i have an MA -psychology. honors student. now fully unemployed.

[sojourner]

I've had jobs increasing in pay andresponsibility over the past eight years. right now i own my own company, because when i was "let go" in 2003 (agency cuts and reorganization) the jobs in my field (educational research) had literally dried up and blown away. after investing much effort and $ in my company i have been loath to ditch it all in favor of "full time employment".

but now, my company has yet to fully blossom. shows signs of it, but hasn't yet paid off. i've been looking for a job in a fairly serious manner for past 6 months. nada - zilch.

BTW, i got my degree at the ripe old age of 42. career looked promising at first but now............well, i keep fighting off the perception that i'm a big fat loser. at 53, i need to get something going for those "golden years". all of my life i was a stay-at-home mom, then when i did go to work it was in education. then moved into state gov't. NO social security. and not enough time to be vested in any system. (should mention i'm a divorcee who gets a little "spousal support from ex...but not enough to do much)

i'm thinking of learning how to drive a truck. it pays fairly well, and so far, anyway, it looks like an area where there is still some demand. any thoughts? words of encouragement? words of wisdom?

[MadMaddie]

1. I am making the assumption that your company has to do

with psychology...Have you considered working with the town you live in to render mental health to returning soldiers? You might even be able to float a proposal to show short term-how helping the soldiers now when they return will be cost benefit to the city down the road (reduction in crime, suicides, homelessness etc)

Just a thought...Good Luck

[sojourner]

15. what you suggest takes a license...i was entering back into grad school

to earn the MS that would allow licensure after getting internship hours when the ex dropped the floor from beneath me and i scrambled into the workforce, teaching psychology. my expertise is in research, not counseling, otherwise i'd absolutely do what you suggest.

[MadMaddie]

47. I am sorry to hear about what your ex did....

I know it's hard out there....especially in your field. I hear truck driving is good money too...I will keep you in my thoughts:pals:

[man4allcats]

2. My story is similar - degree in biology and 30 + hours graduate

work in addition to 12 years experience in biomedical research after leaving grad school (I also did part of my schooling - graduate work - late). I will soon be 58. I was laid off a year ago after the Bushco funding cuts to science started taking their toll on the research community. I have had nothing steady since and am unemployed at present. I too have thought of the trucking thing. My "never graduated high school" older brother does it and manages fairly well even with the cost of fuel. At this point, I don't really see it for me because it often involves being away from home overnight. I wouldn't care for that, and besides I have my old big black cat to think about. There is just the two of us so we will find some way to stay together. I can't say I'm not worried, but one just has to keep trying I guess and, I suppose, keep thinking about possible alternatives to those earlier career notions we once entertained. Best of luck.

[demobabe]

67. Come to Hawaii

Hawaii has all kinds of incentives to tech & science (including biotech) companies for some reason - check out http://www.techjobshawaii.org/

New jobs come up fairly regularly, and if you find a company you like, you could always contact them.

Pack your kitty and some beach sandals! :)

[man4allcats]

69. Wow! Thanks!

I will follow the link and see where it might lead. I've always liked the beach anyway. :-)

[oldtime dfl_er]

3. Don't beat yourself up

It's not your fault the economy is in such bad shape and nobody can afford to start a small business anymore becuase the risks are just too high. I went back and got my degrees at the advanced age of 39 and they did me no good either....my job has nothing to do with either field.

That said, if you want to learn to drive a truck, go for it. I'd rather see someone like you (making positive assumptions here) -- with experience, energy, intelligence and acumen -- in a position where you have health insurance, some kind of retirement plan, and a little security. Do you live in a university town?

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/1474370

[EST]

4. The freeper market for psychological help when the liberals

capture both houses of congress and the presidency ought to be pretty big. (Sorry-don't mean to make light of your plight, I know it's serious-but couldn't resist)

Sometime soon, there are going to be millions in the same soup. You might be able to come up with something like a program such as:
If you could influence a friend of benefactor to donate some land so you could create a center or community for folks who have little money but could pool resources, such as they are, and all could contribute whatever they have-a little labor, ideas, seeds, etc and build a retirement city. Such a city could probably get volume discounts on meds, foodstuffs (those not raised in the community) and other necessities.
Even a local cemetery, with minimal, pine box, cheap burials would be a godsend (pardon the grim play on words) as well as a profit center for the community. Small insurance policies that pay six grand to plant the insured, but only cost a couple hundred to the city, would be a good source of revenue to this putative "band of cousins."

This may sound like a big joke, but such a thing may well be in high demand and could be a highly plausible solution for many of us. (I, too, am well past the half-century mark, with only a small income)

[dysfunctional press]

37. retirement communes...a wave of the future?

i've been thinking lately that it might be a way to go.

[seabeyond]

5. school counselor or something... you could do that til you drop

and wont be physical or too hard and i would love to be able to be in the environment to help the kids

[sojourner]

16. i'd have to go back to school for a year........i don't have the bucks.

takes a credential and registration with the board of behavioral sciences. my degree emphasized research, not counseling. but thanks for the response.

[librechik]

36. find out if your state or city will help pay--they need you n/t

please don't be like me and throw your expensive degree away. I'm happily employed now, but not in my field. And it took a lot of Prozac.

[The Straight Story]

6. I got my GED in 1984

and now do well in the computer field for a large bank.

And yet - I see a psych Dr there (Doctorate in Psychology). Folks like you are needed - keep your chin up and keep looking. My wife (AutumnMist here at DU) has a degree in Psychology, and is a housewife/mother.

As far as trucking - I have often thought of doing that myself. See the country, get paid, and get some good roadside chow. Worth a shot.

You are no loser. You learned something to help people, but maybe you don't need to help them in a traditional setting. There are a ton of people out there that need help, me included. So what if it is not in an office setting? Maybe it will be at a truckstop somewhere in the middle of nowhere. You can help others, you can make a difference. Go for it - and use your skills when the need calls.

Ask yourself this - if you were on 'the couch' what would you tell yourself? What questions would you ask yourself?

[Lib Grrrrl]

7. I Don't Have Your Schooling - But I've Got Your Employment Track Record!!

Unemployed for a year here, too.

Only income is contracting myself out as a mystery shopper, and I don't make much doing it...also trying to start a small business...can't find start-up money.

Oh, and I'm unemployed simply because no one will hire a transsexual.

[dweller]

8. just being here for the company

another psych degreed, 52 yr old, after too many years unemployed finally found a steady job at the first of the year: cooking in a small Italian restaurant. Just went back to what i did before, and settled for the low pay, crazy hours, etc. no perks, insurance, retirement ...

hey, at least i eat well.

dp

[NMMNG]

9. I'm not sure what you're looking for job wise

But I did a few job searches online:

Under "Mental Health" on Monster.com I found 7 listings in your area:
Mental Health

Under "Psychology" I found two listings, one being a repeat.

CareerBuilder.com has 61 listings under Mental Health, though I'm sure many of them will not apply to you (nurses and psychiatrists).


Hopefully those will be of at least some assistance. :hi:

[sojourner]

17. thanks buffy...everyone seems to think a psych degree means mental health.

my degree is a research-oriented degree (aimed at getting me into a ph.d. program) - and focused on relationships at that. not a mental health counseling degree. that would take another year of college (assuming someone would at this late date apply all my coursework to a counseling degree) plus about a year of internship. the divorce changed a lot of my plans.

[NMMNG]

49. I was only thinking mental health

Because that's what I do (I have a BS in Psych). I have a second job with adults who have developmental disabilities (I found that a BS in Psych doesn't necessarily take one very far :-().

[sojourner]

64. yeah...the Bachelor's limits you. If you have the chance you might

go ahead and get your MS. Then you can get licensure. Another option would be an MSW. LCSW a more portable license, and allows you to do most everything an MFT does.

[REP]

10. When You're 60, You Can Collect Your Ex's SS

There are some guidelines, such as length of marriage, but you should be able to collect his SS at age 60 if you need to (and then your own when your reach 70). Just be sure you have your divorce paperwork.

[H2O Man]

11. The job market is not good.

My normal brother was "laid off" in his late 40s. He went back to college, and now is in his 50s. He had to move once, which was not easy for his family or for him. I think he knows that he is going to have to move again soon. It is tough on him as an individual, and on his wife and kids. It put two states between them and their oldest son, who recently became a father. It's hard for me to listen to the "leaders" of this country talk about "family values," when our economic system damages the fabric of extended families, and often crushes the very individuals who are prepared to contribute to the common good.

[cap]

12. can you go into teaching?

then you can get vested...

Or open an after school tutoring service... Tutor for NCLB tests or tutor for SATs...

We need age discrimination laws enforced... This is a growing issue.

[ShortnFiery]

13. Do you have any Clinical Experience?

Many Mental Health County and State Agencies will hire people who can counsel others in either Life Skills, Vocations and/or Addiction areas. IMO, your education will be highly valued in counseling if you can get certified in some specific area. Just a thought or two. Best wishes. :-) :hi:

[sojourner]

18. thanks -- i was just thinking that in terms of certification,

it would take more time than i have right now. i'm about to lose everything.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. What about coming to the U.K. or another E.U. country

You'd likely be able to get in with your masters. We have a vibrant graduate labour market. We're somewhat more liberal, we have our problems (high cost of housing) but you may be able to thrive better in this country.

[sojourner]

28. i visited the UK in 2003 and loved it. i was under the impression that

i'd have to actually have a job to get in...

[Anarcho-Socialist]

31. Indeed, but it's worth looking into

Employers want workers with degrees, and experience. They might be willing to bring you over.

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. There is a huge need for nurses right now

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13029183/

[sojourner]

20. yikes. MORE school? how will i pay for it? how will i survive till i get

the degree? but thanks for the idea.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

22. My wife is a nurse. The advice she gives to those thinking about nursing

is "don't become a nurse."

Nurses are wonderful people and do a difficult job, but they're underpaid, underappreciated and usually have poor working conditions, and are forever patronised and ordered around by (some) condescending doctors.

[aikoaiko]

21. Play up your data analysis and stats software skills

and be prepared to move. When not applying to educational research jobs play down the educational nature of the research. People in the sciences often think educators are idiots.

If your stuck in Sac, float your cv to all the universities in your area to every department. Play up your interest in evaluation skills for NSF and other federal grant research. Keep the cover letter really short and to the point.

No Child Left Behind created a bubble of interest in educational research, but it was limited and most of the slots are full by now.

Good luck.

[cap]

23. actually marketing might not be a bad move

seo optimization... a lot of people know the HOW of how to tweak a search engine, but few know the WHAT of WHAT to tweak to get what the lift in sales...

stats, demographics, are all up your alley...

How about marketing for educational software? You've picked up a certain amount of marketing acumen through starting your own company.

Dont feel take the downturn in your career personally... A lot of well educated boomers are in the same boat.

We need EEOC enforced for age discrimination... no one is talking about it.

[sojourner]

27. these are things i do and continue to do. except floating the cv.

in my experience universities are wanting the ph.d. -- and another thing i didn't mention is that every one of my mentors (supervisors) has dropped off the face of the earth bc of retirement! So my references are getting thin these days.

anyway, thanks for the advice. you'd think i could get a job that would make it worth my while. hell, you'd think i could at the very least get a job as a social worker. (i applied for a position with a local non-profit but was asked, "why are you leaving administration?" and that was the end of that.)

[renate]

61. my mom is a retired professor...

She is asked to write letters of recommendation all the time.

I don't know whether by "dropped off the face of the earth" you mean "I can't track them down" (although their universities can surely help with that?), but if you're just wondering whether retired professors can write perfectly respectable and useful letters of recommendation, they certainly can and do.

TAs and RAs don't make much, but they earn enough to scrape by on. Could you return to grad school and get the stipend and the free tuition that way, and earn the PhD in a few years?

Good luck.
:hug:

[earth mom]

24. You're in California right?

I'm pretty sure you can substitute teach fairly easily in California. Some guy I knew a ways back became a sub (he had a bachelors degree not a masters) by just taking a test, I think. The pay was decent and he could work when he wanted which was perfect for him. This was in Southern Cal though-it might be different in your area. Good Luck! :)

[revkat]

30. Substitute Teaching in CA

Substitute teaching sucks, BUT all you need in CA is a BA and the CBEST test -- which you will pass no problem I promise (I got a perfect score!) Around here it pays $125 per 6 hour day (socal). You can choose the days you work which would give you the flexibility to keep your business alive until it takes off. I judge job offers by "would it be better than subsituting?" :) Oh, and with your stats background you could probably do high school AP stats which would make you in demand once math teachers knew about you, and mean being with a little more motivated group of kids. (Or you could look at K-3 where most classes are only 20 kids)

[sojourner]

39. thanks revkat...okay. CBEST it is. your slant on HS students and stats was

something i hadn't thought of. :-)

[EstimatedProphet]

25. If you find any words of wisdom, let me know

I've got a doctorate in biology. I have experience in fisheries biology, parasitology, and biostatistics. I have yet to find a job that has anything to do with these things. Biostatistics-probably my favorite on the list-is apparently all about clinical jobs in the workplace, and employers think my years of statistics experience somehow don't count in comparison to a few days worth of reading up on clinical methods.

[sojourner]

26. I know.........I have grant management experience, stats, software and

computer technology, presentation, group dynamics, etc and so forth. But after a recent interview, they offered a "test" which tested me on a **** formula related to FTEs. As if this isn't a quickly learned formula in comparison to other skills that took time and education to acquire.

[cap]

34. I think these "tests" are age discriminatory...

if you had a job that was directly involved with that formula then you would know it... or if you memorized questions from an industry specific interview site then you would have answered it.

I thought that the point of getting a liberal arts education was that you had the GENERAL knowledge and the ability to think and synthesize stuff ... the details you picked up on the job.

Frankly I think you are overqualified and younger people dont want to hire you because they know you will blow them out of the water.

Rant.... Rant.... Fume... Fume... Sigh... Sigh... Hugs....Hugs...

[raccoon]

29. You are NOT a loser.

NO one is a loser because the economy sucks, the job market sucks, and age discrimination is alive and well.

I'd look into the trucking thing, if you can do it physically.

[sojourner]

32. I am giving it a serious look.

thanks for the reassuring words. :-)

[cap]

33. be careful of trucking

I know you have a strong back and are willin'

but gas prices are going up and that means trucking margins are going down. Dont retrain for another career and get booted out once again. Talk to some old timers who went through trucking in the 70's with the gas shortages and know how to play things out. Also, there is a lot of pressure in making the hops... that's why there's a lot of folks on speed in trucking. Driving many hours past what they should in order to make that delivery on time. A lot of folks end up forging their logs in case they are stopped.

If you want to try blue collar, how about contracting out a handyman service? I think that might be more stable even with increased interest rates. Population is aging and people who cant sell do need to fix their houses.

If you do it, remember it is a stop gap until you can do something else....

[sojourner]

38. good points all.

thanks! :-)

[cap]

41. another thought...

(I am on a roll tonite!!! :) )

can you do something with geriatrics/elders education?

Play off educational programs for the elderly... you know how to measure what really works. Either a medical angle (team with nurses/doctors so you dont have to get the degree yourself, just run the program) or an occupational therapy angle... or community outreach on a particular disease, say, diabetes. You dont have to be an expert on the disease, just know how to put together the program. The key is teaming with a professional.

I notice in medicine/nursing homes that age is not an issue...
there are a lot of 50 somethings working there.

Age is your problem, sweetie... not talent, not experience, not knowledge, not beauty :)!

[sojourner]

42. thanks again.........these are good ideas.

and i'm really convinced you're right - i've seen the light in youngsters doing the interview just fade out when first meeting me. they get a little revved up again during the interview, but i'm pretty sure they go off and say.....but she's over 50!

and thanks so much for your supportive comments. much needed here. :hug:

[DemReadingDU]

35. do you have a creative edge?

painting a wall in a room with rainbows, cats, dogs, sports, ideas unlimited

wallpapering (something I have no patience to do, but love papered walls)

cutting grass, trimming, yardwork in general, although in Ohio it's only for about 9 months of the year, but big bucks to be earned

Keep your chin up, There is something for you, it just hasn't found you yet!

[etherealtruth]

40. Almost the same situation

Except I was 43 when I graduated ... new degree is in Environmental Science ... Spousal support ended at approx. the same time I graduated (last April) ... Just accepted a job at Home Depot (it's a job).

I haven't given up hope ...

Good Luck!

[sojourner]

43. oh my god. i knew i was not alone. but there are quite a few of us aren't

there?

i take hope from you, and wish you Good Luck too! :hug:

[cap]

44. free-lance grant writing up your alley?

at least get a few bucks rolling in ...

www.guru.com has posts for folks looking for a grant writer. You have to wade through some nonsense posts. But there are somethings there you could write and no one will know your age.

[sojourner]

51. wow! i'll check it out. thanks!

[demobabe]

45. What I would do if I were you

Go find a high tech company that needs a research psychologist. Lots of openings nowadays with "Web 2.0" coming into its own.

I'd check Google, Yahoo, all the dating websites, try Technorati, anything that has to do with online community. Understanding users and their relationships online to each other is a BIG thing. Also check web usability companies.

PM me if and maybe I can give you some recommends. Go sign up on LinkedIn.com and I'll network with you.

[aQuArius]

46. My mom ran the Boston Marathon at age 56.

What does this have to do with you? Simple, it is never too late to achieve your dreams. She got her Engineering degree at 48 and started running at 50. She had a MAJOR set-back though. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor and thyroid cancer at age 58. Now, after 2 major surgeries (back to back) she'll be running her first marathon in 2 years at the age of 60! She's really had to struggle with her recovery, but next weekend, she'll prove she's back and better than ever! She's my HERO! You can do whatever you want!!! :hug:

[sojourner]

52. you have good reason to be proud of your mom!

i have not yet given up. but i need to pay the bills and dreams aren't too good at doing that at this point. your encouragement is much appreciated. give your mom a huge hug, for me and for you. remember to tell her how proud you are of her! :hug:

[Julius Civitatus]

48. I have an MS, BA, three languages, 12 years of solid experience

in my field, a published thesis and 4 industry awards, former Mensa (152 IQ), business experience in Europe as well as in the States... and for the last three years (after being laid off by a major agency) I've been underemployed, working in an unchallenging job for shit money so I can pay bills and get some minimal medical insurance. Ah yes, and my debt is killing me, and I just can't see the end of this nightmare. I know: it's shitty and thankless, but at least I have a job. The worst part of it is the realization that without connections or nepotism, your chances of success in life decrease considerably. But I shouldn't complain too much, since some folks have it even worse.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and wanted to let you know I understand you and sympathize with your situation.

:hug:

[sojourner]

53. thankyou for the support! no Mensa here, regretably enough.

but i know what you mean about the need for connections. did i say that my mentors have all retired? so much for those shining references. :-(

[Julius Civitatus]

57. That's something that I have learned from life

"Talent" is not a guarantee of success. Furthermore, I believe that talent is not even a requirement to succeed in life. Other factors play a higher role than talent alone: your family's money and influence, the school you got into (usually because of your money), your family's connections or your good ol' boy's network, and even luck. Call me bitter, but I believe that all those things play a more important role than talent in deciding your fate in life. Sad but true.

Still, even if talent plays a small role, there's always a niche for someone with skills and experience. Hang in there.

[conflictgirl]

50. I am really sorry to hear about your situation :(

I'm in school right now (at 32) with one year left for my BA and planning to go for an MA after that so I can teach community college. My husband has been unemployed for 4 months and we have three young children. I am feeling like a big fat loser too. :(

I wish I could offer more than commiseration.

Hang in there...it can't be this hard forever.

[sojourner]

54. hang in there, sweetie.

you're young enough to make that dream of yours come true. i am too - except when i'm interviewed by people with a certain mindset.

and your kids are going to be soo proud of you. your commiseration so welcome. thanks for posting! :hug:

[Lisa]

55. sorry about this, sojourner

I got my doctorate a few years ago -- I'm not even 40, and my department laid me off (non tenure track position) and hired a 20-something with a new PhD in a sexier field (satellite mapping). Washed up already! I have taught every course they've thrown at me over the past decade, upgrading to new specializations when nobody else wanted to do the work ... the union contract says that they now owe me 6 teaching units, and now they're angry at me for working so hard. And they said they have no intention of meeting their obligations. (The other guy who was in the same boat got his unit quota, even though he's qualified for fewer courses and got lower teaching evaluations.)

So, I hear you.

[cap]

56. maybe we should form our own networking group

:) maybe form a virtual company :)

[sojourner]

65. could we get virtual pay, y'think?

seriously, i was thinking that there is enough experience and education just on this thread to do something with.

[mdmc]

58. i've been thinkin 'bout truckin too

less ed. then you.

peace to you and follow your bliss

[pitohui]

59. a thought

after age 40 there is significant decline in your ability to see in the dark, you are 53, are you going to be driving after dark? if so, i would ask you to consider another option, if you run over somebody, the rest of your life is going to be in hock to their survivors

i am not even 53 and i notice the difference, but as driving is not my job, i can pick and chose and take my time

if driving is your profession, you can't pick and choose

so that's my thought

[sojourner]

63. you bring up a valid point. thanks!

but damn! now how am i gonna make a buck? wash dishes.............geez.

[deFaultLine]

60. So I'm not alone

Crap, the job market went south about the time Bush took over. Damn, I went into school in the 90s with a strong job market and now it totally sucks.

I keep hearing about the strong economy, but I can't see it anywhere. I wonder what the hell they are talking about.

BTW, I was just diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, it seemed to have come on in the past 3 years. I'm thinking that part of it is that I've just been worn down by the events of the past 5 years.

[pitohui]

62. no you're not alone

self blame is a total waste of time, it ain't you, it's the economy!

don't let the bastards grind you down

[sojourner]

66. yep, that economy is just going strong....if you're KBR, Halliburton, and

any number of other no-bidders benefitting from the disasters Georgie Porgie has visited upon us. Or if you're Exxon, Shell, or some other energy company.

[Mountainman]

68. There is a demand for skilled drivers with a clean DMV record.

You will need training if you don't already know how to drive and have a license. It costs about $5,000 for training I think. Then if you drive over the road you will have to live in a small box and eat and shower at truck stops. You have to be away from home for a while. The pay is around $40,000 per year.
A lot of divers don't stay with it and leave after a couple of years.