~Off Topic Thread~

[mustang-sally 8]

I would like to do something more vocational - I would love to learn silversmithing or something to tie in with my grand business plan... I have so many aspirations for when I move

That is something different!!!

My National diploma is in Animal Management, which basically qualifies me to work in anything to do with animals, I'm also a qualified advanced dog groomer (my chosen profession). I want to start my own business dog grooming over there, already had a successful business in the UK.

Other qualifications - I am a registered nurse plus have done courses in massage and aromatherapy.

Hoping I won't have problems finding employment

[Jeraly 4]

I think that is what I want though - something different - something that I can do and enjoy - I don't want to be one of those people who moans about their job, gets up, goes to work, comes home and whines about having to go back after the weekend... I don't want to feel that the weekends are too short, rather too long!! I want to look forward to getting up and doing a job I love...

Ok... some people may think this totally unrealistic (there are plenty of skeptics out there, believe me!) but I believe a life profession is like falling in love - you have a few dodgy jobs to find your feet, bring in a bit of money while you figure out what you really want, then some day, maybe when you least expect it, you find something just perfect for you Might not be to everyone else's taste but that is what makes it more special

I want to learn and develop and I want to further myself. I want to dream and aspire and I feel that I can do that in my new life

[mustang-sally 8]

I think that is what I want though - something different - something that I can do and enjoy - I don't want to be one of those people who moans about their job, gets up, goes to work, comes home and whines about having to go back after the weekend... I don't want to feel that the weekends are too short, rather too long!! I want to look forward to getting up and doing a job I love...

Ok... some people may think this totally unrealistic (there are plenty of skeptics out there, believe me!) but I believe a life profession is like falling in love - you have a few dodgy jobs to find your feet, bring in a bit of money while you figure out what you really want, then some day, maybe when you least expect it, you find something just perfect for you Might not be to everyone else's taste but that is what makes it more special

I want to learn and develop and I want to further myself. I want to dream and aspire and I feel that I can do that in my new life

Exactly !!!

I spent 20 years nursing and got very disheartened, too much paperwork, too much bureaucracy. Not what I went into nursing for!!!!

I had the choice, go to uni and further my nursing qualifications or choose something different. I chose to do animal care and havent looked back, best choice I ever made. I am so happy working with animals, only regret is that I didn't decide to do this years ago.

Go with your dreams, you won't regret it

[Jeraly 4]

Yay! I did a four year teaching degree then went into an office job because as much as I love the kids, there is so much paperwork and ####### involved it detracts from the actual teaching - it isn't about the children anymore and the government keep trying to put band-aids on broken bones...

Ah well - new country, fresh start!!

[mustang-sally 8]

Ha ha

They offered me a teaching job at the college after I passed my diploma.

The thought of teaching a bunch of 16 year old delinquents with raging hormones just didn't appeal though

I turned it down

[j4k 0]

mustang-sally, of course we have courses you can take here! some people go part-time taking a class or 2 here and there...some people work around their work schedules and take night courses, etc. some places of employment even offer scholarships or assistance with tuition if the coursework will help you advance in your position/career...good luck!!! i've seen tons of mothers of older children (teens and older) go back to school and get their degree...it may have taken them a little longer, but they got the whole shebang...the kids and the career...also, jeraly, i know what you mean about the teaching thing...i went to college for that here and i taught for a little while...it tends to be hard in my area to find a job because this area is kinda rural and loads of people want to teach here...if you get in an area where it's growing still IE virginia is an area that i know is developing the last 15 or so years and building tons of schools, it's alot easier to find a job if that's what you want...i ended up working in a supermarket, doing the hiring and orientations for the new employees..i also do alot of human resources stuff..i know what you mean about finding something you love to do...but right now i need to keep my job so that i can support us and show proof of it... having worked for the same place in the past 11 years will hopefully look good and being able to provide medical benefits is a plus too.

Edited January 26, 2008 by j4k

[mustang-sally 8]

Thanks j4k, thats good to know. I don't necessarily want to attend college, thinking more of home studies and maybe the odd college day now and again.

I will definately look into it once I get there, I absolutely love studying and learning. Really miss that at the moment.

I want to start my own business once I get there so a night or part time course in American business and employment laws would be good. I already have qualifications in business studies here and although I can run a business (and did succesfully for 3 years) no problem, I do need to learn the laws over there. Randy has already spoken to some business start up places and they are willing to help me out.

The 3 months or so I have to wait for my EAD will give me chance to learn and make out a business plan and find somewhere to work from.

[Jeraly 4]

Haha Maggie - I have a business plan in my head but having extra info on it would be good - maybe you can remotely tutor me I know where I want to start with my business though - it is something I started here and we are marginally in profit so at least we can justify spending a little money on a few things to get things off the ground I just want to have the chance to really make a go of it and here I just haven't got the motivation right now because I know I will have to move it all anyway!

[j4k 0]

we have online courses here you can take too...i think phoenix online is a fairly reputable one...my place of business has a contract with them to pay so much of a percentage based on the grade you get in the course...they advertise quite a bit too....just wondering if the ad at the top of the page will change based on me typing it in here...

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I have no idea what I'd like to do for a career. I did architecture on university but was burnt out on that by the time I graduated and did temping for a while before landing my current job (I'm an administrator/secretary/office help). I really like admin work but I'm not busy enough right now and administration has a bit of a stigma attached to it - the type of work I do is usually covered by the 16 year old school leavers who, quite frankly, don't really give a toss and just need some pocket money. It's rare that any of them have any real computer knowledge or a decent command of the English language. The local secretarial college used to send letters riddled with grammatical errors and it was so frustrating to see!

My current thoughts are to give architecture another chance - it's what I'm qualified to do (although I'd need a diploma and a couple of years in the industry to become an actual architect) - and find some work as an architectural technician when I move to California. Failing that I'd maybe try and find admin work with a larger company or look into becoming a PA. I can't afford to do further study - I'll need a decent job so that I can support Alex in his own study.

Anyway - it's great to hear that other people have a better idea of what they'd like to do! I've known some very enterprising people who've had great success and I hope that you all do, too.

[mustang-sally 8]

we have online courses here you can take too...i think phoenix online is a fairly reputable one...my place of business has a contract with them to pay so much of a percentage based on the grade you get in the course...they advertise quite a bit too....just wondering if the ad at the top of the page will change based on me typing it in here...

Good good , will have a look see what courses and subjects they cover once I get over there. Business and animal related courses will work.

It's difficult while I'm still in the UK, all searches seem to be UK based. Will look further once I move.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I'm a teacher (high school American History), and I love my job...but you're right, there is a mountain of paperwork sometimes...

[Alex & Rachel 78]

All of you who are teachers have my utmost respect...I wouldn't want to teach one child, let alone a whole class-full, and the amount of paperwork sounds horrendous! I have one friend who's a teacher and she's never home before 6 pm at the earliest.

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - a lot of people don't see the work that goes on behind the scenes in teaching! I maintain that teaching secondary would be better though in terms of teaching one subject (Would love to be an art teacher!) but I couldn't cope with bunches of hormonal teens!!! Primary you have to be qualified to teach all ages and all subjects - it is really hard work!!!

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

But the great thing about teaching art, is that the students in your class actually signed up for it...they want to be there...takes care of the discipline angle; if they act up, you can kick them out!!! I, on the other hand, teach a required course for graduation...