s/o of Breadwinner thread... What is your own background?

[trlt]

BS in Psychology

Masters in Human Factors Engineering

 

I got pregnant while in my last semester of grad school and decided to be a stay-at-home mom, then later decided to homeschool so I haven't been in the workforce. Prior to grad school I worked as a pre-school teacher.

[Donna]

BA in biology

MPT- masters in physical therapy

 

Work part time in Early Intervention and homeschool/homemake the rest of the time.

[JFSinIL]

BA in Communications, MA in Theater Arts (what it was called - I studied film history/criticism and aesthetics plus as much film preservation as possible - not a speck of theater!,) and PhD ABD in same.

Taught three college classes, worked at Art Institute of Chicago, then married, tried to finish dissertation but got stymied by a car accident, then twins, then one of them had autism....

 

I put my research skill to work in learning all about autism and various treatments, then learned all about home schooling :-)

 

And my kids know all about silent movies :-)

[creekland]

Bachelor's in Physics, minors in Math and Psychology

 

Worked in the Air Force, then Litton Industries, then quit when I got pregnant with our oldest.

 

Being 100% a SAHM didn't really work for me, so when my youngest was three (and dad started his business from home, so we didn't need day care), I went in and signed up to be a substitute teacher at our local high school. That was 13 years ago. I'm still there and still (mostly) love it. I love the variety, the students, and doing different things daily (whether at work or home) keeps my brain sane.

 

Someday I might get a "real" job again, but I've gotten really addicted to part time.

 

In two years our life will change drastically when youngest goes off to college. Hubby and I have long talks wondering what we're going to do then. It seems unreal that the "parenting" job we've had will be over (more or less).

[kroe1]

Job: Work a lowly, thankless job weekend nights in an ER so we can homeschool during the week.

Schooling: So much I shiver to think of it. I finally finished in my thirties, but still put in about 100 to 200 hours a year for myself.

 

I'm very impressed with everyone's background.

 

:lurk5:

[hsmamainva]

Before I had kids, I worked as a disc jockey.

 

A friend of mine owned his own DJ company so I stumbled into the work after I graduated from high school. Worked at quite a few of the nightclubs in the Washington DC / Northern Virginia area...and did private parties, weddings, etc.

 

I have a high school diploma with some college classes mixed in for good measure.

 

I now work for a tax accountant doing taxes. I love it! I work from the beginning of January to the beginning of May...and then I have the rest of the year off. I couldn't support the family on it, but it provides great "fun money" -- annual family vacation, curriculum purchases, etc.

[Jenny in Florida]

education:

- BA in Fine Arts (cinema emphasis)

 

pre-homeschooling:

- worked in video production for Public Television

- freelanced in film and video production

- had a Desktop Publishing business out of the home (self-taught)

 

I have a B.A. in English.

 

Before homeschooling, I worked primarily as a techinal editor, but I also did some programming and managed a couple of bookstores.

[AvasMom]

Bachelor's prepared RN. I haven't worked much since having kids but have done the range from nursing homes (as a CNA), to an NIH fellowship as a student, to a cardiac ICU at Hopkins.

[justamouse]

Nothing. I worked my ass off in many different jobs (I am a worker, I work hard and long and enjoy it). Took my nursing entrance exam and then backed out (which was a good thing). I had a few businesses, then landed on my rear. Got married, and worked. Then he got fired and we started from scratch and built what we have now. I did write and was published.

 

School of hard knocks for me.

[Gentlemommy]

I used to dance professionally. When dh and I got married, I got my real estate license...worked for a month, sold one house, and then quit. Sales jobs are NOT for me lol.

 

I only have my HS diploma. :( Someday, I hope to change that.:001_smile:

Edited April 5, 2012 by Gentlemommy

[jennynd]

Master degree in Mechanical engineering. Still work full time as mechanical engineer.

I had some cool jobs. worked for one of the big three research center. Made long distance hypersonic missile. involved in military jet engine design and now making gas turbine. I like my job but still wish I can homeschool my kids full time

[duckabell]

I have a bachelor's in health science but I had my first kid shortly after graduation and never used my degree. I taught piano lessons for a couple of years and now have been doing general transcription from home for almost two years.

[snickelfritz]

B. S. in environmental engineering. Started a masters degree in chemical engineering and hated it. Did a complete about- face and taught algebra and science for a few years and quit to stay home with the kids.

 

I'm contemplating going back for a M. S. in library science. Not huge pay, but it has a very low unemployment rate, usually, with benefits.

[mlktwins]

B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Psychology (2 classes away from a double major).

 

Spent 15 years working for various Office of Inspector Generals within the Federal Government before quitting to stay home with twins.

 

I am also a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

[Jennifer in MI]

BA in Economics from Vassar College. I used it to work in Human Resources as the Employment Manager for the Hyatt in Boston for two years. Then I got married and moved and worked for Aetna for another two years before leaving to raise kids.

 

In my next life, I'd love to be a travel agent. I actually applied to be an on line travel agent a couple weeks ago. I hope to hear soon!

[nono]

Gosh, this will be a memory test for me, as it covers 33 years!

 

My undergraduate is a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science. I decided in my mid-late 20s to get my MBA (Marketing) so that hiring managers would have more confidence in me returning after having a child. (Which I wasn't planning on doing, but I was in the prime child bearing years).

 

Jobs? Well, I worked for my Dad for years, who was a tax accountant. When I was old enough for working papers ;), I added in lifeguarding and retail work. I worked in a restaurant in my later college years to carry my own tuition. I also worked in radio and TV in various positions during/after college -- on air, public affairs, sales. Crossed over to the advertising agency side. I had my own agency for several years and ended up with 2 national clients, and had to grow the business to survive. I had this Aha! moment that I really didn't want to be responsible for other people's livelihood, so I got a job with a big technology company. Spent 12 years there. Started in marketing, ended up in a technical position.

 

Rebuilding my clients who took direct hits on Sept. 11 ended the love affair I had with my career. It changed both my dh and me. We decided to adopt our kids and once we had our first referral, I quit my job and here I am seven years later, mostly dazed and confused! :tongue_smilie: I was a much better career-woman than I am mother. Homeschooling has been a real blessing to me, because I can use those career skills again almost daily. So, as much as I homeschool for the kids, I also homeschool for me. ;)

[regentrude]

PhD in physics.

Worked in research, stayed home several years when the kids were little, now work as an instructor at a STEM focused university

[The Girls' Mom]

I am a high school graduate with a smattering of college courses. I dropped out of college when my mother passed away and I found out I was pregnant with my first child all within a couple of weeks.

 

I worked at a credit union for years, starting out as a co-op student in high school and working my way up to payroll specialist.

 

I have worked as:

 

A file clerk

Bank Teller

Payroll Specialist

Secretary

Title clerk

Data processor

Web Designer

Online Store manager

Portrait Artist

Art Teacher

and I owned my own photography business.

 

Now I am working on starting up a farm, with an eye towards teaching art classes again in my future.

[Miss Marple]

Education: BS Pharmacy

 

Pre-homeschooling: Worked in hospital pharmacy in a university teaching hospital; after dh finished fellowship we moved to another state and from that time on I have stayed home with the boys. Began homeschooling the oldest in kindergarten and the others followed.

[DawnM]

My cousin went to Vassar. I think he graduated in '90 or '91.

 

Dawn

 

BA in Economics from Vassar College. I used it to work in Human Resources as the Employment Manager for the Hyatt in Boston for two years. Then I got married and moved and worked for Aetna for another two years before leaving to raise kids.

 

In my next life, I'd love to be a travel agent. I actually applied to be an on line travel agent a couple weeks ago. I hope to hear soon!

[KS_]

I almost never am on the General Board, but so enjoyed learning a little about everyone thru what the breadwinner of the home does and the education level, here's a related question:

 

If you primarily homeschool now, what did you do before? And what is your education level? Cheers! :) Lori D.

 

 

I have a degree in Biological Systems Engineering, but due to moving for dh's career and then having kids, haven't worked in the field (I went back to college 4 years after high school). Before and during college, I worked as a secretary, in retail, and as a seamstress (oh, and a brief stint extracting honey in a small honey company).

Edited April 5, 2012 by KH_

[Tutor]

BS - Biology

MFS - Forensic Science

 

Our oldest was born one semester before I graduated my MFS program, and I have been a sahm and wahm since graduation. Writing and photography primarily.

[Mom-ninja.]

BS in Environmental Science.

 

Had my first baby while still in college so I never worked in my degree field.

[dirty ethel rackham]

Education:

- BS in Mathematics

 

Pre-homeschooling:

- worked as a computer analyst for a major retailer, a major credit card company, and a major fast food restaurant chain.

- taught Bradley Method childbirth classes after I decided to stay home when my second was born. He was very high need and I knew in my gut that even returning to my part-time job in my field was not the right decision.

 

Now

- independent consultant for Usborne Books and More (very part time since it has to fit around homeschooling and family life.) I also give talks to mom's groups about family literacy.

[TheReader]

I have a BA in Counseling Ministries (ie, religion/ministry major with counseling/psych minor).

 

Throughout high school & college I worked in a family owned art gallery/gift shop.

 

For one year after college I taught high school English at a private Christian school. The year before that I substitute taught, in the elementary schools in our (then) district, and worked at a church nursery.

 

I (briefly) sold Pampered Chef, but quit that when I decided that volunteering at the AIDS hospice was more important to me. This was while my husband was getting his Master's degree and working full time, and I just didn't have time for everything (we had 2 kids by this point). The AIDS hospice won out, though I did have to give that up after six months.

 

Then I was home schooling.

 

I (very very briefly) took classes to get the pre-reqs to go to Nursing school, but that was incredibly short lived (3rd pregnancy & then a move). I'm not cut out for the school part of that, anyway, so that is not something I'm likely to pursue again.

 

If/when I go back to work it will depend on if I'm doing so for the $ (ie, to augment our finances) or to keep busy. If we need additional income, I have enough of the right sort of courses that I could easily find employment with CPS or maybe ECI, either of which I'd do in a heartbeat.

 

If I just need to keep busy once my hs'ing days are over, I would maybe substitute teach again and definitely find a way to volunteer again, preferably with AIDS patients again. I miss that, hard as it was.

 

But I don't anticipate working again until my youngest is at least high school age. Between now and then, home schooling keeps me plenty busy.

[Mom22ns]

B.S - Pre-Vet

 

I was working as a Network Analyst when the kids were born. I quit when the second came along. I did some consulting and web design while being a SAHM. Now as a homeschooling mom I try not to work outside the home, it just isn't worth it to us anymore.

[-M-]

Education:

B.A. in communications and journalism

Post-baccalaureate studies in English literature and counseling psychology

M.A. in English (rhetoric and composition)

 

Background:

Writer, editor, researcher, proofreader and document specialist, publishing manager, college admissions and financial aid counselor, academic adviser, teacher, public relations and marketing planner (to say nothing of eyewear specialist, answering service operator, and receptionist)

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Education: B.A. in French, M.A. in French

 

Experience: Worked a lot of temp jobs in offices during summer breaks from college and grad school. Worked for one company that wanted me to stay once they found out I could write business letters in French, and I probably should have, but I had plans to finish my M.A. in France and didn't want to change that. After grad school, I did a customer service/in house sales job where I dealt with distributors of a product in Quebec. I hated that job. So, I left and when a prospective employer called the law firm where I had temped for a reference, I got an immediate call from the office manager at the law firm wanting to know if I wanted a job. I told her I was looking for something to do with my French degree, you know, the one I just spent tens of thousands of dollars getting. She said they would make it worth my while. So, I went for an interview to take over for the office manager. She wanted to marry some guy and move to England. I told her I knew nothing about accounting and bookkeeping (which was a huge part of the job!). She said she'd train me. So, they did make it worth my while, and I accepted the position. She stayed 2 months to train me, and I loved that job. Lots of work! Lots of hours! Lots of great experience, though. I met dh at the law firm. I kept working until my older son was born. They wanted me to come back, but I decided to stay home.

 

ETA: Now, I'm babysitting full time as well as homeschooling. I think once my kids are a little older, I may start an in-home daycare/preschool.

Edited April 5, 2012 by thescrappyhomeschooler

[Mergath]

I'm about one semester away from having BAs in English and Anthropology. I got pregnant during my last year and had to leave school because my health issues made it a high-risk pregnancy, and the stress of school was making that worse.

 

I was in the Army for a short time before I started college, but they found out about my epilepsy and had to give me the boot. :tongue_smilie:

 

I worked off and on with the developmentally disabled, but now I'm a SAHM. I have done some writing, and have had a few short stories and articles published. It didn't bring in much money, though.

[momto2Cs]

(recent) BA in Liberal Studies, starting my MA in English Education this fall.

 

I've done a number of things as jobs:

 

• Secretarial
  
• Grocery Clerk
  
• Field Crew Supervisor for a conservation corps
  
• Temp work - everything from packaging to decorating cheesecakes
  
• Quality Control technician for a bakery
  
• Self-employed professional landscaping
  

I work now too... part-time secretarial for the local county office of education, AND I grade English papers for a professor at the local junior college, which isn't much of a demand on my time, but is good practice for my eventual position teaching English (I hope!)

[Parrothead]

I used to be in public safety. I was a cop (11 years) and a fire fighter (13 years concurrently). I worked in publishing for a year after getting married and while pregnant with dd. Then I had a year off. I spend another year in HR with a different company. I've been a SAHM since dd was 3.

 

I'm in the process of getting things together to go back to school this fall.

[jubilation]

BS in Nursing. Didn't finish my degree until my oldest was a toddler, though. Before kids, I worked in everything from healthcare to hotel housekeeping to retail.

 

I work PT around 20 hrs/week out of necessity, and will continue to until when/if DH gets a different job that covers both the mortgage AND food. :) For now, opposite shifts it is.

[Kathryn]

BA - History

 

MA - History

MLIS (Masters of Library and Information Science) - Archives

 

I processed manuscripts* collections in a historical library.

 

ETA - many people read/hear that as "manuscript," as in the form of a book before publishing. In historical library terminology, "manuscripts" refers to any unpublished items. So, in my job I sorted, arranged, and described collections of old letters, diaries, journals, school papers, ledgers, photographs, and unpublished manuscripts for books.

Edited April 5, 2012 by kebg11

[CanaryMelody]

Sorry, I stick my foot in my mouth often. :grouphug: You're not an idiot, you were busy, it happens.... I wasn't too busy to do it, so in my case, yes, I would be an idiot :) I wish they gave you a longer time limit.... when you are young and getting out of the military, 10 years sounds like forever! Mine runs out in December of next year, and I'll finish school: in December of next year, LOL!!

 

Oh gosh no. You're not at fault for my reaction. I was 28 when I got out of the military and not a spring chicken. This is one regret I do live with and I have no excuse for it. I *could have* made it a higher priority and just finished. And I didn't. ;)

[Princess Peach]

I have a BA in psychology (with an emphasis on biopsych/neuropsych).

 

I worked at a university lab and then was a behavioral counselor. I was in my first year of grad school for an MA in counseling when I had our first son and quit. I may go back to school someday, but not anytime soon.

[Unicorn.]

BS in Horticulture (but I have a black thumb). Asst. manager at a Nursery, then moved to a tiny town and spent almost every day substitute teaching. Then got hired as the in-school-suspension "teacher". Had 1st child and stayed home for a year. Moved to an even smaller town. Worked as a teacher's aid for a year, had the twins and have been a sahm ever since.

[YaelAldrich]

Degrees: BA Religious Studies, MA Jewish Communal Service (now they seem to call it Jewish Professional Leadership!), MBA Non Profit Organizations

 

Worked in Jewish outreach and fundraising before kids (and dabble in it now as a volunteer)..

[Ali in OR]

BS Industrial Engineering

MA Education, credentialed in secondary Math and English

 

Worked 4 years as a high school math teacher, then 2 years as a capital equipment buyer (we moved to a state with no teaching jobs), then 2 years as an industrial engineer. Then kids. With a severely disabled dd, I'm probably home forever, but I wouldn't mind teaching part time someday.

[ScoutTN]

Education:

B.A. Religous Studies

M.A. Biblical Studies

 

 

Before homeschooling:

Children's ministry director for my church.

[jenL]

BS in Psychology with a minor in English Lit

M.Ed in Elementary Education with a K-8 certification, continuing ed credits in high school English.

 

Prior to homeschooling I...

-taught preschool (3 year-olds) for 8 months before my 2nd son was born

-taught Wilson Reading to grades 6-8 (LD and dyslexic students) part time (2 years) - began this after my oldest was born

-taught 8th grade Language Arts (4 years)

-was a paraprofessional (teacher's aide) in 5th grade with LD kids (2 years).

-was a paraprofessional working with a K'er who has Down Syndrome (AM) and taught computer classes to grades 1-6 (afternoon)

-was a managing editor for a small, healthcare newspaper in New England

-was the Admin Assistant to the CEO & Sales Literature copywriter for a construction supply company in NH.

 

My favorite jobs were teaching 8th grade LA and homeschooling.

Edited April 5, 2012 by jenL

[SweetBean]

B.S. in nursing. Worked on a surgical floor, and in same day surgery. I've been home since the birth of our first child.

[RoundAbout]

BS Computer Science

MA International Relations

 

I spent several years working for a DOD research lab.

[Jennifer in MI]

My cousin went to Vassar. I think he graduated in '90 or '91.

 

Dawn

 

cool! I was class of '93, so we were there at the same time! It's a small school. If I didn't know his name, I'm sure I'd recognize a face!

[MIch elle]

BS Med. Lab. Science; before homeschooling: research labs 2 yrs; lab/research sales 9 yrs.

 

Homeschooled 2 dc for 11 yrs (k-8 & k-7).

 

Currently - substitute teacher gr. 3-12 (no longer homeschooling).

Edited April 5, 2012 by MIch elle

[TravelingChris]

I have a BA in economics. I also have a MS in Criminal Justice and am ABD for a PhD in Criminal justice, but considering I stopped many years ago, if I do restart, I am sure I will have to at least take a few classes again.

 

I worked as a institute assistant/receptionist. That meant I helped organize conferences and help people with their arrangements to come to the institute. I also supervised volunteers and student interns. I also did the mailings. I was incredibly bored in my job since there wasn't enough work for me. This was my first job after college.

 

I also worked in technical sales, as an insurance verifier (catch people lying to the insurance company), data entry clerk, researcher, and as an Immigration Officer.

 

My volunteer experience is more extensive- teacher for many years, tutor for a few years, crime analyst, circulation manager for many years, and large scale food preparation for many years.

 

Thinking back, I now realize I am a lot more skilled than I normally think that I am. I will be adding more experience soon. I am planning on becoming a master gardener in the next few years and get more accomplished at identifying plants. (I am fairly good at it now but need to get a lot better).

[Alice]

BS in Chemistry and Biology, then a MD and a residency in pediatrics.

 

Pre-kids I worked full-time as a pediatrician. Since kids I've worked part-time and I've had pretty much the same schedule for the past 8 1/2 years, homeschooling or not.

[Puma Mom]

Education: BS in Civil Engineering

 

Worked in land development, landfill design and environmental remediation

[Lawana]

BS Electrical Engineering

Worked for an electric utility then for a manufacturer of power distribution equipment.

[mommaduck]

Halfway to an AS in Paralegal Studies. Seamstress. Former Nanny.

[KRG]

Once upon a time I was a librarian at a private school. My degree is in Literature and History.