[USER]

Curious for opinions. If you didn’t have a degree and worked part time most of your life (military spouse here) then had to start fresh at 50 at 18-20$/hr while 19 yo kids are starting near that straight out of high school. Actually some in high school.

Is the 30yrs work history worth nothing? Genuinely curious?  Because I’d rather almost not work then lol

Or any fields that would reward you for work experience?

[Makayla]

$18-$20 is more than I’m making in a salaried manager position with a B.S. degree (Oklahoma, Conservation/parks field).

[Hin]

Its now how long you worked but what you can do. 30 years experience as a part time house cleaner isn’t going to get you a engineer position or management.

[Ry Baker]

I feel like you’re gonna get a wide range of opinions on this one. Personally, I feel like it matters on what the part time work was. Cashier?

Probably not going to matter. Doing something for a small company where you were managing timelines and budgets? Different story. The fact that it was part time is largely irrelevant, in my mind.

It’s the skills that matter. And if you have applicable skills, it’s a matter of finding a job that requires them and presenting them in a manner that coincides with the requirements of the job you’re applying for.

Again, just my $0.02.

Don’t miss: Any suggestions on finding side work for people In the drafting field?

[Anoosha]

You don’t have a thirty year work history. You worked part-time over a thirty year period. Go to a community college or trade school and earn some kind of credential that will allow you to earn a good wage.

[Suzanne]

I’d rather have 20$ an hour than nothing.

[Jeanette]

First off, thank you for being a military spouse, not only is it a tough job but it’s a place where you constantly have to move and be put on the back burner.

Your husband was military so you probably moved every 2-4 years, and he was deployed often. Military spouses have the highest rate of unemployment because not only are we keeping the ship afloat we are normally doing it on our own, with no family around and with very little stability as our spouses leave in a days notice.

Perhaps you could look into the military spouse trailblazer program through salesforce or Hiring our Hero’s, they have a military spouse component.

You gave up a lot to support your spouse and I truly get it.

Explore these too: What could I do to make more working locally and be able to put money away?

[Sophia]

Depends on what your work history is, what job you’re trying to get, and at what company. If you’re trying to get an entry level job, or a job that a 19 year old with no experience can manage to perform at a satisfactory level, then no, work experience won’t count.

If you worked on building a marketable skill like accounting or something like that then experience would probably matter depending on the company or job/whether or not it’s entry level.

[Lisa]

Sales job’s? Many people without a degree earn over $100,000 a year. Also factor in the value of the benefits for example 401k., match etc. Even if you did earn $19 an hour maybe with a 6% 401K., match and HSA., match it equates to more.

I wish you nothing but success.

[Penh]

Work experience will only get you so far without a degree and if you work part time, employers don’t value that as much as full time workers especially without a degree.

Find something you’re good at and become an expert at it.

[Damon]

Thirty years at one company will often warrant you regular pay raises.

If you spent the last 30 years honing new skills that are in demand then absolutely there are employers who will pay a premium for you.

Update your post to include your skill set you developed over your career and maybe someone can point you in the right direction.

[Diann]

Uh, even people with degrees have a hard time making more than $18-19/hour, especially if working for the state in some states. It’s the way it is now.

You need a degree and several years working in the same or similar industry to make more or even ask for more.

Sales may be a different experience for you. Other industries not so much.

[Author]

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