Honest answers please... need advice on family and career change?

Okay, I'll try this category since everyone else answers were nonsense.





Here is the situtation:


I am a single parent who will be moving to a smaller community (22,000 people versus 1.3 million) and have a few dilemmas.





Career Dilemma:





First, I already have an Associates Degree in general studies.





I want to change careers as well as just relocating. Most job advertisements require only a high school diploma (only 20% of the town has an AS or BA).





I am looking into short term education opportunities where I am living now. Would it be better to get additional program certificates in one specific area (such as accounting) or get course certificates in a variety of areas? I just want to be able to get a job there.





Family Dilemma:





How do I explain the move to my son? He will be four when we move and really hates change.Honest answers please... need advice on family and career change?
#1. Either before you move, when you go visit/ looking for place, or after you're there: Go to your local Career Center. You can find them by calling your Human Services Dept. You don't have to be on any program or assistance to get these services for free, anyone can do it. However, as a single parent, you qualify for so many things they have career wise.


They have a ';test'; you can take to see which direction will benefit you advancing further and what's best suited for you, your experiences, education and personality and goals.


They'll have books with job listings, websites to go to, and job placement help. It works, and it is all free if you'll just ask.





#2- being an army brat, we moved a lot, then I married into it and did it to my kids (for a while)


He is very young, so it is actually better on him to go now, than later. Try to get a routine started once your settled, and that will always help him adjust to things. Get involved with a play group or something at you local library, they help him adjust, too.


Kids are way more resilient than we give them credit for. If it is best for you, then in the end, that is best for him, right?!


You sound like a good parent who's concerned for your child's future by bettering yours. He'll appreciate it in long run, promise.





Good Luck, don't forget to ask for Human Services Dept, they have all the numbers and places you'll need! Good Luck!Honest answers please... need advice on family and career change?
Totally accounting. It just made some list today - on cnn or yahoo - as being the top family freindly profession. Ill see if I can find the link.
i would find a specific career and as for the child. i was a child who was moved around a lot and i too hate change actually i fear it but i got over it and he is so young he will get over it. be patient with him he may rebel but he will get used to it. i think kids have more school related opportunities in smaller communities anyway. he will be fine. good luck and best wishes.
actually i would go after the accounting program, my girlfriend is a single mother and with her accounting degree she had all the qualifications to run any type of an office plus she does taxes for 2 companies at home and does taxes for people at home during tax season. her office job is all computer based so when her daughter is sick she is able to work from home. as for your son (i understand about hating change i do to) i think you will have to make the move sound like a huge adventure with a promise at the end. are you going to be buying a house? can he have a new swingset or something he has been repeatedly asking for?
I would suggest that you get program certificates in a specific area. Your degree is already general, but not particularly conducive to employment. You need some marketable skills.





As to explaining the move to your son, you should be honest and specific. Tell him far in advance. Get pictures of the town you are moving to, names of schools and activity centers. Show him a picture of the house you will live in (if you can). If you haven't found a house or apartment yet, bring him with you to look at them and help chose one.





If at all possible, go visit the town with him and play at play grounds. Go camping or hiking in the area, and invite his friends to come with you. Take lots of pictures of him and his friends.





Get the addresses and phone numbers of his best friends so he can write them letters and call them after the move.





Hope everything goes well for you both!