this is the code for the render ad
Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Military Brides
Military Brides
New Discussion

NWR: Jobs and PCS

LetsHikeTodayLetsHikeToday member
2500 Comments Combo Breaker
in Military Brides
Hi girls,

H and I will doing my first PCS in January. I was wondering how those who have done it in the past go about finding a new job every few years.

I am a teacher so there are obviously schools all over the country; however, in the south there are hardly any openings.

I'm not opposed to being a substitute but I'm not sure how many days I'd get.

How did you handle it? Did you get a job in your field or did you do something else?

Does anyone have an resources for finding a job other than monster.com and websites like that!

Thanks!
imageBabyFruit Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: NWR: Jobs and PCS

  • Beachy730Beachy730 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I am also a teacher, and had been teaching at my old state for 4 years before we did our PCS.  I went through the process of switching my certification to WA before we moved here, but then after that whole process I realized that basically nobody was hiring in the are we live.  Since we realized we wouldn't even be here for 2 years, I really didn't want to go the subbing route since there's no guarantee of how many days a week it would be, or a guarantee of a paycheck.  I ended up getting a totally different job for the time being here.  When we move to VA I fully plan on teaching again, even if that means just subbing.  I would like to at least build up a rep again as a teacher within a district.  

    I would start looking into and contacting the school districts in the area you're moving to and see about openings.  If you're moving in the middle of the year obviously it will be more difficult to get a full time job though.  Also, look into the different requirements for that state to switch your certification over.  I had my Professional certificate in NY, but when I switched to WA they would also give me the Beginning teacher certificate which stunk, but it didn't end up making a difference since i'm not teaching.  

    As for how I feel about it or am handling it, I hate that I'm not teaching.  I have a really easy and accommodating job right now and I work from home, but I'm basically a secretary right now for an office.  There are many days lately where i get really aggravated and annoyed answering calls, and think to myself I got a Master's in teaching so I didn't have to work jobs like this.  But it is what it is, and I know it's only for a short time so that helps.
    imageBabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    For business-world jobs, I highly recommend networking and job hunting through LinkedIn.  I've found much higher quality positions and had a much higher success rate for job hunting that way than those mass scale job hunting pages like Monster.

    image

    Anniversary

    Report Reply
  • sofiabriansofiabrian
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I'm also a teacher. I was teaching in Washington DC for the past four years, and moved to North Carolina two months ago. True, there are NO teaching jobs here! Actaully I read that NC has the highest unemployment rate... good grief!

    I've been applying to anything: substitute, TA, or after school tutor! Right now the goal is to get my foot in the door then work my way up.  

    I looked at usajobs.gov also. Look into charter, independent, or private schools. For teachers, here is another resource: http://www.carneysandoe.com/ The only problem I encountered with Carney et. al. was my location limited my options for schools. 

    Good luck!
    image
    Report Reply
  • iluvmytxrgriluvmytxrgr member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Look around at the surounding districts.  I know it's a bit far, but I know our county is hiring many teachers.  They are also looking for subs.  I have a few friends who sub and work nearly every day of the school year.  This county pays between $50 and 150 a day for subs. 
    I know the Glynn County system is hiring teachers, too. 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • IrishcurlsIrishcurls member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Calindi, thanks for the LinkedIn tip!! I never use mine, but maybe I should update it soon...finding a job is for sure my biggest stress right now. Well, that's not true. Wedding planning is my biggest stress, but next spring is going to be rough too. I plan on networking through my boss and our vendor contacts and then just hoping like heck FI gets a big city. Otherwise it might be time for a career change...
    image
    Report Reply
  • amberg017amberg017
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The cadre of FI's ROTC program while we were in undergrad told me to look into usajobs.com when the time comes--I don't know how helpful it is, since I haven't gotten to that point yet, but it's worth a shot :) Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • shan87shan87
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    We just did our first PCS together. I decided to stay in our home state until after the wedding. I had a hard finding a job in my related field in Minnesota, so when I got one I wanted to keep it as long as possible. I am finding it equally hard to find one within my field in this new area. If I can't find one within my field by the end of the year I will find whatever job I can get (for sanity reasons), then start grad school next fall.

    You should also note that your new base can be very helpful. With the AF the Family Readiness Center helps spouses with networking, resuming building etc. They even have spousel priority for some positions.
    Report Reply
  • LOLwaysLOLways
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Keep in mind on-base jobs that are GS are in a 2:1 hiring freeze. Basically for every 2-3 people who are needed in a job, they are only hiring 1.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • LetsHikeTodayLetsHikeToday member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for everyone's advice. I appreciate it.

    I guess the main problem for me is I'm stuck in a time frame right now that I have to sit back. There isn't much I can do about a job right now. That's so not my personality. So I guess my main problem is something I have to just get over.

    I looked in Jacksonville too and it looks like I can sub there.

    Thanks again!
    imageBabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ggirl2001ggirl2001 member
    Ninth Anniversary 2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I work as a therapist and I lucked out with a job. I didn't expect to get the job I did and ended up moving while FI was deployed since I got offered a government job and couldn't turn it down. I would definitely just keep looking and applying as much as possible. That's what I was doing.
    image
    Report Reply
  • SarahP787SarahP787
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I haven't been in this situation yet, but one of my internship supervisors is also an Air Force wife, so I was able to hear about how her job searching has gone through their PCS's!

    I'm in genetic counseling, which is a pretty different field than teaching since most genetic counselors are based out of major hospitals (there aren't many openings away from big cities). Also, medical genetics in general is a relatively small profession, so networking is huge. My supervisor said once she knew where she was going, she just started calling people and asking. She ended up getting jobs in her field all three places they've been - even one place they were at for only 4 months!

    I don't know how applicable that is in a teaching setting, but it does seem like being very proactive and getting your name out there (even in places that aren't advertising an opening) worked out for her.
    White Knot Visit The Knot! Daisypath Graduation tickers
    Report Reply
  • LuluP82LuluP82 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's really tough. I have a lot of friends who are teachers and are still looking down here.I was able to work out a telecommuting deal with my old job, and I feel really, really lucky, but that obviously doesn't work for teachers...
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards