I'm seriously considering going back to school full-time

[tollbaby]

I'm getting so tired of this temp crap, the paltry hourly wage (yes, it's $15/hour, but that's not enough at 37.5 hours a week for a single mom with 2 kids where I live), the really beginning to enjoy a job only to be shunted off when the contract is up, the lack of benefits, and the whole "being treated like dirt" phenomenon.

I'm just tired of being low-man on the totem pole because I don't have a university degree. I'm tired of doing someone's FILING and PHOTOCOPYING, even though my IQ is 60 points higher than theirs and they don't have the common sense God gave a gnat (ok, I know that IQ doesn't mean anything really, but still....).

I have never failed to find the answer to a question a coworker or supervisor has asked me. I went to college for Library and Information Technology, and my specialization was in research - I'm EXCELLENT at finding the answers to things. I learn new things VERY quickly, so even if I'm tossed into a job I have NO experience at, I'll quickly get the hang of it, even new software programs etc. I just can't get better jobs because I'm lacking that ever-so-important piece of paper (didn't graduate college, I just did 1 1/2 years of it).

I want to go back to school so I can get a better job, but I don't know how to support myself/kids while I do it :( I can't survive on less than I'm making right now (well, I can, but I'd have to get a small apartment and the kids would have to go live with their dad). I'm just SO bloody frustrated :(

[Boozy]

ok, I know that IQ doesn't mean anything really

Sure it means something! Your high IQ is probably why you're so dissatisfied with your job. You obviously need something more challenging.
$15 an hour is good in some places....but in my experience Ottawa is an expensive area to live in. Normally I wouldn't recommend anyone getting a university degree to increase their earning potential, because its risky to assume it will. But from the sounds of it, in your field and in your area, its probably what you need.
Maybe OSAP can help you? Also, I attended both universities in Ottawa, and their bursary programs were pretty generous. Maybe that's worth looking into.

[tollbaby]

I live on the Quebec side though.... and I'm a single mom (2 kids), so a student loan likely wouldn't be nearly enough to live on.... I'm exploring options. I might go to community college and get a travel & tourism diploma. I'd love to work for a travel agency. I already have 8 years of experience arranging travel (air, hotel & rental cars) for people, and to be honest, it's my favorite part of my job.

[TheRoo]

In April of last year, I went on vacation. When I got back, I hated my job so much. I decided to go back to school, and found I would graduate in less than a year (coming up in July). My first semester back I got a 3.6 GPA which is much better than anything I got when I went to college the first time, and I am starting a job hunt now that should get me a lot more money to start than I was making managing the gas station. I am so glad that I went back. I say go for it. Maybe there is some part time program or some online classes that might make it easier. Good luck!

[tollbaby]

the thing is, part-time, I'd have to go to school at night. As it is, I only get 3 evenings a week with my kids (the other evenings are either spent at their dad's - 2 - or at karate class - 2). The other problem is the financial aspect. I simply can't afford it. The government's "retraining" program is only for people who have been unemployed for a significant amount of time, or who don't have their high school diplomas. Well, I went back to school to GET my high school diploma a few years ago, so I've got that :( I started a degree through distance education, but it will be MANY years (like about 20) before I can finish it at the rate I'm going :( bleh. I know, I should have stayed in college when I was 20. Hindsight being 20/20 and all that....

[RichS]

Thanks to the wonderful Michigan economy (note sarcasm :) ), after 8 months of unemployment, I'm going back to school to finish up on an associates.

I have no idea how financial aid works in Canada, but it's something to look into. The only way I'm going back is that I've been approved for a displaced worker fund, and I'm looking into any other financial aid (worker fund only covers 1 year, I'll have to go a little over).

I'm hoping for a little luck too - after getting all the financial stuff figured out I'm hoping to find something part-time while going to school.

[tollbaby]

I went to check it out yesterday. It's only for people who have been out of work for some time (my job isn't even done yet... I finish work on June 29) and for those who don't yet have a high school diploma (which I got a few years ago at age 27). I could get a student loan, but it wouldn't be enough to continue supporting my kids.

[Kiwi]

I had a mature student in one of my courses at uni who was literally doing one course a semester. I got talking to her one day and her situation was similar to yours. Single, two kids, trying to make ends meet in a high cost of living area. Sure it was going to take her a long time, but it was progress, means to an end. There was no way she could afford to be a full time student and support her family.

She worked 40 hours a week and as I said did one course a semester. She was 2 years in and 1/4 of the way through a business degree (we were both taking an english for academics class) and every credit she got meant she could do different skills at work.

A lot of universities have "back to school" programmes that kind of gets you back into the swing of things, writting academic essays, bibliographies, footnoting, where to research stuff like that. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[tollbaby]

Thanks! I've decided to pretty much continue with the degree I've already started (I have a few credits towards a double major BA in English and History). When that's done, I'll be able to do a masters in either Education or Library Science, whichever I feel like doing 20 years from now ;) I've been doing distance education through Athabasca University, one course at a time and writing my exams at the local uni.

Now I just need to come up with the $600 for my next course.