Crazy stuff to survive the economic downturn...

[Jman]

Well an update. I approached my employer with the ideas above. While my boss and I don't always see eye to eye she is a good person and I trusted her to take some of my thoughts without over reacting. I was little nervouse because here I was telling her I might be quiting soon. However, she offered to approach her bosses on perhaps letting me go part time in my current job, which would rock! I also left her an e-mail about possible staying there full time but doing 3 12 hour days on Fri, Sat, Sun (hell I'm there for like 10 hours already most weekends) and picking up the other 4 hours one day after school. We'll see what goes down. I also just sent in my app for school. I haven't picked any classes yet but that sets me up to act quickly should things work out my way (class starts on the 18th of August). Later this week I hope to get a couple of Apps out to a few local PT jobs that look interesting. We'll see what happens. Thanks again for the great insights and personal experiences. Have a great week.

[Sprockethead]

This is why you stay in school so you'll have more opportunities in the future. To the OP, sorry to use you as an example. If you can swing it on one income, I'd say go for it. There will always be a need for teachers and the best part is, it can be anywhere.

[Rockinthecasbah]

what school?

[pitmang1]

Go to school and do something you'll love.

I'm 32 and I'm back in school to be an architect. I've been working a job for the last 6 years that I hate, but it pays really well. A couple of years ago I decided to go back to school, but I've so far only been able to go part time because my wife was going to Nursing school full-time. Now that she's an RN and can cover most of our expenses, it's my turn. I might not get my license until I'm 40, but it's better than doing what I'm doing till I'm 70.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

what school?

The always fun Mt. San Jacinto Menifee campus (it's about 10 or 12 miles from house...if that.). It's not my first choice in JC's but it is the closest. I've gone to Mira Costa (the best JC in the socal area IMHO) and also Palomar...whew I've been trying to do this school thing for far to long!

I'll second the not putting school off, however, I don't really regret the decisions I made back then. I graduated in 1991 and at that time school just wasn't for me. I met my now wife at the end of 91 and got married in 93. It's been rough at times and I recommend not getting married that young but other than few little things (like staying away from debt) I wouldn't change much.

[Reedster]

I think teaching is a great profession and I don't think you need to worry very much about not being able to get a job. I'm in Moreno Valley and they threatened to let a few hundred teachers go. I don't think the final numbers are out, but it was probably a tenth of that. And they are hiring more teachers because there are always areas of need no matter where they lose some jobs.

I went back to school to get my teaching credential when I was 35 and am glad I did.

Good luck with your bosses and whatever choices you make.

~R

[Rockinthecasbah]

Rickys thoughts on JC's,
if you havent taken your entrance test yet. Study a little algebra before you go, if you can score high you dont have to take alot of pre- rec math classes that dont transfer.
If you are dead set on a major, find out what classes needed for your degree and knock out as many pre req's as you can in your GE I switched majors and got screwed on a lot of classs, I have 110 units and still need 40 for my degree because I skimped on some math/lang classes.

On that note when in doubt if its take the easy class vs the harder class, and both meet your transfer needs take the harder one it usally works out better in the end.

Just my .02 after 6 years and only an AS so far

[Jman]

Yeah I need to brush up on the math, I don't need to take the entrance tests again but I'd like to try the math one so I can skip the Math90 courses! Oh and 6 years with only an AS is WAAAAYYY better than me, I'm going on 17 years with only 36 units to my name. Stupid pool hall (it was on my way to school back in the day, I might've actually got my AA if it wasn't LOL) ..... Man that's really depressing when its typed on the screen like that!

[davidB]

eh, at least you're doing something about it. I'm young, and it scares me to be able to count the people twice my age who have just given up and do something they don't like.

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

right now going to school to get a credential isnt workign out for that many people more teachers are being laid off then are being hired we are getting alot of teachers at my work looking for jobs now.
But if you have the means to go to school go for it,as long as you dont have to sell the bottlerocket

This isn't entirely true.

It depends on the district, the subject, and a few other things. There definitely are still plenty of teaching jobs, and long-term, the demand for teachers FAR out-weighs the supply.

There are supposed to be so many more people in CA in the near future that the DOT estimates our current highway systems in CA will be at FULL CAPACITY in 15 YEARS.

Not to mention, it's easy to "lateral" your CA credentials to other states. NY, for example, has almost identical requirements.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by davidB

eh, at least you're doing something about it. I'm young, and it scares me to be able to count the people twice my age who have just given up and do something they don't like.

Looking back over the last 16 or 17 years its easy to see how a person could end up like that. Time just flies by when you get swooped up in lifes current. It's even worse when you get comfortable in the job you're at...even if you're not the happiest. I've been with the county for 10 years and it still seems like yesterday that I started!

I have a god role model in my mom too who stayed at home, raised her two boys while my Dad worked at a good job and skipping out on a promotion or two so he could spend more time with his kids. When we were out of elementary school or so my Mom when back to school at the age of around 40, got her teaching credentials and has just retired from it after a fullfilling career. It's cool and I've always been proud of her for doing that.

[DISCO]

Don't feel alone five years and 120 units later I have seven remaining to transfer but am at a much better job than when I started. Try the local library for a book called "refresher in basic mathematics" By Nick Rowe, Saved me about three semesters and only had to take one class. It's about one hundred pages and full of lots of exercises do a chapter a day and in two weeks you should matriculate no problem.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by davidB

...it scares me to be able to count the people twice my age who have just given up and do something they don't like.

hey buddy, watch what you say about me!

[Jman]

Well here's another update. I've had to stay with the current job as my recently revealed to me that our financial situation was far far worse than she was letting on. We're working that out best we can but I refused to let it stop me from taking this first step. So I managed to scrounge up the money, sat down with the boss and figured out a shcedule that would allow me to go to school in the mornings. So I'm now officially starting school on August 18th. It's going to be bizarre going in the morning as I've only done night classes or on-line stuff for the last 15 years. Thanks again for the support.

[speckledtrout]

good for you, jack.

[NitrOx]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

...its my 2 divorces (hopefully current wife wont also leave me) that are killing me financially. To this day I have no clue why those b!tches left me

Did you ride them as often as you ride your bikes? That might explain it.

[reflux]

Originally Posted by Jman

So I'm now officially starting school on August 18th. It's going to be bizarre going in the morning as I've only done night classes or on-line stuff for the last 15 years. Thanks again for the support.

Awesome, so what are you taking? Good luck and have fun!

[Jman]

I enrolled in Eng101 and Hist103 (world civ to 1500). The tough part will be the English class, its from 8 in the morning until 1150 and I have to be at work (about 30minutes from campus) at 130 and then work until 10pm. That's going to be a long day. The world civ class I've taken before and dropped out from some lame reason or another so I'm retaking it A.) because I need it for my AA and B.) to erase the F and bring the overall GPA up.

I'm excited and bit nervous as its really going to force me to time manage the life down to literally scheduling time with the family to the minute! Rides and runs will be scheduled.....EVERYTHING. My FranklinCovey planner is going to be my best friend in the whole wide world. The first couple of weeks will be tough as the whole family falls into a new routine (the girls go back to school next wednesday) but it should mellow out a bit as the semester/school year progresses.

[Diamondback]

I say GO FOR IT, go back to school. I'm 48, probably the oldest person here and looking back, like most stated on this thread, time goes fast.
Take the courses, study hard, raise the kids and get the degree. Money is important but like others said, you only live once. and drink beer (but not while studying)

[Jman]

Originally Posted by Diamondback

I and drink beer (but not while studying)

That may be the only thing that makes the studying go by faster! I'm hoping to have my masters by 48 but we'll see. I figure if I can get it by around that time I'll be able to retire from the county, start a second career and retire from that at 65 and still have a decent 20 years before I say the great good-bye! hmmm how come I get the feeling it won't be that cut and dry!