How do I transition into a stable, fulfilling, and financially stable career that involves helping children when I have a disjointed work history ?

am 30 years old, and since graduating from high school, I have had inconsistent work for many different employers. All within general labor. After taking a job for a municipal park agency in sanitation, I transferred to the recreation side of things as a camp counselor. I loved that position and would have loved to continue with the agency and work my way up the ranks, but was told that Bachelors degree would be helpful, so I signed up for an online Sociology program at SNHU.

In 2025, I worked for a major pharmaceutical non-profit doing warehouse labor that also required some logistics and coordinating. I was injured on the job, and after settling my workers' comp case, I no longer work here and have transitioned into substitute teaching.

I originally started SNHU with the plan to use the Bachelor's to work my way up the park district, so I never really did much other than just pass my classes. I have the degree, but no real-world research experience or internships in the field.

My question mainly comes from another major life change that my wife and I have planned for our family, and that is moving to Ontario, Canada. I want to know how I can start a career in something related to helping kids in one way or another. All our paperwork is in order, and we will be moving this summer, but as the sole income provider, I'm feeling a lot of pressure.

Unfortunately, because of the injury, I cannot work hard labor jobs anymore, and I also want to begin something more stable and fulfilling. I also need to know what I can do to make a sustainable income because the entry-level positions in Ontario, such as Child Youth Worker, are relatively low-paying.

My grades were decent at SNHU, and I would consider continuing my education in the long run if it would help my situation, but considering my situation, I need to work to provide for my family.

I’m concerned that with a lack of experience and relevant skills other than the 6 months I had as a camp counselor, a few months as a substitute, and about 12 years mopping floors, delivering packages, or loading trucks at a warehouse, I have pigeonholed myself into the type of jobs I am desperately trying to transition away from.

How do I break out and transition into a career in a space where my work experience isn't fully relevant?