Going back to school

[Betty101]

I just turned 30 and started college (from the beginning ) this year. I have t decide on major but I am petrified. I am doing great at school, with full time job and full time school (14 credits), I still manage to get A's (not that it matters). Anyway, I am so afraid that I won't be able to find a job after I graduate. I am willing to do 2 years (associate degree) or BA and I could go into any field (except for nursing). However, whenever I got interested in something, I read a ton of negative comments about the job and unemployment. Do you guys have any suggestions, idea I should consider? Anyone familiar with job outlook? And I mean real job outlook.

 

[Imp]

I'll probably be going back to school at 30 too -- switching careers.

Job prospects look hideous for practically everything other than doctors and very specialized I.T. server support, but some people do still manage to get jobs in saturated fields.

At some point, I decided to make sure that if I studied something, I would have a guaranteed path to a job. In my case, that guaranteed path involves moving to Asia. Do I want to go to Asia? Actually kind of yes.

 

[OverVolt]

Nah, not over a forum. A confluence of factors affects your ability to navigate college successfully in 2015. It still can open alot of doors.

First thing though is full time work and full time school. In 101 classes its not bad but there will be much more time consuming classes later on. I took a 1 credit class that felt like 5 credits.

 

[OverVolt]

I'll probably be going back to school at 30 too -- switching careers.

Job prospects look hideous for practically everything other than doctors and very specialized I.T. server support, but some people do still manage to get jobs in saturated fields.

At some point, I decided to make sure that if I studied something, I would have a guaranteed path to a job. In my case, that guaranteed path involves moving to Asia. Do I want to go to Asia? Actually kind of yes.

Someone else on this forum went to Singapore for work and I think it worked out well for them. Wish I remembered who. They still post and everything.

 

[Betty101]

Thanks for your replies. Yes, I know it will get more difficult but I will figure that part out. Just I lose motivation as I feel whatever I choose will be a waste of time.

 

[djnsmith7]

It won't be a waste of time if you research your local job market. You may need to relocate, so it would be worthwhile to consider a vast area. Get in contact with a couple local recruiters and check the popularity and demand of some jobs that would capture your interest. Craigslist is a great resource to see what's popular.

Robert Half is a national top-tier recruiting agency that specializes in high-tech placement. If that's of any interest to you, reach out to your local RH office.

I'm in a similar boat, as I recently decided to change careers, so I know what you mean about taking on a lot of responsibilities.

I have a very specific goal as to what I want to do after graduation, which keeps me motivated and on track.

 

[mistercrabby]

I just turned 30 and started college (from the beginning ) this year. I have t decide on major but I am petrified. I am doing great at school, with full time job and full time school (14 credits), I still manage to get A's (not that it matters). Anyway, I am so afraid that I won't be able to find a job after I graduate. I am willing to do 2 years (associate degree) or BA and I could go into any field (except for nursing). However, whenever I got interested in something, I read a ton of negative comments about the job and unemployment. Do you guys have any suggestions, idea I should consider? Anyone familiar with job outlook? And I mean real job outlook.

First, kudos for doing it. Great investment in your future.

Second, don't worry about getting a job yet. Worry about this semester. Use this as an opportunity to find out what your passionate about and what you want to spend a career doing. Emphasize the career aspect of what you're doing not so much the "get a job" part. With your work experience, personal maturity (assuming you have gotten some (-: ), AND your degree and passion in your career area, I really doubt you'll have trouble finding something.

Finally, once you find your career area and pick your major start networking. Join a related professional organization, join the student organization for your major and talk to your professors and others that can start to connect you with people in your field.

I've been in your shoes. I didn't finish by BS until I was 30 due to military service and raising a family and working after.

Go get it!

 

[Betty101]

What degree do you think is the best in today's job market? Accountant, X-ray technician, Chemical engineering. These are some of the options but any other ideas are welcome.

 

[mmntech]

I'll probably be going back to school at 30 too -- switching careers.

Job prospects look hideous for practically everything other than doctors and very specialized I.T. server support, but some people do still manage to get jobs in saturated fields.

I'm in the same boat. I turn 30 this month. Had a good job for a few years in my industry, but lost it in downsizing. Only been finding scraps of work since. Job prospects are just abysmal right now.

Right now I'm weighing my options. Might go back to school and pick up something entirely different. It's just figuring out what's in demand right now.

 

[pete6032]

What degree do you think is the best in today's job market? Accountant, X-ray technician, Chemical engineering. These are some of the options but any other ideas are welcome.

Logistics and Supply Chain operations.

 

[Betty101]

Thanks Pete, logistics sounds ok. Not sure though that I am the right person for this kind of a job.

 

[Hugo Drax]

Without motivation and drive no matter what you pick you will suck at it and no one will want you as an employee.

 

[Betty101]

Without motivation and drive no matter what you pick you will suck at it and no one will want you as an employee.

I am not saying I don't have motivation to work. I can actually see myself in several different fields. However, it is difficult to stay motivated at school as I am not sure all this sacrificing will pay off. I work six days and go to school three days a week.
Also, sacrificing part is not a big deal as is my fear that I won't be able to find a job. This is the reason I want to do all the research before choosing my major. Someone here has suggested contacting HR and recruiting agencies (thank you). I need more info, especially from people who have a recent experience in job search.

 

[BoomerD]

:hmm: Joins a computer-oriented forum to ask questions about school and job market...

 

[Imp]

I'm in the same boat. I turn 30 this month. Had a good job for a few years in my industry, but lost it in downsizing. Only been finding scraps of work since. Job prospects are just abysmal right now.

Right now I'm weighing my options. Might go back to school and pick up something entirely different. It's just figuring out what's in demand right now.

I'm leaning towards teaching and working anywhere other than Canada -- field is so saturated it's not funny but I like it. My backup is transportation engineering tech at a college in Hamilton... I have some experience already, job prospects are mediocre but it's what I know.

I am not saying I don't have motivation to work. I can actually see myself in several different fields. However, it is difficult to stay motivated at school as I am not sure all this sacrificing will pay off. I work six days and go to school three days a week.
Also, sacrificing part is not a big deal as is my fear that I won't be able to find a job. This is the reason I want to do all the research before choosing my major. Someone here has suggested contacting HR and recruiting agencies (thank you). I need more info, especially from people who have a recent experience in job search.

I know that feeling: what's the point if the only guarantee is debt?

There probably are no guarantees. Check out the petroleum industry. Anyone who started a petroleum engineering or related degree in the last few years now has to compete with thousands of laid off, experienced workers. The drop in oil prices surprised more than a few people.

If I were to do it again at 18, I'd work, do a BA or BSc. part-time over 5+ years, and live with parents. I would specialize my BA/BSc degree towards the employment field I was interested in, or I would do a 1-2 year master's degree or 2-3 year community college diploma after graduating to specialize in my chosen field.

 

[deadlyapp]

In my opinion, an engineering degree will open the most doors for you and is the most easily applicable to many markets. Every engineering graduate I know has had no issues getting employment and despite market downturns, it's usually fairly simple to move around.

Chemical engineering is a bit more specialized, but if you graduate from a fairly reasonable engineering school, do a lot of networking, and do some intern work your 3rd/4th year, you should have no issues.

 

[Imp]

In my opinion, an engineering degree will open the most doors for you and is the most easily applicable to many markets. Every engineering graduate I know has had no issues getting employment and despite market downturns, it's usually fairly simple to move around.

Chemical engineering is a bit more specialized, but if you graduate from a fairly reasonable engineering school, do a lot of networking, and do some intern work your 3rd/4th year, you should have no issues.

Two engineering degrees here... They did help me get jobs, just not engineering degree level jobs.

Having said that, I would have done a BA in retrospect and a 2 year community college diploma afterward. Engineering pigeon-holed me in that I felt I had to get a job in the field (and everyone else thought so too), the program was about twice the cost of a BA at the same school, and I had little freedom in choosing my own courses and exploring my interests. Scheduling was also very rigid, curriculum felt overly concentrated that left little room to properly learn things, most time was spent on cramming. I knew people with BAs that finished their programs in 3 years and worked part-time throughout -- if I did that, I would have avoided graduating in 2008 and networked more.

 

[Betty101]

In my opinion, an engineering degree will open the most doors for you and is the most easily applicable to many markets. Every engineering graduate I know has had no issues getting employment and despite market downturns, it's usually fairly simple to move around.

Chemical engineering is a bit more specialized, but if you graduate from a fairly reasonable engineering school, do a lot of networking, and do some intern work your 3rd/4th year, you should have no issues.

Do you think age would be an issue for engineering? 30-something and no experience in the field.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I just turned 30 and started college (from the beginning ) this year. I have t decide on major but I am petrified. I am doing great at school, with full time job and full time school (14 credits), I still manage to get A's (not that it matters). Anyway, I am so afraid that I won't be able to find a job after I graduate. I am willing to do 2 years (associate degree) or BA and I could go into any field (except for nursing). However, whenever I got interested in something, I read a ton of negative comments about the job and unemployment. Do you guys have any suggestions, idea I should consider? Anyone familiar with job outlook? And I mean real job outlook.

What do you envision doing after you finish school? Best to have a plan before taking on student loan debt and graduating with a degree you can't find a job with.

 

[Betty101]

What do you envision doing after you finish school? Best to have a plan before taking on student loan debt and graduating with a degree you can't find a job with.

That is what I want to avoid. To graduate with a degree I can't/won't use. As for my interests it would be chemistry, accounting and maybe something in the medical field (in this order).

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Most folks figure out what they want to do with their lives by the time they reach 30.

As for my interests it would be chemistry, accounting and maybe something in the medical field (in this order).

Since, you also seem to be interested in money, I suggest pharmaceuticals.

 

[Betty101]

Most folks figure out what they want to do with their lives by the time they reach 30.

Since, you also seem to be interested in money, I suggest pharmaceuticals.

Most but obviously not me. I actually have a very good reason for being 30 and not having an employable degree (yes, I already have a BA degree as I studied and lived in Europe for more than 8 years). Transferring it to USA is not the best option. I really appreciate your comments but it is not necessary or welcome. As for money, not at all. If you have read my post you would've seen that I would be happy with an associate degree as long as I can find a job.

 

[Betty101]

Pharmaceuticals is long and expensive but yes, it is something that I am interested in. As you could see chemistry is my passion, not money.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Most but obviously not me. I actually have a very good reason for being 30 and not having an employable degree (yes, I already have a BA degree as I studied and lived in Europe for more than 8 years). Transferring it to USA is not the best option). I really appreciate your comments but it is not necessary or welcome. As for money, not at all. If you have read my post you would've seen that I would be happy with an associate degree as long as I can find a job.

Sorry to have ruffled your feathers but, you stated in your first post you were concerned about finding a job. I took that to mean a well paying job as there are ALWAYS jobs available in your chosen field if money is not an object. If you're simply looking to provide a living for yourself, perhaps the VA, paramedics or, sports medicine would fit the bill. I'm reading between the lines but, there seems to be more behind your desire to return to school than you're sharing with us.

 

[Betty101]

There is no hidden meaning. I like to travel but I am not money lover. However, since coming back from Europe, I've been working at a restaurant (I hate it) and can't imagine it as a career. I turned 30 but wouldn't like to turn 40 and still depend on other people's tips. Hope you understand better my situation.