Some of you may remember reading this back in September. Well I'm still wrestling with different paths to pursue. It makes it easy to be thinking about this all the time when your kids keep you up at night and it takes forever to go back to sleep. Anyway, enough of that.
Some different career paths I've been considering are:
1). Massage Therapy--who wouldn't want to work at a spa? It wouldn't take me too long to complete, and perhaps would offer a flexible schedule, not to mention a pretty fair paycheck. I'm just not sure if it's the right path yet.
2). Master's Degree in Nutrition; Become a Registered Dietician. Yes I admit it whole heartedly, I am a total food snob! I love to eat good, wholesome foods and I love learning about nutrition and talking to other people who want to learn about nutrition. It would take a lot longer than option 1 and would cost a lot more.
3). Fulfilling whatever education requirements that I would need to, to become a P.E. teacher. (Most of my current degree already qualifies). Plus the thought of having the same vacation time as my kids is pretty tempting. I just wonder, with the current economy, when all was said and done, will there be a job for me in this area?
I don't know, each one has it's pros and cons. I am definitely making this a matter of serious prayer and pondering. Plus I'm totally kicking myself for not making different degree choices back when I was going to college. Oh how hindsight is 20/20!
Anyway, if anyone reading this has any experience/insight into any of the above options I would love to know what you think! I don't know why I am so anxious to get this all figured out. Maybe it's because I have too much time on my hands. Who knows?! Hopefully I will figure it out soon. I will definitely let you know!
8 comments:
If my two cents are worth it...I noticed that as you described each path only the Masters degree in nutrition was described as something you are really passionate about. The other ones seems to have a lot of perks and may not take as long to complete but I would be worried about them being completely fulfilling to me. I would ask: Am I going to want to go for that Masters eventually anyway? Would option 1 or 2 be a stepping stone to what I really want to do?
I too graduated - pregnant...so I was in a hurry to be done- without a career plan in mind. I just wanted to be home with my kids. Now I wonder why I graduated in what a I did at all, but am nonetheless grateful that I have a degree so I can more adequately support my family if that necessity arises. Still...I think I understand to some degree. I wonder why I didn't go into art or communications instead of Recreation Management...me who doesn't really love camping and junk.
By the way...thank you for the thanks on my blog. I wasn't asking for that. I was just joking - totally lame joke I know (I told it to Jared and he look confused and then totally annoyed we he "got it") - about our warm wishes bringing you a blizzard instead.
I have been doing a lot of the same searching for myself and can you believe that the degree I am most leaning toward is nutrition also. I would love to work in a diabetes clinic. We have the most amazing nutritionist that we work with and I would love to do the same for other families. Anyway, I know that probably doesn't help but I thought it was fun that we are both interested in the same carrer. Good Luck!
I love you sister! You'll figure it out. Make a list of all of the things you really value in life, and see what career path supports that list.
lybunches!
D.
I vote for a Jillian clone. You would be great at changing people's lives in a caring way. We had brown rice for dinner last night and the most amazing thing about that is that it was dad's request!
Love you!
Okay, so I read this the other day, but had to ponder before I responded. Massage therapy-I've thought about, but would have a hard time massaging nasty men (who on some occasions have been known to get aroused-sorry to be totally gross, but it's something to think about).
P.E. teacher-would be nice on the vacation front, but I don't think you would be fulfilled. It's just something you're thinking about because your requirements lean towards that.
BUT nutritionist sounds right up your alley. You're already into nutrition and eating healthy. But I also agree with Kathy. You're such a sweet person that I think as a trainer you would help people get it done, without making them feel bad about themselves. (Sorry for the long comment). I think whatever you choose you'll be great at and with prayer you will definitely pick what's best for you and your family.
Ok, I say pe teacher first (you would be great) and work on your masters degree slowly. does that sound like too much? Maybe it is, but why not do both? You could def. get grants. how are you> i hope you guys are doing good. I miss you across the street, but glad you are moved into a home. Good luck with these major decisions!
Oh My Gosh Janet you are so talented and can do anything! I am always amazed at how you are so diligent and excited about averything in life. :) Good luck deciding.
I love being a math teacher. I love the time off. I don't love the parents some times, the paperwork all the time. A PE teacher is a job with LOW turnover. It is nice if you get it, but it might take awhile to actually get it. Before doing the PE thing, I would talk to a principal at a school and see if you could shadow a PE teacher and see exactly what it entails. I'm thinking about middle school since that is what I teach - and you would have to also be a coach - basketball, volleball, track - which would entail lots of before or after school practices and the games etc. You deal with parents of "athletes" (not always fun!), students who dont dress out and participate, etc.
If nutrition is your ultimate goal, you could always do the massage thing while going to school for nutrition??? It might limit your time with your family, so you might want to ask yourself the question of what is my ultimate goal...money or a career?
Just to throw out another career choice that would be extremely flexible - medical transcription. The class is like 6 months (I am not sure how much), but then you get a job with a medical transcription agency. It is something you can actually do at night or during naptimes. The doctors go online and dictate their notes, you then logon and retreive the dictation and transcribe it and send it in. Again this would be a $$ thing that is fast and flexible. - Ginger Daniel actually has been thinking about this and might have more info if you're interested.
Good luck - ultimately it is between you, Justin, and the Lord what is best for you and your family. It is a hard decision I know - money, time, and time away from family...again good luck!
Post a Comment