I am in a writing rut. I have simultaneously too much to write and nothing to write about. Too many random ideas, not enough holding them together. But I have questions and I have readers. So why not put those questions to my readers I asked myself?
If you have questions for me, you can send them here and I’ll do my best to answer in eloquent and thoughtful ways. Maybe your input is the inspiration that I need.
You can answer privately through email at veronique.bergeron715@gmail.com or – if you think others might benefit from your answers – in the comments section of this post on Substack or social media. Here are my questions:
QUESTION 1: Are there support programs for people who struggle to find and/or keep employment in Ontario? For instance, education or re-tooling subsidies?
The consecutive blows of the separation and two loss of employment wrought havoc on my financial security. I have little long term savings, no income, and no property (this is starting to sound like a Charlotte Lucas meme…)
My education is dated and my career path is jagged. Finding and keeping work as a middle-aged woman with family responsibilities has been really difficult and it’s getting harder as this unemployment period gets longer and I lose contact with the professional network I built in municipal politics.
What types of careers can support me into my 70s, other than writing a best-selling novel, selling the movie rights, and living off copyrights and residuals (Plan A)?
(I take suggestions)
There is not a lot of wisdom in getting another degree at age 50 if I rack up significant debt in the process. But maybe there are programs out there that could help me? Scholarships for old people?
Options include:
Teacher’s college (I already have a Master’s degree so it would be two semesters instead of four).
Master’s in counselling (two years minus some credits from my first master’s) (also a M.Ed. at Ottawa U. so it would qualify me to work as a certified teacher in Ontario)
Bar admission to work as a lawyer. Most expensive, time consuming and family unfriendly option. Not really an option. Timeline uncertain since I would need to refresh my law degree before trying for the Bar. But I already invested 8 years of my life in studying law, it would be nice if it got me somewhere.
Mediation certification to work in family law or labour relations. These certifications are expensive and involve starting my own practice afterwards, which is time and resource intensive. But I would be really good at it.
Buy an ice cream truck and live at the beach.
Become a private tour guide in Paris, taking people like me on walking tours of Paris’ historical villages.
Start a band.
Anything I’m missing?
QUESTION 2: Do you have a really good, legit, carnitas recipe? Like the crunchy, roasted, super tasty ones? What is the secret to perfect carnitas?
The internet is failing me. I blame Elon.
QUESTION 3: Do you have books/YouTube recommendations for house training a small breed puppy?
We’re getting a dog 🐩 A small dog. She will be joining our family in July. She’s a miniature poodle, reddish brown, totally adorable. I have never trained a small breed puppy. Is it essentially the same as training a big puppy? I don’t want to use pee pads. I want her to pee outside like a real dog. Is that ok? How do I make sure that she doesn’t become a barking neurotic like the other small dogs in my neighbourhood? Do all small dogs have submissive urination issues?
QUESTION 4: What kind of jobs require some traveling?
Seriously. I can’t afford to travel on my own dime. I would like to find a job that requires some traveling.
QUESTION 5: What should I write about next? What do you want to know?
Hi! This is not something I have researched thoroughly so I may be wrong. I started doing supply teaching as a non-qualified teacher in the French Catholic Board (CECCE) last June. I was chatting with another non-qualified teacher (meaning: a teacher who doesn't have a teaching degree, you can be qualified in other ways) during recess one day and when she found out I already had a master's degree she told me I could get through Teacher's College in one year instead of two. This was a very casual conversation while we were watching a bunch of kindergartners: some details might have been lost in the fine print!! But it's worth looking into.
I have never heard that having a Masters reduces the length of time to get a B.Ed. - is that for specific circumstances only? I would like to teach also, but an expensive 2 year program seems too much at my age. Teaching English as a 2nd language only takes 1 year.