Right around the first year marker of Shawn's death I decided that I really needed to start looking for a job. Oh, wait...correction, my great best friends thought it was time that I started looking for a job. They thought it would be good for me to "get back out there" and to start working again. As much as I did not want to work and as scared as I was to start working again I agreed with them and I started to look for a job. Well there was a friend of mine who was looking for private childcare in her home for her two children about 15-35 hours a week. I instantly thought this would be a perfect fit for me. I met the family and I started working one week shy of the first year of Shawn's death. Once again, this was great for me. It was something that got me out of the house. It was a job where I had to "report" to someone other than myself, but I still had the freedom of not working every day that I have to say I had gotten very used to. Well, I worked for this family for one year. Then this fall both the kids started school, one in kindergarten and the other in preschool, so the family no longer needed to me to watch the kids. I totally thought it would not be a big deal and about a month before I left the family I started watching the employment adds, filling out and sending out job applications.
I sent out applications in the area of my degree which is Child Development. I sent out applications for several childcare centers in my town, I sent applications to a few different receptionists jobs, something I have no experience in but thought would be kinda fun. Mostly, though I have stuck with what I know and have sent my resume to several childcare centers here in town, and a few different preschools that were looking for preschool teachers. Totally thinking I would for sure have a job within a few weeks. I sent out so many applications at first I actually had the gull to think I would have to turn down a few offers.
Boy was I W-R-O-N-G!
That was in August and I STILL have not found a job!! I have never, ever in my entire life, not even when I was a teenager did I have this hard of a time finding a job! It's so totally one hundred percent frustrating! Just yesterday I looked at my "job folder" on my computer's desktop, since August I have sent in over 12 applications for jobs and have went on four different interviews and NOTHING! Oh wait....correction nothing is not what I have been told. The four interviews I have been on I have been on where either for preschool teaching jobs, or lead teaching jobs at a childcare center each of these told me, and I quote, "We love you and you are so great with the children, BUT you are too overqualified for this job. We can only offer you minimal pay and feel you would leave after a short amount of time, so we have decided to go with a candidate that has less experience than you do. Sorry and good luck in the future." End quote!
Yes, you read that right, I have been turned down by four different possible employers because I have a college degree in Child Development and am to overqualified to work in a childcare or preschool setting. You want to know the kicker of this whole thing?? I'm going to tell you because I just know you do. In the part of the interview where they ask you what you were making in past jobs I have honestly told them $9, and $10 an hour. When they ask me what I would like to make at this job my answer has been a very minimal $9 an hour. Once again, you read that right, I'm only asking to make a measly, minimal, barely pay your bills, put gas in your car, and buy food, $1,440 a month, $17, 280.00 a year job and that's IF I were to work every week at 40 hours and BEFORE taxes!! Which, is not even possible with holidays and what not! So yeah, I have been turned down from several jobs because I'm asking for $9.00 an hour. How dare I right??!!
The jobs two jobs that i have been offered where awful, no wait horrible hours ever and paid crap! I'm talking working from 6:15 am-9:00am, having a break all day then going back and working 3:00pm-6:30pm and that was for $8 an hour. The other job was a part time job at a center working 15 maybe 20 hours a week and making a little over $7.50. I don't know if I'm being too picky or not but I don't even really think those two jobs were worth my time.
I've been an assistant director at a childcare center, I get the fact that unless things MAJORLY change a person is NEVER going to make ANY money in the field of Early Chidcare and honestly I didn't get into the field to make it big, or to hit the jack pot. I got into the field because I love working with children. I love watching them grow and change. I also got into this degree when I didn't think I would have to support myself. Things change and now I have to support myself and I'm appalled at the fact that I busted my ass in college, got a pretty much worthless degree, have college debt from that degree and am being turned down for jobs because I am too overqualified and have too much experience! Okay, I could go on about the field of Early Childcare and the people in that field for ever...I will save that for another post!
The last few weeks I have changed my job hunting outlook and strategy. If I'm turning my resume in for things I'm qualified to do, but am getting turned down because I'm too qualified I figure why not start turning my resume and applications in for something I have NO experience in. So within the last week I have turned in an application for a bank teller (I can hardly balance my own check book, let alone handling the money of other people, but what the hell right??), and I have also sent my application in for a receptionist at a doctor's office. Think I have heard anything from either of them. You guessed it right again, that would be another big fat NO!
I'm so 100% frustrated with job hunting I could about scream! Ry keeps telling me that the right job will come along and that I'm having problems finding a job because it's just not meant to be and not the right job for me. While I agree with him (no job I have applied for has been my dream job) it is still irritating. Ry keeps telling me to be patient, keep looking and applying and the right job will pop up when it's meant to be and that everything always has a weird way of working out. Once again, I know they will, but gosh, all mighty this is getting old!!
I would not even mind getting out of the field of Early Childhood. I love it, but taking care of kids is all I have ever done and I just can't support myself in the field anymore. The only problem is I have no experience in anything else. I have thought about going back to school, but then again I don't think that is the best idea either since I already have college debt I haven't even began to pay off because I can't afford to.
If any of you have a brilliant idea or suggestion I 'm open to all of them. If not I think I might just take this sign with me on my next interview and see what happens.
18 comments:
oh man...I have no good advice...just anted to wish you luck :)
I'm on the job hunt myself. I've exasuted trying to find something from my old conacts, but nothing. Now I have to go out into the world and find a job where I dont know anyone. It's scary. If I find an advice for you, I'll share. But for now, it looks like we're in the same boat.
All the luck to you my friend!
You don't know me but I wonder if you could be a Chapter I aid in the school system or possibly work with Head Start.
Also how much more school would you have to have to be a teacher? You could teach kindergarten or first grade and would probably enjoy the children.
I retired from teaching 2 years ago and really enjoyed my years in the school system. I am also enjoying retirement----thanks to my years of teaching. Sounds to me like you would be a great teacher.
Good luck--Wish I could help!
Start your own childcare center. You'd be great at it.
Oh, Jen...I hear your frustration. I think the problem is the economy. There is more people out of work than there is jobs to fill. My husband has been out of work for 2 years now. He even went back to school to change careers and couldn't even get a job in that field because it was effected by the economy, so there was severe job cuts. Now, he is going to back school AGAIN for a different career and we hope and pray that at the end there a job for him.
I, too, throughout my career have never had trouble getting a job and then it happened to me about 4 years ago when we moved out of our home state. I was sure I would just take a month off to get us settled and then get a job. Nope, 8 months it took. Since that time, I never take for granted that I will get a job easily. Times have changed so much.
Hang in there...I agree with Ry, something will come up that is right for you.
Do you live anywhere near a military base or federal building that has a daycare center? The ladies that work there as room leads all have to have a degree in child development, they get federal benefits and make more than other daycare centers pay.
I was a nanny for 4 years and made good money... I was making $14 an hour when I stopped to have my baby. You could check the newspaper, craigslist, or care.com for people looking for a nanny in your area! I don't know if you were looking for more of a job in a center or whatnot, and maybe you don't want to go the nannying route again... but I just loved it! Good luck!
Jen,
Just wanted to let you know you are not alone....Mu husband took a new job in February....and I'm still looking.
I think who-ever invented the phrase or concept of "over-qualified" needs to be shot...maybe just in the foot, but still.
Its sad that places won't take a risk on people like us who may be over-qualified, but would probably do the job better.
You would think that a daycare or preschool would want over-qualified people.....I don't want the under-qualified ones working with my son!
I too have been dumbing down my resume for the positions that don't need my level of education.
They want someone who graduated high school and has worked their butt off ever since??? That's me.....ssh...I NEVER graduated from college (nevermind that I have a degree.....nope, shouldn't matter).
I agree that Craigslist might be a good shot. But have you checked into being a substitute teacher? I know it's not a steady income, but at least it would be something for now until you find a permanent job.
OR, you could start something in your home.
Good luck, I know it's hard everywhere. I've been searching for a new job for over a year. I'm thankful for what I have, but I am also looking for a career change.
That sucks! I think the "over-qualified" excuse is malarky! I don't have any fantastic suggestions, just a quick question- you started a paragraph with "I've been an assistant director at a childcare center..." & explained that you're not in it for the money; have you tried saying that on an interview?
I've gotten jobs that I was "underqualified" for, but happy with because they fit my life at the time. I've come right out & said something to that effect to the interviewer. I hope you get something great soon! :)
I still think you should put an ad on something like Craigslist or Care.com to be a nanny. One of the doctors I work with told me the other day they pay their nanny $15/hour, and she gets paid vacation, and they even offered her health insurance! And trust me, there's no way their nanny has a degree in child development!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, I can't even imagine how frustrating this is!
Ditto on substituting. Check out your state's dept of education websites. I think subbing requires a bachelor's degree, regardless of area. You don't know when you'll get called and you can say no but it's decent pay and good hours.
How sad! Our day care center prefers all the teachers to have 4 year degrees.
Nannying brings in more money than day care centers I think. I interviewed for nanny positions over 10 years ago, and the going rate was $500 per week or more, and often they gave you use of a car during the day.They would love your degree.
Everyone has already offered some great ideas - but have you thought about volunteering for awhile? You wouldn't get paid for it (obviously), but it would get you out of the house, give you a chance to network, and maybe even learn some new skills to add to your resume. I think it you go to volunteermatch dot org, you can find volunteer opportunities in your area. Just an idea...
It may help if you do take a job that is part-time 15-20 hours for the 7 whatever and do it for awhile. That way even though you say you don't careabout money, you habe evidence that you don't care and that may open up more positions.
Is there a hospital near you? Often hospitals will have Child Life Specialist that help in pediatrics. These aren't medical positions, more helping kids adjust to being in the hospital or preparing for surgery.
I believe HSC (Hemlock Semi-Conductor) is hiring for all kinds of positions as well as Dow in Midland. The minimum qualification is an Associates Degree and there are lots of opportunities within. It won't be childcare, but you may find something that you like. I would strongly encourage you to apply there. Also, check with Pinconning Lutheran Church in Pinconning, there were desperately looking for a lead Preschool teacher not too long ago, I am not sure if they have found one yet. And substituting is a great idea as well, I have a friend who gets called almost everyday to substitute teach. Good Luck!
okay...I'm coming out of lurkdom for this. I also got a degree in early childhood development but got my licensure....so I could teach in the public schools through kindergarten. When I worked I taught public pre-k in a public school. It was a more at 4 classroom. I got paid like any other teacher (roughly $32,000 a year) and of course had off all summer. I wonder what it would take to add your licensure!!! Good luck. You might make decent money if you went through a nanny agency or posted ad's at local private schools. I know full time nanny's around here make $12 an hour!!
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