Ask the Expert Dr. Kathleen Wells is a professional career coach and Director of Coaches That Care. She has coached thousands of clients through the stages of successful career development. Returning to Work Q: Having been at stay-at-home mom for most of the past 17 years due to my children having serious illnesses I am looking to return to school and start something for myself. I was majoring in Consumer Relations and business the first time around but want to know what are the best fields for someone my age. I have strong volunteer experience and worked some recently(past 4 years) as an administrative assistant, wedding and event coordinator and finance rep.. I want something that grabs me and that has potential economically. Sandra A: Dear Sandra, You have a first step to do. Do not look at what is a good field for someone "your age." Look at what grabs you as you put it. I suggest the first thing you do is to work through two books. One is "The Work We Were Born to Do" by Nick Williams and the other is "Do It! let's Get Off Our Buts" by Peter McWilliams. Both will help you define what you enjoy and will help you find your passion. Do not settle for a job that fits your age or present skills unless it drives you! The next step is to investigate the field you come up with and see what further education or skills you might need and go after them in either paid or volunteer positions. The final thing is to look carefully at your resume and be sure it is designed to your best advantage. Leave off the dates so your gap in employment outside your home does not show, nor does it reveal your age. Dates are off of everything from education to jobs. Do a functional resume with the following sections: Professional Summary or Qualifications (whichever you prefer), Accomplishments (put five or six skills and site a specific example for each) and then Education. As an option, you can insert a Relevant Work History section and list each job you choose to, adding two or three bulleted one sentence examples that say you were good at it. There are excellent books in the library that would show you how to do this. The trick is to make the impression of a professional, hook the reader with your skills and accomplishments and then when you get into a personal interview put a positive spin on having been out of the job market for several years. At that point be prepared to tell them what you learned or did during that time that will benefit them. One last hint: be sure when you begin interviewing that you are dressing in current styles and have an up to date hairdo. Don't try to look like a 20 year old, but do keep up with current professional styles. Don't be afraid to wear colors that highlight your best attributes and make you feel good. Good luck, Kathleen Wells, Ph.D.