Lost and Giving Up
I came from a troubled background and didn't get the chance achieve my dream of achieving a degree until I was in my 40's. Things have not worked out the way I had planned (much of it may fault for too much faith in external things, and not enough in myself). I'm now in my 50's getting ready to do my PhD dissertation and I'm struggling to find work. I stepped out of the workforce to have my kids in my early 30's and went back to school to help me move into a better career, but stumbled from my HBA in psychology, into an MEd, and now a PhD. I don't have a lot of work experience outside of the university and nobody will look twice at me. I have been applying for jobs over the past four years, trying to make connections but I'm not getting anywhere. I'm not looking for the perfect job, just something that will get me in the door in the education field. I've applied for administration support work in both I/S and higher ed, done some work as faculty and researcher but it never leads to anything more despite positive feedback. I've applied to journals, and publishers as copy-editors and done some peer review work, but at this point I need something that pays.
The other issue is that I live in an area where there are limited institutions and I don't have a car. Commute to a bigger centre is at least 2 hours (which hasn't stopped me from applying). I know I don't have a great resume and spent too much time focused on the needs of my family but now I'm realizing that my dream is pretty much dead.
I'd appreciate some advice.
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