What are your professional goals?

[Chancie]

What have you set out to accomplish?

How will you know when you have been successful?

[Kobi]

I knew I was successful the day I walked away from a prolific career.
My health, well-being, and peace of mind was more important.

[Chancie]

I am thinking of this thread as a place to share professional goals and successes.

My goals, which I hope to accomplish by the time I turn 50 in May

To earn a CAGS (http://www.umass.edu/education/academics/degree_programs.shtml#cags) in Math, Science and Learning Technologies To begin a viable robotics program at the public high school where I teach math To complete the requirements for my professional license

[Linus]

My professional goals:

1. Get my company's highest certification (means doing full paper and defense of that paper)
2. Write at least one technical book.

[moxie]

My goals:

To be accepted into National Health Service Corps this fiscal year. I'll be able to work in a Health Professional Shortage Area and be free of my student loans.
Get back into working with the clients I enjoy the most.
Have my own office again (sounds silly but long story)
Always be learning. Once that is gone I will know my passion for my career will be gone and I really don't want that to happen.

[citybutch]

Professionally I have many goals... but the one that is on top of my list for this year has to do with Charitable Giving. I have worked long and hard for many years in the Non-Profit world.... and I am finally setting up my first Planned Giving Program for a local Non-Profit where I once served on the Board... My goal is to have accomplished this effort for three different Non-Profits in the San Diego area. I love working with charitably minded people... a LOT... and I love doing work for these types of organizations. To be known as one of the top financial planners for small Non-Profits is a goal of mine... and one that is within reach! :thumbsup:

[turasultana]

oh gawd, just had an hour long "development" meeting last week. we need to submit goals in another month I believe.

I do think if they'll reimburse the cost, I'll get a digital marketing certificate at NYU. Not sure if they'll cover non degree work and since I already have an MBA I think I'm done the official school stuff. :)

[Laerkin]

Great thread. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is working on and striving for! I'm always shocked at the huge range of professions and accomplishments.

Personally, I have quite an ambitious list that I'm excited to tackle:

1. Complete my degree (December 2011, baby!) in Business Leadership and Management - hopefully with a 4.0 GPA.

2. Finish the Management Succession Academy that I was selected for at work and move into an upper management position within the next year.

3. Take the GRE and enroll in a Masters program within 2-3 years (hopefully in Communication or Public Policy).

4. Take over the world.

[girl_dee]

I hope to help people thru reflexology at a wonderful clinic and keep the household clean and full of healthy meals, taking care of this wonderful leather family as that is the most meaningful thing in my life right now.

[Isadora]

Retirement.

[dixie]

I am currently one of the managers of a domestic violence shelter. I would like to further my career in this field and perhaps branch out to other similar areas.

Currently enrolled in classes to obtain my degrees in human services and in substance abuse counseling. Will hopefully follow it through to the masters level.

One goal/hope is to maybe one day work in the prison system with battered women who have "fought back" and are incarcerated for doing so.

The other goal/hope would be to continue working with abuse survivors within our community.

Oh, and then retire early on a beach somewhere. ;)

[Venus007]

My goals are the next step in my plan for a master's degree and getting a job teaching that actually pays similarly to what I could make in the health care industry. . .

This year is a busy year . . .
1. Become a certified ICD-10 trainer, scheduled for July
2. Sit for and pass my RHIT, scheduled for June
3. Get a job making beaucoup dough so I can fiance the end of my degrees without student loans, (after 1 and 2)
4. Run ICD-10 training seminars around the US (after 1 and 2)

[Blade]

I had professional goals for a very long time. Now after aging and maturing and wasting the best working years of my life for a company that has a "boys club" mentality, I need to rethink the rest of my working life which is only 20 more years and set some new goals.

I met most of my professional goals several years before I had intended to. The one goal I didn't achieve, I realize now was because I am "nonpenile". Being penile is an unspoken requirement to achieve supervisor or management status in my company or even in sales. We have no female bodied people in outside sales.

Sooo I'm kicking myself in the ass for wasting so many years of my life being loyal this company. I'd like to go into something in the medical field but either there is a long waiting list and I don't test well on written test anyway or there are no schools close to my hometown that offer what I'm looking for that probably doesn't have a waiting list. So maybe before I'm 50, I'll have made another plan.

[Michi]

I am 42 years old. I had a very bad upbringing because of my gender identity and my parents lack of acceptance.. As a result, I was denied a good education to the point of where I dropped out of school because of the stresses at home and because of bullying.. I got my GED in 2000.

This year, I am starting classes to go for an AA degree with a main course of study being on the Japanese language. If I can go to a 4-year college, I will pursue East Asian Studies and Journalism or Mass Communications.

One of my professional goals is to work in Japan which would be a double challenge for me considering that I am over 40 and transgender. There's a lot of discrimination in Japan still, mainly around age and gender but things are getting better.

Good luck to everyone and I hope you all achieve your goals! (*^u^*)/

=m

[katsarecool]

I went out on Disability in 2005 when it became obvious trying to work was killing me. I was an accountant for years and before that office manager/accounting. Because of injuries to my lower back and discs it was so painful and degenerative. I was accepted on the first round without an attorney and 120 days after submitting my application. Managment experience was extremely helpful in preparing my case and collecting the documentation needed.

I have thought often of doing this for a living and it is legal and very lucrative. But it would require a lot of sit down work, following through with clients and a great deal of stress. So I just gave that up and began working on my artwork which I love.

Great topic!

[daisygrrl]

What an inspirational thread!

My current professional goals:
* Continue to hone my pedagogy to reach and help diverse student populations
* Publish my dissertation, which is very dear to my heart (about confession and trauma)
* Earn tenure and work in administration
* Balance my professional ambitions with love, health, and happiness

[MsTinkerbelly]

My professional goals have changed as I have aged (whose haven't)...I actually did all of the being in charge of everything that I ever wanted to do, and now I would settle for playing Blackjack professionally for the rest of my life.

A girl can dream....:praying:

[adorable]

It's interesting that you asked this question because I've been thinking about this a great deal lately. I thought I was settled, although I did want to own my own business eventually. Then out of nowhere I applied to graduate school this week. I might not get accepted, but I decided that after being in business management for over 10 years that it's time for a change. I would like to work as a LMSW for a maximum security prison or at a VA hospital working with people that suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The money won't be as good, but I think the work would be more satisfying.

[JustJo]

I met most of my professional goals several years before I had intended to. The one goal I didn't achieve, I realize now was because I am "nonpenile". Being penile is an unspoken requirement to achieve supervisor or management status in my company or even in sales. We have no female bodied people in outside sales.


I hear you on this...I can remember sitting at breakfast with my best friend and saying "If I'm ever going to get beyond where I am now...I either have to grow a penis, or get my Masters degree."

I chose going back to school. :cheesy:

Seriously, I have achieved many of my goals. I got my MBA and have a wonderful job that lets me work from home and have great flexibility in my life.

I'm enjoying project management work tremendously (it lets me use my pushy side to great advantage), and will be working on getting my professional certification in that field as well...especially since my company will provide the course work for free.

Other than that, I have always wanted to publish...and possibly teach...and that's next on my list. :)

[EnderD_503]

-Finish my second BA

-Masters

-Phd

-Open my own gym, or at least enter a position at a more welcoming gym that would allow me to focus on training/providing an athletic/physical outlet for LGBT youth. Gyms are not always the most welcoming places for those who don't fit the norm, and fitness is so important in our age that I'd honestly like to provide a more welcoming physical space.

-Find a way to balance my love for academics, physical culture and incessant, sporadic travel :p

[proximitywithoutintimacy]

I want to get my degree in Social Work and start working on my dream to get homeless youth off the streets, permanently :)

[DapperButch]

Professionally I have many goals... but the one that is on top of my list for this year has to do with Charitable Giving. I have worked long and hard for many years in the Non-Profit world.... and I am finally setting up my first Planned Giving Program for a local Non-Profit where I once served on the Board... My goal is to have accomplished this effort for three different Non-Profits in the San Diego area. I love working with charitably minded people... a LOT... and I love doing work for these types of organizations. To be known as one of the top financial planners for small Non-Profits is a goal of mine... and one that is within reach! :thumbsup:

I hope you don't encourage annuities for their 403(b)s. ;-)

<---thinking about certified financial planning for a new career, so all into learning about it (but admittedly still learning!)

[DapperButch]

I reached my educational goals at age 24 (was fortunate I was able to go to school full-time) and have reached my goals in terms of work itself.

I feel like I am just floating along in some ways. I have considered getting my Diplomate in Social Work (some new certification you can get as a clinical social worker), but it will not impact my career in anyway (money or position), so it would only be for me and impact my wallet!

Something I have considered for the last few years is looking into becoming a certified financial planner. I have always enjoyed learning about investing and what I like about being a CFP, specifically, is that you can charge just a flat rate fee for your services. I would be uncomfortable making commissions off of trades. Also, my understanding is that CFPs help people look at the WHOLE picture of their lives....their retirement, their life insurance, planning to save for college for their kids, etc., which I think would be more interesting to me than day trading, for example. I think I also would be better at that.

Anyway, I go back and forth, but it would be hard to make the decision to start at the bottom again in a career (loss of income), but might be worth it. Fortunately, I pretty much live at my means or even below my means (and have no debt besides house), so I could still manage my house payment, for example, even with a paycut.

At some point I need to make a decision about it, instead of dragging my feet!

[diamondrose]

I am being pulled to Accounting.

[theoddz]

I've done, pretty much, everything I've hoped to really do in my profession, sans being the actual Department Chief of my department. I used to think that I wanted to run a department of my own, be "THE Supervisor", but I've had a lot of time to actually observe "that job", and I've decided that I really don't have much of a taste for being a "management type". In fact, I don't really have a whole lot of respect for Management, per se, and I've discovered, over time, that I much prefer the company of the "working guys". :winky:

That said, I've had a hella lot more fun being a Union Steward and *fighting* management!!! I really feel like I've found my niche with this, and I really like the "fight" for the workers, like myself. I think I have more self respect this way, and I know my coworkers and fellow Union folks respect me, too.....because I REALLY enjoy "the fight"!! :police:

Also, I've had to come to the reality that I won't be able to physically do this job for much longer, due to my crappy knees and the effects of my other disabilities I incurred while serving on active duty in the military. The VA has been a great place for a guy like me to work. I've had a lot of protections that other employees have not had, but I think I've kind of "reciprocated" that "privilege" in a good way.....as in fighting for others' rights as a Union Rep. I wasn't able to serve out my first full 4 year hitch in the Marine Corps. That's always haunted me, because I loved, loved LOVED the Corps and being a Marine. I'd have done 20 - 30 years and retired, had my health allowed me to. So, since I wasn't able to do that, I've spent nearly 16 years in the military/federal civil service system, serving other Veterans in the only way I could. That's gone a good piece towards healing that wound of not having been able to serve a career in uniform. My goal now is to finish out my 20 years' service and, at age 54, take a disability retirement because of my knees (both have been totally replaced and they'll be shot by then, too), my military pension, and quietly retire to do other things........like my dream job.......being a part-time projectionist at a local movie complex, where I can watch movies for free. :popcorn:

Good luck to all!!! :thumbsup:

~Theo~ :bouquet:

[Martina]

i just completed a big goal. i think this is it till retirement. i might add on an authorization, but i am not sure. Kinda done with the school thing.

[DressyFemme]

What have you set out to accomplish?

How will you know when you have been successful?

I was a concert pianist from age 7 to 18 (classical and also I wrote my own music). Had to drop out of music college when I came out. Have missed music ever since, but went on to earn my BSW and MSW degrees and am now working as a social worker in kinship care.

I love my job, but what I would eventually like to do is music therapy. I see a path of re-training in piano, guitar and voice at the local community music school for a few years. Then I want to audition for the local Master's/bachelor's equivalency program at Nazareth College here in Rochester for music therapy.

Nothing would make me happier than using music to communicate with my clients. :) Being able to actually DO that for a living would show when I have been successful.

DressyFemme

[citybutch]

I don't think this is a professional goal of mine... but I seem to be naturally responsive as a mentor. I am mentoring a new planner at the moment and it makes me think that being a District Agency MAY be in my professional future. I dunno... we will see... There is a lot to manage and I am not sure that I want to incorporate that into my business practice....

[Ciaran]

I leave for work shortly after 5am each morning (Monday to Friday) and usually arrive back close to 9pm, sometimes later. I work long and hard but am conscious that I don't define myself, nor want to be defined, by my work / profession.

Therefore, my professional goals are limited. My role is, at times, reasonably stressful especially over recent years given the difficulties faced by the banking industry but, overall, it's a job that I enjoy more days than not and a supportive employer. That said, I intend to retire by mid-40s and spend time working on a freelance or voluntary basis as, quite simply, working the hours and way I do at present could be detrimental to my longer-term health.

[Soft*Silver]

I have had the most uplifting experience recently. I have found my faith again, and upon doing so, I know that I shall be called upon to serve my Universe as I once did before my accident and before all my health problems began. I had given up hope of ever being able to do that...and I believe that is why it spiraled out of control. No more. I now know I got the message and I will now start to mend...

my professional goal is simply to serve. I miss it. I know that I will not be able to serve in the same capacity as I did before, because I am limited, but I am sure that that is all part of the plan too. And I am also sure that my love of animals will play a huge part of it too. No doubt. This, I have faith in...

[Lady_Di]

I have had the most uplifting experience recently. I have found my faith again, and upon doing so, I know that I shall be called upon to serve my Universe as I once did before my accident and before all my health problems began. I had given up hope of ever being able to do that...and I believe that is why it spiraled out of control. No more. I now know I got the message and I will now start to mend...

my professional goal is simply to serve. I miss it. I know that I will not be able to serve in the same capacity as I did before, because I am limited, but I am sure that that is all part of the plan too. And I am also sure that my love of animals will play a huge part of it too. No doubt. This, I have faith in...





I love your goal!

I believe we all serve, one way or another. Even the Queen of England serves her people.

Dedicating your life to service is such an amazing decision and positive action for the community, the world at large.

Since moving here last summer I have met a divine spirit, a very funny woman, always full of laughter and joy, making the funniest jokes I have ever heard. Rip roaring funny, seriously!

She is about to take her final vows and I am so impressed with her decision.

She is one of the few that will have that honour of taking all the vows, all the rites that her faith allows. She was once married, has children and now will be a nun. How cool is that? Not even the Pope can say that!

In love and service,
Di

[Lady_Di]

I had professional goals for a very long time. Now after aging and maturing and wasting the best working years of my life for a company that has a "boys club" mentality, I need to rethink the rest of my working life which is only 20 more years and set some new goals.

I met most of my professional goals several years before I had intended to. The one goal I didn't achieve, I realize now was because I am "nonpenile". Being penile is an unspoken requirement to achieve supervisor or management status in my company or even in sales. We have no female bodied people in outside sales.

Sooo I'm kicking myself in the ass for wasting so many years of my life being loyal this company. I'd like to go into something in the medical field but either there is a long waiting list and I don't test well on written test anyway or there are no schools close to my hometown that offer what I'm looking for that probably doesn't have a waiting list. So maybe before I'm 50, I'll have made another plan.

As I am inspired here, reading everyone's professional goals and aspirations. I wanted to thank everyone yet again :)

But this I had to address and publically as I know others might benefit from this as well.

I am working on my Master's to be able to teach online, which means I can work from home. Or anywhere on the planet I would like to be. I had one nursing professor I talked to while at the University of Phoenix and was very impressed with what she has been able to do.

The bottomline is you can get health degrees, including nursing via the online universities out there. There are many many programs, with many different focuses.

I have a mad passion for medical infomatics and love addictionology, gerontology, amoung other things I have been recently reminded of. I intend to go for a dual degree. Why not, eh?

And if you choose to work in an under served area, your complete student loans can be repaid. Also a lot of scholarship money for many diverse folks, such as us~ There is a dire shortage out there in some fields... like nursing. And one of the biggest problems is the lack of Nurse Educators, willing to work for less money, but help foster and form the next generation of nurses. Something I am also mad passionate about. I love the history of nursing, and will probably go all the way to a PhD. Between my love of writing and forensics, the sky's the limit!


On track and highly motivated,
Di

[Tawse]

Hmmmm

I enjoy being able to shift and evolve with my job. It's gone from being a glorified supervisor to data analysis / statistics and being a super user for our maintenance software. And yeah - I still have the supervisors hat as well.

I used to want to run a garage - but I've watched the people in that position and there's no way in hell you could pay me to run a garage now. Nu uh. And the Directors have their heads on the chop block and have a definite life span so I have no interest there.

No at this point - my goal is to learn as much about statistics that I can without going to school for it and to leave work at work. I refuse to become the person who is called at all hours of the day / night. I don't need to feel or be that important.

So yeah - I want to stay below the chopping block and still maintain an important seat beside those who ARE on the chopping block. I love being the right hand (left hand in my case) guy...

[Ciaran]

No at this point - my goal is to learn as much about statistics that I can without going to school for it and to leave work at work. I refuse to become the person who is called at all hours of the day / night. I don't need to feel or be that important.


In any case, that wouldn't make me feel important ..... it would make me feel used.

[Soft*Silver]

Its been a year since I wrote this. I am opening a plus size woman's clothing resale and consignment shop. The retail part of it is exciting but what I am getting the most pleasure out of, is the service to women this store is offering! I cant tell you how many stories I have already heard, of how being "more" is "less" in this country if you are female. (Also, for men too but they dont get hit as hard as women do in the stigma of a larger size.)

I feel my spirit being replenished everytime I am called upon to listen. To be present. To attend.

I am so honored. And so grateful I have recovered enough to again serve...

I have had the most uplifting experience recently. I have found my faith again, and upon doing so, I know that I shall be called upon to serve my Universe as I once did before my accident and before all my health problems began. I had given up hope of ever being able to do that...and I believe that is why it spiraled out of control. No more. I now know I got the message and I will now start to mend...

my professional goal is simply to serve. I miss it. I know that I will not be able to serve in the same capacity as I did before, because I am limited, but I am sure that that is all part of the plan too. And I am also sure that my love of animals will play a huge part of it too. No doubt. This, I have faith in...

[girl_dee]

Hmmmm



No at this point - my goal is to learn as much about statistics that I can without going to school for it and to leave work at work. I refuse to become the person who is called at all hours of the day / night. I don't need to feel or be that important.



In any case, that wouldn't make me feel important ..... it would make me feel used.


i agree, i remember feeling so "important" because it was me that kept things going in different jobs, i did it all, i had no life except to be there for my job, day or night didn't matter, because i was THAT important. i could never be sick or take time off because the whole universe would implode because i was THAT important... i now realize it was my own ego i was feeding and i was being taken advantage of... i worked more than my boss(es)!

today i love in control of me and being sort of my own boss, not having to give my soul to someone else's business. My future will be just how i make it, and i give one heck of a bodyworking session, but for me it's much more than that.

[Thinker]

I feel like the "professional" me has retired. I started college right after high school and did the traditional route.....live on campus, attend full-time, and have a BA in four years. After that, I started teaching and coaching.

In my third year of teaching and coaching, I started working on my MA. I finished that in just under four years. And in my 14th year of teaching, I started working on my second MA and finished that in two years.

I spent 20 years serving in public education in Texas and northern Virginia.

When I moved out west, I left that part of me behind; and for the better part of the three years that followed, I felt like an absolute zero. My wife and I decided that I would be a stay-at-home parent and handle our home and business affairs. I thought I would enjoy my "early retirement", but I struggled on a very deep level with it.

I'm just now getting to a place where I truly value what I do for *us*, and I know that her son is better now for having had the structure and consistency I've provided.

I've learned a lot of skills in these past four years.....things I most likely would not have learned if I had remained in education. For that, I am grateful and happy.

Alllllll that being said, I'm not sure which direction I'll go once the boy graduates in two years (Yay!!!!!!). We've talked about getting licensed, buying a rig, and being our own boss transporting goods around the country. We've also talked about adopting a great number of the older dogs that have been in the local shelters a while once we get our ten acres set up to live on. I could see us offering boarding services if we do that.

Most days, though, I think my "white collar" days are done. I was a pretty damn good trainer and public speaker and wouldn't mind doing that from time to time, but those kinds of gigs would have to find me.

Like Tia said, I want to serve. I want to do something that will benefit God's creatures (2-legged and 4-legged). ???? So who knows...

[Gaige]

Last night was my first night managing my coworkers...people I’ve been working side by side with...people that are my friends. Since I’ve had their respect as team leader I thought I would go in and not much would change. I believe that you get more productivity from people that are happier in the workplace so I didn’t want to come on too strong on my first night. I wanted to see if maintaining the same relationship would continue to produce the same results. It didn’t. Maybe it’s just me seeing things differently now that my ass is on the line for the workflow but they seemed to be slacking. It was as though they think they have a free pass to slack now that someone who is their friend is in charge. So now I have to be a hardass and after having to work a 12 hour shift to pick up their slack it won’t be a problem. It’s unfortunate but really I’m not there to make friends. My goals:

1.) Work more efficiently
2.) Maintain an adequate production rate from employees
3.) Have all scripts filled and to the patient before the dose is due.
4.) Accrue no wait time

Overall, be successful as the evening workflow manager.

[Hack]

I have already achieved one of my career goals -- work for a Democratic governor.

I am sort of at a crossroads at the moment with my career. At my age (48), I am starting to lose flexibility in my field (public relations, media relations) because it is a field that is changing rapidly. I have an itch to get back into politics. I'm trying to ignore it, though, because it does consume my life, and I am rather enjoying having a life at the moment. I've spent the bulk of my career in public service and it highly appeals to me. So, I am plotting my next move career-wise, though I would like at least another year doing what I am doing now to sort of sort out what I want to do next.

[aishah]

things i have accomplished that i am proud of...
* getting my bachelor's degree
* moving full-time into being self-employed
* moving to where i want to live and building a home for myself here
* becoming a leader in disability & mental health advocacy and doing speaking and consulting
* getting to organize conferences i love
* getting to work with people who i have looked up to for a long time

my goals for the next few years...
* balance paid and unpaid commitments so that i can sustain living and also do things that matter deeply to me...and hopefully have more overlap between the two
* make a certain amount monthly with my current paid gig so that it will be sustainable long term
* stop doing web design altogether!
* do more modeling work, speaking, and workshop engagements
* deepen involvement with local non-profits and with samhsa and add
* only take on consulting and organizing commitments that are in line with my values and principles
* pay off all debt but student loans, and start paying student loans
* save up a 6 month safety net (at least)

things i'm thinking i might want to do, but am not sure about yet...
* get an office job - i miss interacting with people every day and it would be great if i could get a job with benefits. but i struggle with balancing my health and an inflexible or overloaded work schedule, plus it would keep me from traveling for other work that i do.
* maybe go back to school for an msw. this would mean re-taking the gre, possibly taking extra social science courses to prepare, and figuring out a way to pay for it because i don't want to take anymore loans. it's something i would love to do because it would expand professional opportunities in areas i am already working in, but it would also be extremely hard on my body and mind. it would take at least two more years in grad school. and i'm not sure i want to do it while my partner is also thinking of pursuing a nursing degree.

[PaPa]

I am about to embark on a journey back into drug and alcohol counseling. I did well in that before, but that is not where I want to remain for long. It will, however, get me the required hours to fulfill my master's practicum and internship.

I would like to finish out my current degree and move on for the doctorate in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Pittsburgh.

After that degree, I would like to eventually teach and receive tenure and become a contractor performing assessments for either workman's compensation or a state vocational rehabilitation agency.

[thedivahrrrself]

1. Decide on a thesis topic and STICK TO IT!
2. Help our little homeless outreach become a fully functioning 501(c)3.
3. Finish my MPA in May 2013.
4. Qualify for a Foreign Service job through the State Department and live all over the world furthering our diplomatic initiatives.

(in that order)

For now, this is it. Things always change, but I've been accomplishing a lot over the last year (suddenly becoming single will do that to you), and I'm going to keep that momentum going!

[thedivahrrrself]

Funny, I was thinking of starting a thread titled exactly this, and then I realized I posted here several months ago...

My life has changed a lot in the last 5 months since I posted the above.

Still working on my MPA, though many days I wonder why. Just to finish, I suppose.

But I got hired on by an organization that is a dynamic and amazing little group of people. My boss has amassed a small empire just by knowing what she wants and going after it. So, I was tasked to think of some personal and professional goals. BIG ones. And they will help me craft a way to get there.

So, first, I want to be amazing at what I do. There's a big learning curve, but I am kicking ass and taking names so far, so I believe this is possible.

Next, I want to make enough money to afford limitless travel. This means not buying that amazing house that JAGG rebuilt that I want SO badly (there are two closets in every room!!), but staying in my tiny house with my tiny mortgage payment and bumping up my savings. And banking TONS of skymiles. Doing well on the skymiles so far.

Third, figure out a way to have multiple income streams. Everyone I know who is doing well is doing well because they have more than one source of revenue. I can't just bank on my salary and my commission. I have to figure out other ways to make my money work for me.

Fourth, I must, MUST, prioritize my time, particularly with finishing school this year. I've got to outsource the things I can. Cleaning, for instance, is not good use of my time. My time is valuable, and I can make more money working in those hours than it would cost to have someone clean. I'm starting to realize the value of those things that I always thought were frivolous. The added benefit of reducing my stress level and environmental allergens will only add to my overall productivity.

So, basically, I'm changing my way of thinking. I'm re-evaluating what I thought possible, and I finally have people who see my potential and are determined to help me realize it. I'm lucky, but I also worked my ass off to get here, so I'm proud. I'm building my empire one brick at a time.

[firegal]

Retire....Ive accomplished mine..... or all ive been able to!

My career has had a emphasis on addressing the glass ceiling and road blocks facing women in the fire service.

The fire service is better but has STILL alot of room for improvement.But it is ALMOST time for me to step aside and hand the reins to a less seasoned person with fresh ideas!

It doesnt feel right to list what i achieved... but some things were breached that had never had the female experience.

So now my goal is to someday work part time at home depot...tools...wood...paint...I,ll be in heaven!

[aishah]

my goals have changed somewhat :) i'm hoping to get an apprenticeship at the acupuncture clinic where i volunteer, and eventually work there. if i'm able to finish an apprenticeship there and get a job i would have a pretty stable working class income plus the potential for retirement...and it would be more money than i've ever made per year in my life, in an environment i love, helping people who need access to low cost health care, with a schedule that works pretty well with my access needs/disabilities.

i'm also working with some friends to potentially open up a youth center here, and i would continue doing community organizing and consulting and speaking and stuff on the side (and possibly continue doing sex work on the side too). but i love the community i am with at the acupuncture clinic and that's much more stable, plus i really enjoy it.

[Martina]

I probably won't be able to retire before I keel over, but I want to finish some stuff. I want to be "highly qualified" in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. It's possible. I just got my Autism Add-on credential this year, so that is done. Otherwise, professionally, that's it. I want to get better at my job, have a bigger and better tool box, learn more about more kinds of disabilities and how to work with the kids who have them.

Most of my ambitions are not work related. Health, spirituality, recreation -- that stuff.

[pinkgeek]

Not much has changed in the last few years.. Closer and closer and closer..

**Finish nursing school, a masters in pub. health, bioethics and be an NP.
**Use every resource I have made over the years to support and participate in fighting for an AIDS free generation.

I'm very lucky that my 2nd career is a passion, just like my first.

[Martina]

One post here reminded me of an acquaintance who retired from the police force. She had been one of the few women cops in that town for years, had the respect of the entire community, first woman detective yadda yadda.

BIG ole dyke. Anyway, she retired and went to work in a china shop. No kidding. That had been her dream. She consults with brides and grooms re their china patterns and sells porcelain tea sets to old ladies like me.

[Kenna]

to change career fields and get out of a thankless, brain numbing, trapped -in, narrow area of health care management/policy and entitlement programs...there's got to be something that isn't filled with such burnout

[cinnamongrrl]

I'm at a cross roads as far as what to do for school and a career. I've been wanting to be a nurse for so long, and yet now Ive found myself disillusioned with the medical field and their protocols. I also find it difficult to work in a female dominated field. Ive considered finishing my B.S in Psychology and then going to law school, or working as a probation officer or social worker. I've thought about getting my RN and working in hospice or home care. One thing I DO know that I want: I want to have a small farm (20acres or less) in NC and raise alpacas for fiber and breeding....and have chickens and pigs and ducks and all that too...that would be blissful to me :)

[txdoc]

At last I have a plan....
1. Retire in four years
2. Teach full-time at the university
3. Travel

[Dance-with-me]

1. Begin taking some higher math courses as refreshers (from 35+ years ago)
2. Consider working on Masters in Math Education
3. Try to get an adjunct position teaching math
all so that I can
4. Shift as soon as possible from teaching computer science to teaching math because math doesn't change every semester!!

[*Anya*]

1. Retire in 5 years

2. Travel

[Hollylane]

I'm considering other options, or having a nearly-to-midlife crisis...I'm not sure which...I don't have any concrete plans to change things tomorrow, but there are just days at work when I think, hmmm....20+ years in customer service...Can I really do this until retirement?

I work for a great company, I'm a great employee, good at my job, completely thankful to be employed and payed well, but job satisfaction is slowing circling the drain on most days...

I want to help the people who need it, but I'm not given the tools to make that possible, and the lack of empathy of my co-workers towards helpless people is disgusting to me. Meanwhile, there seems to be an influx of customers who are ungrateful, demanding, have an unearned sense of entitlement, and are mostly without any sense of couth or respect for others. Somehow, they are able to get help for themselves every month, but when the pot finally runs dry, they seem to think it is okay to pin the blame on me, when they have made zero effort to change their situation.

It is getting exhausting...

[DapperButch]

Retirement.

You know, I feel like this is my focus more and more, even though I am only 42. I think it is mainly because I met my initial professional goal(s) early in my career and nothing else is exciting me. The goal(s) haven't really shifted. I like what I am doing, but I admit that I feel sort of stuck. I had some recent plans to add to my education, but this path is not really an option for me at this time and the passion required is not really there, either.

At least I am doing what I can in terms of stretching myself in order to retire on time. TF and I will be purchasing a house in the next year and will be combining our households. We will be purchasing a house that is below our means. We will continue to save and hopefully increase our savings even though it will stretch us. We are fortunate that her son is getting his first two years of his Bachelor's degree on the cheap, so the rest of his Bachelor's degree will be more financially manageable.

Ok, so I got off of professional goals...how about life goals? Here's to doing everything you can to retire at 67 (ish?)!

[femmeandstrong]

What have you set out to accomplish?

How will you know when you have been successful?


when i can work per diem as a nurse and do mostly free lance photography...

[*Anya*]

What have you set out to accomplish?

How will you know when you have been successful?

When I first became an RN, my goal was simply to help people. From bedside nursing, I worked my way up the ladder to charge nurse, to nurse manager, to Director of QI/Risk Management and Utilization Management. Finally, a DON.

I got sick of the politics and bullshit one has to wade through in the upper levels of management, left and went back to seeing patients again in home health and finally, case management.

I remained in case management, working with clients, for the last 12 years. It was easy, low stress, productive, satisfying and rewarding to help those with chronic physical and mental illnesses.

Out of the blue, I was offered a position back in management and I was seduced by the money. I think about retiring in 5 years and know the increase will help a lot toward that end. It is a heck of a lot of work and the company is very disorganized compared to where I came from. I feel a little like a fish out of water.

I had already felt like I had achieved success and accomplishment in my career. I am beginning to worry that at this point in my life, with the hellish year I have had-physically and mentally-I may have finally bitten off more than I can or want to chew.

The jury is still out for me as to the soundness of my decision.

[Gráinne]

In the short term, I'm going to be tutoring ESL adults through a literacy program, but ultimately I'm getting my ESL teaching certification. Not sure how to mesh that with the sciences, but I thougt it would be valuable if/when I choose to teach overseas.

In the (very) long term, I think I've lost my collective marbles. I'm going to take the GRE and go back for my M.S./Ph.D in geology or maybe even something like planetary science :|

[Ginger]

In the short term, I'm going to be tutoring ESL adults through a literacy program, but ultimately I'm getting my ESL teaching certification. Not sure how to mesh that with the sciences, but I thougt it would be valuable if/when I choose to teach overseas.

In the (very) long term, I think I've lost my collective marbles. I'm going to take the GRE and go back for my M.S./Ph.D in geology or maybe even something like planetary science :|


I think that's so cool, Guihong—both parts!

I worked in literacy for about 15 years, and I have so much respect for ESOL teachers.

In NYC, most programs prefer ESOL teachers to have a master's degree in TESOL, but there are also a lot of people with have certificates that are respected, like the Princeton one, and others.

I went to the TESOL conference when it was in New York a few years ago, and was high off the energy! One researcher claimed that most English-language textbooks promote a "feminized" version of English; for example, in which the speaker asks questions to elicit more from the speaker, not to insert his or her own point of view—it's so culturally loaded!!! I love it.

This is an exciting time to go into that field, and with what's happening with immigration politics, it's almost a political statement just to do that kind of work ...

The geology part is interesting too. Would you teach? Or do research? I don't even know what people do with a geology degree. I bet the MTA (transit authority in NYC), hired geologists as consultants when they dig tunnels... someone's gotta understand what this earth is made of!!!!

[Venus007]

So I have done all my previous goals, well almost all. I did get a job making more money but not quite the beaucoup money one yet. Which brings me to my next set...
1. Master RAC audit appeals and RAC management
2. Master Inpatient coding and DRG auditing
3. Get a job making beaucoup money with my new and improved very in demand skills.
4. Continue teaching and speaking about ICD-10 (thank you CMS for giving me another year to work that training)
5. Get my Master's without student loans




My goals are the next step in my plan for a master's degree and getting a job teaching that actually pays similarly to what I could make in the health care industry. . .

This year is a busy year . . .
1. Become a certified ICD-10 trainer, scheduled for July
2. Sit for and pass my RHIT, scheduled for June
3. Get a job making beaucoup dough so I can fiance the end of my degrees without student loans, (after 1 and 2)
4. Run ICD-10 training seminars around the US (after 1 and 2)

[easygoingfemme]

I'm pretty established now as a health counselor, but I need to do some gear shifting.
For the last two years, half of my time has been sent working as a distance learning educator for students working on their health degrees. The school I taught for is changing their model of education so in January the teachers won't be teachers anymore. It just means I need to shift into more outreach to fill the time with more clients in my private practice. Marketing takes a lot of time but it's still better than working for someone else!

Long term though, I've been thinking of my next career. I love cooking good healing food for people. I also love endurance sports. So I've been thinking of starting a "recovery truck" food truck to bring to endurance sporting events and serve awesome whole foods to hungry athletes. So many of those events, you finish your event, or even just when you're starting your event, and your options are sugary bars, and endings with pizza and hot dogs. Not what your body needs.

So it's a goal I'm considering... would allow for fun travel and earn my living while cheering on marathons and such...

[Dance-with-me]

EGF, that's a fantastic idea!