College and a New Job

[Maximillion]

For those of you who already have heard me bitch and moan about my current job, I'm sorry to put you through this again. I'm still at BK as I have been for the past three years and I'm still getting my measly $6.25/hr. Nothing new.

Next year I want to attend a community college and I still have yet to apply for my learner's permit/license. Yes, I am a procrastinator. There's no excuse for it but anyways...

I'm debating if I want to pursue a second job to pay for college or if I just want a job that pays more than my current one. And minimun wage is supposed to go up next July and there's a possibility I'm getting a raise before the end of this year maybe. I'm tired of my job and even though I'm pretty much 20 years old now (my birthday's next wednesday), I'm trying to get my life into gear so that I can be more independent and make more money. My paychecks range between $350 and $370 and that's a lot for someone who lives with their mother still and only pays one bill but I want to be able to take care of myself. My mother shouldn't have to take care of a grown ass woman, you know? She's got enough stress as it is.

Any ideas on what to do?

[Gurndigarn]

Next year I want to attend a community college and I still have yet to apply for my learner's permit/license. Yes, I am a procrastinator. There's no excuse for it but anyways...

I'm debating if I want to pursue a second job to pay for college or if I just want a job that pays more than my current one.

Are you asking if you want to do two part-time (I assume) jobs and college at the same time, or... was the job that pays better one you wanted to do with or without college?

If you're doing a full-time education, doing more than a part-time job at the same time is rough. Doable, but time and energy consuming. Do you have that type of stamina?

I know you're concerned about getting out on your own, but if your parent(s) aren't pressuring you and you want to do school, there's not a lot of shame in living at home while actively working towards something else, especially if you're doing a job at the same time as education.

If the question is college: yes/no?, then the question is, what do you hope to get out of it? Despite what your high school guidance counselor told you, a university diploma is not a ticket to more money. It can unlock doors that lead to more money, but will not guarantee you that those doors will actually open, even if unlocked. Having at least some idea of what you want to accomplish with the diploma will increase the odds that the time and money you spend will do something for you. More than mine did. (Though, to be fair, my time in school showed me that I didn't want to follow a couple career tracks, which did have quite a bit of value for me.)

[Giggle Goose]

:wave: Student loans may be your best friend.

My parents, thank God, paid for community college. But I'm now completing my bachelor's at a 4-year, with loans paying for ALL of my tuition. I'm not a minority, I have to work to support myself so I can't join every extracurricular activity there ever was, and my grades were average, so I got denied many a scholarship. Because kids that have to work during high school don't care about their education at ALL. :rolleyes: OK, enough bitterness...

The point is, I work a lot, also (about 32 hours a week), and I'm able to pay my own bills (rent, gas, electric, car payment, car insurance, credit card) and still go to school full time. I'm not trying to toot my own horn. In fact, I should be doing MORE, in my opinion. But I think it's possible, if you want it enough, to work more than part-time and go to school full-time. It makes it that much more rewarding, and my parents are probably prouder for it. They love that they don't have to worry about one of their kids failing out and coming to live at home. :soapbox:

A lot of people are wary of taking out loans because they don't want to be in debt, but I think it's better to be in debt for getting an education than because I "just had to have" designer clothes. I think if you want it enough, you can do it.

[Maximillion]

I know you're concerned about getting out on your own, but if your parent(s) aren't pressuring you and you want to do school, there's not a lot of shame in living at home while actively working towards something else, especially if you're doing a job at the same time as education.

I spoke with my mom about this earlier and she told me I could stay as long as I like and that a lot of people who do go out on their own end up going back home to their parents anyway. That was somewhat reassuring. But to answer your question, I'm better off looking for a new job that pays more than BK. If for whatever reason that doesn't work out, then I might as well stay at BK until it works out. I can't afford to leave after being there 3 years just to end up coming back again. It would look bad on future applications.

As far as education is concerned, I'm stuck between wanting to do psychoanalysis and majoring in english. I've always connected well with english even though I didn't assert myself in class. At the same time I have an interest in psychology. That being said, I'm still trying to figure out how that's gonna work. I'm about to go to the website and look at the classes again.

[Gurndigarn]

I spoke with my mom about this earlier and she told me I could stay as long as I like and that a lot of people who do go out on their own end up going back home to their parents anyway. That was somewhat reassuring.

Sadly, that's often because they're so dependant on their parents that they can't function without them. This isn't always the case, and it doesn't sound like it's applicable to you.

I'm better off looking for a new job that pays more than BK. If for whatever reason that doesn't work out, then I might as well stay at BK until it works out. I can't afford to leave after being there 3 years just to end up coming back again. It would look bad on future applications.

Not as bad as you think. Three years in a fast-food place speaks wonders for your ability to put up with things, and your ability to actually work. And returning to previous places of employment isn't a bad black mark, especially if you had plenty of time with them the first time around. However, unless you're in management at BK and want to continue that way, yeah, you probably want a different job.

As far as education is concerned, I'm stuck between wanting to do psychoanalysis and majoring in english. I've always connected well with english even though I didn't assert myself in class.

OK, though... what are you going to do with this degree? I'm an English major. My thought was to go into teaching. The most important thing I learned in school was that I did not want to become a teacher. Now, I consider that a valuable, if expensive lesson, because this way I didn't spend the rest of my life saying "I could have/should have done that". But nonetheless, it lead to nothing after school.

There are things you can do with an English degree, but very few of them (none that I can think of beyond teacher or editor) have immediate cause-effect relationships. That is, an astronomer has a really good idea what he's going to do after school. A chemist has a wide field open, but they all say "degree in chemistry" in the job description. Very few jobs require a degree in English.

Now, if you're doing it for the love of learning, wonderful. That's a great reason. If you have a specific career in mind that requires an English degree, that's also a great idea. If you're doing it because it will make you serious $$$/€€€/£££/¥¥¥ but don't know how it will do so, you might want to rethink your options.

[Moviesnob]

When I went to school, I actually did full-time work and full-time school. I worked retail in the mall at a video retailer, and I managed at least 15 hours per semester, although for the last two semesters I did par it down to 12 (I graduated in 4.5 years), and one of the semesters was full-time work, full-time school (12 hour semester) and an internship (Once a week for a little while it would be, go to internship at 4AM, school at 8AM, then at shift for work at 1PM). I had little free time, and when it came time to schedule, I always stressed myself out over making it work, but I made it work. During that time I was an Asst. Mgr. and was later promoted to Store Manager. It takes some juggling, and made for many long days, but it's possible. Looking back, I liked that I was so busy.

Now that I'm done with it though, I don't think I'd take it all on again. Getting together for study groups was the hardest part. I majored in Mass Comm. w/ a minor in Marketing, so the curriculum wasn't amazingly strenuous. I kept A's and B's and kept my store's performance up.

Part of why I did it was because living on my own and supporting myself was very important to me. I could've stayed at home and taken a part-time job and school, and would have had much more free time, but I really wanted the independence of having my own place. There would have been nothing wrong w/ sticking w/ my parents, they would have liked it, and my brother did until he was 22 or 23. So it comes down to what is most important to you, and what is feasible for you. Good luck!

[Becks]

Next year I want to attend a community college and I still have yet to apply for my learner's permit/license. Yes, I am a procrastinator. There's no excuse for it but anyways...

Don't feel about that. I had my learner's permit off and on since I was roundabout 20 or so. I didn't get my license until last year. (Not that I ever failed the road test...I just never got around to taking it.)

[Bella_Vixen]

Actually, Becks, it was off and on since 15...

[Maximillion]

Not as bad as you think. Three years in a fast-food place speaks wonders for your ability to put up with things, and your ability to actually work. And returning to previous places of employment isn't a bad black mark, especially if you had plenty of time with them the first time around. However, unless you're in management at BK and want to continue that way, yeah, you probably want a different job.

Good point there. If all else fails, I might consider becoming a shift manager but it would have to be a last resort. I know I could do it but I really don't want to. We have a shift manager who was pregnant, went to a business college, and also worked(s) at our store. It's definately doable.

Last night, after looking online and writing phone numbers down, I was able to compile a list of job openings and places I wanted to inquire about employment oppurtunities. We'll see how that goes.


OK, though... what are you going to do with this degree? I'm an English major. My thought was to go into teaching. The most important thing I learned in school was that I did not want to become a teacher.

Yeah, teaching sounded pretty good to me as well but I honestly don't think I would be compatable with that but you never know.

There are things you can do with an English degree, but very few of them (none that I can think of beyond teacher or editor) have immediate cause-effect relationships...Very few jobs require a degree in English.

You're right about that too. I've been looking online for the past half hour and my eyes feel like they're about to pop out of my head. There's barely any jobs out there that seem interesting other than freelance writing and maybe writing articles for magazines. It's a bit frustrating really but I have an idea that may or may not work. I was thinking about just majoring in English since I love it anyway and shooting for the freelance position after college or whenever I can. And maybe also take on another job as well? To be honest, I just got home an hour ago from working so I apologize if it seems like I'm shooting blanks. :( I really am taking this seriously.

Now, if you're doing it for the love of learning, wonderful. That's a great reason. If you have a specific career in mind that requires an English degree, that's also a great idea. If you're doing it because it will make you serious $$$/€€€/£££/¥¥¥ but don't know how it will do so, you might want to rethink your options.

To be honest, I just want to learn the subject more intricately, but I'm still looking for a career that I could definately strive at. Whether that makes me a lot of money or not doesn't matter, as long as I can take care of my expenses and such. As I said before, depending I what career path I choose, there is the possibility I'd have to choose a second job.

[Becks]

Actually, Becks, it was off and on since 15...

Blah...you're right. I'm getting old. :blink:

[Shabo]

Sadly, that's often because they're so dependant on their parents that they can't function without them.

Not quite true. It's usually because the cost of living is so high, and for a while after 9/11, the job market was slow and entry level jobs were not paying so well. The average college student is about 20,000 in debt (averaging between public and private schools), but for many students, it's much higher than that. In addition, there are many professions that are getting so flooded with graduates that they are starting to require master's degrees in order to get a decent job. Psychology is just one example of those.

With English, get yourself a better paying job now. The fact that you've been working for BK and haven't gotten any raises in 3 years should tell you something there. If you like BK, see if you can move up to management.

As for doing two part time jobs + college... don't do it. Sure, it's possible to do it, but you'll burn yourself out so quickly and your grades will suffer. Even doing two part time jobs without school is tough. I used to take a full courseload, plus work 20 hours a week, plus be a Resident Assistant, plus be on a sports team, and then I added working at a barn to keep my horse there AND pick up holiday work at AEO. I ended up getting a week's vacation right after Christmas, and let me tell you, it still wasn't enough for me to recover from that burnout. Don't overload yourself. That's the most important thing I can tell you.

[Gurndigarn]

To be honest, I just want to learn the subject more intricately, but I'm still looking for a career that I could definately strive at.

OK, it sounds like university would not be a bad move then.

Whether that makes me a lot of money or not doesn't matter, as long as I can take care of my expenses and such. As I said before, depending I what career path I choose, there is the possibility I'd have to choose a second job.

However, keep your expenses in line, and either avoid student loans or at least keep them low, because it's easier to not worry about making money if you don't have debts to pay. (I don't think it's a bad choice-- it's what I did-- but it's distinctly easier to do if you're not a debt-slave).

[Jhondy]

I'm currently full time school and full time work. I also happen to be an English major. I'm an assistant manager living in an apt. with a friend. I've been out of my parents house since I was 19. (i'm 21). So it's possible but do it with caution. My grades went from straight A's to B's. I have no free time. I'm always tired and I'm always stressed about something. I get sick a lot from lack of sleep and bad eating habits. But I don't regret it. It's not easy but it can be done.

The positives are the gain of independence, I've learned how to push myself to the limit, I'm really focused, I know I can handle what ever is thrown at me.

One other thing know what you want to do. I'm planning on going to law school and the hurting of my gpa may not be worth it in the end

[volatile]

For those of you who already have heard me bitch and moan about my current job, I'm sorry to put you through this again. I'm still at BK as I have been for the past three years and I'm still getting my measly $6.25/hr. Nothing new.

Next year I want to attend a community college and I still have yet to apply for my learner's permit/license. Yes, I am a procrastinator. There's no excuse for it but anyways...

I'm debating if I want to pursue a second job to pay for college or if I just want a job that pays more than my current one. And minimun wage is supposed to go up next July and there's a possibility I'm getting a raise before the end of this year maybe. I'm tired of my job and even though I'm pretty much 20 years old now (my birthday's next wednesday), I'm trying to get my life into gear so that I can be more independent and make more money. My paychecks range between $350 and $370 and that's a lot for someone who lives with their mother still and only pays one bill but I want to be able to take care of myself. My mother shouldn't have to take care of a grown ass woman, you know? She's got enough stress as it is.

Any ideas on what to do?

Best bang per hour of work you do is probably being a waitress. Of course you would have to find a decent establishment...but you should still make way more than BK with less hours worked.