Expert: Jodey Smith - 4/16/2009

Question
My name is Robin and I am a 32-year-old single mother of a 20-month-old in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For the last three years, I’ve been running my family’s rental property business from home, but the rest of the family has decided to liquidate, which puts me out of a job when I least expected it.

Suddenly, I am left without any idea of where to even begin looking for a new job or career. My experience with my family’s company will not likely yield me a comparative job since we often did things off-the-cuff. After all, we were thrown into the position when my grandfather had a stroke and had no training or education, just the general idea that we needed to keep our heads above water and out of a lawsuit. My previous job experience was mostly in sales. I sold mobile homes, furniture, and cars at various times for a total of about 9 years. Unfortunately, I know I can’t maintain the hours I used to work while being the sole parent to my son. Working until 9pm would be commonplace in those jobs, but out of the question for childcare. Eventually I went into real estate, but just this year let my license expire, which would mean as much as $1500 in re-startup fees, plus at least 3 months of expenses without income while I rebuild a client base. Even if I could find a way to do that, the hours would still be a problem.

I would love to go back to school for some kind of training, but doing so would mean getting both financial aid for school, as well as aid to survive until graduation. I just recently purchased a home with an $800 a month mortgage, so I must find a way to continue to pay it. On a brighter side, I do receive $600 a month child support from a very supportive ex who is willing to juggle his schedule as a nurse so that between he and his mother, I can avoid putting my son in daycare while training. Of course, this offer was not meant for a 4-year degree, but more likely for a 12-month or less training situation.

I’m only beginning to look at options, but I am considering Dental Assistant, which has two local schools to train at, each with a 7 ½ month course. I’ve ruled out nursing because I’m just too squeamish around illness and injury. I love to work with people and in creative situations. I am good at math, but dislike it, so I would be willing to work clerical, but prefer not to. I am a fast typist (88 wpm) but have only general knowledge of computers, no specific programs. My dream job, if I had time to go to school for it, would be social worker or teacher. I have a high school diploma, but no college education.

I’m not sure what advice you can offer me, but any feedback or brainstorming would be appreciated. My primary questions right now are: 1) What field should I consider? 2) Should I go back to school or try to find something immediately? 3) What type of student aid might I qualify for? 4) What type of non-school aid might I qualify for, such as foodstamps, WIC, or even welfare?

Thank you for your response and advice.

Robin

Answer
Hello Robin,

1) What field should I consider?
I would suggest you take some time to consider creative ways to use your unique personality, skills, and passions.  How can you use them in a career you would enjoy?

2) Should I go back to school or try to find something immediately?
You probably will end up doing some combination of the two.  You may have to take a non-dream job for the short term to pay the bills.  You may be able to take classes at the same time.  All the while, you can still be on the lookout for "the dream job".

3) What type of student aid might I qualify for?
Your school financial aid office would be one place you could find this information.  You can also do plenty of research online.  There are lots of grants and scholarships out there.  Beware of websites that try to charge you for these services.  I read about one girl who spent her summer researching and applying for 1000 different scholarships.  She got 25 of them, and that paid for her schooling.  

4) What type of non-school aid might I qualify for, such as foodstamps, WIC, or even welfare?
I am unsure of the answer to this question.  You would probably have to check with your local Health & Human Services Department or a local church or charity.

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