What about people who are re-entering the workforce as adults after an extended hiatus? This might include taking time off to raise kids, for health reasons, because finding work after getting laid off didn’t pan out, etc. I haven’t looked at the site in detail but so far what I’ve seen seems mostly geared to people whose careers never took any breaks or are just getting off the ground.
In my case, I had to drop out of my bachelors program (senior standing as a Sociology major) for health reasons, and have had some service industry and retail positions since then but have been unemployed for some time while trying to find work that accommodates my health issues.
I want to go back to school eventually, but I’ve since married and relocated, so it would involve transferring credits and commuting or settling for an online degree rather than one from a well-known university, let alone seriously stretching the family budget. I’m able to work part-time and will eventually be well enough to work full-time, but earning to give is not really an option for me at this point. I feel most passionately about civil and human rights issues, and would be highly motivated in any position that involved working on policy related to these things, whether local, national, or global (I live in the US). What career skills and experience would be most useful for eventually finding permanent employment in that sort of field?
In terms of subject, generally those with more applied quantitative skills will give you more options and make you more employable than the others. If you also want to do something related to social science, then economics is the natural choice. (Though don’t do it if you’ll dislike or it perform badly).
Another option might be to start learning web development (e.g. via the Odin Project) / web design / copyediting / sales part-time, with the aim of later using them at an organisation that works in a cause you want to focus on later. I recommend these skills because you can often get this type of work without formal credentials. They can also be pursued part-time.
What about people who are re-entering the workforce as adults after an extended hiatus? This might include taking time off to raise kids, for health reasons, because finding work after getting laid off didn’t pan out, etc. I haven’t looked at the site in detail but so far what I’ve seen seems mostly geared to people whose careers never took any breaks or are just getting off the ground.
In my case, I had to drop out of my bachelors program (senior standing as a Sociology major) for health reasons, and have had some service industry and retail positions since then but have been unemployed for some time while trying to find work that accommodates my health issues.
I want to go back to school eventually, but I’ve since married and relocated, so it would involve transferring credits and commuting or settling for an online degree rather than one from a well-known university, let alone seriously stretching the family budget. I’m able to work part-time and will eventually be well enough to work full-time, but earning to give is not really an option for me at this point. I feel most passionately about civil and human rights issues, and would be highly motivated in any position that involved working on policy related to these things, whether local, national, or global (I live in the US). What career skills and experience would be most useful for eventually finding permanent employment in that sort of field?
If you decide to go back to school, sociology may not offer a good return on investment, according to this article that Ben linked earlier: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-economic-guide-to-picking-a-college-major/
Some of your credits would probably transfer to public policy, which offers better pay.
Hi KJSD,
Start by working through our how to choose process: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/how-to-choose/ All you can do is try to take the best option available at the time, no matter what life throws at you.
In terms of specifics:
I think in general it’s worth finishing college. (unless there’s a good chance you’ll drop out if you return). https://80000hours.org/2014/02/should-you-do-a-degree/
In terms of subject, generally those with more applied quantitative skills will give you more options and make you more employable than the others. If you also want to do something related to social science, then economics is the natural choice. (Though don’t do it if you’ll dislike or it perform badly).
Another option might be to start learning web development (e.g. via the Odin Project) / web design / copyediting / sales part-time, with the aim of later using them at an organisation that works in a cause you want to focus on later. I recommend these skills because you can often get this type of work without formal credentials. They can also be pursued part-time.