Deciding to return to school later on in life is already a very intimidating step. Let alone if you are also caring for your children. However, juggling family-related duties, school, and a full-time job is possible if you know what type of career you are pursuing. Some professions will yield higher satisfaction, rewards, and financial benefits than others.
The 15 best careers for moms going back to school are:
- Teacher
- Nurse
- Medical assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Personal Fitness Trainer
- Pilates/Yoga Instructor
- Nutritionist
- Counselor
- Consulting
- Market Research
- Web Developer
- Graphic Designer
- Search Engine Optimization Specialist
- Human Resources Analyst
- Real Estate Agent
If you are returning to school while raising your kids, read on to find out what makes these the best careers for moms. Don’t miss out on the key aspects that you should look for in a job before applying for your degree course!
1. Teacher
Undoubtedly, becoming a teacher can open up a profitable career that is also filled with personal and professional rewards. Even better, the real-life experience you have gained over the years makes you a valuable member of the school team.
However, if you have not been working in the field already, you might have to consider the long educational path in front of you before being able to access a profitable job position. The time at your disposal, as well as the level of need for financial stability, can impact your decision-making process.
Among the most accessible options in front of you, you should consider:
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten teachers deliver education to children in their first years of school (5 to 7 years old). To teach in a kindergarten, you will only be required a bachelor’s degree, as well as work experience and practical qualifications. However, the median income for kindergarten teachers is the lowest one of all teachers, and you should expect to earn around $50,000 per year.
Elementary School Teacher
You will be working with kids between 7 and 12 years old (1st to 6th grade). For this job, you will need a relevant bachelor’s degree in childhood development or behavioral sciences. Other certifications relating to the region’s regulations might be required. The average salary can range from $45,000 to $53,000.
Middle School Teacher
Middle School teachers look after the education of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 (7th to 9th grade). Their task is to develop the knowledge the students acquired during elementary school and build on it. Aside from a bachelor’s degree, you will need to have a solid understanding of a subject, such as History, maths, or literature. Salaries range from $48,000 to $53,000.
High School Teacher
They teach young adults between 15 and 18 years old (10th to 12th grade). High school teachers have the job of preparing the students for college, as well as designing classes, courses, and exams. For this, you will need a bachelor’s degree in the subject you will teach, as well as teaching qualifications and internships. Average salaries range from $50,000 to $55,000.
College Professor
If you are looking at becoming a college professor, it is preferable to already have teaching experience as well as a master’s or doctoral degree. These characteristics can shorten the path to this profession. Salaries vary depending on the subject you are teaching.
Second career teachers are seen as highly-valuable members, thanks to their life and work experience. While generally, there is a high demand for teachers, experienced and more mature individuals can indeed create alternative and innovative teaching strategies.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Becoming a teacher is an excellent job for moms as it allows you to enjoy all of your afternoons, holidays, and weekends with your family. Your need for childcare will be reduced to the mornings and help will only be necessary until your kids reach school age. At this point, they are likely to attend school during similar times as yours. Following the same timetable can help you reduce the expenses related to childcare and transport.
Moreover, while you are still studying to become a teacher, you can benefit from online courses that allow you to look after your family while attending class. This bonus is essential to avoid increasing the expenses necessary to complete a degree course.
2. Nurse
The decision to become a Registered Nurse (RN) can genuinely change your career and lifestyle. While it is one of the best professions for moms, you will need to consider the downsides of the job. These often include long working hours, night shifts, and physical and emotional stress.
On the other hand, if you love caring for others, nursing can be a source of great personal and professional gratification. Moreover, since nurses are always in high demand, you will not struggle to find a job, whether this is in a hospital, private clinic, or nursing home.
When considering to become a Registered Nurse, there are three educational paths to consider:
- Two or 3-years-long Diploma
- A 2-year Associate’s Degree
- A 4-year Bachelor of Science Degree
The Diploma is usually a two to three years long program hosted by the hospital itself, which prepares you for the ins and outs of the job.
While the first two options allow you to become a nurse in less time, the last alternative is ideal if you are planning on carrying on with a master’s later on and deepen your knowledge. In turn, this option allows you to aim at covering higher-paying jobs following a long time investment.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Undoubtedly, nurses are exposed to stress and long shifts. However, if you are dissatisfied with your current occupation, the educational paths to becoming a registered nurse are pleasantly short. In turn, this means that you can start practicing – and earning – straight away after finishing your course.
3. Medical assistant
As reported by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assistants are those professionals who assist physicians, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities in the completion of administrative tasks. However, duties change from workplace to workplace and can relate to clinical assignments.
These can include:
- Measure signs such as blood pressure
- Record personal information of patients, as well as their medical history
- Help with examinations
- Giving injections and medications to patients (following direct instructions from the physician)
- Schedule appointments
- Prepare blood samples for testing
The average annual salary for a Medical Assistant is $33,400, according to PayScale. Universities and colleges often host medical assistant training programs, and some of them will only require a two to four years long course before practicing.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
As you have become a mom, you probably had to learn the basics of medical care, either by taking your kids to the doctor or by informing yourself. However, becoming a Medical Assistant can also be a natural career progression for somebody who is already practicing as a nurse in clinics or hospitals.
Indeed, this job position allows you to leave behind long night shifts and benefit from a more regular and less stressful 9 to 5 work schedule. In turn, this enables you to spend more time with your family, organize better child care duties, and enjoy your holidays off work.
According to BLS, this sector will grow by 29% in the next six years. This percentage is much higher than all other occupations or industries. Aside from the bright outlook it offers, this career can help you achieve stability and a steady income over time.
4. Dental Hygienist
If you have opted to work in the healthcare industry, yet completing long night shifts is not a viable option for you at the moment, you could choose to work in a dental clinic. Becoming a dental hygienist does require at least an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, and this is the fastest path to start working.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in the same major allows you to continue studying and undertake a master’s degree. Such qualifications can ensure you have access to better-paying jobs and occupations in the future.
BLS reports a forecasted growth of 11% in this sector between 2016 and 2026. Moreover, the average salary of a dental hygienist is almost $60,000 per year.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Courses to become a dental hygienist are available at most community colleges and only take two years. This factor means that you can potentially start earning a full salary after an extremely brief university journey. Indeed, this feature has made becoming a Dental Hygienist one of the most attractive perspectives for most moms.
Lastly, this job benefits from all the advantages of Medical Assistants: a steady paycheck, reduced working hours, free weekends and holidays, and career progression opportunities.
5. Personal Fitness Trainer
If you are interested in health, fitness, and gym training, you should know that today is the best time to start a career in the field. Indeed, the sector is projected to grow by 13% between 2016 and 2026, which is a much faster rate than most occupations. Everything you need to access a position in the field is a high school diploma, as well as experience and training.
The job of a personal trainer is to work one-on-one with clients and help them reach their fitness goals, whether these include becoming stronger, increasing flexibility, or losing weight. You will be in charge of designing ad hoc programs that can help them improve performance and general health.
The CDC reports that over 40% of adults are either suffering from obesity or overweight. However, there is also a global health and fitness trend expanding, which is encouraging more people to look after their physical health. These facts show the many opportunities in the sector, which also offers an average salary of over $40,000 per year.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
If you are looking for a career option that helps you keep up with your fitness goals while taking part in the success of your clients, becoming a personal trainer is the right career choice. Other attractive benefits of this occupation include the possibility of setting your schedules, flexibility, and job satisfaction.
Since you will have to build your client base, this occupation can make it challenging to perceive a stable salary at first. However, once your audience becomes significant, you can benefit from unlimited earning potentials.
6. Pilates/Yoga Instructor
Undoubtedly, many of the jobs we have examined above require you to return to college or university and invest time and money in a degree course. However, there are other options that, while still requiring you to learn a new discipline, can get you to join the workforce in no time.
Two of these jobs are Yoga Instructor or Pilates Teacher. In both cases, the industry has grown by 50%, a leap that is not common in many other professions. Aside from benefiting from steady demand for yoga and pilates teachers, these professionals perceive an hourly pay of just under $30.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Aside from being able to set your schedule and becoming your boss, starting a career as a yoga teacher allows you to practice mindfulness and meditation every day. This practice is not only beneficial for your mental health, but it can have significant effects on the wellbeing of your kids too!
7. Nutritionist
A nutritionist is an expert in food and nutrition. They can specialize in a specific dieting strategy or look after a particular demographic, such as children. Their main task is to design diets and nutrition regimes for the clients, to help them achieve their fitness and wellness goals. However, many nutritionists also function as educators about food choices and the health effects of diets.
Nutritionists earn an average salary of over $45,000 per year, and the industry is in continuous expansion, growing at a rate of 11%. With the current health and food trends taking over media platforms, news, and magazines, this occupation is also always evolving. Are you looking for a dynamic field to work in, becoming a nutritionist is ideal.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Becoming a nutritionist can have many benefits for both your professional and personal life. Indeed, it can help you look after the health of your family as well as yours. All this, while perceiving a stable income.
While it can require you to build your client base, you can start working in other physician’s clinics before opening your center.
8. Counselor
Becoming a counselor can mean that you will never stop learning! Counselors help individuals achieve a better state of mind, career goals, or personal objectives. There are many fields in which a counselor can work, including schools, mental health centers, government offices, public offices, families, and substance abuse institutions.
To start practicing as a counselor, you need to consider that most employers will require you to hold a master’s in the specific field in which you offer counseling. This aspect can stop many adults from undertaking this career path.
However, if you have already been working in psychology, or you hold a bachelor’s degree in the field, you can opt to apply for a master’s and reduce the waiting times to under two years.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Counseling can be an excellent position for moms looking at achieving financial stability, as it offers an average salary ranging from $40,000 to $50,000. Moreover, the job allows you to enjoy increased schedule flexibility and job progression prospects compared to other occupations.
However, if you are looking at going back to school and returning to the workforce within two years, it is recommendable that you already hold a bachelor’s degree.
9. Consulting
Going back to school can be a daunting task for many mothers, especially while the children are still young. If you prefer to shorten the time spent in school and start earning straight away, you could opt to start a career in consulting. Probably, you are already an expert in a specific field, the one you have been working in for the best years.
Consulting can offer you the option to make the most of what you already know and, just by following a short training, you can start helping less experienced entrepreneurs achieve their goals. The salary widely depends on the field you are offering consulting services in, as well as your level of experience.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Starting a consulting career can be intimidating at first, especially as you have to build your customer base to perceive a salary. However, by creating a portfolio online, you will be able to reach an increased audience. Aside from being able to enjoy the ultimate flexibility of schedule, consulting moms can even opt to offer services online, which can help them work from home.
10. Market Research Analyst
Demand for market research analysts is forecasted to grow by 20% between 2018 and 2028, a much faster growth than most industries. Such statistics make it an excellent idea to decide to become a market research analyst. Even better, the average annual salary for professionals in this section is $53,478.
Market Research Analyst is the expert in charge of analyzing current and upcoming trends that might impact the market in the near future. This data is then employed to create attractive products and services, as well as efficient marketing campaigns. These services are in-demand across all industries.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Becoming a Market Research Analyst is still an extremely affordable solution for many moms returning to school. Indeed, master’s degrees are optional to start working in this field, yet they can help you increase your income.
Moreover, Market Research Analysts can benefit from standard 9 to 5 shifts, as well as free weekends and holidays, generally.
11. Web Developer
Becoming a web developer is among the best choices for moms, yet not many consider it as an option when deciding to go back to school. However, web developers and web designers are incredibly in demand, and there is not enough supply at the moment. This position does allow you to set your schedule and earn an average annual salary of $60,000.
The job provides an incredibly bright outlook, with a forecasted growth of 13% over the next few years. No degrees are vital to start working as a developer, yet they are the fastest way to enter the industry if you are learning from scratch. Indeed, aside from the practical knowledge that you will need in the workplace, universities are great for helping you network and get in touch with a future employer.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Web developers can often work from home, set up their own online business, or just benefit from the facilities of a company’s office. In any case, you will rarely need to work weekends or during the holidays, and you can generally set your schedule.
Moreover, web development online courses are becoming increasingly popular and allow you to attend class from the comfort of your home. Aside from helping you save on school fees, this can help you save on childcare expenses and commuting time. All these are essential features for moms going back to school for whom spending over two years in college is not a viable option.
12. Graphic Designer
If you have always loved arts and design, but you can see how technology has opened up other, more profitable opportunities, becoming a graphic designer is an excellent choice. The average income for a graphic designer is over $45,000, and there are always more positions becoming available.
Graphic designers are in charge of building visual concepts that entrepreneurs can use in marketing, packaging, and product creation. Aside from understanding art and technology, a grasp on marketing strategy and consumer behavior is essential to practice this discipline.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
A bachelor’s degree in this subject is the only requirement you need to have to start working. However, you will also be required to prove your creativity and originality to gain a position within a company. Yet, if you are full of new ideas and this is not an issue, you can have a bright future ahead with only two to four years in school.
13. Search Engine Optimization Specialist
SEO Specialists and Consultants are new job positions that came to life under ten years ago. However, these are also incredibly essential jobs for companies, which make an SEO expert always in demand. Indeed, SEO Specialists analyze, evaluate, and review websites and web pages and ensure that they can rank in search engines. In turn, this feature becomes a significant source of income for the blogger or entrepreneur.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Becoming an SEO Specialist is not one of the most common choices for moms. However, you can undertake online courses and become certified in such discipline without having to attend college. At the same time, these specialists can earn an average salary of $45,546, which is as high as the one yielded by other professions after many years of studying.
Lastly, you will be able to work from home, cover a virtual position, set your schedule, and enjoy unlimited income potential once you have a stable customer base.
14. Human Resources Specialists
Human Resources (HR) specialists are in charge of recruiting, interview processes and deploying staff members. Most growing companies employ such professionals to make sure that the employees are right for the company and the other way around. With a growing number of physical and online businesses becoming successful, HR specialists are also looking after paperwork and employee files and information.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
HR Specialists are in high demand, benefit from a steady average income of over $51,000, and enjoy comfortable 9-to-5 shifts. These advantages, as well as the fact that many employers only require a bachelor’s degree, make this option very accessible to moms who decide to undertake a second career.
15. Real Estate Agent
Undoubtedly, real estate agents have to deal with hectic shifts and daily stress. However, this occupation is highly accessible by many professionals who do not desire to spend multiple years in college. Indeed, you can access high-paying positions just by building experience in the field and undertaking practical training. The median salary for real estate agents is close to $48,000 per year.
Why is this an excellent job for moms
Becoming a real estate agent allows you to end your shifts by the time your kids have finished schools. Moreover, you can set your timetables and decide whether you would like to work on weekends or evenings.
Conclusion
Deciding to go back to school while being a mother can be a scary movie for most women. However, as the industries change and innovate, there are endless opportunities to undertake a degree online from home or while keeping your current job. Even better, some of the best-paid careers can be followed online or from a remote position. Studying towards those allows you to set your schedule and have unlimited time to spend with your family.
Sources
- Payscale: Salary Comparison
- WeAreTeachers: Should I Consider Teaching as a Second Career?
- Teacher Certification Degrees: The Beginner’s Guide on How to Become a Teacher
- NCBI: Work Stress and Burnout Among Nurses: Role of the Work Environment and Working Conditions
- Nurse Journal: Types of Nursing Degrees
- BLS: What Medical Assistants Do
- Payscale: Average Medical Assistant Hourly Pay
- BLS: Medical Assistants
- Study.com: How to Become a Dental Hygienist
- BLS: Dental Hygienists
- BLS: Fitness Trainers and Instructors
- CDC: Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: the United States, 2017–2018
- The Good Body: Yoga Statistics
- NCBI: Yoga for Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Well-Being: Research Review and Reflections on the Mental Health Potentials of Yoga
- BLS: Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Learn How To Become: Become A Counselor
- BLS: Market Research Analyst
- BLS: Web Developer
- Impact: 26 SEO statistics for 2020 and what you can learn from them
- BLS: Human Resources Specialists
- UK Government: Estate agent