Career choices - help!

[raeoflyte]

My career choices to date have pretty much sucked. I've stayed employed through a very tumultuous market, but my income has consistently gone down. I'm a mortgage loan processor.

Last year I decided to get my originator license. I did decently as a part time realtor 2008-2009 and was hoping to do the same on the originating side. But it really hasn't worked out that way. Ive made a couple thousand, but haven't recouped my total investment and its time to renew my e&o insurance and bond which will be about $800.

I know why I haven't put more time into drumming up business, and while I really want this to work I'm not sure I can over come or find work arounds for my issues at this point. (And my issue is time and priorities. I work full time as a processor, have 2 kids and devote most of my spare time to my kids, 95 y/o dgm, and my family. I don't want to sacrifice any of these priorities since they are limited time opportunities).

I feel like I'll be throwing good money after bad if I renew my license at this point. But if I give up on this, I really dont know where that leaves me. I *have* to make more money. We live within our means (now), but I want to save and spend a whole lot more. Dh's career ambitions will never bring a significant amount of money to the table, so its on me to make this happen.

I have just shy of 2 years of college credits, although they were really scattered, so I can't easily translate any of it into an associates. I can transfer then in to an existing program.

So what would you tell me to do? Ive tried to sell Dh on the north Dakota idea, and he isn't having it.

things I've considered:

1) dental hygienist. It looks to be a 2 year program, and wages are about 75-80k.

2) Lactation consultant: this is really where my passion is I think. There are about a dozen college classes I need to take, apprentice, and pass an exam. It will take a while to accomplish, and earnings vary wildly.

3) Buckle down and devote myself to my current job. Get promoted into underwriting, and then go for management. The downfall here is this industry sucks for work/life balance. I was working 70 hours a week when I was 8 months pregnant with ds, and that was normal/expected.

4) ultrasound tech - good money, but closer to 4 years of school.

5) your suggestions?

I'm also reading up on starting my own business in retailing a couple baby products I make and wholesaleing existing products, but this isn't something that I would expect to replace my income.

[Peace Of Mind]

How do you feel about moving to California?  And doing IT work?  PM Dark and he'll hook you up. 

If you like being a mortgage loan processor sit tight.  Things are slowly turning around.  Hell, it took Wells Fargo almost 4 months to close on our refi they are so swamped.  But I suspect their underwriters are incompetent.  But changing careers/jobs often usually keeps you standing still financially unless you get a lucrative degree and live where said field is booming.

Physical Therapy or an ultrasound tech would be something that will pay well if you can handle the schooling and costs.  But it will set you back to square one, wouldn't it?

[raeoflyte]

I live in Colorado. I wouldn't want to move unless we really had to. Having my parents close to my kids is really important and I dont expect dgm to be around much longer and want to get as much time with her as possible. Eegad-one post and I'm already channeling Dixie...

I did some IT work back before the tech bubble and would probably enjoy it again, but don't have any kind of security clearance like dark talks about.

Starting over in anything puts me back at square one, which sucks, and I don't know how I would balance school, and working and family to even get to the point where I could start over. But... I feel like the last 10 years have been a waste professionally speaking and am terrified of finding myself in this exact same spot come 40...

As for liking processing, I don't think I can answer that. I'm good at it. I think home ownership is a good financial step for many people so I guess there is a bit of purpose to it. But mostly I just get clients asking me if I'm going to require their blood type and first born too. Its soul sucking and miserable just like all job.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I recommend quitting, freaking out, spending hours writing down ideas on a whiteboard, erasing most of them, writing some more, erasing all of them, freaking out some more, writing a couple more ideas, picking one, and devoting all your energy into pursuing it.  In my personal experience this works out pretty well.  Keep in mind I'm only one day into this process and at the freaking out some more stage so this advice is probably useless. 

The less stressful alternative will be nagging your husband into bringing in more money.

[Shooby]

  First, if your husband's career is never going to be high paying, then you just may need to accept that you need to live a more simple lifestyle.   Some people work very hard at their jobs but they aren't high paying.  It is what it is.  Life isn't measured in dollars and cents.  You can have a full, wonderful life without tons of money.  And, if you are pushing him to do make more, he is going to feel unhappy as well because he may be perfectly satisfied doing what he is doing.  Some people are happy being worker bees.
  As for what you should do?  At this point, you don't seem to have a clear direction.  I think that you need to evaluate possible career choices as you are doing and then make a decision and go with your gut.  If you want to be a dental hygenist, great.  But, if sticking your hands in people's mouths all day turns your stomach, then no amount of money is going to make that palatable. 

[giramomma]

I'm sort of in your position, and I'm watching this thread with interest.

While my income has not gone down, my net income also has not gone up in 8 years. I haven't seen a raise in 6, due to our lawmaking body. (Not because I'm a crappy worker).

My H is also limited in job opportunities. And, I'm not sure that he could find a job that would pay what we need it to to cover private school and daycare costs for our kids. (Minimally, we'd need a job that would net 3K/month). 2-3 of those jobs open up in our city in a good year. In a bad year, 0 jobs open up. So, nagging my husband to find different employment really isn't a choice for us if I want to remain married.

I'm also getting close to 40. But, I also should be able to retire 57-58 from my day job. So, I'm wondering if it really is worth it to retrain (I'd want to go for accounting, actually, that's my only college regret, not majoring in accounting..which is really sad), for a change in careers for 18 years.

My job skills do not match up with my education, and I don't want to go back to school to get the education to support my job skills. (I'm completely not interested in studying what I'd need to).

Honestly, I would think about being a LC, and maybe look into being a doula. I think with that combination (and making your baby products), I would think that you would give you lots of options. You could go work for a hospital or birthing center, or you work for yourself. You could also look to run/start/hook up with stores that cater to AP. I live in a city in similar size to Denver, and we have two stores that cater to AP families that have done very nicely over the last 8-10 years.

When I couldn't breastfeed my first, I also used the services of a woman who ran her own business renting out pumps of all kind. I needed to rent a hospital grade pump because normal pumps didn't work for me (because, as it turned out, I had no supply.) But, that might be another thing to look into as well.

ETA: I also think that being a LC could offer you better flexibility down the road. If you work for yourself, when you get close to retirement, you can decide to simply cut back your clients. You can keep working part time, for however long you like. If you need more money, you can increase your clients as you need to.
(I plan to work part at my night job from 58-70ish, one of the reasons I'm choosing to keep it up is because of the flexibility I can have down the road.)




 

[Shooby]

  None of the hospitals in my area employ Lactation Consultants.  And, they have free resources to contact LaLeche if needed.  Usually one of the hospital OB nurses has that position so i would really look into this to see if there are any real opportunities.  And, even if there are , i would doubt that it pays very much.  That seems like more of a side job to me.

[Deleted]

Dental Hygienists don't make that much money. One of my ex's ex thought when she graduated she would be making 50k and she didn't even make that (starting out anyway). I would talk to a few dental hygienists and find out what they started with and where they are at now.
Same with all the other options. There were a few Lactation COnsultants at the NICU where my son was but like I said only a few so I assume that may be really competitive.

[Deleted]

as much as I whine to DH about wanting to move someplace cheaper/warmer, I do want DS to be close with our families.  He already only sees my mom a few times a year - it would be even fewer if we moved down south or out west.

I'd say hygenist, if you don't mind fooling around in people's mouths all day long.   What about learning to be a paralegal?

This link should help you out:
www.bls.gov/ooh/

you can look up different occupations and it'll tell you the required education, median income, and projected growth for that sector.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Apr 3, 2013 2:20:40 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

I recommend quitting, freaking out, spending hours writing down ideas on a whiteboard, erasing most of them, writing some more, erasing all of them, freaking out some more, writing a couple more ideas, picking one, and devoting all your energy into pursuing it.  In my personal experience this works out pretty well.  Keep in mind I'm only one day into this process and at the freaking out some more stage so this advice is probably useless. 

[mmhmm]

Apr 3, 2013 2:20:40 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

I recommend quitting, freaking out, spending hours writing down ideas on a whiteboard, erasing most of them, writing some more, erasing all of them, freaking out some more, writing a couple more ideas, picking one, and devoting all your energy into pursuing it.  In my personal experience this works out pretty well.  Keep in mind I'm only one day into this process and at the freaking out some more stage so this advice is probably useless. 

The less stressful alternative will be nagging your husband into bringing in more money.

Aww, dark, hon.  I just wanna hug ya!  You've taken a huge step, and it's one a lot of people wouldn't take and probably don't understand.  Still, it's your step and it's right for you.  You've got intelligence, and wit, and the courage to launch yourself into the unknown with some pizzazz and a sense of humor.  I can understand your trepidation, at this point, but I've got a lot of faith in your ability to pull this off.  Between you and loopy, you'll make this work in your favor.  Somehow, I'm just sure of it.

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 6:29:56 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  First, if your husband's career is never going to be high paying, then you just may need to accept that you need to live a more simple lifestyle.   Some people work very hard at their jobs but they aren't high paying.  It is what it is.  Life isn't measured in dollars and cents.  You can have a full, wonderful life without tons of money.  And, if you are pushing him to do make more, he is going to feel unhappy as well because he may be perfectly satisfied doing what he is doing.  Some people are happy being worker bees.
  As for what you should do?  At this point, you don't seem to have a clear direction.  I think that you need to evaluate possible career choices as you are doing and then make a decision and go with your gut.  If you want to be a dental hygenist, great.  But, if sticking your hands in people's mouths all day turns your stomach, then no amount of money is going to make that palatable. 

I'm not sure where you got the impression that I'm pushing my Dh to make more money, but I know that isn't going to happen. Which is why I want to figure out my options.

You work in healthcare-right? What do you suggest? I'm not going to go into anything I think sounds awful, but I would love to hear what other people think are lucrative.

[mmhmm]

Rae, are you going to be able to handle going to school at this point?  One of the things about which you express concern is not having enough time with your family.  If you have to work and go to school, that will still be a problem; albeit, a temporary problem.  You have college credits, but how will those translate into another program?  There are lots of ways to go, but they depend on a number of factors for which we don't have enough information to really help you make a decision.  Will you have to work, or could you live on DH's income while going to school?  Is there anything that really sparks your interest?  I've always encouraged budding nurses to get the 2-year (Associate's) degree first.  That puts them in a position to make great money while continuing their educations (which can be done through online programs - nobody cares where your degree came from, just that you have one).  I know quite a few nurse practitioners who did it just that way.  I can speak best to my field, but I'm sure there are other fields where the same thing applies.  If you really liked IT, that might just be one of them.

[Deleted]

My cousin was a dental hygienist. She told me that dentists rarely hire for full-time positions. She always worked part-time. She no longer does it. She moved and had trouble finding a position that was under an hour commute. She now works full-time for $10 an hour in a MCOL area.

I would carefully research your options and talk to or interview someone in the industry who actually works the jobs you are considering. Colleges and schools will paint a rosy picture of employment opportunities and salary levels.

[midjd]

Are you a good salesperson? It seems like sales-geared jobs are the most likely to give you a relatively high income and some flexibility.

You could write and publish an autobiography! I think you have one of the most interesting/inspiring life stories on YM. I'd buy it

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 6:37:53 GMT -5 giramomma said:

I'm sort of in your position, and I'm watching this thread with interest.

While my income has not gone down, my net income also has not gone up in 8 years. I haven't seen a raise in 6, due to our lawmaking body. (Not because I'm a crappy worker).

My H is also limited in job opportunities. And, I'm not sure that he could find a job that would pay what we need it to to cover private school and daycare costs for our kids. (Minimally, we'd need a job that would net 3K/month). 2-3 of those jobs open up in our city in a good year. In a bad year, 0 jobs open up. So, nagging my husband to find different employment really isn't a choice for us if I want to remain married.

I'm also getting close to 40. But, I also should be able to retire 57-58 from my day job. So, I'm wondering if it really is worth it to retrain (I'd want to go for accounting, actually, that's my only college regret, not majoring in accounting..which is really sad), for a change in careers for 18 years.

My job skills do not match up with my education, and I don't want to go back to school to get the education to support my job skills. (I'm completely not interested in studying what I'd need to).

Honestly, I would think about being a LC, and maybe look into being a doula. I think with that combination (and making your baby products), I would think that you would give you lots of options. You could go work for a hospital or birthing center, or you work for yourself. You could also look to run/start/hook up with stores that cater to AP. I live in a city in similar size to Denver, and we have two stores that cater to AP families that have done very nicely over the last 8-10 years.

When I couldn't breastfeed my first, I also used the services of a woman who ran her own business renting out pumps of all kind. I needed to rent a hospital grade pump because normal pumps didn't work for me (because, as it turned out, I had no supply.) But, that might be another thing to look into as well.

ETA: I also think that being a LC could offer you better flexibility down the road. If you work for yourself, when you get close to retirement, you can decide to simply cut back your clients. You can keep working part time, for however long you like. If you need more money, you can increase your clients as you need to.
(I plan to work part at my night job from 58-70ish, one of the reasons I'm choosing to keep it up is because of the flexibility I can have down the road.)




 

You must have mad organizational skills to keep up on everything you do. I'd buy your book telling me how to manage it all.

I really do love the idea of being a lc, and doula is a good idea.

For those concerned about job opportunities for lc, Colorado is the place to do it. I'm pretty sure we still have the highest percentage of nursing moms. It's all the hippies from boulder. Hospital jobs for it wouldn't pay more than I make, but still come with more flexibility than I have now.

I'm already in la leche league, but I need to talk to my lc more to get the nitty gritty.

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 8:04:10 GMT -5 @moneyjenny82 said:

as much as I whine to DH about wanting to move someplace cheaper/warmer, I do want DS to be close with our families.  He already only sees my mom a few times a year - it would be even fewer if we moved down south or out west.

I'd say hygenist, if you don't mind fooling around in people's mouths all day long.   What about learning to be a paralegal?

This link should help you out:
www.bls.gov/ooh/

you can look up different occupations and it'll tell you the required education, median income, and projected growth for that sector.

Thanks for the link Jenny! That has some great info.

My current job skills translate well to paralegal, but... Idk. My office is just my boss and I, and we sublet from a group of attorneys. I think I'd strangle most of their clients (divorce, some bk, and criminal cases). The 2 insurance injury lawyers seem the most relaxed so there probably are options.

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 8:17:02 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Rae, are you going to be able to handle going to school at this point?  One of the things about which you express concern is not having enough time with your family.  If you have to work and go to school, that will still be a problem; albeit, a temporary problem.  You have college credits, but how will those translate into another program?  There are lots of ways to go, but they depend on a number of factors for which we don't have enough information to really help you make a decision.  Will you have to work, or could you live on DH's income while going to school?  Is there anything that really sparks your interest?  I've always encouraged budding nurses to get the 2-year (Associate's) degree first.  That puts them in a position to make great money while continuing their educations (which can be done through online programs - nobody cares where your degree came from, just that you have one).  I know quite a few nurse practitioners who did it just that way.  I can speak best to my field, but I'm sure there are other fields where the same thing applies.  If you really liked IT, that might just be one of them.

That is the million dollar question! One reason I was drawn to dental hygienist is that a manager in that field said I could get a job As an assistant with on the job training, earning not great, but not awful money and get a schedule that would allow me to take classes during the day.

We couldn't live just on Dh's income, but we could make cuts and not have to replace my whole income.

It would be tough to manage. I think I'm hoping that if I really found a goal that I could make it work. I have an awesome support network with my family thankfully.

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 8:22:46 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

My sister is a surgical technician and she has always made ~$25/h and has CONSTANTLY been in demand. She's one of those people that gets pissed easily and quits her job frequently. The surgical tech program is only 2 years. She started working in the labor and delivery dept at a hospital (she actually assisted with my c-section when I delivered my first) and now she's working for a plastic surgeon.

Respiratory therapy is another 2 year program that seems to be in demand, in my area anyway.

I'll look into those-thanks!

[mmhmm]

Apr 3, 2013 8:40:28 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Apr 3, 2013 8:17:02 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Rae, are you going to be able to handle going to school at this point?  One of the things about which you express concern is not having enough time with your family.  If you have to work and go to school, that will still be a problem; albeit, a temporary problem.  You have college credits, but how will those translate into another program?  There are lots of ways to go, but they depend on a number of factors for which we don't have enough information to really help you make a decision.  Will you have to work, or could you live on DH's income while going to school?  Is there anything that really sparks your interest?  I've always encouraged budding nurses to get the 2-year (Associate's) degree first.  That puts them in a position to make great money while continuing their educations (which can be done through online programs - nobody cares where your degree came from, just that you have one).  I know quite a few nurse practitioners who did it just that way.  I can speak best to my field, but I'm sure there are other fields where the same thing applies.  If you really liked IT, that might just be one of them.

That is the million dollar question! One reason I was drawn to dental hygienist is that a manager in that field said I could get a job As an assistant with on the job training, earning not great, but not awful money and get a schedule that would allow me to take classes during the day.

We couldn't live just on Dh's income, but we could make cuts and not have to replace my whole income.

It would be tough to manage. I think I'm hoping that if I really found a goal that I could make it work. I have an awesome support network with my family thankfully.

Sounds good, rae.   If you can decide on a field that really appeals to you, a lot of places will work with you while you continue your education.  Hospitals hire people for PRN (as needed) positions in most areas.  If you work part-time, many hospitals will help finance further education, but rarely for PRN positions.  Healthcare is a good field, if it's right for you.  If it isn't right for you, however, burnout ensues pretty quickly.  Working with people who aren't at their best (they're sick, and/or in pain, and can be very difficult) isn't always fun.  It's rewarding when treatment is successful, but can be devastating when it's not.

I might suggest going to a local community college and talking to their placement people.  See if you can get some tests that will help pinpoint areas in which you could really do well, and which you might enjoy.  Then, they can help you look into available programs where your talents and interests will fit best.

[raeoflyte]

How does one interview for a real picture on the industry? I did a phone interview with a manager in medical billing a few years ago, but didn't feel like I got much information.

I don't have a relationship with my dentist or hygenist to ask them to lunch, but I do have an appointment coming up so I could ask what schools/programs they recommend.

I am friends with my lc and could probably ask her.

What about for jobs that I don't know anyone, like worongsides surgical tech suggestion? I agree that the colleges are too self serving to get accurate info.

[giramomma]

Apr 3, 2013 8:26:14 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Apr 3, 2013 6:37:53 GMT -5 giramomma said:

You must have mad organizational skills to keep up on everything you do. I'd buy your book telling me how to manage it all.

I really do love the idea of being a lc, and doula is a good idea.

For those concerned about job opportunities for lc, Colorado is the place to do it. I'm pretty sure we still have the highest percentage of nursing moms. It's all the hippies from boulder. Hospital jobs for it wouldn't pay more than I make, but still come with more flexibility than I have now.

I'm already in la leche league, but I need to talk to my lc more to get the nitty gritty.

I would strongly consider being a LC. And, unlike, Shoob, I live in a bigger city, like you, that is super liberal. There's HUGE pressure on moms to breastfeed. Like, they tell you your a worthless mother if you can't, and if your baby has formula, the kid will be doomed to have the lowest IQ on earth because the baby will have been fed poison for a year.

The "haves" in our city are well off enough that they will pay for LC/Doula services. I think it's also a status thing. Completely random, but I took my kids to our local zoo last week. I felt like I was slumming it with my $20 umbrella stroller for my LO, while most of the other parents were hauling their kids around in $200+jogging type strollers (some of them clearly did not use the stroller to jog).

My organizational skills are so-so. I couldn't do what I do if my DH worked full time. He works part time and keeps the home fires burning and the kids fed. Which, I'm sure they appreciate more than I do...

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 8:26:12 GMT -5 midjd said:

Are you a good salesperson? It seems like sales-geared jobs are the most likely to give you a relatively high income and some flexibility.

You could write and publish an autobiography! I think you have one of the most interesting/inspiring life stories on YM. I'd buy it

I'm not born for sales, but I did pretty good as a realtor. I'm more about giving clients all the info I can and letting them choose. This is why originating is a good fit. I don't love my job, but I sure do know the details and potential issues. Although if I do that, then I really have to devote time to market myself. Which wouldn't be more time than going back to school realistically.

Aww-thanks mid. I do plan to write our memoirs to pass on to our kids and grandkids, but my part is pretty boring.

[raeoflyte]

Apr 3, 2013 9:05:55 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Apr 3, 2013 8:26:14 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I would strongly consider being a LC. And, unlike, Shoob, I live in a bigger city, like you, that is super liberal. There's HUGE pressure on moms to breastfeed. Like, they tell you your a worthless mother if you can't, and if your baby has formula, the kid will be doomed to have the lowest IQ on earth because the baby will have been fed poison for a year.

That's my in! I'm passionate about bf'ing not militant and don't think formula is poison. (Although I guess maybe I wouldn't be here bitching about career woes if ONLY my mom had breastfed me. She doomed me! )

Those darn kids do appreciate meals it seems.

[Shooby]

Apr 3, 2013 9:05:55 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Apr 3, 2013 8:26:14 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

You must have mad organizational skills to keep up on everything you do. I'd buy your book telling me how to manage it all.

I really do love the idea of being a lc, and doula is a good idea.

For those concerned about job opportunities for lc, Colorado is the place to do it. I'm pretty sure we still have the highest percentage of nursing moms. It's all the hippies from boulder. Hospital jobs for it wouldn't pay more than I make, but still come with more flexibility than I have now.

I'm already in la leche league, but I need to talk to my lc more to get the nitty gritty.

I would strongly consider being a LC. And, unlike, Shoob, I live in a bigger city, like you, that is super liberal. There's HUGE pressure on moms to breastfeed. Like, they tell you your a worthless mother if you can't, and if your baby has formula, the kid will be doomed to have the lowest IQ on earth because the baby will have been fed poison for a year.

The "haves" in our city are well off enough that they will pay for LC/Doula services. I think it's also a status thing. Completely random, but I took my kids to our local zoo last week. I felt like I was slumming it with my $20 umbrella stroller for my LO, while most of the other parents were hauling their kids around in $200+jogging type strollers (some of them clearly did not use the stroller to jog).

My organizational skills are so-so. I couldn't do what I do if my DH worked full time. He works part time and keeps the home fires burning and the kids fed. Which, I'm sure they appreciate more than I do...

  Well, my point is to make sure you know your market.  If there are opportunities where you plan to live then that might be a viable career.  In my area, you would be unemployed.  That is a role that OB nurses have taken on and a trained OB RN is the one who is going to get that type of job here.
 I don't want to discourage anyone's particular career choice but just look at the reality and viability before you spend the time, money and effort.

[tcu2003]

There is definitely a market for LCs in my area (north Dallas) and doulas are becoming more popular as well. Is the training to be an IBCLC only 2 years? For some reason, I thought it was longer (but I have no idea). But if that's what your passion is and you can make it happen, I say go for it. I also think that can pair well with the retail sales of baby stuff you mentioned. Can you start that now and start making supplemental money on Etsy, Facebook, etc.? Bamboobies from your area is a great example - started as a mom making them on her own and now they're sold in BRU.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't consider being an LC or doula unless you don't need the income and/or are willing to become a nurse. I saw several LC's when I had DS and I'm pretty sure they were all RN's affiliated with the hospital.  It was part time work. The same for becoming a doula - the barriers to entry are low, lots of women are joining the field, and you have to be willing to not have a schedule.

edited: the doulas I hired only took on two or three clients a month because of the randomness of baby arrivals.

[Deleted]

Reo,

For paralegal work, I think you're more suited to Estate Planning and Probate given your background. But given your passion I can see you really want to get into more of a counseling field like the L.C. I agree with Shooby that you really need to research the field and be realistic about your earnings.

The nice thing about your current position is that you should be busy for the next couple of years between refis and the sales market.

I also see how you could be a really good real estate agent and maybe do it 3/4 of the time. Do the high profile agents in your area use assistants? I know the big producers here in CA often have a couple of assistants to help them manage their case-load.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

There is a market here too but it's still rather small.  Right now I believe our campus is pushing to having 5 LCs on the main Omaha campus.  Originally Nebraska Med only had two part timers.  I'm not sure about the satalitte site in Bellevue.

They are also pushing to get enough money to have an LC on staff at all times.  I am not sure if they are planning on everyone being full time or not but the plan is to have at least one LC on the floor 24/7.

The market is getting bigger for LCs I think.   There might not be much now but as the push to breastfeed gets stronger then you'll see more hospitals hiring them.

[Deleted]

This opened up in my hometown years ago and seems to be going strong and Buffalonians are NOT known as being liberal hippies by any stretch of the imagination. 

babyssweetbeginnings.com/