I'm pondering about a new career. Any recommendations?

I work in escrow, which is not so good right now due to the situations in the housing sector. I have some college education and make about 50~60K a year on this job. The way it's going, I see myself making little over 40K next year. I need something more stable and with similar pay scale at least. Please no criticisms, negative, and hater answers please. It is what it is and I just need some ideas for a new career without going back to school for lengthy time, which I cannot afford to do due to my circumstances.

Court Reporter. Two years of schooling, thereabouts, and it's an industry that will always be in high demand as long as there is a legal system to work in. My sister graduated in May of '86 and by December she had made close to $80k. She was 19.

My mother, brother, sister and I all got through school in about 19 months. My brother and mother travel all over the world on the attorney's dime, five-star hotels and food all the way. Paris isn't too bad in the Spring, and neither is Greece, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Russia, England, Ireland or Italy - all places they've been in the last three months. Tough life.
You can take classes at night or you can even learn at home, though it's more difficult if you don't have someone standing over your shoulder making sure you're doing it right. After the first few weeks you'll know if it's for you or not.

You can also consider becoming a paralegal. Classes take about three months and this too is an industry that will always have work as long as there is a legal system to work in.

Just a couple of ideas for you. Hope this helps.

take up American Sign Language and become and interpreter. They get to travel all over and make 50+ an hour.

So you work at Mcdonalds?

a car detailer

So you have no degree..and yet you are worried about only making $40K? Roll with punches honey--its the economy and it will get better

Look at jobs offered at Enterprise Rent A Car. If you can take a pay cut you can join their Management Trainee Program. The good thing is, if you are smart and willing to show that you can learn quickly, you can get promoted whenever you are ready. The starting salary is low, but can be doubled within a year and a half. After that, its just upward mobility.
If you arent interested in taking a pay cut, just peruse their website for other positions.
Either way its a stable job.

How about dog grooming? My dog groomers make $100k a year and love their work. Go figure.

What skills do you have and what would you like to do? Is back-office operations from a desk really where you thrive?
How are your networking skills?

Day Trading.
Google day trading training and you will get 70 million results.
Good luck.

I am a Gynaecologist....... I think!!??

Well I feel like 1 anyway!! I stare at cnuts all day where I work!!! ;-)))

You work in an escrow company. You have access to real estate gold . Your income is enough to buy one of the bargains that go by you every month.

Check this out http://www.howtogooru.com/auto-pilot-inc...
No joke.
I got out of that business about two years ago, and in to this. Lucky I guess!
Good luck!

Stay put and do a life style change and wait for the market to pickup. It will. Trust me. Housing will pickup again. Maybe in a couple of years but keep your job, do your best and perhaps take on a part time job to supplement your income if Mama doesn't want to help.

The guy that got laid off this morning has ZERO. At least you have 40K.

I have been through 3 career changes myself. So my statements come from a seasoned career hopper.

Yes, get used to that term. Career hopper. I heard that between two hiring people when I was interviewing for my 3rd career.

Why can't you make it on 40K? During my first career change I went from 70K to 1,500 a month. Wife, 6 children, new car, mortgage payment. Wife had to take a job for about $800 monthly. We made it. We became closer as a family. We didn't go out to eat as often. We didn't vacation away from home every year. Mom learned to sew. Daughters learned too. Boys learned to deliver papers, do windows, carry out grocery. Yes all my children were then under 16 years old.

I have you serious answers and serious considerations. The more you change careers the less marketable you become. Age will also play against you even when you are white Anglo Saxon and named Rockefeller. Companies don't like old guys. They can get more out of a new college grad and pay him less.

Check out the website:

http://vocationvacations.com/