A Gold's close to my home just called me. They saw my application from the time I applied here in D.C. and they said they want to hire me full time. Problem? In order to do it, I'd have to give up $2,000 a month in salary...I can't do it. I am so really disappointed. I think I'm stuck being a legal secretary, but what I really want to do with everything in me is train. First time I ever thought having a relatively high salary would be a liability!
A Gold's close to my home just called me. They saw my application from the time I applied here in D.C. and they said they want to hire me full time. Problem? In order to do it, I'd have to give up $2,000 a month in salary...I can't do it. I am so really disappointed. I think I'm stuck being a legal secretary, but what I really want to do with everything in me is train. First time I ever thought having a relatively high salary would be a liability!
Hi Nora,
Here's a thought. Is it possible that at some point you could eventually flip flop and do the personal training full time and somehow use your legal secretary skills part time?
I know that's probably a stupid suggestion but I was thinking about your predicament that that's what appeared in my brain :).
I feel bad that you had to turn that job down but I also TOTALLY understand, that's a drastic difference in salary. I guess the only way to do something like that would be to have enough of a cushion in the bank to allow you to make the transition to where you could eventually maybe make the same total salary but just be doing more personal training and less legal stuff.
My wife used to be a paralegal and THAT is one stressful field to work in (she had to stop because the stress had gotten so bad it was actually causing her health problems).
Awww Nora- I feel your disappointment. I think Scott has a good idea! My other thought was if you could parlay the offer at Gold's into a part-time (of course the hours has to work- forgive me if they already offered you this...). But then you're working in the industry building a base of clients. When the base is strong, quit legal. I work part-time at a corporate (stressful) job - don't dislike it though. But I'm not planning on quitting it, I'll train clients part-time as added income. That's my plan.
Further, just for perspective, I've been interning with 2 wonderful women (both trainers), both well-established in the field with lots of experience. One owns the small gym (Deb), the other (Arlene) has some kind of deal w/ Deb to use the the gym (don't yet know the % she pays). Anyway, just wanted to mention Arlene always tells me she loves doing this, but she often says about how much she has to work to support herself, 6 days a week, often evenings...you get the picture.
Thanks, Scott and Vonni. My problem about juggling two careers is that my commute is 4 hours (2 hours there, 2 back), and after eight hours of work, too, training is very difficult (no time to create plans or even work with clients. Right now I'm doing it early mornings and at lunch time. I also have a new client starting on Saturdays).
There really is no part time legal secretarial work, so I can't do the training full time and work part time in my old field.
I hear ya, Vonni, about your friend! I know that if I did do this, I'd be working at the gym 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I'm sure I'd love it, but...just wow! In fact, the head trainer there told me that in the winter months they live at the gym, almost (although summer months are slow for them).
It'll work itself out someHOW! I am training now, and am enjoying it, but wow, how I'd love to do this full time!
I, too, can relate to your disappointment! Without the support of my husband there's NO WAY I would have the option to train full time. It's been an extremely difficult decision for me to leave my salary behind. I'm still working now, but I know that it's going to be a rude awakening once that paycheck goes away.
Hang in there! You'll find a way to do what you love and keep some balance.
Katie, I am really happy for you! Give your husband a very big hug, that is wonderful!
I'm training five people now -- one via the internet (and a once-a-month face to face) and four in my office at our downstairs gym (if you can call the little closet down there they call a gym!). Not making much money, though, because I keep waiving my fees! I'm having a hard time actually spitting out, "$45.00 an hour." My clients do hand me a check now and then, however! I really have to start CHARGING, dag blast it!
We have a gym at my office as well. There is one trainer who works there teaching classes over the lunch hour and training people in the evenings. I've worked with her in the past, and when she found out that I'm getting certified, she asked if I would come train people a couple nights a week. Great opportunity, but the only downside is that she only charges $25 an hour. Obviously a great deal for her clients! I'm not sure I can charge a whole lot more than that, but figure it's probably a good place to start just to get some experience under my belt!
Are there any big companies or corporate HQs nearby? If so, just maybe there's a hybrid job to be had - FT legal secretary or similar, if there is an in-house legal department (or person), and PT fitness director. Both jobs exist separately in many big companies, so why not a position with blended duties?Just a thought.
In fact, the head trainer there told me that in the winter months they live at the gym, almost (although summer months are slow for them).