Career Change

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:09 pm

I came back to Virginia almost two years ago, after a disasterous business

venture in Georgia. I ressurected my landscape business ( or tried to) out of necessity, not because I wanted to do so. I have wanted to find a career switch that would take me through my final years of working. It has been very difficult. Negative factors are my age, and the fact that my entire background has been in floriculture and horticulture. Work opportunitys in my area are very limited. My ego has taken a terrible beating because of ignored resumes and em mails or inquirys not responded to. I have also had offers of compensation that are so insulting, I have returned home feeling worthless and sick to my stomach. I have even travelled back and forth to Georgia three times since May contemplating moving back there, and exploring employment opportunitys there. After this last three week trip, I ruled that out as an option.

HAPPY AND EXCITING UPDATE................

Writing this blows my mind, as I never ever thought this was a field I would consider... I have agreed to become an agent for an insurance company. I have begun studying to obtain my Virginia liscence. The company is going to send me to school. This work suits my background and my skills and my personality perfectly, and I NEVER would have thought so. The company is huge. The products offered are valuable, and have great meaning to me. It is an opportunity to learn something new. It appreciates and acknowledges my experience in customer service, public relations marketing, and oral and written communication. The biggie for me is that it is still technically being self employed, as this is the lifestyle I am accustomed to, and need to be happy. I am ecstatic. It is also a field where I will enjoy the interaction of professionals in my field, as opposed to the solitary lifestyle that was the life of the business I was in. I am so happy at the prospect of maybe wearing a skirt to work, of being clean... not being exposed to the elements... having nice hands, and meeting a new challenge. I cannott wait to put my damn shovels, gas cans, clippers, gloves and chemicals down. The challenge now is passing the test... and still sustaining employment to pay my bills until I get a client base rolling. Just wanted to share, and to tell you that opportunity can be in unexpected, or unexplored places.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:41 am

That's fantastic news Laura. :-4

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:49 am

That really is fantastic news!

HUGE congratulations to you Laura and great big hugs too!

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:52 am

That's great news, I'm really happy for you!! :yh_dance

Best of luck to you Laura!! :-6

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:42 am

Best wishes!! :-6

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:25 am

Thanks kids..... I am very excited...

booradley · Post by **booradley** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:27 am

people will always need insurance, and it will be a lot easiar on you physically

minks · Post by **minks** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:29 am

Huge Congrats to you Weeder. well done.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:29 pm

The physical is definately high on my list of reasons for this. In the beginning, the labor keeps you in shape,,, then it begins to do damage.

Thank you Mel.... I may soon be able to afford that second trip to europe, if things go as planned.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:31 pm

Good luck, weeder.

booradley · Post by **booradley** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:33 pm

your knees will thank you in years to come

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:34 pm

That's great news Laura :-6 I am sure that you will succeed in your new profession :-4

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:57 pm

Dearest Weeder,:-4

I am sooooo happy for you... Best of luck in all that you do. Keep up posted and best wishes. It's really exciting to learn something new.... one door shuts and another one opens.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:57 pm

The best news I've heard for a long while - many, many, congratulations :-6

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:01 pm

You are such a kind group of people. I havent been this enthused about something in a very long time. I have a very good feeling about this choice. It took much soul searching to make this major decision. I just hope to God I have the brains to pass the liscencing exam. ( Little break from studying here) I will keep you posted. Love to you all for the always avaiable support and encouragemwnt you offer.