[Brooklyniebee]

I got my BA in Psychology last May. Throughout my undergrad education, I worked as a nanny. I didn't complete any internships because I didn't have time to work for free. Now I'm working on pre-requisites so that I can apply for a Master's program in Neuropsychology. I also want to apply for research positions and scholarship programs with government departments like the DOD and the FBI. I have no interest whatsoever in being a childcare worker forever, let's be clear on that.

My most recent nanny job, which I've had for over a year, has become too much. Too many hours, too much driving, and one of the children is Autistic, has daily therapy, and a LOT of intense meltdowns (I have several scars from this child.) I quit the job. I know I need to take better care of my mental health, which means I need to scale back my hours.

I thought that maybe this was my opportunity to enter the professional world and get relevant, hands-on working experience. I live in the middle of nowhere, and I thought maybe I could work from home. The trouble is, I've applied to dozens of jobs, and nobody will interview me because I don't have relevant experience. Nobody wants to hire someone who's been a nanny for five years. I'm frustrated and lost, and I can't afford to aim lower, working for minimum wage will not cover my bills (car, rent, phone).

I'm starting to wonder if I should seek a new nanny job, closer to home, with fewer hours, and try to do an internship on the side to get relevant experience, then apply for more professional jobs next year. I'm frustrated that I can't find anything. Do any of you who actually work in the professional world think this is a good idea? I just don't want to waste any time.

I'm an online student, so there aren't any on-campus opportunities for me to work. I'm currently building coding skills using Code School and data science skills using Coursera, hoping that those will help me find a job next year. I just don't know. I'm confused and lost, and all I want to do is study!

[Brooklyniebee]

I also really like to write and was looking into freelancing, but I don't know how to make it a full-time income. Most of the jobs I see posted want someone with experience. The only experience I have is ghodtwriting ebooks for a sketchy Craigslist group, and they won't even confirm that I worked with them (for over a year!) because they "have to protect their clients." I don't have a portfolio or anything. So I'm stuck. Just stuck.

[seesaw]

I would highly recommend the internship route. I had a young man intern for me over the summer last year. A few months later he was being interviewed for a very good job at a University and used me as a reference, which I was happy to do. And he got the job.

Doing an internship will give you a great reference. I know it's free work, but you are getting work experience you desperately need, and often, a great reference out of it.

Freelancing is very competitive. (I am a self-employed consultant aka freelancer.) Clients want someone with a great track record of results who will work for a reasonable fee. If you charge more, like I do, you have to be able to justify it with results.

Master's programs are hard. I had a fellowship in which I taught undergrads, plus took all my own courses and did my own thesis work, plus worked a part time job on the side. I think I slept maybe 5 hours a night on average...I snuck in 15 minute naps between classes in my office, lol.

If you want to change your career from being a nanny, you may have to sacrifice and do an internship for three months so you can get an "in" with a company or be able to point to some real world experience.

Good luck,
Seesaw

[Brooklyniebee]

Thanks. It's nice to get feedback from someone on a different level! All of my friends were wiser than me and majored in technical fields like engineering or nursing, so they got jobs right out of college. I've been feeling so behind and yet so lost on what to do. I think you're right, interning may be the best route...that way I can learn and not feel stupid for having questions! (Thinking out loud here, it helps me process.) Thanks for offering your point of view 😊

[hvert]

How does your Master's program work if you have a professional job? Would you be able to work and go to school at the same time? I ask because I wonder if employers are worried you will only stay a little while and then leave to go to school.

Have you tried doing informational interviews? Does your school have any kind of alumni network or career guidance office that could help?

[Brooklyniebee]

Originally Posted by hvert

How does your Master's program work if you have a professional job? Would you be able to work and go to school at the same time? I ask because I wonder if employers are worried you will only stay a little while and then leave to go to school.

Have you tried doing informational interviews? Does your school have any kind of alumni network or career guidance office that could help?

It's just going to have to work. Right now, I'm completing prerequisites before applying to Master's programs. I haven't been telling employers that I'm planning to go for a Master's. But I can't afford not to work while in school, it's just going to have to happen. I'm not really sure what an informational interview is, so I'm going to say no, haven't been doing that. My school has a career advisement center, I have an appointment with them next month (they are wayyyy backed up!). I'm not so much concerned with starting a long-term career as I am with getting a job that will provide useful experience so I'm not in this boat again when I'm done with my Master's.

I'm the first person in my family to make it this far in my education, so I don't have a lot of guidance or people to go off of. I have extreme anxiety, including terrible social anxiety, so I've had a hard time making connections with professors or seeking mentors. I'm making this up as I go along 😧😱

[hvert]

Informational interviews are when you get in touch with someone who has a job like the one you want and ask them how one goes about getting into the field. It's a great way to get specific advice from people who work in your target profession. Messaging people through LinkedIn can be effective too. It sounds sort of weird, like cold calling, but I think most people are probably flattered and happy to help if they can.

[Brooklyniebee]

Good idea! Thank you for the help!

[divine1966]

What type of jobs are you considering when you are done with your masters in Psychology? If you intend to work in academia then do some freelancing or if you want to be licensed psychologist and work with people, then look for a job around people. I am concerned though as you said you have social anxiety, are you planning on
Being clinical psychologist?

I could never afford not to work. I completed both undergrad and grad schools while working. But my husband took off work for nursing school and took massive student loan as his schedule made it difficult to work (he volunteered a lot at the hospital). So you can take a loan and not work

[Brooklyniebee]

Originally Posted by divine1966

What type of jobs are you considering when you are done with your masters in Psychology? If you intend to work in academia then do some freelancing or if you want to be licensed psychologist and work with people, then look for a job around people. I am concerned though as you said you have social anxiety, are you planning on
Being clinical psychologist?

I could never afford not to work. I completed both undergrad and grad schools while working. But my husband took off work for nursing school and took massive student loan as his schedule made it difficult to work (he volunteered a lot at the hospital). So you can take a loan and not work

No, definitely not clinical psychology. I want to get a Ph.D in neuropsychology and spend my life in a lab doing research on brain-computer interfacing technologies. Surrounding by computers and tech and very limited contact with other people ^_^

I can't get a loan without a cosigner, unfortunately, and I don't have anyone willing to do that with me. I thought of that.

At this point, I don't have much choice in what I do. My boss cut my notice short, so as of Wednesday I'll be out of work. So I need a job, and now. I officially don't get to be picky.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by Brooklyniebee

No, definitely not clinical psychology. I want to get a Ph.D in neuropsychology and spend my life in a lab doing research on brain-computer interfacing technologies. Surrounding by computers and tech and very limited contact with other people ^_^

I can't get a loan without a cosigner, unfortunately, and I don't have anyone willing to do that with me. I thought of that.

At this point, I don't have much choice in what I do. My boss cut my notice short, so as of Wednesday I'll be out of work. So I need a job, and now. I officially don't get to be picky.

Are you in the US?

You can get loans through department of education for Graduate school without having any income or any kind of co-signers. They dint care what you make.

When my husband took loans for nursing school he had no income, more so he just had house foreclosed and bankruptcy right before (that’s the reason he went back to school). He never needed a co signer. I took student loans too but I did have income. But plenty of people don’t.

Department of education doesn’t ask for loans co signed unless you are going as dependent? Did you feel FAFSA? Did you talk to financial aid office at university? If yes what was their reply?

Are you trying to get private loan?

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Are you in the US?

You can get loans through department of education for Graduate school without having any income or any kind of co-signers. They dint care what you make.

When my husband took loans for nursing school he had no income, more so he just had house foreclosed and bankruptcy right before (that’s the reason he went back to school). He never needed a co signer. I took student loans too but I did have income. But plenty of people don’t.

Department of education doesn’t ask for loans co signed unless you are going as dependent? Did you feel FAFSA? Did you talk to financial aid office at university? If yes what was their reply?

Are you trying to get private loan?

I don't remember if my loan was through DOE, but I also got a loan for grad school with no-cosigner and I had no credit history.

[Brooklyniebee]

I did file FAFSA, I wasn't awarded anything. I'm not technically considered a graduate student yet, because I'm still working on some pre-requisites for the Master's program (I didn't take enough biology/biochemistry classes). So I'm classified as a continuing/other student. That's probably why I haven't been awarded anything. Next year, maybe.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by Brooklyniebee

I did file FAFSA, I wasn't awarded anything. I'm not technically considered a graduate student yet, because I'm still working on some pre-requisites for the Master's program (I didn't take enough biology/biochemistry classes). So I'm classified as a continuing/other student. That's probably why I haven't been awarded anything. Next year, maybe.

You have to apply prior to becoming graduate student and they should tell you what you get when you become a student. Everyone files FAFSA before they become students because it determines your ability to pay.

Yes you can get student loan for post-bachelor classes too, pre requisites and such. It’s not going to be as much as grad school but you can get a loan IF you go at least part time. If you only take one class, then no, you can’t get a loan. I got post-bachelor loan when I was getting additional minor prior to grad school.

Now it’s a good idea to get internship so you have experience but all of it depends on what you can afford. I could never in my life afford not to work so regardless if I did internship or was in school or this or that I had to work. So if you have no means to survive then you need to play accordingly. Ton of people work and go to school. Colleague of mine is finishing her PhD and she never took
off work. You have to see what’s best for you

It all depends. Talk to advisor at university