I wish my dream job could have my dream paycheck

[Big IV]

I am fortunate enough to be working doing my dream job. It doesn't have my dream paycheck. And it doesn't have my dream full-time with benefits. I have however, been very fortunate to get into the field that I want to pursue and get to work. In a year or so I will be able to get a full time job. The state has a hiring freeze on at the moment, but the next budget should help free up some hiring.

On the plus side, my office hours are fairly oddly and ill-used at times. I'm getting a good bit of riding time in the next few weeks. I'll be able to take some mid day rides between classes, nice.



My wife on the other hand has not found her dream job. She's working at the 'right now, just until' job still. It is paying the bills (usually), but it is not letting her advance or fiinish her studies. She is studying to be a Guidance Counselor. She will be a great one, someday. All she has left to do is her internship,but she is having trouble getting hours worked out on the internship because of her work.

She applied for another job last week, did the interview yesterday. They are supposed to let her know either way tomorrow. She's hopeful. The interview went well.  But she's had good interviews before. I'm hopeful because they only did about 4 interviews (one day from 8-1:00 was all they scheduled for interviewing, one hour interview blocks). So that should increase her chances. I was afraid that they would be doing the interviews as a formality and already had a pick in mind (happens a LOT in education). However, the panel she interviewed with had 5 members. You don't get 5 people to schedule a day when you're just doing formality interviews. So at least they really are looking for someone.

It just comes down to the wrong time to be looking. Given time she will find the right job. More jobs will come open. She will find the right one. This one or not, it will happen, when it is right. But it is frustrating until then.

To all the job seekers out there, my wife included, good luck!

[Popeye]

I have a job that I don't like but when your a husband and father, you do what you gotta do for the family.   Just had my 30th anniversary with the company and the last few years have been awful.  The first 22 years where OK.  You got paid for your overtime.  My group went from 18 to 6 and we have to cover 24/7.  I was thrown into a group 3 years ago with minimal training and it has been a struggle the whole time.  I need to hang  on for four more years to get the youngest thru college.

I have encouraged my boys to do something that they will enjoy. They have seen the stress over
the last few years that my job has caused. They realize that I am not happy but have stayed for
the family.

I don't have a college degree and there is no way I could leave and make the money that I do.

Yes, I know I am lucky to have a job when the economy is in the crapper.

Sorry for the RANT.

Popeye

[Big IV]

My father keeps asking my wife (who is studying to be a guidance counselor) what he should be when he grows up!
We do what we have to do sometimes.
I'm fortunate. Sounds like you're fairly fortunate too Popeye, atleast you have what you need to take care of your family at the moment. That is the main thing.

[ChromeDome]

I droped out of High School, took the GED, took a couple of classes at the local community college and ended up with a job in IT. Back then it was EDP and my first job was as a computer operator. I worked at a shop that was a little less rigid in its structure and I made the best of my oppurtunities. That was back in 1974 and 6 companies ago. I'm still in IT and have been with this company since 1985 but like Popeye said the past 5 years have been tough. This past winter I came to the conclusion that I not only dislike my employer but I no longer enjoy my profession. I'm old enough to take early retirement but have gotten use to sleeping indoors, eating regular, riding my Valk all over the country and a few other things so every day I drag my ever expanding butt out of bed and go to work.

I'm thinking that when I do retire from this place that it will be time for a career change so I have been looking at my options. So with being single I have been leaning towards getting a CDL and see about driving over the road. I've checked out some classes at a few of the community colleges and only one has a driving school. I need to take a day off and go talk them because all the admissions information want transcripts, SAT/ACT scores ... shoot I just want to get a CDL license.

Not sure if that's my dream job but it beats the heck out of what they got m doing now.

[Daniel Meyer]

I am fortunate enough to be working doing my dream job.

Well, spill it. What's your dream job? What do you do? (or did I just miss it somewhere?)

[Big IV]

When I was a teacher I taught. Now that I'm a professor do I profess?

I'm an adjunct professor for the local community college and the local catholic college. Both want to hire me full time, but the state will not let the community college hire and the catholic college wants a PhD (which I'm about to start).

To head off anyone that might ask, yes, when I'm typing professional emails I spell check more often than when I'm typing emails (and posts) to friends (or freinds as I often spill it...spell it here).

[SteveL]

......the catholic college wants a PhD (which I'm about to start).

How long will that take?

[Big IV]

The program was designed for people like me.

[SteveL]

My son is a year away from his. He is ABD, (all but dissertation) and he's working on that now. He'll be done next year. He's 28. Hopefully he'll have it at 30. I call him "the Professor". Do I sound like the proud Dad? He's a fellow at Univ Rhode Island. English Lit.

[Oss]

I enjoy your posts BigIV

Working for myself I often wish I could tell the boss to F himself.   This is why it is good to have a wife who is willing to tell me this important information from time to time.

I find that children are also useful in keeping one humble

There are many days when I would love to kill some of my clients and some where I would like to do the same to some jurists, but I fight the temptation.

It is sad to see so many people who retired and have now lost everything and also young families who are losing their homes because both breadwinners have lost their jobs.  I have honestly not seen one person in foreclosure who was a crook yet  but I have over the years seen a great many rich people who are

So keep your head up and follow your dream where you wish as long as you can

I am going to hang in there till my youngest is out of school and then figure out what to do next
It may be law and it may not be law, but it will be something that allows me to see this country from the back of a motorcycle for at least a month at a time when I feel the need.  I see as my role models Gilligan and Navigator who have seen much of this land TOGETHER from the saddle of their Valkyrie but who I have yet to meet and also Highbinder and Lady Draco who I have had the great privilege to meet and share time and the wind with. How would you like this view in the morning when you look out the window?

Good luck to your wife IV hope she finds that dream job real soon

OSS

[Wizzard]

For the last 11 and 1/2 years I have had my dream job and loved it. I went back to school at age 42 and got my engineering degree and loved my job. Got paid well too,, then on December 29 without warning they told me I was not needed any more and hired a new fresh college grad at half my pay. It sucked,, and I am still looking.

[Valker]

Oss, have you ever thought about teaching? I'm not sure about NY, but in Texas you can get certified to teach very quickly if you already have some type of college degree. You get two weeks off in winter, one week in Spring, and 10 weeks off in the summer. Starting pay in Texas is about $35K. I'm older than you, but have been eligible to retire for 2 years. I am having a blast right now teaching Sign language. I hate the idea of total retirement, so when I decide to do something else, it will include a lot of travel. The youngest is a Junior in HS right now. Abby starts college next year, so I will be teaching for a while yet. In my area of certifications and this part of the country, being laid off is a non issue.