DU Career Counselors, help!: It's time for me to get out of retail.

[Pale Blue Dot]

I have been a retail manager for the past 15 years, and I can't take it anymore. I can't take not being on a regular schedule, working different shifts during the week, not having my night and weekends off, and having to please 500 different people a day, not including my bosses.

So it's time to get out. But I have no idea what to do! I want to do something that actually contributes something to society but beyond tht I have no clue. It's all complicated by the fact that I make decent money, and I have a pending divorce and alimony.

I got my degree in English, but I've done nothing with it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for my next career?

[BlueCollar]

1. Stay away from the Airline industry

cept for Southwest...lol

[GOPisEvil]

2. Ever thought about teaching?

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. I think that I would be a good teacher.

I would have to go back to school for that, though, and then I have the problems I mentioned in my response to flamingyouth.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Some states offer alternative certification.

I'd definitely look into that. Perhaps they'll let you work in the school year, and go get edumacated in the summer.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Details!

http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?A=6&Q=32350

[Pale Blue Dot]

10. Thank you, David

I'll check that out now. :thumbsup:

[GOPisEvil]

12. Good luck!

:thumbsup:

[2Design]

13. Find a community college and go and teach...they need English

teachers. They may start you out part time but you never know. Check colleges. Some may want you to have a masters but there may be other subjects they will let you teach that are non transfer. Not a lot of money as part timer but maybe you can teach online. Good way to break into it

[CrownPrinceBandar]

I know the feeling................

I've been doing contract archeology for 15 years and due to the inconsistency of work, travel reqs and lack of bennies, I am ready to get out. Unfortunately, there is little demand for folks with bachelors in anthropology, and my area is bereft of jobs.

[flamingyouth]

3. Do you want to go back to school, even part time?

Or is that an option?

[Pale Blue Dot]

4. I would love to go back to school.

The catch-22 has always been finding the time on a retail schedule. Plus, I'm not exactly made of money.

But yes, it is an option.

[flamingyouth]

8. You'd be a good teacher or counselor, I think

You're very patient.

[Pale Blue Dot]

9. Thank you.

:loveya:

[Robb]

11. I can't remember if you're in a major metro area or not...

...but there's always writing. Newspapers, magazines, trade journals. I are an English major me self. :P

I always pipe into these sorts of threads and say folks "searching" should drop everything, take a winter "off" and go work for a ski area -- ticket checker, lift operator, what have you. I highly recommend it, I had a very fun time, got really healthy working outside, skiing and boarding for a few months, and ran into similar people also "searching" and got some ideas.