what is a good career choice for peeps with cf?

[welshgirl]

the "teacher" post got me thinking about career choices for people with cf. there are obviously careers or jobs that just would not be suitable for cfers. what would be a good choice of career? i don't have any knowledege of what life is like for an adult with cf except what i have discovered on this site. is there any one career path that would be good for cfers? computers maybe , office work?

 

[NoExcuses]

..

 

[HairGirl]

I don't think there is 'one career path' for a CFer, I say as long as you like it and are happy doing it, that affects your health more than anything!

I am a cosmetologist, some people might think that is bad for my health but I've been fine with it. Your body gets use to standing on your feet a lot. And since it's something that I really enjoy that helped keep me upbeat and healthy.

 

[katyf13]

Mike used to do tax work for an insurance company. It was secure, not hard labor, and had great benefits. However, he HATED it and it was not rewarding. He thought about becoming a counselor for others with CF but now he's leaning towards being a volunteer mentor for those with CF through his CF clinic and becoming an electrician. (After his transplant of course) He enjoys electrical stuff, could make his own hours, be in demand, and afford good medical insurance. I am so proud of him ;-)

 

[Ben]

This is something I have been wondering about a lot lately. I am getting close to 30 and would like a career change. I would really like something in the CF field (in some capacity). I am doing the 9-5 corporate thing and have for quite a few years, but would like to have a career that was more rewarding and made me feel good about what I did for a living. I have looked into careers at non-profits, but haven't found a match yet. I think most jobs are fine for most cf'ers...I would just recommend staying away from construction sites..I did that for a while and the dusty work sites landed me in the hospital after a while.

 

[welshgirl]

can i just ask, if you were rich and still had reasonably good health , would you still work or would you want to travel the world? we, personally, are not rich nor will we ever be but i would considering selling up our home in the future to release some money so that joe can just travel anywhere his heart desires. for a few years at least!!!

 

[CowTown]

I'm a graphic designer, work for myself and love it. There are long hours sometimes, but the work is creative and fun which goes a long ways. Also, working for yourself you can adjust your hours accordingly, give yourself a raise if you see fit, but you're very limited for insurance. That's the biggest downside for being self employed. Otherwise I love it.

 

[icefisherman]

i'm working in printing right now, and it's kickin' my butt now. I love what i do though. I plan on working here until i can't work and then go on disability stait from this job. Then i'm hoping i can make a little on the side with my photography. I would just say do what you love, and enjoy life!
good luck!
Ben

 

[JennifersHope]

I think each person is different in what is the right career choice for them. I am a people person all the way, so an office job, or computer job wouldn't be right for me, I would not be productive because I would end up talking to my coworkers all day. I can't help myself, people fascinate me.

Their are two things that I am sure of about my life, one is that I was born to be with kids, and the other that I was born to help other ppl (adults and kids). Those are my two passions that drive me in life, so being a pediatric nurse really does it for me. I love the pediatric emergency room and for sure will go back there in the near future. Is it the safest career choice, umm no, but I know for me my mental health has everything to do with my physical health and I can handle things a lot better when I am emotionally satisfied.

As far as if money wasn't an object would I still do what I do, I think I would always have to be involved with kids as well as helping others. I get so much more out of it emotionally then I could ever possible give to anyone. To me their is no greater joy at the end of my shift then to be able to reflect back on my night and know that I did the best job I could, and that I made someone's stay in the hospital more bearable. In the future, I have an inheritance coming to me that I could live off of without having to work, but I can't imagine myself not. I have to feel as if I am contributing to society in some way in order for me to feel good.

Jennifer

 

[LouLou]

I would suggest fields that lend themselves to working at big companies. My field and the direction I chose has led me to consultancy work at small firms. They have good insurance but I never want to go on it for fear that I will hike everyone's costs up. So I always join my husbands insurance. Also sm. co.'s don't have to offer things like family leave act, etc. Generally larger co. have better sick day plans as well. My first job was with a small co. that's attitude about sick days was maybe if we don't address them people won't be as likely to take them. Nothing feels better than feeling guilty for staying home when your sick from CF (j/k).

 

[blindhearted]

I got two degress in computers but due to the lack of jobs around here (I live in a small town/county), no work experiance on my part (most companies here require 3-5yrs experiance), and a decline in health over the past year....I am working in an office in an administative position/medical billing for a medical transportation company. I am recently doing more on the billing part. I am actually thinking about going back to school for medical transcription or medical coding, to hopefully one day work at home but I will be looking into job demand first. Just do something that you enjoy and are interested in.

 

[Bumblebee]

I think you got to do what you want to do.  I'm doing a PhD in
a medical research lab even working with...shock horror...water
baths (stagnant water regularly heated to 37 degrees)!  I know
doing this will have an impact on my health (i;m in the 60% range
at the momment and have iv's 3-4 times a year - god bless the nhs
if i was religous hehe) and i am likely to get run down and a
lot of viruses, but for me...it's worth it.  <br>
<br>
Sorry but no, my health does not come first, my happiness
does...health is important to me of course and one of the main
priorities in my life (i am constantly monitoring it and looking
after myself) but i accept for me to do this phd it will
suffer...whatever... it's what i what to do and my doctors support
it and are happy to see me a lot to keep me happy and healthy as i
can.  It helps that my supervisor and uni are extremely
supportive of me (i've had 8 weeks of in the first year alone) so i
will carry on until i'm crawling around the lab.<br>
<br>
Do what you want to do...don't let CF dictate!  If you are the
sort of person though where health is THE number one priority then
fair play...but for me that's not the case. <br>
<br>
Keep happy everyone!

 

[anonymous]

AMY, Hi i was just wondering about your career, what kind of sales do you do? If you don't mind me asking, I was thinking about medical equipment sales which is a 4yr degree. I love the fact of the flexabilty (starting late, leaving early) plus the usually give u a company car which is always a bonus. LOL How is the insurance? And what type of education do u need? Thanks and have a great day