Going Back to Work

With my youngest starting kindergarten this year, I keep hearing the question, "So what are you going to do now?" I tell them that I'm going to take a nap and an uninterrupted shower. I've had kids home for thirteen years. I'm exhausted! Yet, as the economy continues to slide, I realize that I may need to get back to work sooner than I had expected. But what kind of job can I get? I haven't worked in 10 years. What would I put in the blank spots on my resume? I started talking to other moms who had gone back to work and many of them said the same thing, "Volunteer your way into a job." Being a mom offers so many great ways to volunteer. I have already headed an enrichment program at our school, written grants and organized fundraisers. All these things can not only fill in the blank spaces on my resume, but give me some great references as well. I've worked with principals, teachers, local businesses, other parents etc. If your looking towards a future back in the workplace, look at the volunteer opportunities in your area. Don't think of it as working for free, but as an internship of sorts. A way to give back to your community or school while giving you the experience you'll need for a possible job in the future.