“If opportunity
doesn’t knock, build a door.” - Milton
Berle
I'm building a door.
I am currently working on my personal training certification so that I have a job. I don't want a job. I want a career. Trouble is, I'm at a total loss as to what my career would or should be. I wanted to go to medical school but for various reasons not in the least of which is because I'm getting old quickly and can't afford to even get started, it's not a realistic idea.
Despite having a college degree, I've spent too many years working low end jobs the service industry. I've lived in small towns for the last twenty five years, jobs weren't plentiful or high paying for women. Raising a child, I needed flexibility and a decent pay check. I ended up doing some gross work, cleaning houses. Much of the last four years was spent owning and running my own high end ranch caretaking (INDOOR, mostly. No animals). Basically, I was a personal assistant who cleaned a lot and killed rodents, so, so many rodents. I made a great living, perfect hours, I was my own boss and got to use organizational skills. I definitely didn't use my smarts but I was able to use my motivation and high standards to be very successful. I've moved to a larger area. The job prospects appear to be awful so personal training will be a good option...for now.
Here's where I'm trying to build the door.
Anything I set my mind to, I can do.. The trouble is, I have no idea what my career should be. I can't imagine what I'd like to do. I wanted to run in the African Sahara, done. I wanted to run 300+ miles across Tennessee, done. I wanted to do a really exclusive and difficult race with low odds of getting in, done (I'd still like to do that one again). Bike-pack self supported 150 miles across the Utah desert, done, twice. See what I mean? Despite adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism and migraines, I can still do crazy things that even healthy people can't or won't do.
I know what I DON'T want to do. See my list below. I don't feel my sights are set too high. I am NOT against starting at the bottom, provided there's an actual potential to move up. I would love to return to school if a job requires it.
My standards for a job are the following:
- No poop and pee.
- No snot.
- No killing stuff.
- Kids and animals are negotiable but working alone or with adults is preferred.
- I would love to have an opportunity to work from the bottom up (if required) or train into a career.
- I'd like to have the opportunity to wear clothes that stay clean for an 8 or 9 hour period. I am not against getting dirty in the slightest but I've been filthy nearly every time I've returned from work for 25 years. I'd like a change.
- I do have a brain, I do have a college degree. I'd love get into a career where I could use my brain. Because of my mindless, menial labor of the last 25 years, I've created a forum for people with Adrenal Insufficiency (www.addisonssupport.com), was volunteer president of our homeowner's association in Idaho, I've raised money for the NADF and AIU, I volunteered in my son's school system for 12 years, was on Teton Valley Hospital Foundation's board and was president of the biggest fundraiser of the year.
- Relocation a possibility for the right career.
- I love to travel but would be fine without it.
- I do not want to be a receptionist, Wal-Mart greeter or grocery store checker. These are generally examples of jobs with no chance of advancement, they do not use the brain in a way I'd like.
Help me build a door. Do you have a career for me where you think I'd be a good fit? Know of anything in my area (South West Florida, Punta Gorda)?
Until I figure something else out, I will spend the next three weeks studying for my personal training certification, taking the exam, networking and getting clients. Thanks!
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