I have been working as an administrative assistant/data entry for the past 10 years. All I can say is I am a great typist, with a creative mind but the company I work with is in the mortgage industry, and there is no room for advancement.
I have completed all my general courses, I just need and have to finish something. I am 28 years old with a child, and I just feel my time is running up.
I just want a back up career that doesn’t require long schooling, has work/life balance Mon-Fri 8-5 and possible room for advancement.
I am leaning more towards health care because it’s huge industry and I do genuinely care about helping others. I love topics on mind,body,spirit,well being,holistic approaches… I’m just saying random things in case it sparks an idea.
My college offers the following associates that I was considering:
Human Service,Exercise Science, Wellness & Health Promotion
If I had it in me, I would go straight to rn but I don’t think it’s for me.
I can see myself working for an office,facility etc… Dermatology, Ob-gyn, Children, Speech, Gym, Wellness where I can still help others …
Any advice,suggestions is highly appreciated!
Accounting, finance or any other business related major.
Thank you for your response!
I was thinking about a major in business as well, but I will be honest all the math courses pushed me away. Math isn’t my best skill, as I know this shouldn’t be an excuse since math will most likely always be necessarily. The only business related major that didn’t have as many math courses was Marketing. Although, since at the moment I am aiming for an associates, will something like an associates in marketing and 10 year admin assistant can open doors as opposed to something in health care? Just wondering… feeling lost here
I would start by looking at job listings for a career you would enjoy. Look to see what degrees they ask for. That way you know you’re heading in the right direction.
Thank you for your response! That’s a great advice, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the past years. It has helped a lot but I am still stuck in this loop of what’s my purpose.
All my passions were in arts/creativity but reality struck that I would like a stable career, especially now that I have a family… and for some reason, stability and health care just keep ringing a bell for me, even though I’ve always said I never saw myself in health care. Now that I am older I have found an interest in well being, just never thought I had it in me or was smart enough to do something in the health industry.
I registered for A&P class this fall, going to take that see how it goes. I also signed up to job shadow nursing program at a local hospital. I like the idea of working with children, and a school setting but not necessarily be a teacher. I think I am just going to consider something in pediatric nursing, women’s health, school nurse or office nurse. Better to have something in mind and go for it then feeling lost for the past 10+ years
Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble so much.
That’s great! I think it’s really smart to work in an environment before you decide if it’s right for you. FYI - I know several people who went into health care as second careers. I do think what is “satisfying” to a 20 year old isn’t always what’s rewarding to someone older. Definitely “go for it”. My sister went back to school in her 30s to become a doctor. She knew it would take her years but it was her dream and she figured it was better to start that dream at 40 then never start it at all! Take your time and don’t let negative thoughts keep you from finding a more rewarding career path.
I completely agree! It’s better to start some where than no where at all. I started college straight out of high school but due to moving around often I went from taking a ‘break’ to a six year set back. And even now, I still don’t know what’s my niche or what to truly study but I know if I don’t do anything, I’m going to carry those what if thoughts forever.
And those negative thoughts are definitely a burden to the mind. Just two days ago, I was very motivated and now I feel like studying something healthcare related may be almost impossible for me with out me having to quit my job. After doing some research I was almost sure that I would either do nursing, or occupational therapist assistant. But all of these ‘programs’ are full day time, meaning I’d have to put my child in daycare and quit my job or ask my boss for part time hours during the evening. They do have a part time evening program for nursing, but then not to mention all the requirements they all ask to even consider accepting someone inside the program.
I’m going to still try to get into the evening part time program, but I really think I may have to just look into a major that’s flexible rather than trying to get into a specific program. sigh-
I’m a health care worker and nursing is great profession with lots of options of where to specialize. Depending on the area you live though you might need a BSN before anybody will hire you. That’s how it is in my area in PA/DE/NJ.
One idea you might want to Consider is to do a CNA course and try to get hired in a place you’d want to work for when you finish school. I work in Pediatric Rehab and almost all the nurse aides are in school for one field or another: RN, PA, PT, OT, respiratory, radiology tech, etc. some of them have changed their majors from one field to another. The hours aren’t the best for a young family but some of them only pick up 8 hours a week just for the experience. Good luck with whatever path you choose!