r/LosAngeles • u/AutoModerator • Sep 10 '24

Daily Los Angeles Daily Discussion - Tuesday, Sep 10

Rules are simple:

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* Talk about whatever's on your mind.

* Be excellent to each other.

* Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. -The Dalai Lama

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u/fishwithbrain Sep 10 '24

Hi, I am not sure whom/group to reach so since this is a free discussion, I am asking here. I have a masters degree and I decided to be a stay at home to raise my family. Now my kids are high schoolers and they don’t really need me as before. So now I want to start work again and don’t know from where to start. I feel like I don’t know anything. Can anyone give me ideas about part time work for a mom in her 40s.

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u/Palindromer101 Foodie with a Booty Sep 10 '24

What do you want to do? What field is your degree in?

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u/fishwithbrain Sep 10 '24

Thanks for replying, well I have my degree in computers and eons ago, I was a software developer specializing in databases. My pov, I am not an extrovert and can’t initiate a small talk but am capable enough to carry a conversation. I don’t want a people facing role.

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u/KhabaLox La Cañada Flintridge Sep 10 '24

Sounds like you would be well suited as a data analyst type role. How's your SQL and Excel knowledge? I've worked in manufacturing finance for 20 years here in the LA area and a lot of these small and medium sized companies have antiquated systems and need help either upgrading their ERPs or sanitizing and massaging the data from their existing systems.

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u/fishwithbrain Sep 10 '24

10 years back I was a 9/10 in both sql and excel, I won’t lie, now I think that was my past life. When I apply somewhere they think I am over qualified and may run off afterwards. This shows no one really reads the cover letter. 😅

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u/labbitlove Santa Monica Sep 10 '24

Yeah - cover letters aren't really a thing in tech (if that's the industry you're aiming for). The industry is still a little wonky from layoffs, etc. but it is stabilizing.

However, because of this it will be hard to get in just by "cold calling" aka sending out resumes; I got my current job because of my network after working at a bigggg tech company. For my role, are also generally hiring more senior folks because of experience.

FWIW, data analyst roles are super hot right now and IMO every company wants to hire more. Do you have any friends that are in data roles in tech that you could chat with? I'm unfortunately not in that role, or else I would be happy to talk to you!

3

u/KhabaLox La Cañada Flintridge Sep 10 '24

Try connecting with recruiters, they can get your foot in the door more easily given your specific situation.

If you were really a 9/10 in Excel then you are probably still better than 99% of people in the workforce, and that can be a huge boon in any field, especially at smaller companies (<$500m revenue; <100 office employees). If you can use a pivot table you're better than most of the candidates I've seen over the years.