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Working with CF

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Debi

New member
I would second the idea that you may want to work for a larger company that has benefits, because those come in very handy for someone with cf. Depending on the company, some are much better than others at supporting flexible work arrangements. There are magazines that put out annual lists of top best companies to work for - can't remember them off the top of my head. Another option may be government employment (state, county or city).
 
D

Debi

New member
I would second the idea that you may want to work for a larger company that has benefits, because those come in very handy for someone with cf. Depending on the company, some are much better than others at supporting flexible work arrangements. There are magazines that put out annual lists of top best companies to work for - can't remember them off the top of my head. Another option may be government employment (state, county or city).
 
D

Debi

New member
I would second the idea that you may want to work for a larger company that has benefits, because those come in very handy for someone with cf. Depending on the company, some are much better than others at supporting flexible work arrangements. There are magazines that put out annual lists of top best companies to work for - can't remember them off the top of my head. Another option may be government employment (state, county or city).
 
M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I just finished my college career (till i have to go back for my masters, but that will be different and a few years from now) in December and it was definitley harder then than it is now. I went to school for teaching and currently work as a substitute teacher. This is the part that sucks about my job. I dont know when I will be working or where (granted its all in the same town) or what grade I will be teaching on any given day. I think that one of the bigs things, like Amy said would be to pace yourself. I think my subbing is helping me, b/c eventually someone will see me and want to hire me (or at least I hope thats the case). BUt at the same time it is getting me 'ready' for a full time job. Since I usually get called the night before I have to work, I am able to set my alarm and do my morning routine before school. If I dont get called the night before, I have accustomed myself to wake up at a certain time...its almost like im afraid that I MIGHT get called, so I wanna be ready. So even if I dont get called to work, I am usually up. This helps me to really stay in a routine because I find that if I fall out of a routine, then I will get sicker or I will more tired.

Hope you figure something out soon!! Good luck!
 
M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I just finished my college career (till i have to go back for my masters, but that will be different and a few years from now) in December and it was definitley harder then than it is now. I went to school for teaching and currently work as a substitute teacher. This is the part that sucks about my job. I dont know when I will be working or where (granted its all in the same town) or what grade I will be teaching on any given day. I think that one of the bigs things, like Amy said would be to pace yourself. I think my subbing is helping me, b/c eventually someone will see me and want to hire me (or at least I hope thats the case). BUt at the same time it is getting me 'ready' for a full time job. Since I usually get called the night before I have to work, I am able to set my alarm and do my morning routine before school. If I dont get called the night before, I have accustomed myself to wake up at a certain time...its almost like im afraid that I MIGHT get called, so I wanna be ready. So even if I dont get called to work, I am usually up. This helps me to really stay in a routine because I find that if I fall out of a routine, then I will get sicker or I will more tired.

Hope you figure something out soon!! Good luck!
 
M

MCGrad2006

Guest
I just finished my college career (till i have to go back for my masters, but that will be different and a few years from now) in December and it was definitley harder then than it is now. I went to school for teaching and currently work as a substitute teacher. This is the part that sucks about my job. I dont know when I will be working or where (granted its all in the same town) or what grade I will be teaching on any given day. I think that one of the bigs things, like Amy said would be to pace yourself. I think my subbing is helping me, b/c eventually someone will see me and want to hire me (or at least I hope thats the case). BUt at the same time it is getting me 'ready' for a full time job. Since I usually get called the night before I have to work, I am able to set my alarm and do my morning routine before school. If I dont get called the night before, I have accustomed myself to wake up at a certain time...its almost like im afraid that I MIGHT get called, so I wanna be ready. So even if I dont get called to work, I am usually up. This helps me to really stay in a routine because I find that if I fall out of a routine, then I will get sicker or I will more tired.

Hope you figure something out soon!! Good luck!
 
L

LouLou

New member
I work in sales/marketing and pr with a BFA in Industrial Design. By chosing this major I was choosing to work for small companies which I didn't realize at the time or didn't realize the impact of. My health has been stable since entering the workforce in 2001 so it hasn't been an issue. Also the small co's I've worked for have been compassionate when I have needed allowances due to cf appt's and such. I haven't missed more work than the usual employee. In hinesight, I probably wouldn't change a thing. I enjoyed what I majored in and I'm sure that some of the reason why I have diverted my efforts a bit away from my major were so that I would me more valuable and with my experience be able to get a job at a large company in related industries. Also, working with a small company you have a tendency to get a more diverse experience more quickly.

One thing I will say is that I thought benefits were negotiable at small companies to rival what big companies offer. My big company benefits I'm talking about at the extreme what momtolillian has. Her benefits are awesome. Well I was incorrect to think that small co's could offer anything like what big co's can. It's not that they are jerks, it's a business model difference. I'm sure there are exceptions but generally small biz's runs on tight margins. Giving someone at $75K 3 months off paid with no 'deliverable' would drive them out of business or at least out of competition from the competitor.

Along with the usual benefits look for the policy of 'flex time' as I believe often a cfer can keep up with the pace of their colleague but they need to be able to do it at their pace. Also, working from home might be something to consider but as a newbie you'll need to likely do your time in the trenches.
 
L

LouLou

New member
I work in sales/marketing and pr with a BFA in Industrial Design. By chosing this major I was choosing to work for small companies which I didn't realize at the time or didn't realize the impact of. My health has been stable since entering the workforce in 2001 so it hasn't been an issue. Also the small co's I've worked for have been compassionate when I have needed allowances due to cf appt's and such. I haven't missed more work than the usual employee. In hinesight, I probably wouldn't change a thing. I enjoyed what I majored in and I'm sure that some of the reason why I have diverted my efforts a bit away from my major were so that I would me more valuable and with my experience be able to get a job at a large company in related industries. Also, working with a small company you have a tendency to get a more diverse experience more quickly.

One thing I will say is that I thought benefits were negotiable at small companies to rival what big companies offer. My big company benefits I'm talking about at the extreme what momtolillian has. Her benefits are awesome. Well I was incorrect to think that small co's could offer anything like what big co's can. It's not that they are jerks, it's a business model difference. I'm sure there are exceptions but generally small biz's runs on tight margins. Giving someone at $75K 3 months off paid with no 'deliverable' would drive them out of business or at least out of competition from the competitor.

Along with the usual benefits look for the policy of 'flex time' as I believe often a cfer can keep up with the pace of their colleague but they need to be able to do it at their pace. Also, working from home might be something to consider but as a newbie you'll need to likely do your time in the trenches.
 
L

LouLou

New member
I work in sales/marketing and pr with a BFA in Industrial Design. By chosing this major I was choosing to work for small companies which I didn't realize at the time or didn't realize the impact of. My health has been stable since entering the workforce in 2001 so it hasn't been an issue. Also the small co's I've worked for have been compassionate when I have needed allowances due to cf appt's and such. I haven't missed more work than the usual employee. In hinesight, I probably wouldn't change a thing. I enjoyed what I majored in and I'm sure that some of the reason why I have diverted my efforts a bit away from my major were so that I would me more valuable and with my experience be able to get a job at a large company in related industries. Also, working with a small company you have a tendency to get a more diverse experience more quickly.

One thing I will say is that I thought benefits were negotiable at small companies to rival what big companies offer. My big company benefits I'm talking about at the extreme what momtolillian has. Her benefits are awesome. Well I was incorrect to think that small co's could offer anything like what big co's can. It's not that they are jerks, it's a business model difference. I'm sure there are exceptions but generally small biz's runs on tight margins. Giving someone at $75K 3 months off paid with no 'deliverable' would drive them out of business or at least out of competition from the competitor.

Along with the usual benefits look for the policy of 'flex time' as I believe often a cfer can keep up with the pace of their colleague but they need to be able to do it at their pace. Also, working from home might be something to consider but as a newbie you'll need to likely do your time in the trenches.
 
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lightNlife

New member
Look for a government job or a position with a very large and reputable company. Hands-down those are the best when it comes to disability and insurance benefits.

I'm a 32-hr/week full time environmental scientist (currently on disability following a hospital stay and some outpatient surgery). Mostly I do consulting work, which involves a lot of office work. Occasionally I'm out in the field, but not often. My work is wonderfully flexible, and I have been able to work from home on occasion. I am an hourly employee, not a salaried one, which is great because then I can't be forced to work long hours.

The time is coming when I will no longer do the scientist gig full time. I'm a professional freelance writer in my "down time" and have experienced some degree of success with that. I'm currently working with a publisher, and my first book is coming out after June, 2007.
 
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lightNlife

New member
Look for a government job or a position with a very large and reputable company. Hands-down those are the best when it comes to disability and insurance benefits.

I'm a 32-hr/week full time environmental scientist (currently on disability following a hospital stay and some outpatient surgery). Mostly I do consulting work, which involves a lot of office work. Occasionally I'm out in the field, but not often. My work is wonderfully flexible, and I have been able to work from home on occasion. I am an hourly employee, not a salaried one, which is great because then I can't be forced to work long hours.

The time is coming when I will no longer do the scientist gig full time. I'm a professional freelance writer in my "down time" and have experienced some degree of success with that. I'm currently working with a publisher, and my first book is coming out after June, 2007.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
Look for a government job or a position with a very large and reputable company. Hands-down those are the best when it comes to disability and insurance benefits.

I'm a 32-hr/week full time environmental scientist (currently on disability following a hospital stay and some outpatient surgery). Mostly I do consulting work, which involves a lot of office work. Occasionally I'm out in the field, but not often. My work is wonderfully flexible, and I have been able to work from home on occasion. I am an hourly employee, not a salaried one, which is great because then I can't be forced to work long hours.

The time is coming when I will no longer do the scientist gig full time. I'm a professional freelance writer in my "down time" and have experienced some degree of success with that. I'm currently working with a publisher, and my first book is coming out after June, 2007.
 
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