General Discussion

gadjitfreek

(399 posts)

56. I'm 46 and employed as a teacher, but...

Mon Nov 19, 2012, 09:30 PM

Nov 2012

...should I ever lose my job (and with the way things are going public education may be coming to an end) I'm screwed. I am a world-famous teacher who has won awards for teaching but there's no way anyone would hire me. I have too much experience and command to high a salary. If I lost my job and health insurance I'd be dead within a year thanks to a giant pituitary tumor that I had removed but makes it necessary to take a lot of medications I'd never be able to afford without insurance. If I can make it through the next 9 years I'll have a decent pension and I'm all set but I'm walking on eggshells and things are only going from bad to worse in the ed biz. Some of that is on Obama and his dipshit Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his misbegotten Race To The Top bullshit. If the public really knew what was going on there would be quite an uproar.

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Any DU'ers out there, 55+ looking for a job? [View all] maveric56 Nov 2012 OP

I am looking, too. trayfoot Nov 2012 #1

Many people will lie to you aletier_v Nov 2012 #75

Last 2 jobs I had they didn't bother to lie about age discrimination... Eleanors38 Nov 2012 #78

I was lucky and found one back in June after working 20+ years for one company. Have you still_one Nov 2012 #2

Linked in is a great way to see who is within a few of spheres of influence. Snarkoleptic Nov 2012 #65

I used Glassdoor.com, indeed.com, careerbuilder, and monster. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #81

I'm so sorry. rivegauche Nov 2012 #3

I'm almost 62, and I've been out of work since 2009.... OldDem2012 Nov 2012 #4

I make too much for food stamps. maveric56 Nov 2012 #10

No advice right now, but let's keep this thread kicked. K and R n/t Smarmie Doofus Nov 2012 #5

Yes LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #6

Not working out real well JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2012 #7

Employment Development Dept. State of CA maveric56 Nov 2012 #11

what is that? oh I googled. As an independednt contractor, I can't get anything robinlynne Nov 2012 #48

To get your foot in the door... MANative Nov 2012 #8

That's really helpful, thanks. rivegauche Nov 2012 #9

You're welcome - hope your friend will find them useful! n/t MANative Nov 2012 #12

I really hate that - so I have to pretend I'm younger to even get a foot in the door? ebayfool Nov 2012 #16

It sucks entirely; there's no doubt about it. MANative Nov 2012 #20

Chris Matthews blonde; I know a guy who had prematurely silver hair and I told him to ErikJ Nov 2012 #34

Gotta do what you gotta do... Hulk Nov 2012 #58

Be careful with this advice. enlightenment Nov 2012 #37

The background checks are typically done... MANative Nov 2012 #59

It's about not letting them put you in a box, appearing active, vibrant and in touch with the times bettyellen Nov 2012 #82

I work for this agency. Call their 800 number to see if they are avail in CA graywarrior Nov 2012 #13

Thank you so much. maveric56 Nov 2012 #14

Let me know because if they don't service that area, I can ask my HQ graywarrior Nov 2012 #15

I'm in the SCSEP program here in Oregon. Living the Dream. WheelWalker Nov 2012 #47

get a nurse's aid certificate. librechik Nov 2012 #17

even better KatyMan Nov 2012 #92

yes, indeed--my daughter started with the CNA, and she's going to school in January librechik Nov 2012 #93

Title V provides Senior Community Service Employment Program in all 50 states Melinda Nov 2012 #18

I'm sorry, I wish I could give you some good news. Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #19

That's pretty much 2naSalit Nov 2012 #85

What do/did you do? n/t Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #87

Well... 2naSalit Nov 2012 #96

I was laid off a few months after 9/11 at age 48 magical thyme Nov 2012 #21

Try temping, agency work or contracting. Or - start your own business. geckosfeet Nov 2012 #22

I have top secretarial skills Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #41

I like your idea of starting your own business. 7wo7rees Nov 2012 #62

hmm, that sounds interesting shanti Nov 2012 #64

Any kind you can swing. Courrier. Pizza. Florist. Auto parts. Groceries. geckosfeet Nov 2012 #71

Wow I feel for you mrsadm Nov 2012 #23

I've been getting by, barely, with freelance work. Jim Lane Nov 2012 #24

What are your job skills? beachgirl2365 Nov 2012 #25

Maritime engineering (US Naval ships in san diego) maveric56 Nov 2012 #33

Are you willing to relocate? Could your skills transfer to designing things for drilling rigs TexasBushwhacker Nov 2012 #68

heres one Cartoonist Nov 2012 #26

Not at the moment, thought I'm always on the ragged edge... Xipe Totec Nov 2012 #27

Similar boat as you adieu Nov 2012 #28

I got lucky ThoughtCriminal Nov 2012 #29

dont know what to offer but best wishes argiel1234 Nov 2012 #30

This over 55 DUer has been out of work Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #31

I'm one of those millions in the same boat. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #42

On the rare occasion that we do get an actual interview, Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #50

Most of my interviews have been over the phone. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #90

you're a boomer, right? shanti Nov 2012 #66

Yep! Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #69

+1 Downwinder Nov 2012 #91

kick DonRedwood Nov 2012 #32

Big K&R defacto7 Nov 2012 #35

Drop Cobra... femrap Nov 2012 #36

3rd world living. ErikJ Nov 2012 #38

bookmarking brokechris Nov 2012 #39

Even though it can be rough Iwillnevergiveup Nov 2012 #40

I don't advise this- ruffburr Nov 2012 #43

I've been cleaning houses. notadmblnd Nov 2012 #44

+1 Dalai_1 Nov 2012 #45

K & R. Very important topic. Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 2012 #46

Buy a franchise? Bennyboy Nov 2012 #49

I'm 65 with three degrees. Things got so bad at work that rzemanfl Nov 2012 #51

UPS Is hiring donco Nov 2012 #52

Yes, if you are 55 or over...... lib2DaBone Nov 2012 #53

Yup. It's a hard unpleasant truth when you stumble into it. aletier_v Nov 2012 #76

It's a form of 2naSalit Nov 2012 #86

I see much of myself in your words. 99Forever Nov 2012 #89

What I discovered 2naSalit Nov 2012 #97

K&R nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #54

find a support group, remain positive. grantcart Nov 2012 #55

I'm 46 and employed as a teacher, but... gadjitfreek Nov 2012 #56

Sell on Ebay - no, you don't get insurance - but... jillan Nov 2012 #57

federal gov't hires us old folk NMDemDist2 Nov 2012 #60

my bro shanti Nov 2012 #61

You may try re-training. Health care jobs are supposed to be in high demand, plus the bluestate10 Nov 2012 #63

If I were looking, I'd dye my hair and lie on my resume. Seriously Poiuyt Nov 2012 #67

I'm not 55 or over or even in that vicinity yet. But Kick Against Agism!!! vaberella Nov 2012 #70

I'm 45 and part time employee and looking for a job with health insurance cherish44 Nov 2012 #72

I'm 55 Timbuk3 Nov 2012 #73

K&R L 99Forever Nov 2012 #74

dying the hair works CountAllVotes Nov 2012 #77

Earlier this yr was unemployed for a month. Got a job. I'm 58. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #79

I wound up going with a contract house for awhile dflprincess Nov 2012 #80

No, unless you strike gold but I have some thoughts TheKentuckian Nov 2012 #83

Lost my full-time job in 2009. Unemployed or underemployed since. tilsammans Nov 2012 #84

Don't worry about that. Many of us have multiple degrees with outstanding qualifications Egalitarian Thug Nov 2012 #88

Lost my last "job" five years ago. They said that due to the meds I was taking for oneshooter Nov 2012 #94

Are you a Veteran by chance? Corgigal Nov 2012 #95

The only contacts I have sadly are here in Maryland. Xyzse Nov 2012 #98