[lifeseeker75]

Hi everyone, I’ve been doing Administrative work for over 13 years and recently obtained my BA in Business Administration- Acquisitions and Contract Management. I’ve work permanent part time a little over 3 years for the same company (IT Consulting Firm). Now that I have my BA I want to venture into something else but not sure what avenue to take. I love love this job but do not want to be stuck in a permanent part time position with no growth. Here are some of the PROS: flexible hours (I’m off work before my Kindergarten gets out of school thus, save on after-school care expense), utilization of the company car & credit card (for office purchases/purposes of course), ability to attend appointments/child school events as needed, PTO (Paid time off), annual profit sharing (if the company profits not much give or take $300-$400 before taxes yearly), paid company holidays, and 401K. Now the CONS: No near site of possibility becoming a FT position, No health/dental benefits (FT employees are reimb. Up to a certain Amt), no quarterly bonuses (FT employees receive), No school reimbursements (FT employees only) just to name a few. Any thoughts on a field that I’m able to transition into with a Associates in Applied Science in Information Technology and a Bachelors in Business Administration-Acquisitions and Contract Management? Thanks!!

[Wondergirl]

I stayed at PT in a job I loved until my kids were old enough that it no longer mattered that I was PT. That's when I made the move into FT when a terrific job opened up at the same place. Can you hang in there for a bit longer until your children don't "need" you as much? Maybe FT possibilities will open up where you are now?

[lifeseeker75]

I stayed at PT in a job I loved until my kids were old enough that it no longer mattered that I was PT. That's when I made the move into FT when a terrific job opened up at the same place. Can you hang in there for a bit longer until your children don't "need" you as much? Maybe FT possibilities will open up where you are now?

Wondergirl- I do plan on hanging in there more so for the flexibility. However, with all my school loans back in repayment status and medical bills piling up we... my spouse and I are starting to think twice about the PT /FT pros and cons. We currently have to pay out of pocket. I went for a regular woman annual checkup and the visit alone was $105.00 blood work, Pap test etc. was not included. In addition, I have a small enlarged node next to my esophagus I paid the doctor fee of $75 they had to perform a biopsy and take samples from my neck the ultrasound was $1100 and the bad part about this is the test results were INCONCLUSIVE!! They wanted me to come back and redo test at a new charge (I'm now in collections). Just to name a few. Now we do have dental insurance through my spouse employer however it only covers basis services. My spouse is eligible to enroll in to healthcare program coverage with his employer but just can't afford it. I tried to apply for state help assistance just for the kids they keep denying us because we exceed the min. amount allowed... whatever that is. Oh and if you can recall from a different post I have a 19 year old in college her tuition is contributing. She will be moving out of her dorm room in to an apartment in the fall that would save us a few hundred bucks but will not hardly put a dent into covering other expense. So now can you see why I have the question as to PT vs. FT.

[Wondergirl]

Have you looked at job ads or even checked into FT temp possibilities? What is your general location?

Why no possibility of becoming FT where you are now?

[lifeseeker75]

Have you looked at job ads or even checked into FT temp possibilities? What is your general location?

Why no possibility of becoming FT where you are now?

I have been looking at options but nothing within my pay range. I have applied for a few things but received email confirmation stating " position has been filled". I'm in the Central AR area. In regards to the no possible FT... when I was originally hired I started as a PT subcontractor after 2 months they hired me on at a Perm. PT employee with possible FT it has been over 3 years. In the last 2 yearly evaluations the HR Director informed me that they do not foresee a FT position anytime soon. With this field being so specific/ specialized they (the clients) look for seasoned people and although I have both IT and Business background its just not enough. How... I'm I suppose to get there without someone presenting the opportunity. I constantly check in with our recruiting dept. to see if they see anything for me and.. nothing. I just don't want to wait another three years and lost out on other possibilities. They view me more so as Administrative function instead of Project Management even thought I assist and support the VP and Project Manager. I have APM experience but not in the healthcare field just banking and investment.

[Wondergirl]

Which businesses/companies do you envision working for that pay and especially offer something you love about the job? Hospital? Library? Bank? School system? University?

Have you applied "cold" with no opening mentioned? Do you have work or personal connections to possible opportunities?

Are you are on LinkedIn? (I am constantly bombarded with job offers there.)

[joypulv]

I think your number one priority before any of this is enrolling in your husband's health plan.
How much is it?
I quit a job once and stayed on as a consultant to train the next person, and continued to consult, and consulted from then on. It is good for the flexible hours, and you of course raise your hourly rate to a minimum of a third higher than you were getting, and come up with as many deductible expenses as you can. You may find that you are indispensable where you work and if you broach the subject in a straightforward way, they might fall all over themselves to keep you.

[lifeseeker75]

Which businesses/companies do you envision working for that pay and especially offer something you love about the job? hospital? library? bank? school system? university?

Have you applied "cold" with no opening mentioned? Do you have work or personal connections to possible opportunities?

Are you are on LinkedIn? (I am constantly bombarded with job offers there.)

Wondergirl.. its funny you ask. I'm more of a conservative business woman. I envision myself owning my own business. In fact I do have a website/domain I own and that I'm paying for but doing nothing with... I have not been able to do anything with it. (Due to another post you actually respond to--yes the husband control thing). I will keep that conversation in the marriage section/category. But for now I see myself working in the healthcare /hospital/government sector. I like helping people I tend to be a mediator verses a debtor until I have to be. I'm very well spoke when I know the service and or product. In regards, to applying "cold" no I haven't... however most previous jobs I applied for and got I did not have most of the requirements they posted. I'm confident about what I'm capable of doing. I'm very fast at learning just about anything. I'm hands on and it only take one time to explain or show me. I want my own business.

[lifeseeker75]

I think your number one priority before any of this is enrolling in your husband's health plan.
How much is it?
I quit a job once and stayed on as a consultant to train the next person, and continued to consult, and consulted from then on. It is good for the flexible hours, and you of course raise your hourly rate to a minimum of a third higher than you were getting, and come up with as many deductible expenses as you can. You may find that you are indispensable where you work and if you broach the subject in a straightforward way, they might fall all over themselves to keep you.

Joypuly, thanks for the reply I don't recall the exact amount that would be deducted from his paycheck but lets time we calculated this expense it was more than 60% of his paycheck. With current medical expense, college expense, gas, school loans, and other expense it would not be feasible to afford his health insurance.

[Wondergirl]

In fact I do have a website/domain I own and that I'm paying for but doing nothing with.... I have not been able to do anything with it.

So what would a web site do for you?

[lifeseeker75]

So what would a web site do for you?

Wondergirl- Well the website would provide me with my own steady revenue and I will be able to work flexible hour, maybe not at the beginning but I will get there. It will give me that entrepreneurial outlet. Owning my website helps me to embrace an internal entrepreneurial fortitude I had early on in life, I constantly thought of magnetic inclinations of maintaining a professionally decent yet, stable life style. Being a God fearing woman; a person with heart that strives to be the best mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend, I’m known for placing others' needs before my own. Always seeking to set and meet goals to encourage others, I’ve always seen myself as a person that strives to be optimist and look at life as a "glass half full" as oppose to "half empty" making me what I like to call a survivalist. Eventually setting in motion an adventure that allow me to think outside the box to pursue an unconventional avenues- transiting from the website to having physical stores. I understand this too take money thus in the meantime I must earn a decent salary to make my dreams come true one day. Something I can leave and or pass down to my children.

[Wondergirl]

Wondergirl- Well the website would provide me with my own steady revenue and I will be able to work flexible hour, maybe not at the beginning but I will get there. It will give me that entrepreneurial outlet.

What will you be? How will you market yourself?

I know from personal experience that you can't just create a beautiful web site and then just sit there waiting for the money to flow in. You have to market yourself in real life and online (LOTS of hard work and time spent making contacts and connections) before you can make your first dollar. And you have to have some kind of an edge -- raise a coyote pup and write a book about it (dailycoyote.net) or have a talent such as being a life coach or are a special kind of consultant.