Hi Renee,

Thank you for writing to us. I’m happy to hear that you are working again and feeling motivated to advance professionally! Cancer and Careers has a Professional Development Micro-Grant program which offers cancer patients and survivors financial assistance to pursue professional development opportunities to enhance and/or build on new skills (http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/micro-grants). While current application round is now closed, we will make sure to notify you when our next one is open. Although we do not offer tuition assistance, this program may be of interest to you in taking professional development courses or reinstating your certification.

A little more detail would help us make sure we offer you the best thoughts possible, we’ve pulled together the below to get us started:

• Do you know what certificate/degree you would like to obtain from school?
• Do you know what type of work you are interested in or hoping to pursue?
• Are you interested in reinstating your license (if so what would that entail) or would you like to pursue something completely different?
• Do you have an interest in continuing to work for your current employer or would you like to change companies?

In the meantime, I would recommend reviewing the following resources:

Article on recasting yourself after cancer: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/back-to-work-after-cancer/recasting-yourself-after-cancer
Article on cancer as an inspiration for career change: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/looking-for-work/exploring-your-options/cancer-as-inspiration-for-career-changes
Financial resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/categories/financial

Kind regards,
Nicole

Nicole Franklin, MPH
Manager of Programs
Cancer and Careers

Hi Renee,

You have certainly had a tough haul and I applaud you for everything you have accomplished and for your drive to find meaningful work. My stepmother was an underwriter and I know how smart and focused you need to be in that job. Nicole's questions to you are very helpful for you to think about what you want to do next.

I do not know where you live in the US however I would begin by reaching out to local and national cancer organizations, as well as your state to research potential grants. I would also Google "grants for cancer survivors" and similar language to see what surfaces. Additionally, I would approach your local colleges and universities to see what they are aware of.

However, Nicole's point about needing to know exactly what you want to do next is important because if you don't have a focus regarding what you want to do next, then you won't know what type of education or certification makes sense. I don't usually do this however I recommend my book, I Don't Know What I Want But I Know It's Not This, A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work. The third edition was published in 2016.

Best wishes for identifying and focusing on what to do next and finding financial assistance. You deserve it as do your children!

Take care,

Julie