Sonikku finally committed! By Blizzard no less

[Iron Woode]

here's one thing to remember:

obstacles only exist for you to overcome them so you can become a better person.

 

[Sonikku]

Thanks for the words of support everyone. In addition to pursuing transition, I have also been considering alternative forms of higher education as well. Though I am disappointed that I was not able to get any of the grants and incentive funds for going down the nursing path, I have not yet completely given up on college. If I am left with no other option but to take on crippling debt to pay for it, I'm thinking I might better pursue a path that has long appealed to me; IT. But there is no way I would even remotely consider seeing it through unless I knew for a fact employment would not be scarce and compensation could provide me with a middle class income, as well as the means to pay back the loans. Is there anyone here in IT that could give me an overview of the job? Namely, is it worth it?

 

[Charmonium]

It probably doesn't matter very much what's going on now. By the time you graduate, things could be very different. One growth area seems to be AI though.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

But there is no way I would even remotely consider seeing it through unless I knew for a fact employment would not be scarce and compensation could provide me with a middle class income, as well as the means to pay back the loans.

Federal student loans (can't be bankrupted) can be paid back based on income. You pay 10% of what you make above 150% of poverty (which is the median income of people with an associates).

So in a literal sense, I can guarantee you that you won't have crippling debt because you won't have to pay back a penny more than what the education is worth.

My wife and I owe 250k, we pay back < 1k/month against a 13k/month income.

This debt disappears for after 20 years, 10 for those who are public employees or work for non-profits.

 

[destrekor]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I did read the OP.

Hey, if you need someone new to talk to, please reach out to me. I am actually trained in suicidal prevention/intervention, and am more than happy to lend an ear (eye?) if you just need someone to listen, and will happily engage with you.

 

[lxskllr]

Talking money only, I think nursing would give better prospects for a long term career. Seems like IT guys are gypsies, going from one place to another with heavy competition. I'm not in the biz, but I was looking for a low end job in IT for awhile, so take the above with a grain of salt.

Plus side is trans people are just another variable. If you go that route, and have skills, I don't think anyone will give your trans status a second thought. You can't say that in many other jobs.

 

[Sonikku]

Talking money only, I think nursing would give better prospects for a long term career. Seems like IT guys are gypsies, going from one place to another with heavy competition. I'm not in the biz, but I was looking for a low end job in IT for awhile, so take the above with a grain of salt.

Plus side is trans people are just another variable. If you go that route, and have skills, I don't think anyone will give your trans status a second thought. You can't say that in many other jobs.

Yep. That was one of the things that drew me to nursing in the first place. It is one of the few remaining professions under the sun that still has a strong union that protects its employees from discrimination. That and it's a middle class income and I get to help people. What wasn't to like, I thought.

 

[McLovin]

Happy belated Birthday!

Hope you are doing well!

 

[Sonikku]

Thanks you!

Everyday is a struggle, but I'm hanging in there. The support of so many on these forums has been sorely appreciated.

 

[Iron Woode]

seems to me, right now you need steady employment. What about HR? Or perhaps getting a job in local government. Working for the city can give you a decent wage and benefits with possible room for advancement.

I know its not for everybody but it might be good for now.

 

[Sonikku]

I had to get ACR health involved to advocate for me on my behalf in order to get medicaid transport to cover my trip to New York City but they finally relented! I'm traveling by bus and will be put up for a night in a hotel for my medical appointments with a surgeon on Tuesday. I have never been to a big city before however and feel equal parts anxious and excited. Though I am wary of allowing myself too much excitement on account of the many false starts I have experienced over the years, I relish in the hope that I may yet be a brand new woman in 2018!

 

[nakedfrog]

Talking money only, I think nursing would give better prospects for a long term career. Seems like IT guys are gypsies, going from one place to another with heavy competition. I'm not in the biz, but I was looking for a low end job in IT for awhile, so take the above with a grain of salt.

Plus side is trans people are just another variable. If you go that route, and have skills, I don't think anyone will give your trans status a second thought. You can't say that in many other jobs.

I can only really speak to software engineering/development, but I've only worked at two different companies in the last 17 years in the same area, and most of the other folks I know in the field have been able to find satisfying long-term jobs in the area as well--most of the job-jumpers I know are doing it because that's the best way to get a big raise after a couple years.
When we hired a transwoman (had not yet started transitioning at all), the company didn't care one whit beyond me saying "this person is qualified, hire them".