Taking Any Old Job

I say do it.

Even a big box store has a corporate ladder. :)

There are no small parts, just small actors.

I think if more people were willing to do what they needed to do at the time they need to do it, the world would be a better place.

Before I became a mom, I had nearly 20 years in my career.
I'm lucky I still work in a PT capacity that works with our lives. "With our lives" being the operative term there.

There's a lot of satifaction knowing I've not "missed" anything and have options--complicated or not. As I choose.

I guess it depends on what your goals are. If you want to continue down the career path and not discount your past experience, then yes, taking any old job will not do your resume justice.

BUT

If you feel that you have "been there, done that" and have no desire to pursue your old career, there is nothing wrong with doing what you can to get by.

Sounds like your husband really wants you to continue down the career path. Is there a reason why? Will you eventually go back to your old career? Will you need the income that career afforded you? Sounds like you have a few questions you need to answer first. It's hard to step off that "train" and get back on too. But maybe there is some consulting you can do to keep your skills fresh?

I work in a career that is related to my eduation but is "below" my abilities becuase I need to be available for my family (not only kids but elderly mom and MIL). I had been an exec VP with frequent travel, long hours, evening dinner appointments, fundraisers, etc. Bleah. I hope to NEVER go back to that. Now I'm in the office most of the time but I work 4 days a week, short days while the kids are in school, etc. I would never trade it for a more high powered position and I've been offered a few with really high pay too. Your husband fell in love with a career woman - he wants to see you back in that role. That's not a bad thing -but if your career has pretty much dried up (newspaper, photographer, publishing, etc.) your husband is just not thinking realistically. A good option would be to begin any kind of job, keep yoru eyes & ears open and consider online education to work in the field you'd like. While some eduation can't really be done online, alot can. I'm considering a career change cuz my industry is changing a lot - I'd have to go back to school to get my Masters - but I'm seriously considering it...

when i was a young woman, i was the quintessential jack of all trades. in addition to lots of restaurant jobs, i was one of the first female retail security people, a private detective, i pumped gas (what an anachronism!), i was a hot-walker (cooling out racehorses), a mail clerk, a photographer's assistant, a car salesperson, a multi-level marketer and a model for a photography school.
the only skill that i've still got is restaurant, and i don't want to do that no more.
i'm with you. work at what you can find. your husband may have a point in that it doesn't hurt to aim high, but i find your willingness to work at any old job to be admirable. you can still keep looking, but why not take an interim job in the interim?
khairete
S.

Personally it sounds like you are just looking for cash and not a career. In that instance I would do whatever will make you happy and give you the most amount of money doing it.

Why is your husband bothered by the fact that you are not seeking a professional career? There are a lot of us that have put our careers on hold knowing that there will be a time and place for our career again. Now is just not that time.

I'd suggest looking into jobs at a school as a teacher assistant or admin or clerk, or into jobs at a gym. You can get a look into the field you are interested in and make some connections that may help you in the future. If you decide to teach, or be a personal trainer, it will look better on your resume if you have "industry related" experience than in retail.

I don't think its about professional snobbery - I think its about making choices that will further your end goal. Making photocopies at a school is no more glamorous than being a teller at the grocery store, but it does give you an "in."

Only go into retail if you think you want to work in retail OR if you are unable to get a job in something closer to what you want to do, and need the money.

Good luck and keep us posted.

OK first, I have sort of been in this postion. Difference being I never had the career hubby wanted me to have, i was happy but he always wanted me to take the next step. i stayed home for a few years and when i went back it was a half a step up but still not a full fledged career. So I understand the pressure, I had alot of resentment, because i had to go back to work only because he wasn't willing to tone down our lifestyle. So i found a job that i'm content with for the time being.

And it might just come down to symantics for your hubby. when you say you'll take anything there is a bit of a difference between taking a job as a check out clerk at a gas station or taking a job in a bakery decorating cakes. they might pay the same but there is a bit more prestige to the bakery job and if you bake for a hobby it would be ideal. and if you wanted to run your own business baking wedding cakes it would be a great way to get some training.

My ideal no brainer job would be Hallmark, it smells so pretty, they play soothing music and other than major hoidays it's a pretty sweet thing to help people pick out greeting cards.

doyou have a hobby to play off of, or could you think about a job with perks like ifyou work at Kohls and get an employ discount on top of the other discounts you could maybe buy school clothes for your kids for almost nothing.

subsitituing seems like it would be a great way to try it, some places you can make out quite well with out any actual education degrees.

I say look at the whole big picture of what your family needs. and if Dh doesn't like it he can get a second job pumping gas.