Help How do I keep up in the field while I stay home with my toddler?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for staying engaged with physics while taking time off to care for a toddler. Participants explore various options for part-time work, volunteer opportunities, and ways to maintain intellectual engagement in the field during this period.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests looking into tutoring opportunities in physics or math, indicating that local high schools or colleges may provide information on how to start.
  • Another participant mentions that socializing with other physicists could help maintain knowledge and prevent skills from becoming rusty.
  • Reading and catching up on topics of interest is proposed as a beneficial at-home activity.
  • Suggestions include becoming an online tutor, participating in forum discussions, teaching online classes, and exploring grants or funding for re-entering academia after a break.
  • A participant encourages trying out the idea of introducing calculus to the toddler, humorously suggesting the potential for raising a future physicist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of tutoring and staying socially connected with the physics community, but there is no consensus on specific recommendations or the best approach to maintain engagement.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific recommendations for reputable tutoring companies and the uncertainty regarding available grants or funding opportunities.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals in similar situations, such as parents taking time off from their careers in STEM fields, may find the discussion relevant for maintaining their professional knowledge and skills.

klile82
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I recently left work to stay home with my toddler. I have a masters in physics and I'd love to go back to work when I'm done having children and they're school-age. But this leaves me out of practice for the next... decade or so. Does anyone have recommendations for part-time work, work-from home options, or volunteer work that will help me stay somewhat up-to-date and keep my brain from getting too mushy? I thought about busting out the calc books with my daughter, but maybe 16 months is too early.

Any comments are appreciated.

~ Katie
 
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I'm only an undergrad, but I seem to always be getting e-mails about various groups wanting physics or math tutors. High schools or colleges in your area would probably be more than willing to supply you on info on how to get started doing something along that line if it interests you.

I think that continuing to socialize with other physicists may do a surprising amount towards keeping it from getting rusty. Also, reading is the perfect "at home" activity, time to start catching up on topics you're interested in but never got around to.
 
Some suggestions:
- become an online tutor... (I thought about this as a side job... but I didn't look into it enough to recommend a reputable company).
- you can hang around at PF... get involved with discussions, possibly helping others with homework
- find a position to teach a class online (distance learning).
- look into possible grants and funding specifically for your situation of trying to re-enter academia after taking time out to care for your family (I have heard of such things... but I don't have any particular suggestion)
 
I'd back up all of the things that robphy said. If you have a univ. near by then maybe you could get someone in the physics department there to keep you up to date and recommend you undergrads to tutor. Also, I'd say you should give that Calc idea with your daughter a second try just to see how it turns out :wink: you could be raising the next feynman for all you know
 

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