Mystery Woman

Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections

YOUR GROUPS

Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.

COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW

Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.

YOUR JOB ALERTS

Get notified when new jobs are posted.

Your post is published!

Anonymous

10/22/20 at 12:47PM UTC

Career

Mid-life career change frustration

I'm trying to change careers from a technical field (CAD) into a humanities field (history and religion). I've been working on this for years and I'm at my wits end. I've done everything I'm supposed to do and cannot find a job. I now have a bachelors and masters degree in my chosen field and I have a few things published and a book coming out in February. I've volunteered my time, researched resume writing, been to my former university's career counselor, reached out to others in my field, and developed a professional online presence. I get up early every day to work on my new career before starting my job. I feel completely stuck!! There are not a lot of jobs in my field but I have found several, but when I apply I can't even get an interview. I just don't know what else to do. I'm open to suggestions! Is there something I'm missing?

Join the conversation...

Kari Solomon

Resume Writing | LinkedIn | Job Search Coaching

11/09/20 at 2:24PM UTC

So I saw this position, and it was exactly what I meant by a "stepping stone position" (skills of your first career, in the industry of your second): Quatrefoil Associates Exhibit Design DetailerFreelance, Part Time, Full TimeJob Description:Quatrefoil Associates has an exciting opportunity for an Exhibit Design Detailer to create design drawing and detail sets for exhibit environments and interactives for museums and other interpretive centers. The results of your hard work will be seen and enjoyed by museum visitors and the general public all over the United States. Requirements:Bachelor degree in Product or Industrial Design or related field5+ years of experience in exhibit design or a related fieldProficiency in Vectorworks, AutoCad or CAD related software, Vectorworks preferredKnowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe productsExpert knowledge of materials, components, fabrication processes and techniquesAbility to read, understand and translate design drawings including architecture and engineering drawingsAbility to organize and show complex designs of exhibits and interactives on easy-to-understand drawing sets for both clients and fabrication shopAbility to investigate and resolve design problems while transforming rough designs into final fabrication drawingsExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with designers, builders and manufacturersThe following is a plus:Knowledge of preparing files for CNC router and ability to run CNC router.Hands-on experience as a fabricator or installer, preferably in a museum environmentProficiency in 3D modeling tools such as AutoCAD 3ds Max, Solidworks, or others. Practical engineering knowledge in building mechanical and electromechanical interactives and prototypesWe are looking for an organized self-starter who is comfortable taking on responsibility in a collaborative environment. To apply, please send your information and any appropriate past project information such as portfolio, pictures, weblinks to [email protected] with Design Detailer as the subject.Quatrefoil is a full service exhibition design and fabrication firm. We have been creating museum, science center, zoo and aquarium experiences for over 25 years

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 10:47AM UTC (Edited)

Thank you! I have contacted Quatrefoil before for this exact thing, but I will reach out to them again!

Anonymous

10/28/20 at 4:03PM UTC (Edited)

I have a Ph.D. in German Studies. I’m not finding a lot of job opportunities in that area. I’ve decided not to do academia because of the lack of jobs and long-term job security. I’m working on starting my own business and offering many of the services I would have provided as a professor (i.e., reading thesis and dissertation drafts and teaching research and writing skills) on a client-by-client basis. You’ve mentioned that you feel that your job is boring and repetitive and that you want to go into the humanities. I second the posters who recommend using your current skills to transition to a more humanities-focused job. I would not advise a Ph.D. It may be that if you invest time into developing a side business related to your interests in history and religion that you will increase your sense of professional fulfillment overall. In this case, your could retain your current job and the security it provides and still invest your energy into your second career.

Anonymous

11/10/20 at 10:47AM UTC (Edited)

Thank you and good luck with your new endeavor! I am doing something similar, offering research, writing, and consultation services. I met a historical consultant online and he gave me this link which I found informative: https://ncph.org/blog-search/?swpquery=Christopher+Clarke

Lynne Cogan

858

Career Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams

10/24/20 at 8:08PM UTC

Have you joined and participated in the appropriate professional organizations? Have you participated on committees? Have you staffed at conferences? Have you offered to do whatever needs to be done?

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 11:09AM UTC

I am a member of multiple organizations. I don't know how to do those specific things you mentioned, but I could reach out and ask about it. oh, and I'm in the local archaeology group too, but we are at a stand still because of Covid. Once that gets resolved, there will be some more opportunities there. Thank you!

Lynne Cogan

858

Career Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams

10/27/20 at 8:17PM UTC

You're welcome.

Rosa Goes

632

10/24/20 at 7:43PM UTC

It looks like your doing a lot in the right direction. I admire your discipline. I would suggest doing informational interviews in the field you want to work in. It's one way to connect and get your foot in the door without having to ask directly for a job.

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 11:07AM UTC (Edited)

Great idea, thanks!

Julia

10/24/20 at 3:13PM UTC

Hello there, I believe that you should check your resume before anything else. You are doing everything right but if your resume is not getting interviews for you, it maybe be due to your resume style, or keywords. Try redo your resume using the keywords from the job opportunity. You can use a website called Jobscan, where you can have your full resume analyzed to pass through the ATS. I am in the same situation that you are, the only difference is that, I do get interviews but due to the fact I dont have completed my bachelors yet I dont get the job, even though, I have bachelors from other country. Anyway, focus more into the ATS topic, and good luck.

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 11:07AM UTC

Thank you!

Johanna Seasonwein, PhD

Workforce development expert

10/24/20 at 3:10PM UTC

You weren't specific in what kind of job you are looking for, but I can speak generally to the job market for jobs in the humanities and share some advice. I have my PhD in art history and worked in museums for 10 years and am now in career services at a university. In nonprofits or higher ed, there is a lot of competition to get one's foot in the door. Often one has to have volunteered or interned first (very common in museums). You may also be experiencing indirectly the glut of humanities PhDs looking for jobs. American universities are producing way more humanities PhD grads than there are jobs that actually require a PhD, and so you'll see that there are PhDs applying for jobs that state that they only require a BA or MA. Which makes it harder for someone with "only" a BA or MA and no experience to be considered. It's also true that there is often a "hidden" job market--that is, you need to network your way into the organization first, often by interning or by cultivating a relationship with someone already there. However, I would agree with the previous posters that you should NOT pursue a PhD for the very reason I gave above--too many graduates, too few jobs. And, this is the advice that I give undergrads or Master's students who are considering applying to PhD programs: You should never, ever pay for a PhD. The top programs in any given field will cover your tuition and pay you a stipend to cover living costs. If you can't get into one of those programs, then I would recommend that you not go, as once you graduate you'll be competing for jobs with grads from those top programs, and there is still a lot of bias in the hiring world towards grads from the top programs in their field. And, even for those graduating from those programs, it's still a lousy job market. But to return to your current situation: it may be that you're doing everything right...and you still may not be able to land a job. Right now, the industries that are hiring are things like technology, logistics, and not humanities areas--museums in particular are really hurting from the impacts of the economic downturn and pandemic. People are being laid off in higher ed and some nonprofit areas like museums. Ironically, I would imagine that your CAD skills would be in high demand right now, although I understand that you're trying to leave the field you are in, I would encourage you to think about what it is you don't like and if there are things you could change that would enable you to still use those skills. Perhaps there are other roles where you could use those technical skills but in a different focus or different environment than you were before. I wish you the very best of luck! And feel free to connect if you'd like to chat 1:1.

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 11:01AM UTC

Thank you! At least it is good to hear that it probably isn't something wrong with me! Although I had a feeling, judging by the number of people I've seen in my classes, that this could be the case..... the number one biggest problem with my job is the repetition and boredom. Like it is so boring, I literally get nauseous. It has taken quite a toll on my mental health. I've reached out to quite a few organizations to offer CAD services for archaeological sites and such but no luck yet. I'll find you on LinkedIn to chat more. Thanks!

Heather Cutler

2.06k

10/24/20 at 1:36PM UTC

Please consider engaging with a career counselor or job coach that can evaluate your job search strategies and tactics and help you tweak your approach. As others have said, perhaps your resume doesn’t include enough key words to make it through an applicant tracking system...which would explain why you’re not being invited to interview. I had an extremely positive experience with a job coach who helped me revamp both my cover letter and resume. Their counsel added a new and refreshing lens to a stale job search approach. Best of luck!

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 10:55AM UTC

Thanks, I may just have to do that!

Anonymous

10/24/20 at 1:35PM UTC

Is there a way you can combine your past experience with your new chosen field, like doing something technical for an org that does work in history/religon?

Anonymous

10/27/20 at 10:54AM UTC

I've considered that! Sometimes people need 2D drawings and 3D models of archaeological sites so I could do that. I've reached out to several companies but so far no luck.

Anonymous

10/23/20 at 5:37PM UTC

Hi There! It sounds like you have covered many of the areas that are so necessary to make a career change like this. One thing that I would add is participating on panels. With many conferences and events being held online it is easier than ever to participate, with no travel necessary! I would some research into groups hosting virtual events where your degrees are relevant and reaching out to offer your expertise. In the event that you have difficulty finding one that is a good fit, host your own! Since you're already in touch with your alma mater, I am sure that they would be interesting in hosting or supporting your event and YOU can invite people that you admire and want to work with to join you. Also, to reiterate the importance of networking, I have found services like LunchClub.com to be very helpful in linking you with professionals in your desired industry while in-person events are on hold. I personally submitted someone's resume to my firm's HR as a referral after meeting her through the service. Good luck!

Anonymous

10/23/20 at 8:09PM UTC

Good ideas, thank you!!

Antonia Calzetti

876

10/23/20 at 1:30PM UTC

All of the above replies are 100%. However, sometimes, it's just about taking some time for yourself to regroup. Stop what you're doing. Take time away (I suggest 2 solid weeks) from the search. Come back to it refreshed. You often find you have a fresh set of eyes and a new mindset.