For those of you who love your job........

Going back to school isn't necessarily costly.

If you're passionate about something, it's pretty easy to get an assistantship or fellowship for graduate school.  

I'm an agronomist, which is somebody who studies and practices the science of agriculture.  My degree is in Soil Science, and I worked for the USFS doing soils and hydrology in Alaska during the summers while I was in school.  

After that I did a year working on an organic farm.  That agricultural experience along with my degree got me a job with the University of California as a research assistant, figuring out better ways to grow winegrapes and kill bugs with less toxic pesticides.

With the budget crisis, I'm getting laid off.  Luckily they gave me plenty of notice in advance, so I lined up a few graduate assistantships and decided to take one at Oregon State University doing research on fertility and nutrient management for organic blueberry production.  I get a tuition waiver and a small stipend so I can afford to live on beans and rice and maybe have some gas $ to drive to the coast and fish.

So I guess for now I'm back to being a professional student, but my long term goal is to be a farm manager.  For me, there is nothing more rewarding than being a steward of the land, cultivating the earth and growing food.  

Do what you love and all else follows.  

Skunked,
that, or something similar, sounds really interesting.  I have always been into the environment, wildlife biology, etc.  My bachelor's degree is in aviation maint. mgmt.  Would it be hard to qualify for a graduate program in a degree 180 degrees opposite from my bachelors?  I don't know if I could afford to do something like that right now (support wife/kid), but after wife starts making better money, maybe I could afford to go back to school.  I promised myself something after I finished bachelors degree:  I will only go for a masters degree if it is something that truly interests me and there will be a very good chance of landing a really good job.  Otherwise, I wont waste the time or $$.  What you are doing sounds pretty neat.

What do you do and how did you get there?

I HATE what I do.  I am brainstorming, trying to decide what I want to do and how I am going to get there.  My background is in aviation maintenance, I have a bachelors degree, but I want to do something completely different.  It seems like everything I like requires more college, or starting at the very bottom.  I don't mind that, but I also have to consider the fact that I have a wife and kid, and can't afford to quit what I am doing to work at REI for 10 bucks an hour.

Thanks in advance.

You and I have similar backgrounds. I used to be an aircraft mechanic too, in the USMC like you. I wanted a change and I figured out I wanted a job working in natural resources, forests/parks/fish and wildlife/ blm/whatever.

Unfortunately I can't give you great news. I had to live poor for about 4 years while I went to graduate school, and i racked up A LOT of student loan debt (mainly because when you go back to school as an adult, you have adult bills like car payments and credit card bills). After I got into grad school I went to the Park Service and Forest Service and volunteered. Then they got to know me and the Forest Service hired me on a temp job during fire season. Then I pushed for a Student Temporary Employee Position (STEP) working at the front desk answering the phone. Then I pushed for a paid student internship (Student Career Experience Program - SCEP)  in the Forest Service in the job field I wanted to make a career out of, which translated into a non-competitive appointment into a permanent job upon graduation.

I had to start at the bottom. But here's the good news: In less than 6 1/2 years from the time I started school, I was already making twice what I was before, and working in a job I liked. Going to grad school and being willing to work wherever they needed me for a couple years meant that I was promoted faster than those who were lucky enough to get hired into the agency at a mid-level position with just a Bachelor's degree. Also being former military and being a little older than my peers helped garner a little more respect and responsibility. I was lucky that I didn't have kids, which would have made it tougher for sure, but I was married at the time. Thankfully my wife was very supportive of the direction I was trying to go.

Now I've been in my job as a permanent, full time employee for just over 6 years and I was able to get the exact job, in the exact place I wanted to be when I started this process back in 2002 (That's why I recently moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID). At times it really sucked. Especially early on I had trouble paying bills, I couldn't travel or even go out with my friends like I wanted to, and it certainly sucked being a part-time temporary receptionist with a Bachelor's degree. But in the grand scheme of things, 4 years wasn't that long to deal with a tough situation. Now when I come home from work I walk through the garage and see a kayak and some nice fishing gear, my fridge has beer in it, and we have a decent place. That period of rebuilding was worth every minute when I look back at it today.

Thanks Jay.  I have been contemplating doing exactly what you did.  It is a very hard decision, especially with a kid.  I know others have done it and it is not impossible.  It also isn't easy when you have people from the old-school that always say the same thing: "nobody has a job they love.  you just have to suck it up and do what you have to do. blah blah blah.."  I think the people that say that are the people who gave up on their dreams.  I haven't given up yet, but it is going to have to be soon or never. 

If you don't mind me asking, what is your bachelors degree in?  The one thing scaring me away from graduate school is that, if I went, I would probably have to take a bunch of under-grad courses to catch up and qualify for the graduate degree I want.  My bachelors is in aviation maint mgmt, but I wouldn't go to graduate school for anything remotely close to that.

Thanks Jay.  I have been contemplating doing exactly what you did.  It is a very hard decision, especially with a kid.  I know others have done it and it is not impossible.  It also isn't easy when you have people from the old-school that always say the same thing: "nobody has a job they love.  you just have to suck it up and do what you have to do. blah blah blah.."  I think the people that say that are the people who gave up on their dreams.  I haven't given up yet, but it is going to have to be soon or never. 

If you don't mind me asking, what is your bachelors degree in?  The one thing scaring me away from graduate school is that, if I went, I would probably have to take a bunch of under-grad courses to catch up and qualify for the graduate degree I want.  My bachelors is in aviation maint mgmt, but I wouldn't go to graduate school for anything remotely close to that.

My Bachelor's Degree is in Park and Recreation Management. The undergrad was fun, but unless I was willing to work for a city parks dept fixing toilets, I couldn't get a job with it.

I switched gears completely for grad school and pursued a degree in political science. It's long-winded and pretentious, but my grad degree is a "Masters of Public Administration with emphasis in Environmental Policy." Today I work as the Forest Public Affairs Officer for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. I can attest to knowing at least 6 other people in their mid-30's that are at similar levels in the agency that all followed a similar path to mine. It seems to work well, at least in the Forest Service.

As far as grad school goes, don't worry too much about having to take remedial undergrad courses. I think anyone who goes for a significantly different Master's degree is going to need to take 2 or 3 undergrad courses. My best advice is to take a GRE prep course, then take the GRE. Most graduate schools will require it as part of your application. The GRE can be tough, but it's intended to weed out the people who skated through their undergrad. So long as you're not trying to get into Harvard Business School then you'll be fine. In fact, if you're already academically inclined you can probably train yourself to pass the GRE.

thanks Jay.  I will look into that.  My current degree is useless to me right now.  I don't regret it though.  I almost had no choice.  My company covered the tuition because it was a degree that applies to the industry, and I got about 1 years worth of credits for having A&P license. 

 a little different path...  FireFighter?  

 Every Municipality is getting their older guys/gals to take early retirements and laying off at the same time....

the tide will turn and Fires/Medicals and Everything under the sun falls under..

 " Call Fire... "  All Risk Baby....

This is an excellent time to get your basic credentials, FF1 and EMT, Volunteer wherever you can and TEST!!!  TEST!!! TEST!!!,

Paramedic, even better, but don't underestimate this task, not easy, but possible...  

 Never Give up,  Failures are only Lessons learned...

Work on your Oral Interview, Learn...  Have a Clean Background....  


and if ya think your too Old.....

I went thru the Tower at 40....

 and ya.... It Hurt.....  

haha... My first dream job was to be a firefighter.  My dad was a firefighter when I was born.  My kindergarten class went to Firestation 1 in Tucson AZ for a field trip.  It just happened to be my dad's station and he was the firefighter that showed the class around the engine.  I remember that day clearly.  I think that is when I decided that my dad was my hero.  so, of course, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter.

IF I had to do it all over again, I'd be a Fireman or involved with the Military but at my age now (and condition) I've learned to accept the fact that it's not gonna happen and that I simply have to do what I can to keep on going. I had a shot of being a Kayak Fishing Guide in Alaska but those dreams were shot down due to my illness. It was a tough pill to swallow but I'm moving on. I can only hope that I can get back on my feet again and find ANY type of work at this point. With the economy like it is, I'll take what I can get and be thankful that I live in a country that offers more hope than others.

IF I had to do it all over again, I'd be a Fireman or involved with the Military but at my age now (and condition) I've learned to accept the fact that it's not gonna happen and that I simply have to do what I can to keep on going. I had a shot of being a Kayak Fishing Guide in Alaska but those dreams were shot down due to my illness. It was a tough pill to swallow but I'm moving on. I can only hope that I can get back on my feet again and find ANY type of work at this point. With the economy like it is, I'll take what I can get and be thankful that I live in a country that offers more hope than others.

Joel, believe me, I am thankful for the job that I have.  I just dont want to wake up one day and realize that I have been putting myself through misery just to pay the bills.  Most important, my wife and little boy come first.  I will gladly put myself through 40 hours of misery a week to put food on the table and make sure that my boy has fresh diapers.  BUT, if I can, I want to reward them with a happy husband/father by finding that rewarding, happy job that we all dream about.  Whether I can find what I am looking for is another story.

So I have been down the whole "What do I want to do really" question for a while now. I found this book really useful - http://www.amazon.com/What-Should-Do-My-Life/dp/0345485920/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281669224&sr=8-3

I also took an online class at Foothill that was a basic career assessment type class, trying to figure out what you really want to do and also exploring what those jobs entail. It was pretty helpful to me personally.

I am kinda sorta in the middle of a career change/shift right now. I don't hate my job, it is pretty fun all things considered, I just don't get a ton of personal fulfillment out of it. My first passion is photography/film making. Lucky that is something you can do without a degree and something I can dip my toe in part time. However it means practically 0 time to do anything else, like fishing. It may or may not pan out for me. It will be basically impossible to replace my current income with a photography career so adjustments will need to be made all around. One of the things in that book I linked above is that you need to be true and honest with your spouse and you will need there support to help you change. You might have to go work that $10 and hour job at REI or 2 $10 jobs while you are transitioning. You can do it if you really want to, it will require you to change.

Also explore jobs that leverage your current skills but get you closer to what you want to do. I am just making this up off the top of my head but maybe Alaska fishing lodges need mechanics or maybe there is a company that sells parts that could use a person that knows the space but does not want to actually be a mechanic.

This is a bit of a ramble but think about this. In 10 years you could be sitting at your dream job or sitting around complaining about how you can't change jobs cause it will take you 10 years to get there.

Also explore jobs that leverage your current skills but get you closer to what you want to do. I am just making this up off the top of my head but maybe Alaska fishing lodges need mechanics or maybe there is a company that sells parts that could use a person that knows the space but does not want to actually be a mechanic.

That is exactly what I am thinking.  That is what I am trying to brainstorm and search around for.  Although doing a complete 180 and pursuing exactly what I want might be worth it in the long run, I am hesitant to throw away 15 years of experience and a bachelors degree.  But, on the other hand, that might be what it will take to find that 'dream job'.  I want to explore every possibility before I do the 180 degree change.

Thanks Bill

I don't love my current job but I found myself at a similar point though I hadn't started working yet. I had just graduated with a BA in psych and found out that in fact I wasn't going to grad school. That pretty much eliminated all hopes of finding a good paying job consistent with my degree.

I almost became a Bio teacher but teaching didn't pan out and I saw jobs constantly being offered in the medical field. Specifically psychiatric nursing interested me and low a behold my neighbor was a shift manager at a local hospital in the psych ward. He was a Registered Nurse working part-time with full benefits and his wife also worked part time as a Family Nurse Practitioner. They did not have any financial difficulties at all believe me. The kids never had babysitters and dad was around ALOT. Also they really enjoyed their jobs just like every other RN I've talked to. So I met with a counselor at a comminty college to see what I would need to become an RN. Turned out to be 3 classes to get into the program so I went for it. I start my third class on mon and I should be in the RN program in exactly one year. Two years after that I will be an RN.

Right now though I am pretty much in a living hell work wise. I am a counselor at a drug rehab and I may as well be paid in peanuts. The job/clients aren't bad it's the lack of funding for the program as well as an enormous lack of oversight by those that do fund it (You/us the tax payers). I'll leave it at that.

Are the sacrafices that I make now to become an RN worth it? A question I ask myself all of the time. I truly don't know. Very recently I had a close friend pass and he had only lived 1/3 of his life. His son and future wife are now without him and I realized that more that anything (even fishing) quality time spent with loved ones is the most important aspect of our lives. So what is best for your wife and children? Only you and your wife can decide.

Semper fi from an old 03. Carry on
Tim     
           

Semper Fi back to you, Tim.  Sorry to hear about your friend.  You are right, life is short and I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I missed watching my son grow up because I have been busting my a** at work.  My dad had to work a lot of hours when I was a kid, and I rarely saw him.  When I did see him, he would be too tired to do anything.  "dad, you wan to go fishing?".... "no, I gotta ______" fill in the blank with work or sleep, because that is all he did.  I appreciate his hard work because we always had food, new clothes for school, and presents on Xmas and birthdays.

Wit healthcare reform, there will be an increased demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, radiology technicians and medical assistants. However, wouldn't recommend becoming a physician.