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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fairywings on February 6, 2006, at 19:49:00
I've been out of school for about 20 years. Didn't finish, have trouble sticking with it, and get discouraged easily. I want to get my degree, but I keep thinking what's the point? By the time I'd finish I might be too old to employ anyway - who wants to hire a person just finishing up in their 40's. It's depressing to me that I didn't get it together earlier in my life. I have 4 kids, so I wouldn't try to go back full time, which sets me even further away from a goal. AND, I have no idea what I want to do! Sigh....
Any advice? Words of wisdom? Anyone been there, or there now?
fw
Posted by Gee on February 7, 2006, at 17:36:31
In reply to Any point to going back?, posted by fairywings on February 6, 2006, at 19:49:00
Are you working now? Could you start by taking a couple of classes that you are interested in? My aunt just finished her fine arts degree and she's in her late 40's. She plans on going back and getting her ed degree soon. What about a diploma program?
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 7, 2006, at 22:05:26
In reply to Any point to going back?, posted by fairywings on February 6, 2006, at 19:49:00
Fairywings,
Let me tell you my story. I dreamed of being an engineer as a child. Bad things happened in my family, and I didn't do well in school. I didn't go to college. I went into the Air Force. I did take some college courses then.
Got out (Air Force), and got local jobs as a technician. Got married, had a family. Worked for G.E. for a while, and took a few courses at the local university.
I was recruited by a small high-tech company and did a mix of hardware and software engineering. Got divorced, had a 4 year meltdown that's still not completely over.
There's no way on the Goddess' green earth that I'll ever run into a serendipitous job offer like that again, having been out of work for years, and no degree.
So. Dee's back in school again. With my previous credit, I was able to get into a software engineering program as a junior. I should be graduating in June of 2007.
I'm 45 right now. I'll be almost 47 then. Older? Yeah. But I'm doing really well. I have a 4.0 GPA right now. That says something. I'm really working on straightening out my life. I've been in and out of the hospital almost every six months. Right now, it's been 5 months since my last meltdown, but I think that with the desire to succeed in school that I can maybe break that cycle. (I've also quit drinking, which wasn't helping out the med situation any)
It's going to be work. I'll have to keep doing well to convince any employer that I'm worth hiring. I do have good experience though. I stayed at each of my last jobs for 6 years. I have a letter of recommendation from my last employer, and I did excellent work.
If you can get into a program that offers an internship, or somehow gain some experience in the field that you are training for, that might help. Also, people are retiring later. If you are going in at 40, or even later, a company who really wants you can reasonably expect that you aren't going to retire anywhere soon. Even in my case, I could conceivably be working after graduating for more than 20 years.
To that, I bring to the table much more experience than a fresh new graduate. I've been exposed to lots of different ways of doing things. And going to college later means that I'm extremely dedicated to succeed in my chosen field. I've had time to check things out, and I've made a major financial and time commitment to my future. These are things that a human resources department won't overlook.
Older people tend to be more committed. Younger people are looking to expand their resume. (on average) Younger people are looking to move up the ladder. Older people want to make a contribution.
That's just my "old person's" viewpoint right now, but I have to believe that I'm doing this for a reason. Another part of the reason is that my oldest daughter graduates from High School next year, and I want to have a decent enough job to help her go to college. I certainly won't be able to do that working at Subway.
My 2 cents.
--Dee
Posted by fairywings on February 7, 2006, at 22:36:47
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » fairywings, posted by Gee on February 7, 2006, at 17:36:31
Thanks Gee,I'm not working outside the home right now, I have 4 kids, youngest is a toddler. I took a class last quarter and got an A, but I think I was headed into the wrong program for the wrong reasons. You and Dee have inspired me to stick with it. I guess I can either be there in 3 years, or choose not to be, but I know if I choose not to be I'll be unhappy.
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
fw
Posted by fairywings on February 7, 2006, at 22:44:28
In reply to Re: Any point to going back?, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 7, 2006, at 22:05:26
Wow Dee! Thank you SO much. I'm really inspired by your story. You have a lot of courage and wisdom, and your perspective is a good one to hang onto.I'm really sorry you've had the meltdowns, but it's great that you quit drinking, that's such a huge thing. I admire for being able to do that. My dad was an alcoholic, so I know how difficult that would be. Your daughter really has someone she can look up to.
Now, wonder what I want to be when I grow up! ; )
Thanks again!
fw
Posted by James K on February 9, 2006, at 16:35:13
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » deirdrehbrt, posted by fairywings on February 7, 2006, at 22:44:28
Just as an example, my mother didn't start until we had all graduated, and she is a successful nurse specialist now.
James K
Posted by fairywings on February 9, 2006, at 17:29:04
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » fairywings, posted by James K on February 9, 2006, at 16:35:13
Thanks James, it's so nice to know other ppl have succeeded.
fw
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 16:55:40
In reply to Any point to going back?, posted by fairywings on February 6, 2006, at 19:49:00
I'm not a graduate. People view me as a loser because of it. They say I've wasted myself and all that. It's like success at uni is the only kind of success that really matters. IMO uni sucks. Whatever. I'm bitter, yeah. Everyone I knew at school has a degree. I hate them all.
Posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 17:04:23
In reply to Re: Any point to going back?, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 16:55:40
>I hate them all.
Well no, I don't actually hate them but they get to me with their attitudes. I guess they weren't zonked on SSRIs, not a recipe for success.
Posted by fairywings on February 12, 2006, at 19:20:45
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » ed_uk, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 17:04:23
(((eddy))) it sucks, doesn't it? i make myself feel bad about it. my husband didn't finish and he's really successful, so i guess sometimes it's not everything.
fw
Posted by ed_uk on February 13, 2006, at 14:36:58
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » ed_uk, posted by fairywings on February 12, 2006, at 19:20:45
It's like people see me as a failure now. It's as if the only type of success which people accept is academic success. Sad.
It's funny to think that there were some pretty dumb people at uni. Too many young people go to uni IMO. They just mess around for a few years but still manage to pass in the end.
It's difficult to succeed at work without a degree. I need a rich boyfriend.
Eddy xxx
Posted by fairywings on February 13, 2006, at 15:15:41
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » fairywings, posted by ed_uk on February 13, 2006, at 14:36:58
I knew people who were moderately unintelligent but they had so much "stick with it" they got through college - even if it was by the "skin of their teeth". I could never figure that out because I'm intelligent, so why couldn't I stick with it? I'm so afraid of failure that I give up b4 I try, and I lack direction so I take a lot of classes I don't need. I'm hoping this time it will be different, and I'll be able to plod along. I don't know if it will make a difference in my life, but I'll never know till I try.
Sorry ppl are so rough on you Eddy. Sad ppl can't see beyond the education to the real person underneath. I like you.
Seems like with work, if you don't have a degree, you have to be in the right field at the right time. A rich bf would be nice.
fw
Posted by Gee on February 14, 2006, at 17:34:10
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » ed_uk, posted by fairywings on February 13, 2006, at 15:15:41
Fairywings, do you have any idea what you want to do?
Failure is a scarey thing, but if you take a couple classes at a time, then it should be more managable. I'm hugely into going to smaller, more personal colleges and uni's. They seem to be so helpful.
Posted by fairywings on February 14, 2006, at 22:52:52
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » fairywings, posted by Gee on February 14, 2006, at 17:34:10
Hi Gee, I"m thinking something w.computers. Wish there was a job called "playing online"! ; ) Or I was really good at poker online! Ideal!
fw
Posted by Gee on February 15, 2006, at 17:38:15
In reply to Re: Any point to going back? » Gee, posted by fairywings on February 14, 2006, at 22:52:52
What about computer animation? It's pretty fun. I loved it when I took it in highschool. You get to do some fun playing there!
Posted by fairywings on February 15, 2006, at 17:41:39
In reply to Re: Any point to going back?, posted by Gee on February 15, 2006, at 17:38:15
thx gee......
that would be fun. i've thought graphic art or games would be fun too
thx,
fw
Posted by sdb on March 5, 2006, at 21:54:51
In reply to Re: Any point to going back?, posted by ed_uk on February 12, 2006, at 16:55:40
> I'm not a graduate. People view me as a loser because of it. They say I've wasted myself and all that. It's like success at uni is the only kind of success that really matters. IMO uni sucks. Whatever. I'm bitter, yeah. Everyone I knew at school has a degree. I hate them all.
>
>I know that. Society is very dummy thinking in values. Don't think too much about those dummy people viewing you as a looser. It's *not* worth to think only second about these people and about what they say.
~sdb
This is the end of the thread.
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