Searching For New Job

[His Healing Grace]

I am currently working on going back to work- I have contacted DVR & asked for help with training, have been looking @ the local Community colleges & what they offer, been thinking Real Hard about what I do NOT want as well as what I do want.

What I want:
Part-time- I don't know if (after 3 breakdowns) I can work full time anymore.
An office job- air conditioning is a must! I have asthmatic bronchitis & cannot stand/handle hot still air.
Something like office gofer; I can file papers, pull files for others, briefly answer phones, do light data entry, etc.

What I don't want:
Outdoors job of any kind- I need my air conditioning when temps reach above 70*F.
Strenuous job- I'm not as young as I used to be!
Stress filled- who needs it?

I was thinking receptionist/secretary, but my Job Coach @ DVR says there are very few of those in this economy. So then I was thinking Paralegal. I don't know why but I've been thinking of Paralegal for a number of years. But I hear it can be very demanding & stress filled.
And now I've drawn a blank. I have no idea where to send my thoughts travelling after this. I know there has to be more jobs along these lines- but what? I simply cannot think of any.

 

[penelopetree]

Hi. I'm wondering about two things. First, why might paralegal work be attractive to you? More intellectually engaging besides more lucrative? Might it be closer to something to feel more passionate or engaged? And yet, there's the stress. I hear you. I haven't worked for awhile myself. Second is about your past experience and skill set. Maybe there is a way to tease out what you want from paralegal work and, combine it with your experience, and find work for an agency that does something you endorse. Best to you finding meaningful low stress work.

Penelope

 

[His Healing Grace]

Yeah- I hear you. I have an appointment with a friend of mine who is a paralegal to talk with her about these issues. Maybe she can help point me in the right direction.

I'm not entirely certain WHY I am attracted to paralegal. Is it because I'm tired of not being able to defend myself against ignorant, strident, forceful people who believe the world revolves around them? I really don't know. I do know that in the past I have thought about this career path when I have been left feeling unprotected & verbally abused or manipulated in some way. Grrr! The old "You can't do that to me!" stands up & wants to send the ol' fists flying!

So anyway- we'll see, I guess.

 

[catjudo]

I understand your frustration. I, too, find myself in a similar situation. I know that I couldn't handle working full-time. I'm unsure whether or not I could be successful in a part-time job but I'm sure my success would, at least in part, depend on the nature of the job. Goodness knows I could certainly use some extra income. It has been quite a long time since I've worked. I want to be able to work again but I'm unsure what I would do. I know that I couldn't return to the same work I once did. I struggle to figure out what kind of job would seem meaningful to me without being too much stress and sending me over the edge.

Good luck to you on your journey toward figuring out your next step. Please keep us posted in the process.

 

[penelopetree]

Yes, good luck! To all of us!

P.

 

[intothelight]

A few ideas......

If there is a particular field someone is interested in, try volunteering. This is a good way to get back into the routine of having to be somewhere at a designated time, performing specific tasks, and interacting with people. It also has the advantage of not being a long term commitment as one finds in an employee-employer relationship. Many times contacts can be developed that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.

Try temporary agencies and taking assignments that fit your field of interest. Again, there is an advantage of getting back into the workforce, the flexibility of working when you can, and the possibility of a temp assignment turning into employment.

There is also the option of self-employment. For a para-legal position, you might try contacting attorneys within your local area and provide services when people are on vacation, out on leave or handling overflow. This is a good way to explore options in many fields and still leaves an individual with flexibility in regard to scheduling.

Intothelight