Changing careers

[Dogmama]

Dogmama you seem to love dogs and maybe dog training..I heard of program where one takes vision oriented dogs for temporary training or something similar. That would be a real value... Hope you find your passion.

Wow - so funny that you said this.

Several evenings ago, I showed up at my dog training class to find the owner fuming. It seems that the instructor just quit with no notice. The owner (whom I known casually for many years) was stuck. Long story short - as of next Monday, I'm teaching those classes! They range from beginning and intermediate obedience up to competition level AKC showing.

Simultaneously, I answered a Craig's list ad for a spin instructor at an exclusive "boutique style" fitness club. Emails have been exchanged and frankly, I have a bad vibe about this. I would LOVE to work at an upscale fitness facility, but I have this heart-feeling that something is wrong. The owner seems pushy, unresponsive to my questions and disorganized. Major red flags.

So - my basic tenet about putting out the intention then waiting & watching has borne fruit again. At least for now.

[indysteel]

That's fantastic about the dog training position. Isn't it funny how some things just fall into our laps? As for the fitness club, just listen to your gut. I hate dealing with unresponsive and disorganized people, so I'm with you on the red flags.

[emily_in_nc]

That's wonderful news about the dog training position just dropping into your lap. Sometimes things are just meant to be and the universe provides!

Hope it goes well for you... I think it will!

[GLC1968]

Sometimes things are just meant to be and the universe provides!

I totally agree.

That's great news, Dogmama! I hope the dog training turns out to be a wonderful opportunity for you!

[jobob]

That's great. I agree with Emily, too!

[Dogmama]

Thank you all for your input. It really helped me sort things out. Sometimes I get caught in the squirrel cage of my brain & make myself crazy.

The woman who owns the place is very flexible & wants me to draw up a curriculum for each level of obedience. I already have this from a previous dog training position. It's good to follow a format because 10 people & their dogs in a beginning class can be challenging for the first few classes!

[azfiddle]

This has been a interesting thread to read.

Dogmama, glad to hear that there may be some windows opening up for you with the dog training.

I am 56, and teach middle school science. Theoretically could retire from teaching in July of this year. But the AZ state retirement isn't enough to live on with our current expenses ( about 6 more years on our mortgage, kids not totally independent) so I can't just retire. I'm finding teaching is more and more demanding as a profession. Classes are bigger, so much emphasis is on test scores, and money is pretty tight. I am in a district that has been ranked #1 in the state, and they expect a lot of the teachers. It can be more physically demanding now that I'm a little older - sometimes it's harder to hear students, for example and I'm on my feet all day.

I have been trying to think about what kind of career change I might be able to make and not sure. I have my MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and worked as a field biologist before becoming a teacher. I don't know what kind of opportunities are out there for a person with my skills and background.

My husband works at a community college and I can take classes for $10 plus books- but am not sure if they offer an career programs that interest me. I briefly looked at the para-legal program but don't think I'm really suited for it, and heard there aren't that many opportunities any way.

I did speak to the executive direction of the Tucson Audubon Society (large, well-organized, well-funded, many programs), as I have lots of natural history education and research experience but of course the job opportunities might not come up at an appropriate time.

Any way- just wanted to join in the discussion...