So I've been out of school for 4 years now and have been working non-stop. Here recently I've been considering a job change, but then the idea of school came to mind.

I've never went through the process of enrolling beyond taking an ACT which my old Highschool has records of, and thankfully it was a 28 so it's not a very bad score. I just really don't know what I need to do to get the ball rolling, what to expect, and what kind of financial hole I'm going to be in.

So... someone educate me? I'm looking to go for something IT'ish...network administration or software development are my strong points. Needless to say it's hard to get a job in either of those areas without a slip of paper saying that you know the basics of how to do it.

From the experienced people who have been or are currently enrolled... share some of your experiences? This paycheck to paycheck stuff gets old quick and I'd like to finally start a career. Any serious input is appreciated.

I was an IT major at college for 2.5 years until I realized I hated it. I joined my local IBEW and I have a 3 year low-voltage apprenticeship. You go to class for 3 years (which is free) and they hook you up with jobs too. The low-voltage program basically involves running CAT5, alarm systems, security cameras and fiber optic cables in buildings. You might want to look into that!

I'm currently in school, (actually i'm in class right now ) i go to ivy tech community college. I didn't to pay 20+k a year to go to school for an unstable job market. It costs me roughly 1500 per semester to go to school and my pell grant from fasfa pays for all of it, and more. This is a great way to get a basic degree, while working (i work full time too).

It's just my opinion, but I think degrees are over rated... Some jobs do require them which is a pitty but experience trumps all. Whatever you do make sure it involves something you really enjoy and wont get burned out on in a few years.

Sidenote: All I have is a HS diploma and I'm making great money because I found my niche.

Awesome insight.

I know that I can get a full Pell, and I'm not worried about working because I'm a workaholic so I'd likely work either way. And as bad as it sounds, how do loans work? I've never really looked into it but I think it'd be nice to have something to fall back on if everything goes south, ya know?

I never thought about the Low-Voltage thing, not even sure I've heard of it. Doing stuff like that seems like it could be fun. Haha.

Benshooter said:

It's just my opinion, but I think degrees are over rated... Some jobs do require them which is a pitty but experience trumps all. Whatever you do make sure it involves something you really enjoy and wont get burned out on in a few years.

Sidenote: All I have is a HS diploma and I'm making great money because I found my niche.

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I entirely agree with you about the need of degrees these days. Where I currently work, I don't have a degree or training of any sort besides what I taught myself, and most of the guys who have been there for a few years and went to school to get the job end up asking me questions constantly.

Sad thing is...most places won't consider you without a degree. It looks better and when you flash it at someone they think twice about turning you away. Most jobs say "A degree in blah blah is preferred by not needed." Sure you could likely get that job, but if someone walked in with the degree they were asking for, you might as well believe you aren't getting that position.

honestly man it would be the best decision for you to better yourself.. School is not for everyone but the outcome will very rewarding.. i have been in school for the past 3.5 years.. i m going to be an RN/ with a minor as paramedic so i can do life flight,,i hate being in school but knowing the nice paychecks after i get done really keeps me motivated..

(And for all of you who want to laugh at a male nurse.. think about it, i will be working with 98% women.. which is awsome if you ask me..hahah and you can beat the pay)

I'm currently in my first year of college at NAU(Northern Arizona University) and I love it; i'm majoring in Criminal Justice because i'm pre-law. I hated high school with a passion but college is completely different because now you get to take what you want, and I know that what I'm doing now will directly effect my future by getting a job and what not. I would highly suggest going back to school.

XiKeiyaZI said:

So... someone educate me? I'm looking to go for something IT'ish...network administration or software development are my strong points. Needless to say it's hard to get a job in either of those areas without a slip of paper saying that you know the basics of how to do it.

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Heh, I'm a network administrator and it sucks. You're the redheaded stepchild of the entire office environment. People shit on you and it's boring work, to me anyways. And half the time you're just getting some kind of reports made for some dumbass auditor.

I have a 4 year college degree but a tech school would have been the better route, both education and financially.

I went to the Army got discharge and decided to go to school for an electronic degree. This is my 3rd year in school and honestly civilian life sucks. Your best bet is to go talk to a counselor at a school and go from there.

housegsx said:

Heh, I'm a network administrator and it sucks. You're the redheaded stepchild of the entire office environment. People shit on you and it's boring work, to me anyways. And half the time you're just getting some kind of reports made for some dumbass auditor.

I have a 4 year college degree but a tech school would have been the better route, both education and financially.

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Yeah, that's kind of how it is at work most times.

~__~; Not sure of the route to go. I'm amazing with hardware, but I know software and networking pretty well. I just don't want to end up in some low-rate computer store fixing Grandma Gertrudes Trojan Virus'.

I didn't know what I wanted to do for quite a while and so did the paycheck to paycheck thing until I figured it out (didn't want to be one of those who change their major a bunch or get a degree then go back). I know I love and always have loved building/assembling things and I looked at some information related to hardware and such (not a fan of software programming). Now I'm studying Mechanical Engineering Technology which seems to really fit me. I started at the local community college (good education at a lower price) then transferred after 2 years to a tech school. They have great job placement and a hands-on school which is good for me.

Good luck!

Definitely know for sure what you want to for a living before making a decision. I am currently seeking my second undergrad in Information Systems. My first degree was in Business Marketing, which I was half-way through when the economy went to crap so that degree became pretty useless. I have some friends in the IT fields and they are making decent money and have easy hours. Landing a job these days comes down to who you know.

If I had to do it all over again I would probably either have went for Mechanical Engineering or just got an associates degree then went to some trade school. The only thing I'm hoping for is that 8-5, rather than having to deal with shift work.

I haven't been living paycheck to paycheck really, but I haven't had the financial stability that I want in life. I decided, just recently after not having been in school for 5 years, that I would start at a community college and I am now taking courses to be a physical therapist assistant. In the medical field you know that you will always have a job and you can take a medical type job to anywhere you want to live. I honestly believe that it is the best thing I have done with my life considering I only have a G.E.D. and no plans for my future. Time will eat you alive, whatever it is you think you want to do can be changed after you have your core classes out of the way. Or, there's always the military...

I'm currently in my first year of college at NAU(Northern Arizona University) and I love it; i'm majoring in Criminal Justice because i'm pre-law. I hated high school with a passion but college is completely different because now you get to take what you want, and I know that what I'm doing now will directly effect my future by getting a job and what not. I would highly suggest going back to school.

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Same here, I am in my 1st year of college for Criminal Justice. and going back to school would be a very wise decision. Most places won't even look at you without a degree even if you are smarter than people with one currently.

XiKeiyaZI said:

...Where I currently work, I don't have a degree or training of any sort besides what I taught myself, and most of the guys who have been there for a few years and went to school to get the job end up asking me questions constantly...

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This is the readers digest version of my working life, for serious.

In construction mgmt and admin, we call them "school bus kids". Fresh degree + zero experience = doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

Funny related thing happened today actually...

I went down to a big repair shop to look at a Land Rover I wanted to flip, but I got there too late. Though I did end up landing a nice piece of repair work on another Land Rover that was down there...

...

that belongs to a certified ASE mechanic.

He couldn't figure it out.

Benshooter said:

It's just my opinion, but I think degrees are over rated... Some jobs do require them which is a pitty but experience trumps all. Whatever you do make sure it involves something you really enjoy and wont get burned out on in a few years.

Sidenote: All I have is a HS diploma and I'm making great money because I found my niche.

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this is true. unfortunately, degrees are just like anything else. the more of them there are, the less valuable they become. take a look at people who have degrees now. a lot of them make MAYBE $35-40k/yr now which is something HS graduates can make. if you want to make the BIG money, you dont do it working to make someone else rich. people with the big homes, expensive cars, big boats, and money to retire on already work for themselves. if i owned a business, i would take the person who has 10 yrs. experience over a piece of paper that says you learned "theories" and can take standardized tests. i have 1 yr of community college, and i just left a job where i was making almost $1k/wk. i quit cause i wasn't happy. i started back at a vocational school for automotive technology to get my ASE certification, and now i work at a job where i make $9/hr. is it my dream job? no..i want to one day get certified by BMW or Porsche or a brand like that. will i be rich? no. but i will be happy and that should be all that matters

Benshooter said:

It's just my opinion, but I think degrees are over rated... Some jobs do require them which is a pitty but experience trumps all. Whatever you do make sure it involves something you really enjoy and wont get burned out on in a few years.

Sidenote: All I have is a HS diploma and I'm making great money because I found my niche.

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What do you do for a living?

Boston said:

What do you do for a living?

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I flip cars and bring in repair work whenever I'm not busy with a flip. All under the table and off the radar.

im in my last year of high school.

I'm in college. i'm 1 semester away from having a degree in accounting/business. and 2 years away from having funeral director license.

If you scared about loans and what not, wait until your 24. At this age, the government does not look at the income of your parents or guardian. Even if you claim yourself on your own taxes before this, they will still ask for the information of your parents or guardian on your FAFSA. My very good friend who is 24 just started college at a state school, doesn't pay a dime for classes. He has never worked a day in his life, besides owning a deli after he graduated high school, and sold it about 3 years later to go to college. The sad part is, his father makes $700,000+ a year.

A degree is a marketing tool for a job, it shows that you are goal orientated and that you can complete the tasks needed to obtain a goal. Commitment is something that employers look for, by going to college and obtaining the degree. It shows that you are committed to that field of study or job. Most employers now even require a degree to get to that next level.

I myself, I've been in college for 5 years, and I will have my masters after this semester. So, 5.5 total years to get my masters. But for my degree, Accounting/Global Business, it is a requirement now for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam. Even before I take this exam, I've had a few job offers when I graduate for 50k plus.

To Benshooter, you can't stay under radar for ever. Especially with the way the IRS and States are cracking down on straight cash workers. Eventually you will need to show some type of proof of income if you ever want to buy a house. The IRS can access your bank statements or whatever they want if they are suspicious. Evading taxes is a crime. Also, if you ever want to collect Social Security or disability or unemployment, you have to pay in to receive.

I'll stop here, I could go forever.

Im currently attending Louisiana Technical College for Non Destructive Testing. Before I decided to go back to school, I was a catalyst technician for WHM Custom Services for 2 years. That job was motivation enough for me to go back to school.

I went to a tech schoole here in NC and got my associate degree in Criminal Justice in March. It only took 15 months and im thinking about getting my 4yr degree next year. Its hard to find a job even with a degree unless you have a hookup. Tech schools can teach alot of hands on training.

GSXSixteenG said:

If you scared about loans and what not, wait until your 24. At this age, the government does not look at the income of your parents or guardian. Even if you claim yourself on your own taxes before this, they will still ask for the information of your parents or guardian on your FAFSA. My very good friend who is 24 just started college at a state school, doesn't pay a dime for classes. He has never worked a day in his life, besides owning a deli after he graduated high school, and sold it about 3 years later to go to college. The sad part is, his father makes $700,000+ a year.

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See, that's what I'm afraid of....I only know of my mother, she was the only parent I ever met, and the last time I spoke with her was over 4 years go. She's one of those "do things for me because I'm too lazy to work for myself" type of people. Drug addict, things like that....so there's no possible way for me to fill that information out. I mean, I was a bounce-around kid up until I was almost 17 when I finally decided to get out and start working to live on my own, so that's 4 years after having moved off, been working, and not being able to keep up with anyone.

So I suppose that unless I WANT to pay to go to school... that kind of kills it, eh? Because apparently (what a stupid f%@&ing outlook) I'd be a dependent student until I turn 24...although I haven't depended on a single other human being since I was 17, and even then I was paying the damned bills. I remember running into this 2 years ago when I was thinking of doing this very thing, and I just now remember why I quit - Because the damned education system can't get it through their head that I CANNOT just walk to my mommy's house, get her to sign a piece of paper that explains why she lives off of social security, and turn it in.

XiKeiyaZI said:

See, that's what I'm afraid of....I only know of my mother, she was the only parent I ever met, and the last time I spoke with her was over 4 years go. She's one of those "do things for me because I'm too lazy to work for myself" type of people. Drug addict, things like that....so there's no possible way for me to fill that information out. I mean, I was a bounce-around kid up until I was almost 17 when I finally decided to get out and start working to live on my own, so that's 4 years after having moved off, been working, and not being able to keep up with anyone.

So I suppose that unless I WANT to pay to go to school... that kind of kills it, eh? Because apparently (what a stupid f%@&ing outlook) I'd be a dependent student until I turn 24...although I haven't depended on a single other human being since I was 17, and even then I was paying the damned bills. I remember running into this 2 years ago when I was thinking of doing this very thing, and I just now remember why I quit - Because the damned education system can't get it through their head that I CANNOT just walk to my mommy's house, get her to sign a piece of paper that explains why she lives off of social security, and turn it in.

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You can submit it the FAFSA form without your parents information. But they may come back to ask for that information. They do allow certain circumstances where it is not needed. Your situation may or may not be one of them. It is their decision unfortunately.

I had a similar problem when my father passed away. Just because of death benefit money, life insurance, and retirement he had contributed too, I actually received less financial aid the following year. Even though none of that money benefited me one bit. I had moved out of my mothers house the year before he passed.