Once again, Berkeley Parents Network ran a couple letters seeking career advice. I will run them here, too:

I am a credentialed preschool teacher with an AA degree. I have worked for the same wonderful preschool for 7 years and love my job. However, I am realizing that financially, being a preschool teacher is difficult. The poor pay-scale of the child care field is becoming an issue as my partner and I are raising our own family and making ends meet in the Bay Area on a preschool teacher's salary is very stressful (my partner also works, but it would help our situation greatly if my salary were more than 30K per year). I am wondering if I should go back to school (this will be financially difficult for my family, but could be worth it if I will make more money with a BS or BA). Or, perhaps there is a career counselor who would know how to transition from being a preschool teacher to something fulfilling that pays more (or is this impossible with only an AA degree)? Has anyone out there made such a transition? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Possible Career Switcher

People who responded recommended seeing a career counselor. (I agree.) One person linked to a government website with information on teaching, including requirements and salaries. Another former preschool teacher listed other possible careers:

I am a former preschool teacher. I loved my work, but was also not making enough money. For my birthday a few years ago, my mother paid for career counseling with Toni Littlestone, who is in the Albany/Berkeley area. I was so confused and conflicted, I really needed coaching, advice, and help, so I went to see Toni and worked out a new life plan. We started with assessment, and I learned so much. One thing I learned is that I am somewhat a physical type of person, and someone who likes to help people. I like to go on hikes, do yoga, and work in my garden. Moving around with the preschool kids worked well for me, and jobs in an office sounded like torture. I know my choice would not be for everyone, but I decided to re-train as an aesthetician and hair stylist. At first, I had value judgments about that, but in the career counseling process, Toni helped me explore my deeper needs and values, not just my snap judgments about people's career status in the world. Now, I make well over $60,000 a year, cut hair for all ages (including kids), do facials, scalp massages, etc, love talking with all my clients, and truly enjoy my work. I could make more money, but I prefer to work only four days a week. I go to trainings and conferences, and like learning new things. I also explored becoming a lab technician, a physical therapy assistant, a baker, a labor and delivery nurse, a child life specialist, and a children's librarian. All those careers sounded good, too. The choice was hard, but I am happy. After my mom paid for all those sessions with Toni, I have to give her haircuts and facials for life, but that's no problem! Good luck with your search.
happy with my career path

As another letter writer pointed out, it is sad that a nanny, who requires no job training, makes more money than a preschool teacher -- at least in the Bay Area. When are we going to bring more respect to traditionally “women’s” work?

In a separate, but similar letter, a SAHM wondered what she could do to work from home:

Hello there~~

I'm the mother of 21 month-old twins and have just recenty gone back to work as a teacher. I thought I would like getting a break from the kids, but just the opposite is true! Does anyone out there have suggestions for working at home? I'm sure most parents are in my position-- once you have the baby life changes and you want to be there for as much time as you can especially in the begining. I've also come down with ulcerative colits since the boys were born which can make even leaving the bathroom hard some days. I have to work at something to bring in at least $2000/month. I've thought of taking in another child, but that doesn't pay much, I'd have to take in several and that feels like a lot with the twins already!
Any suggestions?
Thanks~~
Jennifer

That’s the million-dollar question, Jennifer. What say you, MotherTalkers?