Female professional DU'ers... I need some advice and support

[Writer]

At the beginning of 2002, my husband's company relocated us to another section of the country from the NYC area. This forced me to leave my industry (media.) It's been a little over 3 years since I have formerly worked, although I am in the process of completing an M.A., due to graduate in 2006. At this point, I see my prospects of locating professional work in Northern Colorado as slim. I estimate that even traveling south to the Denver market (a 120 mile/day commute) would yield me only 2/3 of what my husband earns, so I just don't know if it's worth it.

I have about 4-5 years of marketing research experience (mainly in TV.) My husband has a very stable job as a software engineer (yes, believe it or not, they still exist in the U.S.) but really can't leave the company, lest he take a major hit in his salary.

Have any other professional women in DU experienced this? If so did you even bother looking for work after being relocated?

Also, how do I approach an employer after being out of work for a few years (albeit with a Master's)?

Any advice, or even any sharing of stories, is welcome.

Thank you,

Writer.

[DS1]

1. It's 'advice'.

[supernova]

2. Hey

Stop picking on writer, DS1. :P

[Writer]

4. Actually that would be the proper spelling...

if I were in Britain.

Thanks for the heads up, though.

Writer.

[DS1]

5. Err no, it's country independent. Advise is a verb, advice is the noun.

[Writer]

7. At this point, I really don't give a damn (n/t)

[DS1]

8. Well if you're looking for a job, I think you should

:shrug:

[Writer]

10. Now that's tautological.

I think you're words are caught in their tautology, that is, because they're tautological.

Writer.

[DS1]

12. Yikes. eom

[Writer]

14. (big smile)

;) thought you might get a kick out of that.

[supernova]

3. Hmmm, a few thoughts

Because it seems that prospects for your old job are not the same in CO, you might want to consider:

- Starting your own company.

- A different avenue altogether. What is your new MA in? Are there other skills, talents you haven't used yet?

[Writer]

6. Hmmm...

My M.A. is in Mass Comm. Research.

Other talents? Writing... that is, if I remember how to spell.

I don't know anything about starting a new business... I'd prefer a stable salary, if at all possible.

[curlyred]

Fort Collins, or even Cheyenne

May have opportunities for you, albeit on a smaller scale than Denver. You may want to check with the local media associations.......

[Writer]

11. Now I appreciate that...

and that is something I thought about, but searched high and low for a Colorado Broadcasters Assn. or something of that nature but could not find one that formerly meets.

[napi21]

9. We experienced this same situation, but exactly the opposite.

I was the one relocated, and my husband had to look for a new job in a new city. This is fact happened twice to him.

In both cases, he accepted a job that didn't pay anywhere close to what he earned in the past, but, after proving his tallents on the job, he was promoted to much better positions in the same Co.

I might add, the "time out of the work force" situation happens to many women who take time off to raise children. After being out of the work force for 6+ years, they must start over with a career path, but because of their past experience and abilities, it usually doesn't take too long to get re-established.

I wouldn't ever do 120 mile commute, unless the offer was absolutely "one you can't refuse"! The cost in dollars, time, and physical drain is just too high to justify.

[Writer]

13. Thanks for sharing, napi21

It's been difficult for me and simply reading other stories is helpful.

[amazona]

16. unfortunately

My experience is that women who take major time off never get to the same place they were again. Don't know anyone who didn't "take too long to get re-established." I know plenty who never again worked in their original careers.

I am not sure but I would be using every resource and contact at my graduate school to have some job lined up, even if a commute was involved or even if the job in question wasn't great. If you establish yourself that way, sometimes tele-commuting becomes a reality for a writing or web-design job. But they are going to have to get to know you first.

Otherwise, I think you may be in a very serious situation if something ever happens to your husband.

Sorry to be so negative but my experience is quite the opposite of the other poster's. The job market can be very unforgiving to women in my area, especially once they're over 40. Maybe your area is different. I sure hope so. I have a couple of younger female relatives just turned 40 with advanced degrees who have been out of "real" work for many years and probably won't be able to get "real" work again. It is to me very scary.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Writer]

15. Bump...

Maybe the night crew can give me some more insight.

Writer.