A good job for my wife to supplement my income
August 13, 2013 7:10 PM Subscribe
A good job for my wife to supplement my income? Actually she is not my wife yet but soon when we move in together she will want to take some sort of job. Mainly this is for the money, but also we will be living somewhere different so for her it will be a way of meeting new people and hopefully making some new friends.
I make 55k and our financial situation is manageable so it is not out of need. I just want her to find something she will enjoy but also be at home when I am at home.
Right now she is a VMD manager (the person who does displays at department stores and dresses the manikins). I think she would be happy doing this but she seems to think that as a manager she would have to work weekends (which might be true).
She told me that she wants to be a masseuse, but I don't know how realistic that plan is since I know a lot of them start their own businesses and she has no interest in running a business. Putting her in some kind of short term education for her new career is also an option. I was thinking registered nurse might be a good option but perhaps that would require too much education, I'm not sure.
Any other suggestions are welcome.... Thank you.
I make 55k and our financial situation is manageable so it is not out of need. I just want her to find something she will enjoy but also be at home when I am at home.
Right now she is a VMD manager (the person who does displays at department stores and dresses the manikins). I think she would be happy doing this but she seems to think that as a manager she would have to work weekends (which might be true).
She told me that she wants to be a masseuse, but I don't know how realistic that plan is since I know a lot of them start their own businesses and she has no interest in running a business. Putting her in some kind of short term education for her new career is also an option. I was thinking registered nurse might be a good option but perhaps that would require too much education, I'm not sure.
Any other suggestions are welcome.... Thank you.
If she wants to be a massage therapist then by all means she should be a massage therapist. It's definitely night/weekend work though.
posted by headnsouth at 7:17 PM on August 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by headnsouth at 7:17 PM on August 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Just FYI, the new grad market for nursing is getting really saturated in most areas and new grads, where they can get jobs, aren't gonna be working 9-5.
But mermily has the key. Sure, we can help you brainstorm, but leveraging her design or retail knowledge would be easier than starting entirely from scratch in a new location. At least then she'd have references in the business world closer to her goal.
posted by cobaltnine at 7:27 PM on August 13, 2013
But mermily has the key. Sure, we can help you brainstorm, but leveraging her design or retail knowledge would be easier than starting entirely from scratch in a new location. At least then she'd have references in the business world closer to her goal.
posted by cobaltnine at 7:27 PM on August 13, 2013
Really this depends on what *she* wants to do. Maybe you could give us some more ideas of what she is like, what she likes to do, what she's good at, so we can make suggestions for *her* to consider?
If she wants to go into massage, the technical term is massage therapist. There's not a ton of schooling (less than a year FT). You don't have to start your own business, there are spas and such that hire, but it's really tiring if you do it full time.
posted by radioamy at 7:31 PM on August 13, 2013 [4 favorites]
If she wants to go into massage, the technical term is massage therapist. There's not a ton of schooling (less than a year FT). You don't have to start your own business, there are spas and such that hire, but it's really tiring if you do it full time.
posted by radioamy at 7:31 PM on August 13, 2013 [4 favorites]
Becoming a registered nurse is a huge educational commitment.
Perhaps she could get a 9-5 job as a VMD but not as a manager?
You don't have to own your own business to be a masseuse and it doesn't have to be nights or weekends either.
But basically you have to let her do her thing and not shut down her dreams especially when you don't know what you're talking about. Using words like "Putting her into some sort of education" as if she's a child you're making decisions for when you mean "She is also interested in getting..." also doesn't make it sound like you believe she can or should make her down decisions. This is just not a good way to approach this partnership you're about to embark on.
posted by bleep at 7:31 PM on August 13, 2013 [15 favorites]
Perhaps she could get a 9-5 job as a VMD but not as a manager?
You don't have to own your own business to be a masseuse and it doesn't have to be nights or weekends either.
But basically you have to let her do her thing and not shut down her dreams especially when you don't know what you're talking about. Using words like "Putting her into some sort of education" as if she's a child you're making decisions for when you mean "She is also interested in getting..." also doesn't make it sound like you believe she can or should make her down decisions. This is just not a good way to approach this partnership you're about to embark on.
posted by bleep at 7:31 PM on August 13, 2013 [15 favorites]
Unless you're in a specific situation, almost anything you do in retail below the corporate level is going to involve weekends. The specific situation is, they really need somebody (or they really like you), they can't find anybody else willing to do it on their terms, and you don't really require the job and can afford to tell them to go eff themselves if they don't hire you on yours. So, it's possible she may get work in her current field, but it's possible she won't.
Massage therapists can get work at day spas, PT practices, and larger massage therapy practice, but the market is, of course, different in different towns. Every massage I've ever gotten has been during business hours, so obviously there are some therapists who work those hours and some who don't. I don't know how it breaks down in that field, though.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:41 PM on August 13, 2013
Massage therapists can get work at day spas, PT practices, and larger massage therapy practice, but the market is, of course, different in different towns. Every massage I've ever gotten has been during business hours, so obviously there are some therapists who work those hours and some who don't. I don't know how it breaks down in that field, though.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:41 PM on August 13, 2013
So...it needs to be something where she'd never have to work weekends? I think that would rule out nursing.
What's her educational background and work history? What is she interested in? You haven't really given us much information here.
posted by Salamander at 8:17 PM on August 13, 2013
What's her educational background and work history? What is she interested in? You haven't really given us much information here.
posted by Salamander at 8:17 PM on August 13, 2013
You say that it would best if you had similar hours.
Anything to do with retail will require evenings and weekends.
Ditto massage and other personal services type careers -- people want to get a massage when they're not at work, so evenings and weekends are prime working hours for a massage therapist.
Also, it seems odd that you don't mention anything about your wife. What does she like to do? What are her interests? What is her work history like? Is she more of a people person, or does she prefer to work alone? Does she like jobs with set hours, but where there's downtime and a rhythm to the day, or jobs where the goal is to get in, finish the task, and you can leave when you're done? What kind of education does she have? What are/were her educational aptitudes? Is she good at math/science? More verbal? Is she business minded? Does she have any specific skills that are sought after, like software that she knows or experience doing a technical task?
Just FYI, nursing is a demanding career that requires a lot of very specific (and potentially difficult) education. It's not really something to go into because the hours are good or whatever. Also, just so you know, nurses tend to have to work nights and weekends, too. Also holidays. My parents both work in medicine and there was always someone not at Thanksgiving or Midnight Mass or trick or treating or whatever because of work.
posted by Sara C. at 9:38 PM on August 13, 2013
Anything to do with retail will require evenings and weekends.
Ditto massage and other personal services type careers -- people want to get a massage when they're not at work, so evenings and weekends are prime working hours for a massage therapist.
Also, it seems odd that you don't mention anything about your wife. What does she like to do? What are her interests? What is her work history like? Is she more of a people person, or does she prefer to work alone? Does she like jobs with set hours, but where there's downtime and a rhythm to the day, or jobs where the goal is to get in, finish the task, and you can leave when you're done? What kind of education does she have? What are/were her educational aptitudes? Is she good at math/science? More verbal? Is she business minded? Does she have any specific skills that are sought after, like software that she knows or experience doing a technical task?
Just FYI, nursing is a demanding career that requires a lot of very specific (and potentially difficult) education. It's not really something to go into because the hours are good or whatever. Also, just so you know, nurses tend to have to work nights and weekends, too. Also holidays. My parents both work in medicine and there was always someone not at Thanksgiving or Midnight Mass or trick or treating or whatever because of work.
posted by Sara C. at 9:38 PM on August 13, 2013
Maybe look into admin positions at schools in the area. Also agreed that this seems weird that you only describe what you want and nothing about what she wants.
posted by greta simone at 9:43 PM on August 13, 2013
posted by greta simone at 9:43 PM on August 13, 2013
Mod note: A couple of comments deleted; at this point, if you don't have job/training/etc suggestions to offer, please just pass the question by. Thanks.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:40 PM on August 13, 2013
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:40 PM on August 13, 2013
"... She told me that she wants to be a masseuse, but I don't know how realistic that plan is since I know a lot of them start their own businesses and she has no interest in running a business. ..."
It is not necessary, in a properly structured service or practice business, that a skilled practitioner run the practice. Most M.D.s, dentists, and chiropracters in the U.S. actually hire office managers and clerical personnel to "run" the business, insofar as appointments, billing, and collections are concerned. Why couldn't your wife, with proper support personnel, act as a masseuse at least 90% of the time, while hired clerical workers do the rest?
posted by paulsc at 12:10 AM on August 14, 2013
It is not necessary, in a properly structured service or practice business, that a skilled practitioner run the practice. Most M.D.s, dentists, and chiropracters in the U.S. actually hire office managers and clerical personnel to "run" the business, insofar as appointments, billing, and collections are concerned. Why couldn't your wife, with proper support personnel, act as a masseuse at least 90% of the time, while hired clerical workers do the rest?
posted by paulsc at 12:10 AM on August 14, 2013
Given what you've told us about your wife, I suggest she look into becoming a Physical Therapist.
Most of the PTs I've worked with have had 9-5, M-F jobs. It requires a university education, but it encompasses some of the hands on aspects that massage does. The money is good too.
School is a great place to meet people. If she has any university level classes, she may be able to transfer them to a PT program where you live and shorten her time in school.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:10 AM on August 14, 2013
Most of the PTs I've worked with have had 9-5, M-F jobs. It requires a university education, but it encompasses some of the hands on aspects that massage does. The money is good too.
School is a great place to meet people. If she has any university level classes, she may be able to transfer them to a PT program where you live and shorten her time in school.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:10 AM on August 14, 2013
My big concern is that you say that her salary is going to supplement YOUR income. You are partners in life and when you get married the money is both of yours. While this question could be seen you trying to help your partner - combined with your wording makes me concerned that you don't respect her.
I agree that some many masseuses work for other practitioners in a employee relationship - so don't throw that out the window. Nursing requires a much larger education investment but the job is very mobile. From what I understand you can move just about anywhere and find a nursing position - however, work hours are hard to control and many nurses work 24 shifts.
posted by Gor-ella at 8:23 AM on August 14, 2013 [6 favorites]
I agree that some many masseuses work for other practitioners in a employee relationship - so don't throw that out the window. Nursing requires a much larger education investment but the job is very mobile. From what I understand you can move just about anywhere and find a nursing position - however, work hours are hard to control and many nurses work 24 shifts.
posted by Gor-ella at 8:23 AM on August 14, 2013 [6 favorites]
This may also require being under someone else's business umbrella, or hiring someone else to manage the business, but there is a lady sweet and kind who makes rounds to the office buildings in my area. She's a massage therapist with a portable chair and has a deal set up with various departments where you know what day she's going to be there and sign up for a session during your break.
If the LMT thing is something she is truly interested in doing, she should check out schools in the area. Any reputable licensing program is going to have information about what you can do with your license once you get it.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:37 AM on August 14, 2013
If the LMT thing is something she is truly interested in doing, she should check out schools in the area. Any reputable licensing program is going to have information about what you can do with your license once you get it.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:37 AM on August 14, 2013
If she is friendly, has people skills, and is good at explaining things and working with people, she could easily do very well in IT even if she isn't a "computer person." Right now many large corps are preferentially hiring women for IT. For example, she could get a certificate in basic Oracle or SAP usage and step right into a low level IT analyst type position. In a couple of years she could easily be making more than 55k. These are mostly full-time jobs though, not really supplementary.
posted by miyabo at 10:10 AM on August 14, 2013
posted by miyabo at 10:10 AM on August 14, 2013
Massage therapy is a physically demanding profession and many beginner massage therapists are only able to find work evenings/weekends- that is the primary demand, especially for those who haven't yet built a clientele.
Massage therapy school varies depending on area. For example, where I live it typically requires 2-3 years of instruction. There are "fast track" programs, but they are intense.
There is a high burnout rate so she should have a backup plan.
However, it is a rewarding profession and excellent for supplementary income.
Based on your question, perhaps she might be interested in merchandiser positions?
posted by windykites at 10:57 AM on August 14, 2013
Massage therapy school varies depending on area. For example, where I live it typically requires 2-3 years of instruction. There are "fast track" programs, but they are intense.
There is a high burnout rate so she should have a backup plan.
However, it is a rewarding profession and excellent for supplementary income.
Based on your question, perhaps she might be interested in merchandiser positions?
posted by windykites at 10:57 AM on August 14, 2013
Also, sorry, although most RMTs I know are self-employed, most also don't own their own businesses but rather are contractors, often for spas or rehab clinics.
posted by windykites at 10:59 AM on August 14, 2013
posted by windykites at 10:59 AM on August 14, 2013
A coworker of mine had a similar situation. His wife ended up electing to go to college for pre-med and then medical school. Now she's finishing up her residency and will be a doctor soon.
I think it's really neat that she had the opportunity that many women won't get in a lifetime. Your wife has the chance to really pursue her dreams and you are in a great position to support her through it.
posted by p1nkdaisy at 10:42 PM on August 14, 2013
I think it's really neat that she had the opportunity that many women won't get in a lifetime. Your wife has the chance to really pursue her dreams and you are in a great position to support her through it.
posted by p1nkdaisy at 10:42 PM on August 14, 2013
Response by poster: I apologize to those who feel I was not writing enough about her interests. It was not intentional - just asking the basic question I had.
She is a creative person (hence the interest in VMD). She is also very smart and graduated from a fairly prestigious school so I think she could do pretty much whatever she wants from a learning standpoint. She is not very outgoing so I would shy away from jobs that require too much of an outgoing personality.
Hopefully that would help if anyone has ideas. The main goal is to find something she will like. Thank you.
posted by locussst at 8:49 PM on August 21, 2013
She is a creative person (hence the interest in VMD). She is also very smart and graduated from a fairly prestigious school so I think she could do pretty much whatever she wants from a learning standpoint. She is not very outgoing so I would shy away from jobs that require too much of an outgoing personality.
Hopefully that would help if anyone has ideas. The main goal is to find something she will like. Thank you.
posted by locussst at 8:49 PM on August 21, 2013
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posted by mermily at 7:14 PM on August 13, 2013 [33 favorites]