Have you considered looking into the apprenticeship programs at your county college? Perhaps there's something that would appeal, where you can work while you earn your degree. The college should help place you in a paying job. You can take up things like opticianry, some of the other medical areas, etc through apprenticeship programs in many cases.

Life is too short to work somewhere you don't like, but I would make sure you consider what you're doing since you haven't been in the job market in a long time. You've been there for quite a few years - do you have any pensions or other benefits that you would be giving up? The job market is awful right now, and there's rarely any loyalty to be found. Very few jobs are secure once you get them. I live with the knowledge that I could be laid off at any time.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic because I certainly don't think you should be stuck somewhere undesirable, but job security is amazing and it sounds like you have it there, so that's one thing to consider, especially if you don't know what you want to do.

Try temporary agencies. This way you can work when you want. I did this when I decided to get back into the work field. I took a 6 month secretary training class through our unemployment office. A few of the students actually paid an agency for a job, but I decided to go temp. I had a variety of jobs and learned a lot about how to walk, talk and act in an office. That was back in the early 80's and it paid off, because now I've been working at my steady job for 20 years and still loving it.

Be very certain before leaving a good steady reliable job in today's market and economy. I know several people who are highly qualified with all the degrees and experience yet they are unemployed and have been. At this time they are willing to do anything but the answer is no you are way over qualified for the position. One of my best friends who is an incredibly smart lady was with out a job for over a year.
Be very prepared and have plenty of back up funds available to live on should things go wrong.

IMHO, Raven is right - take your time making this decision!

My middle son has 13 college degrees - in computer science and Psychology (among others). He's one year from getting his Ph.d in Psychology and became injured in the military. He can not find a descent job right now. He lives in Virginia, works part time as a military chaplin, and there are just no jobs of substance right now.

I'm being careful. Looking for an administrative position with the City, County, State, School District and Hospital so far. I won't rush into anything. I have no benefits here at all, insurance, pension, 401K, nothing. I'm taking my first week of vacation in EIGHT years next week and he's made it very clear that I better be available by phone while I'm gone. This is bull****!!

It is darn hard! I went from house wife to Home Depot garden department employee to now school kitchen and cafeteria help.

Career change no matter how, after age of 50 is tough.

Find a job before you quit (I did, between HD and cafeteria work). It ain't that easy to find one.

Moni

No benefits and no vacation? I'm surprised you've stayed there so long. Unless it's a part-time job....P/T rarely includes benefits.

Did they cut off your vacations eight years ago? I supposed there's some satisfaction in knowing you're indispensible--but not nearly enough to compensate for the way you're being treated.

Are you really making a career change or are you just changing jobs? Sounds like you're making a long overdue job change. Develop a resume and start telling everyone you know that you're looking to make a change, what your skills are and what kind of work you're looking for. Many jobs are never advertised and many others are filled with referrals from current employees. Get the word out and be careful not to come across as bitter as a result of your previous experience.

I completely understand. I worked for an attorney for 23 years until he retired and for a couple more for several years after and NEVER again.

I retired at 57 from a job where I very unhappy. I went from a clerical job at a university to working admitting in an ER. I did that and other hospital clerical jobs for 8 years until I turned 65. I never once regretted leaving the university and drawing my pension early.

I agree that you should not just walk out the door without another job lined up. I really sympathize with you. I know how it feels to go to a job you hate every day. There has to be a happy balance between a job you might like and also pays well and provides benefits.

Linda, I left a university to work in a hospital and wished I'd never left the university.

Take inventory of your skills and think about where else they might be useful. Network. Go for career counseling, although I believe the answer is in your own heart. I'd have given up some income to work where I wasn't miserable. I feel so bad for you. I truly do know that stomach wrenching feeling when you walk in the office every day. I do think law offices are a special kind of hell for the support staff. So much pressure to bill hours and please the clients. Staff comes last.

I'm full time. The only person in the office. I have a gal that comes in two afternoons a week to help with copying and filing. I'm supposed to get two weeks paid vacation. And for about the first 17 or 18 years the agreement was bonuses on larger settlements in lieu of COLA raises every year. (I've never had a cost of living, or any other, raise) When the economy tanked and people started settling their own cases to get the cash faster, the bonuses stopped. So did my vacations. If I call in sick or if I ask for a day off to maybe get away for a three day weekend, he calls me several times a day. When I'm not here, the office phone is call-forwarded to my cell, so I'm on call 24/7. He's even come to my house if I don't pick up the phone when he calls.
I have to do relaxation exercises in my mind every morning before work to settle my stomach from stress. When I see his car pull up, my stomach just lurches. I told him last November I was booking this trip to see my mom. He actually told me "I don't think I can let you go unless your mom is dying or something ..." I booked the trip anyway and started looking around for another position. I knew it was bad, but was sure with my experience and people I know, that something would come up. Slim pickins out there right now. I can't take it any more. But he knows he's got me over a barrel because DH has been scrambling for work for about three years now and I don't have the option of just walking out the door like I did when our construction company was thriving.
He treated me like gold ... until DH's company started getting slower and slower. When he realized I was dependent on this job (him) now, he started treating me differently.

Health is first, but I agree, try not to quit until you at least have some solid job offers. Not sure what recommendation your current employer will give? but remember that many things are discussed over golf, coffee, drinks that employees never find about. Deals and jobs are won and lost etc. Just try to be super careful and quiet when you are looking. You may want to change areas/states to avoid a backlash. What does your DH do? Construction? this state (ND) is hiring everyone they can in truck drivers, construction, etc BUT housing prices are high, and very little avaiable and weather is challenging, and cost of living is high. Wishing you the best.

Angelaid - I feel your pain. Have you ever thought about looking online for a job in a probation office, a clerk of court or the local district attorney's office. At least you would probably get raises. Also, I'd suggest like some others did to check with your local community college where they could test you for what you are interested in. Not sure if extra schooling is an option. Have you ever thought about doing restaurant work or bartending? Since you don't have benefits, it might be easier to try something else that you thought you'd never try before. By the way, there's no way I'd ever answer my phone or my door if I knew my boss wanted something when I wasn't at work. I certainly have been called at home by my boss but it has only been a few times and only for a few minutes at most. Wow. I can't imagine a boss doing that.

I don't have a solution, just ideas. Down size yoyr life style to where your paid off and debt free. From there put away a cash reserve in case of an unexpected job loss. Now you can consider changing jobs or going back to school.

Call centers pay a decent wage, lots of vacation pay and benefits, have all shift schedules and pay for your college in most cases. :0)

Not having medical benefits through your employer, I hope your paying for a policy out of pocket?

More ideas to throw out there: Dental assisting degree is 1 year, MA could be done in 6 months....or turn a hobby into a career.....wedding photographer? Flower arranger?

How about typing from home? That's what I do now and the pay is more than I made from my cheap boss. If you can't find anything local, there are reputable online companies. I did a flyer and mailed it to every attorney in town. I only picked up a few but thats plenty. Still attorneys but on a much different level.