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Mid 30s & feel like I wasted my time
Long story short, I don't feel like I've put my degree to good use--and I graduated 15 years ago.
After college, I started working retail while getting my grad degree. I stuck with it because I got pretty good pay, but I finally got out after 8 years to pursue a job I thought was in academics. It's turned out to be more customer service than education-oriented and I don't want to do it anymore.
I studied Education and Psychology in school and none of my work experience is related to that. While I have a degree, I was denied a teaching license and I don't have much experience. How can I get hired in something that actually pertains to my degree and what I want to do in life?
Summer Bammes
A master of asking good questions.
73
06/29/20 at 11:16PM UTC
Have you looked into instructional design? That would be teaching adults, and they use plenty of trainings in the customer service and retail fields. You may be able to put all of your background to work at once!
Destiny PiferAlways and forever a writer
182
06/26/20 at 10:29PM UTC
Oh I feel your frustration. I worked my butt off in business school to get a degree in business administration and haven't been able to get a job in my field and that was twenty years ago. After getting injured at work and then being on leave because of Covid-19 I get called back to work temporary in the billing department and after a month am told I am no longer needed and that they don't feel I am qualified enough to work permanently so I now feel gutted I do.
Jennifer SealAbsence Management Specialist
17
06/26/20 at 9:34PM UTC
I don't have a lot of advice for you on this. Just wanted to tell you that I fully commiserate with you. I have a Masters I was told could be used for Teaching. Denied a license. Spent 6 years in retail finally got out and worked my way into a department I loved at another company to get laid off due to Covid. I'm 34 and feel like I'm starting over again. It's not easy at all. But we have got this and we will figure it out!!
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
858
06/25/20 at 7:25PM UTC
The short version:
* Determine what you want to do.
* Does your degree (earned long ago) provide you with sufficient skills to do the kind of job you want.
* If not, get the training you need.
* Determine where you want to work or whom you want to work with.
* Discover what goals they want to achieve or what problems they want to solve and how you can improve their bottom line by saving or making them money.
* Go after the position you want, even if nothing has been posted.
Stephanie NelsonIf you don't go in, you won't find out.
46
06/25/20 at 7:09PM UTC
While it may not feel like it right now, this is probably an opportune time to start exploring new options and new opportunities simply because so many people are having to sort of "reinvent" themselves. You are not alone!
There are a myriad of organizations that are focused on community and even more of those emerging simply based the growing need for communty focused initiatives. You may want to explore some of these organizations that would really benefit from your experience in both Education and Psychology. Those are incredibly valuable skills but the actual work does not necessarily have to be a literal teaching position or a position as a Psychologist. Also look online for "remote" positions. The calibre of remote work has really shifted over the past several months and you may find some great opportunities that way if only to help you get from "here" to "there".
You mentioned a desire to find opportunities that are more related to what you want to do in life. What does that look like? What are you truly passionate about? I think if you start exploring some of the companies out there it may give you clearer insight into how you can best parlay your talents. And it many also spark some hope and inspiration when you see all of the potential options!
If you are on LinkedIn it might be a good idea to start following some Career Coaches. Many of them are offering a constant stream of information, webinars and freebies related to career search, finding your passion, etc. If nothing else it may just inspire you! Personally I have also discovered some really interesting companies and initiatives via LinkedIn (through my feed).
It is competely human (and oh so easy) to feel boxed in and feel as though you have potentially "wasted time". But in reality the time you have spent has led you to where you are right now. No regrets! Focus on the future and forward movement. And again, know that you are absolutely not alone.
Amy GeffenPlan your job search, overcome your fears.
646
06/25/20 at 3:40PM UTC
I changed jobs at 30, left teaching and became a college administrator taking a cut in pay and eventually made up the salary later on. I changed jobs at 35. I switched careers from college administration to non-profit association management at age 43. If you want to do something related to education and psychology, there are lots of jobs in non-profits designing programs, hiring speakers, and planning for the continuing education of members.
Jessica HallProduct Owner | Agilist | Dog Mom
78
06/25/20 at 10:21PM UTC (Edited)
There are probably more ways than you realize that you have transferable skills. Did you have to train new employees, or even customers?
A couple ways I would suggest expanding your teaching experience is to look to to tutoring. Aside from people in your neighborhood, you could look to Tutor.com where you do online tutoring through the Princeton Review. Additionally, you could explore teaching English online.
These are all options to gain some teaching experience to make the transition to full time teaching easier. I don't know much about this next suggestion, but you could look into establishing your own tutoring company and use that as your employer while Tutor.com, etc. could potentially be clients (please consult with people that know more than me about setting up businesses and consulting).
Through your own company you could also potential create teaching materials that you sell to students, teachers, or even parents who now have to help with their kids' education.
**EDIT**: Another thought - if your retail company has a learning and development arm in HR, you could explore transition to that department. While it is different than teaching kids/young adults, it could be one way to transition to that area.
Linda Grace SolisDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion
423
06/25/20 at 2PM UTC
My dad told me years and years ago, "Apply for any position that looks interesting and for which you have 50% of the qualifications". My advice to you is to apply broadly - any position that looks interesting and that you have some of the qualifications, throw your hat in the ring.
I did this in 2003 and got the job that set me up to get my PhD and launched me into academia. I remember thinking as I applied for that first job that there surely isn't room for me in that organization, but I applied, and to my shock and delight, got an interview. The man who hired me turned into a mentor and an advocate and an encourager. Applying for that job, even though I barely met the minimum qualifications, was the best thing I ever did!
All the best to you in your search!
Mary Casey Lang
28
06/25/20 at 1:34PM UTC (Edited)
If you really want to become a teacher, talk to the state licensing board and learn what things you need to do to become eligible for a license, and then make a plan to do them. But do some serious soul searching before taking that step. If you weren't driven to become a teacher as a fresh college grad, right out of your inspiring and energizing student teaching assignment, what's different now?
Sometimes when we feel stuck and frustrated, we look back on our decisions and rework the narrative so it makes more sense. Like, you feel stuck and frustrated in your career now because you didn't pursue your true passion 15 years ago. And if you pursue your passion now, you will become engaged and satisfied with your career. Plenty of people get education degrees and then realize teaching is not for them. It's not an unfortunate thing to not use your degree; it's unfortunate to spend your life feeling like you should be doing something else.
The teachers I know have wanted to be teachers since they were children, and nothing kept them from becoming teachers. I don't mean to doubt your passion, but I think it might be worthwhile to reflect on why you didn't become a teacher when you graduated with your education degree 15 years ago. Teaching is a career you absolutely need to be passionate about, and if you really wanted to teach... well, I just think you would be teaching in some capacity right now.
Xavier Santiago Andrés
12
06/25/20 at 1:21PM UTC (Edited)
Start teaching on your own. Start in your town, people you know and might need lessons. Then move forward to other opportunities. Also you can start in any NGO. They will let you regardless your experience and this is something that recruiters in education normally value positively.
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