I Need Some Advice - College/Career

[Jeff in BigD]

Here's essentially the issues at hand:
-I'm currently unemployed.

-I've been looking for another job, but right now the jobs I'm qualified for aren't hiring, the ones that are hiring, I'm not qualified for.

-My unemployment benefits (aka $) have run out & so I'll have to get a non-career job to pay the bills, plus I'm faced with borrowing money until I get a paycheck.

-I've been debating about going back to college. I currently have two 2 year degrees, but I'm thinking about getting my 4 year degree.

-I've been batting around the idea with a few friends, but don't want to tell my parents until I have a better idea of what kind of timeline & money it would take. I'm also concerned that they might be a frustrated since they're having some financial issues just recently (though things have been looking up the past couple weeks).


Here was the basic plan I was thinking:
Get a job 9-5 job & then a 2nd job working 2-3 nights, neither for long term or career, just to pay the bills & save the money. Take a class in the meantime. We've got a trip to WDW coming up in Dec. Anyway, then I would get a student loan & whatever financial help I can get from my folks. Enroll in the fall '03 & have my 4 year degree by '05.


I spoke with my sister & two friends about this.
Sis said:
Go ahead & tell mom & dad, they shouldn't get upset. What gets sticky is our lease is almost up & sis has been interviewing for another theater, which means she might be thinking about moving closer to the theater. That means I'd have to move with her or look for an efficientcy. She also mentioned that my mom might like the idea, feeling that maybe I'll meet some nice girl there (mothers, gotta love 'em! ).

Friend #1 (who works form mastercard & has a level head) said:
It's a good idea. The economy is slow enough to wear I'm not really missing out & it's a time in my life where I can devote enough time to focus on it (as opposed to down the road if I'm married or firmly entrenched in a career). He said it would be different if the economy was booming & I was getting paid $30 an hour (like I would have 4 or 5 yars ago), but that I'm not really giving much up right now. He said it would also be a major plus in being able to require a better salary.

Friend #2 (currently enrolled in the school I've been considering) said:
That it sounds like a good idea, but warned that the degree program (which he is in as well) is much tougher than it was a few years ago. He also mentioned the heavy emphasis on print the university places in the program. He suggested another school that might be another choice, stating that they win more awards, aren't as heavily fixated on print, but the school is about 250 miles away. The thing is both programs are more for traditional graphic design & I think I want to be more based in animation, including web animation & 3D animation. I'll speak with him more on Thursday.


Anyway this weekend I'll be over at my folks house (for my sister's b-day) & I'm debating whether or not this would be the right time to bring this up. Does anyone have any advice about getting this set up or if bringing this up to my folks might be a little premature?

 

[Serena]

Jeff, I think talking to your parents and asking for thier advice would be something they'd appreciate.

I think you should go back to school, imho,

 

[ByTheSea]

Do you have a long term goal, such as a target company or organization you would ideally like to work for? I would try to set up an informational interview, it doesn't have to be in person but ideally if you can find A person at the organization to contact.

Ask them what it takes to break in, get your foot in the door. Are there "preferred" schools or degree programs, is there "preferred" work experiences that they look for. Network and try to get in touch with someone not in the HR area, but doing what you want to be doing in a few years.

Oh, and I agree, talk to your parents, sounds like your family probably has your best interests in mind.

 

[gepetto]

Can you move back in with your parents, work part time and go to college?

 

[worm761]

going to school is always a good idea. but i dont think you should talk to your parents at your sisters birthday celebration. you may ruin it by upsetting you parents. just a thought.

{{HUGS}} and good luck with your decision.

 

[lil mermaid]

Originally posted by worm761
going to school is always a good idea. but i dont think you should talk to your parents at your sisters birthday celebration. you may ruin it by upsetting you parents. just a thought.

{{HUGS}} and good luck with your decision.

I don't understand. Why would any parent be upset that their child wants to go back to school? Wouldn't they be happy?? How could this possibly ruin the party?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by worm761
going to school is always a good idea. but i dont think you should talk to your parents at your sisters birthday celebration. you may ruin it by upsetting you parents. just a thought.

{{HUGS}} and good luck with your decision.

I have to agree with worm. This is a private matter and to discuss at a b-day party is bad timing. It would be more appropriate to set some time aside and tell parents you need to discuss future plans with them and then they can be more of a help to you.

 

[Kermit]

2-year degrees are good, but if you have the option to get a 4-year degree, I'd do it. It's just an added bit of security, which you may need in the future. You're at a good place to go to school. You don't have a wife or family depending on your income, so you can choose to do something non-career oriented that pays the bills until you either get the degree or find a job that will be willing to work with your schedule (and maybe reimburse your tuition).

I would reconsider the timing, especially if you have any reason to think your parents may react emotionally.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Thanks for the advice so far.

About the B-day, actually it's just going to be mom, dad, sis & I for dinner & then a DVD at home. We're all pretty close, so there's not much I couldn't discuss in from of my sister & vice-versa. We'll be staying the weekend (Sat is her B-day) & I was thinking about mentioning this Sunday evening. My father works a split week (Sun-Tue, Thu & Fri) & doesn't get home until 7, so that makes things a little more complicated in regards to having his full attention.

There are a few companies I'm interested in right off the bat, but it seems like they're all big on getting in by using a headhunter (headhunters are not big on taking on inexperienced people) or by internships (most of the time it's unpaid). I couldn't afford to get an internship unless I was at school with a student loan.

The school is an hour away, my folks' house is an hour away & their house & the school are an hour away from each other. My car is a lease, so the milage is a concern. I know a couple people that are going to school up there, so I might have potential roommates up there.

 

[snowwhitemom]

No advice for you...just some PD and happy thoughts!!!! Oh, One bit of advice...Never move back home...not a good idea IMPO.

 

[helenabear]

I think going back to school is usually a great idea! I do think if you are going to bring it up that you do it on Sunday and tell your sister that you plan to do it just so she knows (just in case). One thing though you mentioned working full time, part time & going to school part time. That is A LOT to try to take on... think that through too as it might not be a wise idea at all.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

The 2 jobs would be until I enrolled. I might get a weekend job waiting tables (or maybe even tending bar) if I'm not able to get enough money from a student loan.

 

[slimplaw]

Go for more education. If you don't, every time the economy bottoms out, you may be looking for a new job. My husband is going through it for the 3rd time since we've been married. It was certainly an incentive for our 22 year old DS to stay in school and finish a degree in education. He is enrolled at Texas Woman's Univ. in Denton and having a wonderful time. It is about 600 males to 4,000 women.

 

[annemariec]

Hi Jeff,

I'm all for education!

I need to think about what I read a little more. Off the top of my head, I guess I'd start off with some questions.

1.) How was your GPA? You may be eligible for scholarships, fellowships and state/institutional grants. Check out what's available.
2.) How long have you been living on your own? You may be eligible for a Pell grant. (I didn't know about it until I had graduated.)
3.) Does the college/university have a Work-Study program? If so you could possibly work for the company you have your sights set on and get paid. It's a great way to get experience in the field you choose as a paid intern. I did this in my last year of grad school. I wish I had found out about it sooner.

Some friends of mine did an Interdisciplinary Studies program. They designed their own programs of study to include double majors. It wasn't like a traditional double major. You work with an advisor and come up with an approved plan. You get more bang for your buck and make yourself more marketable. (Found out about that one late too.)

I think it's a good idea to interview a Human Resource person with the company (or companies) you are interested in. Find out all you can about the company and the requirements for the position(s) you are interested in.

I'd also consider interviewing people that are doing the jobs you want. The HR person could help set that up. What do they like and dislike about the work? What would they like to see change? What would they have done differently when preparing/studying for this career? Did they feel prepared when they graduated? If not what would have helped them? Would or did they take classes that weren't part of their program? If so, what would they recommend? Are there other careers within the field on the horizon that use the same skills/talent that interest you?

Anyway, that's what comes to mind right now. I'll check back later.

Annemarie

 

[kylara]

Jeff,

You might want to meet with a Financial Aid advisor at the college you plan on attending. Find out what scholarships might be available. Also get all the deadline for applying for Financial aid...the earlier you apply the better your chances, 'specially for institutional scholarships. If you are over 25 you are considered independant by federal guidelines but find out if the college uses that age...some make it higher.

I would also talk with the admissions office. Find out if your 2 year degree credit are going to transfer in and how many of them will go to your major. That can have an impact on how long it takes you to complete the Bachelors. You can also find out about their internship program at the same time. There are some internships that pay but some colleges and/or programs restrict when you can do internships...after all, they need to be providing quality students to the companies or it hurts the internship program.

Actually what you are doing is not uncommon..when the economy turns downward, many people choose to come back to college to update their skills, further their degree, or get a degree. Good luck. Just remember, the earlier you start to talk to the college, the better prepared you are when you actually apply and enroll.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Here's something I just thought of... I never took the SAT. It wasn't required for the JuCo & I've passed both the college assement & the state assement tests. Will this be an issue or does the fact that I already have racked up quite a number of hours & two degrees make it a moot point?

slimplaw - The two schools I've been considering is UNT or Southwestern State. I looked at ETSU (Now known as A&M Commerce), but I was not really impressed with the work I saw, the campus, the dorms or the town. Not that Denton or San Marcos are bustling cities, but they seem a tad more active & aren't as secluded.


annemariec -
1) The last time I checked my GPA was over 3.0 & I'm pretty sure it's higher now. I'll know for sure on Monday.
2) I've been living on my own for about a year & a half.
3) I'll find put in a few days if they have a Work-Study program.

Those were some great suggestions & I'll keep those on tap.


kylara - I initially tried to get financial aid, but the sticky thing is that my father gets paid mostly on commission, so they looked at the high percentage rate & that made me inelligable. I'm 26 (I'll be 27 when I start), so hopefully that won't be an issue this time around. I'll look into the other scholarships offered.

The last I heard the college I'm mostly looking at has a partnership deal with the JuCo & around 90% of the classes transfer. I'm hoping that I can start from the 2 year point & won't have to back track or that if they don't accept one of the degrees, they'll accept the other.

 

[Serena]

Jeff, apparently you thought of that quite a lot.

I'm glad you got some good advice. I didn't have any for you.
But you are really smart, I don't worry about you at all. You'll do well whatever you decide to do.

 

[annemariec]

Jeff,

Being that you have a good GPA, I would think the college/university shouldn't require an SAT. Find out if you can challenge the requirement. I know a friend of mine in grad school petitioned against taking the GRE because his grades were stellar. They waived it! He told them he had already proven himself and it would be a waste of his time and money. I had never heard of challenging a requirement! He told me they aren't going to advertise that they will waive certain things. It made sense.

If the college/university has a Work-Study program, but doesn't have a relationship with the company you want, don't give up! Ask how the company could be added to the program. It sells itself! They get qualified applicants, and many times they hire the grads on a permanent basis once they have completed their courses.

Sounds like you have a lot of things going for you. As much as possible look for finance-free ways of paying for your education. Heck, you may want to look for a job (even part-time) with the college/university! Find out what the perks are...When I was getting my B.S., I worked for my university and was able to take 2 college courses a semester for free! Summers too! I don't know how it works elsewhere...

Just some other things to think about.
Annemarie

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I went over to visit my friend who is at the college. He wasn't too much help in regards to finances & he's tired of his major (& looking to move on to film school at USC, UCLA or NYU), so that wasn't too helpful either.

I'm planning on stopping by on Monday to speak with an advisor, financial aid, etc. In the meantime I'm going to email a few other friends in similar fields to see if they feel like that's a good direction to go in or if there's a better degree to go for. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[jfulcer]

You should just date that girl that you had to take to the airport.