I'm thinking about going back to college...

[disneyofcourse]

Is it strange to be considering changing things up and signing up for college courses(Basically starting fresh!) even though my job is fine? I feel like in the future I want to change my path and try new things. I just wasn't ready for college when I graduated and now I feel almost left out in a way. I feel I will better myself by doing this. Or maybe It's just wanting to earn a more comfortable wage and just work for someone else. I'm happy with what I do so its not about being unhappy in my work. Just having a hard time really sitting down and truly thinking about this. After all there is just so much news on how people can't get jobs and getting degrees to work at a minimum wage job.

Sometimes it just feels like all my income is being eaten up in taxes and business expenses. While I still love my work, I don't like having such a varied income month to month. Part of me just wants to work for someone else and have them deal with all the headaches of running a business and things breaking down,rent etc.

Bit about me:
I'm under 30 (Almost wrote 20 ), no children, strong savings, no credit debt and able to afford a community college starting part time. Something just seems to keep stopping me or it just doesn't seem like a good idea at the time. I just feel like I want to really get out there more and just take this leap! Then my other half tells me "not yet" or Maybe I should do this later. I'm also not sure what type of Degree I should aim for or what in.


Anyone else feel this way before? What did you do?

 

[meriface11]

it's never too late and education is never a waste. and starting at CC is a budget friendly way to do it.

you don't need to decide now exactly what you want to study--you will need to have core courses, no matter what type of degree you decide to pursue, although you will need to chose a path at some point.

 

[csharpwv]

I just have a very quick questions - have you ever thought about going to a small business conference or seminar to kinda get energized or re-energized about your business?
Maybe you could grow your business and go to school at the same time.

I just know from personal experience that if I could be my own boss, I would do it in a minute! HAHA

I have two small endeavors for a little extra income and if I thought I could make a full go at either one I would do it in a minute!

 

[RangerPooh]

Starting out at a CC is totally reasonable, especially if you are not sure what you want to major in or what you want to do as a career. Start out by taking the assessments to determine what level math and English you'll be placed in and then work from there to start checking off the general education requirements. Hopefully by doing this you'll find a career field that interests you.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Is it strange to be considering changing things up and signing up for college courses(Basically starting fresh!) even though my job is fine? I feel like in the future I want to change my path and try new things. I just wasn't ready for college when I graduated and now I feel almost left out in a way. I feel I will better myself by doing this. Or maybe It's just wanting to earn a more comfortable wage and just work for someone else. I'm happy with what I do so its not about being unhappy in my work. Just having a hard time really sitting down and truly thinking about this. After all there is just so much news on how people can't get jobs and getting degrees to work at a minimum wage job.

Sometimes it just feels like all my income is being eaten up in taxes and business expenses. While I still love my work, I don't like having such a varied income month to month. Part of me just wants to work for someone else and have them deal with all the headaches of running a business and things breaking down,rent etc.

Bit about me:
I'm under 30 (Almost wrote 20 ), no children, strong savings, no credit debt and able to afford a community college starting part time. Something just seems to keep stopping me or it just doesn't seem like a good idea at the time. I just feel like I want to really get out there more and just take this leap! Then my other half tells me "not yet" or Maybe I should do this later. I'm also not sure what type of Degree I should aim for or what in.


Anyone else feel this way before? What did you do?

IMHO, an education never goes to waste. That being said, why not start slower, part time, take a class or maybe two and see how you like it...the Work, energy, dedication it will entail. Best of luck to you, I think it is a great idea. You are always more marketable with a degree under your belt. Times are tough, but you know what, If you are able to take advantage of earning a degree and possibly making more money with someone else, or having your own business, more power to you. This economy has taken a HUGE toll on small business owners, I can say that first hand.............

 

[Mom of 3 Princesses]

it's never too late and education is never a waste. and starting at CC is a budget friendly way to do it.

you don't need to decide now exactly what you want to study--you will need to have core courses, no matter what type of degree you decide to pursue, although you will need to chose a path at some point.

YYEAH!!!! Good for you!! I do not believe that it is EVER to late or there is NEVER a reason NOT to go back to school!! YOU GO GIRL!!

I had a wonderful woman in my life that remarried in her late 60's. Her Hubbie was older and retired and he LOVED being in school. He had 3 Masters and 2 Phds!!!! He passed away while getting his 4th Masters degree! HE said that there were so many wonderful things to learn, that we are neglectful if we do not take the chance to learn them!!!

 

[ssawka]

As PPs have already said, education is never a bad idea, but only you know if you will have the time and $$ for it. I agree with others, start out slow and see if you can handle the commitment.

 

[juliebean]

I would absolutely encourage you to go ahead and take a class or two at a community college. I decided to go back just over a year ago to get a nursing degree. I take ten credits a semester right now and it's about $1200. I do have a 4.0, so I do get some merit scholarships to make that even less. Assuming you are interested and can afford it, I don't think it's a decision you'll regret. There are a lot of careers out there - teaching, nursing, even police today - that require a degree for entry. I waffled for a while - the time away from my family, I already have a BS in Chemistry I could use - but ultimately I'm very happy I took the leap. I realized that, within reason, you should do what you can to be happy with your career - you spend too much time at work to just have it not be rewarding.

 

[Purseval]

As PPs have already said, education is never a bad idea

Tell that to the girl in the other thread who owes $110,000

My son was looking into law schools and in the course of his research we found that enrollments are way up. Is it because we need more lawyers? No, it's because they are opting for law and other grad schools in order to try and wait out this bad economy. So what will happen if the economy still isn't better when they finish up?

In the end he's hoping that his school's reputation and his GPA will land him a job when he graduates in May then he will work on an MBA, hopefully on his new company's dime if they need it.

 

[ssawka]

Tell that to the girl in the other thread who owes $110,000

My son was looking into law schools and in the course of his research we found that enrollments are way up. Is it because we need more lawyers? No, it's because they are opting for law and other grad schools in order to try and wait out this bad economy. So what will happen if the economy still isn't better when they finish up?

In the end he's hoping that his school's reputation and his GPA will land him a job when he graduates in May then he will work on an MBA, hopefully on his new company's dime if they need it.

I was referring to education for the purpose of education. Yes, you have to make sure you can swing the payments and are realistic in your career aspirations (research the field, etc.), but when the economy turns around (and it will, economies are cyclical) they will be in a much better position to land a job than had they not gone to college.

 

[DCbride]

I definitely would encourage you to go back to school- especially since you do not have children now. It is much more challenging to juggle everything when you have kids.

I had to laugh about the "college is never a bad idea" and the post about the girls who owes $100,000. I know several 20 somethings that majored in fields that are flooded with applicants at this time. Did they waste their money, no their degree and education are still valuable. But unfortunately they have big college loans and no income, or at least smaller than expected income.

You sound like you have put a lot of thought into this- attending CC is great! And you can pay for it as you go without the loans, another plus. In addition, you already have a job.

 

[taaren]

Its a little rougher, but I'd recommend going back to school part-time while continuing to work if you don't know what you want your degree to be in. This isn't an economy where you want to be giving up an income. (I guess no economic environment is, for me because my income gives me a feeling of purpose and security.)
I'm 30 as well, had finished by B.A. at 19, wanted to do an M.F.A. at the time but let myself be distracted by life and work and enjoyed my 20's. 2 years ago, decided to go back and work on my Master's in a completely different area, while working full-time and having DH help out a lot with DS4. Its been rough & crazy scheduling-wise but totally worth it. In some ways college is easier as an adult than it was when I was 18 since you have more life experience to draw from. One more year to go!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think it's great to further your education, if you can afford it. I absolutely would if I were you.

I'd love to go back to school, but I can't afford it. I do like to learn things on my own, though. Someday I hope I can go back.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I just have a very quick questions - have you ever thought about going to a small business conference or seminar to kinda get energized or re-energized about your business?
Maybe you could grow your business and go to school at the same time.

I just know from personal experience that if I could be my own boss, I would do it in a minute! HAHA

I have two small endeavors for a little extra income and if I thought I could make a full go at either one I would do it in a minute!

The business is actually doing very well, still growing but doing well. I've gone to a seminar before and it just ended up with me being asked questions on how I ran my business once people figured out I was staying in the black.

Being your own boss is great for the most part. It's quite painful writing checks out every couple of weeks for 2k here, $500 there, $300 there, $400 there. I would make more money per hour worked just working for someone else. Owning a business does allow you to work when you want for the most part. With careful planning you can also vacation when you want. I would love to go into work and have a set schedule daily/weekly.

My plan is to go to school and maybe take 2 classes per semester. Especially in winter (slow time) I bet I could take several more classes. I think I'm just dragging my feet because I know how many years it would take to finish...

 

[disneyofcourse]

Its a little rougher, but I'd recommend going back to school part-time while continuing to work if you don't know what you want your degree to be in. This isn't an economy where you want to be giving up an income. (I guess no economic environment is, for me because my income gives me a feeling of purpose and security.)
I'm 30 as well, had finished by B.A. at 19, wanted to do an M.F.A. at the time but let myself be distracted by life and work and enjoyed my 20's. 2 years ago, decided to go back and work on my Master's in a completely different area, while working full-time and having DH help out a lot with DS4. Its been rough & crazy scheduling-wise but totally worth it. In some ways college is easier as an adult than it was when I was 18 since you have more life experience to draw from. One more year to go!

Thank You for saying it was totally worth it! Enjoy your last year. The way I kinda look at is if It takes me 5 years to do a 2 year program I'll be 30/31. Hopefully by then I can figure out how far I want to take it.

 

[NewCrew42]

My current advice to my kids is to get a degree where you can work for yourself or for someone else.

I have been a small business owner, and you do bust your tail working for yourself and no one does your work for you or helps you with your work unless you hire help (which then you have to make sure they are using their time wisely and not stealing from your business.)

My husband has worked for others. While he has been able to keep his job, every time there is a re-organization or reduction in force, it is very stressful not knowing if you will be able to keep your job. There have been a lot of people let go over the last several years. It has been hugely stressful.

So, our advice to our kids is to get a degree in area that is you do work for someone else and you are let go, perhaps you can open up shop and work for yourself.