What did you do in your "previous" life?

I think a lot of times people make assumptions about SAHMs...that they are not educated or they have no training. That there must be SOME reason that they don't work (besides WANTING to stay at home with the kids :D).
What did you do Pre-Kids?

I think everyone knows what I did, but I will post anyway. I worked for ECI for ten years as an Early Intervention Specialist. I was also the mentor for EIS's in training and served as the supervisor for graduate students.

I went to school and graduated as a Licensed Massage Therapist with my specialties in Prenatal and Deep Tissue Massage. I volunteered at a VA Hospital 9 hours a day, 5-6 days a week for over 2 years. and I was a Bridal Consultant for David's Bridal.

eta: I also worked with the Ophelia Project going to Middle Schools, High Schools and Colleges counselling students and doing presentations called "Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll" which talked about date rape, drugs and alcohol use.

I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught preschool for 10 years, worked with a family day home program for 5 years, then as a social worker for Early Head Start & an education specialist for Head Start.

What can I say? I love children! :throblove

I have a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance, and I worked as a full-time piano teacher at various studios w/ a workload of 40+ students until I had Luke. I now just teach from home w/ only 15 students-- it's a small, manageable studio, it helps keep me sane, and I would miss my students too much to give it up completely! But, I basically consider myself a SAHM.

The only time I have felt a little condescension from people for being a piano teacher/SAHM is sometimes among my husband's colleagues. (He's a psychiatry resident). I don't really mind, but I can feel the conversation kind of pause, like they're not sure what to say next after I tell them what I do :)

I was a supervisor at a hotel here in the DFW area while going to College to get my accounting degree! I also worked in Management at a restraunt since I was 18 ( right after I had Zackary) and have worked in Accounting depatments at a hotel! After I recieved my degree (The day of my last final exam) I went and had Autumn and have since been a MOMMY full Time!!

I was a student, essentially. I worked full time while in school (until the last year), so it took me 8 1/2 years to finish. I went to community colleges for as much of it as I could, then transferred to SMU. I majored in math, but was also going through the elementary education program (SMU didn't offer education as a major- you had to chooose a major, then do the education program on top of that). I worked at various jobs while in school- usually private schools and daycares. I only had one professional job, the summer before I graduated (I had one math class to finish)- working as a Change Management Business Analyst for Accenture (I worked at Sky Chefs). I hated it, and I left at the end of the summer, when I became pregnant with Ashton. I worked at a daycare for a few months then, until I left because I was getting sick too much. I've been at home since the Thanksgiving before Ashton was born. I graduated in December (finished my class in August, but too late for August graduation- I took that class at UTA and transferred it to SMU). I was about six months pregnant when I graduated.

I worked for JCPenney Insurance and then JCPenney corporate for 7 years before having my daughter. The last job I had there included a wide variety of duties including taking photographs of products, loading those pictures onto webpages, maintaining a CD catalog of the products and getting those images prepared for TV broadcast to the stores.

Now I'm a SAHM/homeschooler and I also barter web work for free classes or goods, depending on the webpage.

I have my BA and MA in Political Science. When I finished my MA, I went back and did my teaching certification.

I taught 5th/6th Grade Social Studies at a private school.

I am a state licensed Insurance Service Rep. I started working insurance (Property & Casualty) when I was 19 so that makes it 16 yrs now. I keep my license active in case I need to go back. Frankly, I'd rather not but I worked HARD for that license and not about to let it go! I worked for Agent's with Farmers Insurance and State Farm.

3 yrs prior to having the twins I worked at JPMorgan Chase in Dallas (where Tim works still) in the Securities/Bonds department.

I was a Music Education major with an emphasis in Voice. I also worked for my church as the cook/domestic person. I had so many hobbies that I haven't been able to keep up with. I took piano lessons, voice lessons, led the music at church, was active in my music fraternity, taught VBS during the summer and mentored at an elementary school.

That's cool, Shirelle! My mom was a music teacher (elementary school).

I'm enjoying learning more about all the SAHM's! :upthumb

Thanks! I think I can still sing :rolleyes :lol

I have a BA in Art/Graphic Design, but ended up in the staffing industry. :rolleyes I moved to Orlando the day I graduated college and was not able to get my foot in the door anywhere, so I applied to be a temp and they hired me to be a Recruiter for them. I had various management roles in staffing from 1996-2004 and did the whole spectrum: clerical, light industrial, technical & medical.

taught elementary school

I worked as a Secretary in the OR at Baptist Medical Center when we lived in Arkansas.

I have a BA in Art/Graphic Design, but ended up in the staffing industry. :rolleyes I moved to Orlando the day I graduated college and was not able to get my foot in the door anywhere, so I applied to be a temp and they hired me to be a Recruiter for them. I had various management roles in staffing from 1996-2004 and did the whole spectrum: clerical, light industrial, technical & medical.
If you ever go back to work~my sister recruits graphic designers, etc for Tracy Locke.

I was an Emergency Medical Technician, and a student, and a server at Saltgrass. :lol

I worked for a private EMS company. We did events, and rode around on fully stocked bicycles. They were so cool- we even carried oxygen, and they ahd little flashing lights on the front and back! :lol We worked stuff like the "Taste of Dallas" downtown, and marathons. My last job with them was a marathon at Whiterock Lake. I was a couple of months pregnant, and it was hot. I had to get off of my bike and sit- trying not to need medical attention myself. :lol

I was also taking pre-req's for nursing, and trying to decide if I would do paramedic school when the next one started.
And waiting tables to fund tuition and books.

When I got pregnant with Jacob- both my EMS job and my waiting tables were a little too much for my "all day sickness," so I took a break. When I started feeling better- dh told me to extend my break until the baby was old enough for me to go back to work. ;) I guess he still isn't old enough.

If you ever go back to work~my sister recruits graphic designers, etc for Tracy Locke.

Awesome! I will keep that in mind. :upthumb

I taught 8th-12th grade math for 1 year(yes all grades!!) then I worked for an actuarial firm for 2 years. I liked working there other than the commute! But I like staying home a whole lot more!!

I worked in Day Care for 13 plus years and loved it. I worked with the three's. This is my favorite age. So cute!:throblove

I graduated high school in 1997. I started college that fall and went to work at a law firm as a copy clerk. I was there for 18 months until a position opened up at our church (where my father is pastor). I was our church secretary from the spring of 1999 until Jan. of 2004. During this time, I was also attending college. I, too, stayed at the community college as long as I could, Nicole (heck, it was a lot cheaper!!!). I even got an associate of arts degree from CCCC. (though I did not plan on it or even realize I had completed the work to get it at the time) I graduated from UTD with a Bachelor of Arts in Literary Studies in Dec. of 2003. (My goal is to write professionally; I am doing some freelance writing right now.)

At this time, my husband was finishing his degree too (electrical engineering; though he is now an understudy for civil engineering) so I decided to get a FT job to help with family finances until he graduated. He lost his steady, PT job of 5 years (due to no longer needing PT help) on Feb. 5, 2004. Luckily, I had started as a 2 year old teacher at Creme de la Creme in Plano the week before! One month to the day later - March 5, 2004 - I found out that I was pregnant! I worked at Creme for 7 months until Sean got a job at the company he is now with in downtown Dallas in Sept. of 2004. Nathan was born Oct. 28, 2004. I now mainly stay home with him but also do babysitting and freelance writing on the side.

I have a BS in Psychology and worked in a Secondary Treatment facility (drug, alcohol, sex addictions as well as eating disorders.) I didn't make enough money doing that alone so I worked as a bartender at night (LOL..yes I see mixed signals.) After having issues with "the program" I left and went to work as a circuit designer for WorldCom for years. After my entire dept was laid off I sold my art work. It wasn't until I moved to TX a few years ago that I needed the extra insurance and went to work for Experian and HATED IT...now I love being a SAHM and paint when I can.
I know you didn't want my resume but this was my life before kiddo!

I am a Chartered Accountant (like a CPA but in Canada). Then after I got that I worked in Finance at IBM until I had Brennan.

I was in school majoring in dance and working PT waiting tables. Around the time we got married I started dealing with anxiety so I quit school and after a few months break started working FT as a receptionist. I was about to go back and major in photography when I got PG with Kaleigh. For a while I was bummed that I didn't finish my degree but the corporate world really isn't for me. I plan on being a SAHM for a long time and once Kaleigh starts school I'll start focusing on my photography to do PT but I really don't need a degree for that.

Before kids I was in college........then I majored in dance in college, had my son, taught dance in Kansas, had my second child (first daughter), moved to Orlando danced in The Lion King at Disney World, had my third child (second daughter), moved back to KS and was the assistant rehersal director of a Ballet company........now we are here!! My husbands job moved us around a lot! I was a stay at home mom after each of my kids being born, and I was lucky enough that my teaching jobs in KS let my kids come with. In Orlando my husband worked weekends and I performed during the week. I love staying home......I wish that Ididnt have to find a job!!!!!

I worked in the employee benefits arena in various capacities for ten years before I had Ryan. Now I love being a SAHM much better. I have mentioned before that when my kids are in school I would love to pursue personal training or perhaps being a Regsitered Dietician. But for now I am very happy with my decision to be at home. I certainly have more than enough to keep me busy! And my husband is also in the employee benefits industry, so when I attend work functions with him, I don't feel out of the loop on his colleagues' conversations. ;)

I have a BS in Biochemistry. When I moved to the Dallas area, I worked as a Cell/Tissue Culture Technician in a research lab. After that, I worked as a Scientist in the quality lab of a pharmaceutical company. Now, I'm known as Mamamamamama! LOL

I have a bachelor's degree in Special Education (TCU) and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology (UT Austin). Right after college I taught in an elementary special education classroom for 3 years. Then I moved to Austin and worked for the Texas Education Agency in the Assessment division for 1 year but didn't like it so I decided to go back to school. While earning my Masters I worked as an educational management software consultant for 3 years then moved to Dallas to be with my fiancee (now dh) and worked as an Instructional Technology Coordinator for 2 years. Now I get to stay home with my sweet babies and I love it!

for 5 years I was the regional decorating and design manager for a paint and wallpaper company. I loved it. I then worked for the Southern Baptist COnvention as a Disability Benefits Admin for almost 5 years.

I worked as a Pharmacy Technician at a specialty pharmacy that did daily dose packaged meds for disabled people in group homes. I was also going to school full time to get my degree in Sociology.
After our first was born my hubby had one year of school left (computer engineering). I got a new job formatting the text portions of textbooks so that they could be printed in Braille; which enabled me to work from home and be with the baby. I also went to school part time that last year (online courses mostly) so as to delay payment of student loans until after Jared graduated.
I have since decided to wait until my kids are all in school to finish my degree, which will be quite a while from now. I enjoyed school but this is what I have always wanted to do, and there will be plenty of time for school later-the kids will only be young once! You can't beat being "Mommy!"

When we moved from Arizona to Texas I started out as a temp receptionist at the regional office for Discount Tire Co. In a few years I was office manager, supporting a VP and his assistant's. About six months before Riley came along I had taken a job at a daycare. In Arizona I worked for Bank One in Tempe. That's where Barry and I met.

I have a B.S. in nutrition and completed a combined registered dietitian/master's degree in public health at UT-Houston. After moving to Dallas I left the nutrition field and worked as a clinical research coordinator at UT Southwestern.

I have a Ba in Eng Lit. I was in commercial & residential real estate before being a sahm.

I have a degree in Elem. Ed. and the EC certificate, and I taught 6th grade language arts in Allen. I also have a brand new master's in library science, but I'll keep staying home for the time being. I'm going to have to go to school here and there to keep up my hours for the librarian certificate.

When I feel like it's the right time for my family - definitely after kids are in school - I would like to find a librarian job, maybe part time at first.

After I received my BA in History, I had NO idea what I really wanted to do. I ended up working for Fidelity Investments. I was a Financial Service Representative. First I worked in the Retirement Distribution department then in the Corporate Rollover Department. After I had Anna, I wanted to go back part time but their idea of part time was minimum of 30 hours a week between the hours of 6am and 6pm (or something along those lines). Way more work than I wanted. It was a really good company and maybe I will think about going back part time someday.

I went to college (SFA) to be an elementary school teacher and ended up working for an executive recruiting firm (head hunter for higher end jobs)...now I am a taxi driver :)

I didn't really do anything pre-kids.. I got married at 17.. soo basically was a high schooler :)

I have both my BS and MS in Exercise Physiology and started out as a Fitness Director and Personal Trainer. I moved up into the club manager position and still did personal training. I worked up until the day I gave birth. I love the fitness industry but the management aspect of it is mostly male and not family friendly if you do it well--I worked 12-14 hour days almost everyday. I don't miss that but do miss what I did.

I am getting back into training and my real love is working with athletes of all ages.:)

I was a real estate agent.:)

I was a finance/special finance manager at Trophy Nissan.

I got my BS in Applied Learning and Development (fancy name for Elem Ed), specializing in English, at UT in Dec. of 1999, got married in the summer of 2000, and started teaching 4th grade that fall. I looped up with the same class the next year, so taught the same kids 5th grade. I had Jacks a month after that school year ended and have been a SAHM since then! :)

I went to ACU in Abilene and got my BBA in Mgmt and HR. Worked for a year and then got preggo and decided to get my masters. So I got my masters in business at DBU.

I got an Associates Degree in Video Production after high school, worked for a while at several Blockbuster Videos in the area, and then worked as a volunteer for the City of Plano's government cable tv channel. I met my best friend there! I could have gotten a paying job at the channel (the executive producer asked me several times if I was interested), but I don't think I have enough passion for that type of work. It meant a lot of odd hours, and I had already spent enough time away from dh when I was working at Blockbuster.

Thats so cool! I grew up about 1 hour west of Abilene!!

I went to ACU in Abilene and got my BBA in Mgmt and HR. Worked for a year and then got preggo and decided to get my masters. So I got my masters in business at DBU.

Thanks! I think I can still sing :rolleyes :lol

:lol, i ALWAYS thought *I* could sing, but the realistic side of my brain says that Simon wouldn't agree :bag lol

I have a BA in Computer Graphics with an emphasis in Photography. I took pix for the Wichita Thunder (CHL hockey team in Kansas) for 5years while in college. I also worked full time while in college, so it took me 7years to complete - I sang in choir the first 4 years. :) We moved here (from Kansas) right after I graduated in 2000 & I was working for a private travel club as a Sales Admin. before I had Cassidy.

I don't know what I'd like to do 'in the future'. Doing Photography professionally is not my thing, I only ever see it as a hobby, but I do love it! :love I prefer the computer graphics/editing aspect so much more, I'd love to do something in Sports Photography as that's more my passion (preferrably hockey lol), I used to want to design hockey/sports cards or maybe do layout for a hockey/sports magazine... I also really love doing any accounting work as my first 4years of college were headed in that direction, I have an Associates in Business Administration from before I switched majors.

ETA: Oh & also while in college...I worked at a couple different photo-developing places. 1 1-hr. photo & 1 full service photo (complete with darkrooms lol) - *I* prefer the 1hr. myself, I don't have the patience for full-service! LOL Would love to do that again too...

and a server at Saltgrass. :lol

YUMMMMMMMMY!!!

I have a BA in Art/Graphic Design, but ended up in the staffing industry. :rolleyes

I hear ya! lol

taught dance in Kansas

Where at in Kansas? (I'm from Leon/Wichita...)

Well I was working at Hooters and waiting to ship off into the military.

Great thread. It's nice getting to know the SAHM's and their "previous" life.

I dropped out of college after 2.5 years (was an IT major at A&M) to move to NC with my then fiance (luckily never actually got married!). After I moved back to Texas I got a job doing phone tech support for Hewlett Packard. (as a side note: Day 3 on the job DH walked in my room to teach us computer hardware) I worked there for a few months and hated it. Dh's roommate at the time got a job doing Data Analysis at a telecom company and got me a job as a Jr Data Analyst. I worked there for 8 years and went from Jr Data Analyst to Sr Computer Programmer. I did a lot of database work and reporting in addition to programming. So I got to have the job my degree would have gotten me and I found out that I HATE IT even though I'm fairly good at it.

I do want to finish my degree (just so I can say I have one) but it will probably be in Photography.

I taught elementary school for 8 years...

I worked at Progressive Insurance in CA, most recently as a Claims Analyst for the West Zone, covering 7 states. I also worked as a Claims Adjuster & in Special Investigations during my time there. I worked there for about 5 years.

I think I may be the only one on here who didn't *have* a previous life.. :bag

WOW! Lot's of mom's with professional degrees! That's so awesome! In my previous life I was a server, cocktail waitress and bartender. I worked at The Melting Pot in Addison, The Flying Saucer in Addison, then on to the Flying Saucer on Greenville Ave. That one has since closed down, but that's where I was working when I met dh. He was a bouncer at another bar on Greenville. I also worked at 8.0 in the quadrangle, which has also since closed down. Shortly before becoming pregnant with Hunter, I went to work for my dad managing his medical practice. I learned a lot about the medical field while there, and stayed there until Hunter was almost 2. I did cocktail waitress again briefly at the Flying Saucer part time on the weekends. It was a great way to make some extra money and lose the extra weight from my pregnancy! (I need to do something like that now to get these extra pounds off :) ) I later worked for a dermatologist and then for an OB-GYN practice for 2 years. I was finally able to become a SAHM when Grace was 4 months old and Hunter was 4 and a half years old.

I have a BA in political science. I went back to school for teaching. I taught 2nd and 3rd grades jump start reading. While I was going to school for teaching I was a PPCD aide. I loved it. One day I hope to go back to teaching but for now I love being with my girls.

I was in a medical lab in the microbiology department working towards my phD in microbiology--but the only thing I ever really wanted to be was a mom. I am so grateful that i have that chance-- I can always finish when my kids are in school.

WOW-all this knowledge!!! =)

I have a BA in Spanish/ESL , I taught HS Spanish and Bilingual K and 1st...was 1/2 way on my masters in Spanish when I decided to quit and just bake by bun. =)
I was also a competitive 5K and 10K runner.

Now, I just speak Spanish while I run around. ;)

I have a BA in Government and have finished 1/3 of school for chiropractic and another BS in Anatomy. I'll go back and finish when the kids are all in school. I feel lonely, sometimes...I miss my 'chiro-friends' and none of them have children. But then I look at my babies' faces and am so grateful that Mike can support all of us financially so I can stay home.

YUMMMMMMMMY!!!



I hear ya! lol



Where at in Kansas? (I'm from Leon/Wichita...)
Wichita Ks at Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita.....now known as Ballet Wichita. I lived in Wichita for most of my life!!

Wichita Ks at Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita.....now known as Ballet Wichita. I lived in Wichita for most of my life!!

Wow - that's cool! Me too lol. I was born there & my Dad/step-mom still live in Wichita, but my Mom/family live in Leon (SE of Wichita - past Augusta). I went to high-school in Leon (grad. 93), then moved back to Wichita until we moved here in 2000. I got my BA at Friends University! :) I know they have a pretty big ballet/fine arts. dept. I was in concert choir for 4yrs... :)

I always just did boring office jobs doing clerical work. Although I do plan to go to college in the next 5 years and get a degree is special education.

Wow - that's cool! Me too lol. I was born there & my Dad/step-mom still live in Wichita, but my Mom/family live in Leon (SE of Wichita - past Augusta). I went to high-school in Leon (grad. 93), then moved back to Wichita until we moved here in 2000. I got my BA at Friends University! :) I know they have a pretty big ballet/fine arts. dept. I was in concert choir for 4yrs... :)

What a small world! I graduated from East High in 1996. Friends has a very good dance dept.......I have always wanted to be able to sing. You go girl!

What a small world!

Definitely - very cool! :upthumb

I was a Marketing Director/Graphic Designer and before that I was a Human Resoruces Manager. But I am so glad to be a SAHM I was so burned out I don't know if I will ever go back.

WOW-all this knowledge!!! =)

I have a BA in Spanish/ESL , I taught HS Spanish and Bilingual K and 1st...was 1/2 way on my masters in Spanish when I decided to quit and just bake by bun. =)
I was also a competitive 5K and 10K runner.

Now, I just speak Spanish while I run around. ;)

Wow! I want to learn Spanish so badly. What would be the best way for me to do this? Classes, tapes/CD series?

Oh yeah, sorry I was supposed to answer.

I have a BA in Accounting from UCF (Orlando) and I'm working on my Masters in Professional Accounting now. I've worked mostly in accounting for general construction and homes construction companies.....always an Accounting Manager or something like that.

I worked for a Nurse Recruitment Firm. I will get a degree in Nursing and will work some while the kids are in school but I still want them to be my main focus while they need me.

I worked in residential real estate.

I use to work on an Ambulance as an EMT (Volunteer Fire Dept) and day job as a Nanny for a wonderful family and they are now Alison's God Parents

I have an art degree, and I am certified in art K-12 and secondary mathmatics. I taught art (mainly 6-8) and and various math classes for 5 years. I 'escaped' from teaching be a computer aided design drafter (AutoCAD) for a building controls company. I worked there for 5 years drawing air flow and wiring diagrams and mechanical whatnot until quitting to stay home w/ my daughter.

I'm toying with the idea of going back to work (drafting) part time just to keep my skills up and make a little extra $$. This time maybe in a more creative field like architecture or interior design.

I was a school teacher! I miss it like crazy, but I love being home with my girl!

I was an attorney working for the Supreme Court of Louisiana, prosecuting unethical judges throughout Louisiana. Because we lost our houses (one in New Orleans and one in Mississippi), we moved here to Dallas, and I stay home with my two beautiful girls, Sasha and Mia. Luckily, my DH got a great job here in Dallas (but he travels three weeks out of the month - yuck) I love, love, love staying home with my girls and don't miss attorney life in the least.

Thanks for this site, it's made my transition to a new world/city so much easier!

I hold my BS is speech therapy & my MEd in Special Education, emphasis on early childhood spec ed. I am certified for early childhood ed (reg prek & k), 1-8th grades, ESL & all level special education.
I teach part time PPCD now & this is my 11th year. I took 2 1/2 years off when I had my son.

I was an Occupational therapist at Parkland. Still am an OT, though a SAHM since my 2 year-old!

I think I may be the only one on here who didn't *have* a previous life.. :bag

Don't feel bad I didn't have much of a "life" either lol

let see I worked fast food (wendys and a place called Royal in Greenville), Then I worked at K-Mart. That was about it...

I was a senior electrical design engineer. We did contracts for customers, and our schedules were very tight. When we had a contract, we all worked at least 10 hour days (mostly, more than that, average was probably 12 hour days with us working 15 to 16 hour days toward the end). When we didn't have a current contract, we basically just showed up at the office for a few hours (or sometimes just didn't come in). So, it was "feast or famine". I quit as soon as I knew I was pregnant, because having a kid just didn't mesh with a work environment like that, being pregnant didn't really either.

I miss having intellectual challenges everyday, but I don't really miss working.

I am thinking about going to work in finance and starting to study for the CFA (certified financial analysis) exams. I would have to work for 4 years in that field, though, before becoming totally certified, so it would probably also involve going back to school for a relevant degree.

I have a degree in journalism and Middle Eastern studies. I still work from home in the evenings and on weekends doing some writing for a magazine here in Memphis and for a company here too. My husband is a grad student so even though I am a SAHM, I am also half-breadwinner for the family.

I worked full time for the first 9 months of my son's life. My husband was an SAHD. I actually felt a little condenscension from some SAHMs when I was working full time, many of whom assumed my baby was in daycare, I'm sure. Though I didn't want to go back to work after my first, I am glad I got the opportunity to see it from both sides.

I didn't have much of a life BEFORE kids ... my oldest was born 1 month before I graduated from college. I went to work when he was 5 mon old.

I have my degree is software engineering from UTD. I worked at E-Systems/Raytheon Systems in Garland for 12 yrs - some of it part-time, and Nortel for 1 yr. When I was laid off, I decided to stay at home. We were trying to do that anyways.

I worked at Fidelity Investments for about 14 years in the Boston MA area. I worked in project management and then in management. I have an MBA. I miss my old role!

I have a Masters degree in social work and spent most of my career working in a rehab hospital with brain injury patients. My last, and best job, though, was while we were living in the Florida Keys. I was the Special Needs coordinator at Dolphin Research Center. I assisted guests, with any special need, while they participated in one of our interactive programs with the dolphins. Getting paid to swim with dolphins was amazing, but I quit so I could get pregnant, which was much more amazing.

Elementary Teacher. Before having my son, I taught 3rd. Grade in McKinney.