How do you find a decent paying job when you are new to a field and have children?
I graduate college soon (Bachelor of Science, Legal Studies) and I'm also working on my CompTIA Security+ Cert which I will have around the same time as graduation (June/July) and I can't afford to "volunteer" or "start at the bottom". I have 5+ years experience in customer service, I'm a military spouse, and a mom of three children. I have plenty of skills that can be used to start a career in a different field whether it be IT or Legal Support Services (e.g. Legal Assistant/Paralegal).
I have an updated resume, I showcase my skills, I'm getting calls and interviews but I can't seem to find a job that will pay more than minimum wage. Do you think it's because I haven't graduated college yet or will I face the same issue when I graduate? And if so, then what's the point of mom's working when their children are still small? Employers claim to care about working parents but these salaries hours of operation determine that's a lie! In the end people work to pay for things, such as affordable, high quality child care, car payments, gasoline to and from work, food, etc.
I am married but my husband pays child support for his firstborn and things are too tight financially for me to stay at home anymore. The main issue is that no one seems to comprehend that there's no point in me taking a job if all of the money I would be earning goes to paying for childcare because the salary is too low, I may as well stay home and continue not to make money. Now that this has been fully explained, what would you ladies suggest I do? I know I'm not the first or the last person to be in this position right?
Indianapolis is good!
Army base I think? Anthem; check security and compliance. There are large hospitals and universities.
Add security clearance eligible to your resume.
Noted. There's a base in Marion County that I can check out for sure. Anthem? Is that insurance? And the hospitals and Universities are way out of the way from where we live. Like over an hour away from us. I will add the security clearance eligibility to my resume though. Maybe have my HHUSA redo my resume to align more with Infosec. I'll figure it out. I've still got a little time. But these are great tips that I will use.
And I am definitely eligible for security clearance. Though I know that process takes a long time. Took my husband 2 years to get his TS because of the background checks they do.
We just moved to Indiana in July. Near Indianapolis.
Congrats on your accomplishments! Getting your BS and your Security+ is a huge deal! And on top of it - a mom and military spouse! Wow!
I was a military spouse and also a career advisor for military spouses through Military One Source, I have talked with hundreds of military spouses who never believed they could get where you are...so please! Take a sec to really give yourself some credit! You deserve it!
So...when you say start “at the bottom” what do you mean? Why would you have to? Start at the bottom refers to folks who don’t have experience or education to get a job, and take a job to get the experience. You have both the experience and the education.
You have a BS, and Security+ and customer service experience which qualifies you for many entry level jobs in IT.
Many “entry level jobs” in IT with a Security+ pay very well depending on where you are located.
Get your resume ready!
Thank you! I am using Onward to Opportunity through the IMVF to get my Security+ I have been ripping and running since 2016 as far as schooling is concerned. So you're right, that I need to take a step back and really soak that in. I thought it would be hard to do (finishing school) but I'm almost there. I just had an experience recently where I received a job offer but they didn't want to talk salary with me and when they finally did, it turned out to be so low that it was senseless to leave the house for. My whole paycheck would have gone solely to childcare.
I just worry that employers will try to short change me and say, that because I don't have any experience in the fields I'm applying for (Legal currently IT after I earn my cert or if I find opportunities that don't require the cert) that I have to start like any other college graduate. I guess I forgot that I'm not every other college graduate as I've worked before. That just made me feel a lot better.
Now you’re talking! You can do any number of things! Don’t forget that this cert is approved by the DOD, so, if you are eligible for security clearance apply for all government jobs you can find!
Identity Management
Security Management
Risk Management
Refresh yourself with CompTIA site with all the areas that you can work...
https://www.comptia.org/faq/security/what-jobs-can-i-get-with-comptia-security-certification
You don’t say where you are, you are bound to be nearby to government/contracting jobs - HP was on base where we were. The military clinic uses IT contractors to manage data and so on....
Think positively! You have accomplished GREAT things!
User deleted comment on 02/06/20 at 4:20AM UTC
User deleted comment on 02/06/20 at 1:56AM UTC