classes should be an accounting class to see if it “clicks”.
There are also a *ton* of career options in accounting. You can get a job pretty much anywhere with a degree in accounting. And lots of remote jobs. (I also echo that you can’t be 100% childcare and try to work from home.)
Don’t worry about rushing it. You can take your time as long as you make progress. It is all on your timetable, so you can decide if you want to take 4 years or 6 years or even 8 years to finish a degree.
For context, I decided to make a career change when I was 34. I had a previous degree in another subject, so by 36 I had my Masters in accounting. I’m 38 and qualified for CPA just waiting on paperwork review.
I love the attitude and I think you should go for it eventually. That said…this idea that you can watch an infant/toddler because you “work from home” is misguided.
If you work from home you are working. You arent going to be able to give an infant/toddler the attention required AND work at the same time. That goes for your husband too not just you.
Now when your kids go to school then some options like that open up.
I just wanted to note that it doesn’t have to be one or the other (work/school). At an age plenty older than you I took just one class per semester, an evening class that met 2 nights a week. I just wanted to get better at some things, it wasn’t career change learning. It was great… I learned so much even from the fellow students (“kids” to me). It was great. If you have a community college close enough, definitely do one class like that if you can. It’s better to take 1 or 2 classes at a time and nail them than to take 3 or 4 and struggle.
Also, apply for FASFA, and there’s no reason to wait (if you don’t use it no loss). If you were to apply for student aid they’ll require your FASFA denial to start. When I was looking into it I saw a Q&A: “Who should apply to FASFA?” – “Everyone”, so I did that. It worked out great for me.