A
female
age
36-40,
*rixy22
writes:I recently turned 30 and had that whole life in order and retirement plan cross my mind and I decided to go back to school and get a bachelors degree. I grew up learning that knowledge is everything, And a degree can help but wasn't needed. As you can see that was false.I work as an Administrative Assistant for a construction company. As I look in my direction I find myself wanting more and new challenges. I struggle to make the kind of money needed to survive on alone. (Which by the way is really tough to financially be stable alone in this economy) I have been applying for positions I am qualified for, but I find myself not getting anywhere and most won't consider me because I don't have a degree.Is it worth the risk to go back to school? Or should I just keep trying to get a better job in hopes that someone will look my way?I know Education is always a good thing, but my concern is by spending more money will it be worth it to get those jobs that pay great. To help me in the long run?
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (14 November 2014): I worked in construction in administration also. I have two degrees. Neither degree mattered. In construction all the money goes to field management and large equipment. Unless your degree is going to put you out in the field it will not benefit you much at all. Certifications in software and network management and scheduling software will benefit your employer and then make you worth more to the company.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (14 November 2014): You can go to a community college which will be a lot less expensive and go part time so that you can keep your job while you get your degree. That way you will have a degree to help you advance in your particular career. Sometimes for promotions it is just having the degree, often the area of your degree isn't important, but a general liberal arts degree would be good for your field of work unless there is another field you are interested in pursuing. Some employers may hire you based on the fact that you're pursuing a degree as well.
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (13 November 2014):
 You need to be factual and realistic here. Dreams are great, ambition is great, but financial ruin is NEVER worth risking. What will you live off when you go back to school?
Im in a very similar situation myself. I already went to school though, and got a couple of degrees, and lived my early twenties with room mates and in small rentals in peoples basements etc. Taking crappy part time jobs to get by while studying, and also living off of student loans.
But then I just got unemployed, after working full time for a year and a half after my studies ended. So I though.. search for new jobs, and while I am "waiting" for a new job I should go back to school and learn more. Knowledge is an easy burden to carry, is what my aunt says. But it has cost me a lot, and if things carry on the way they do I can't continue after this exam. I found two part time jobs to help me through, but I can't get enough shifts, and I think I will need a third part time job just to get enough shifts. But the jobs are at odd hours, I get called in at 6.30am in the morning without warning, and miss lectures and can barely make plans to study. My days lack structure and consistency, and I am living from month to month. It's not good at all. AND I have by far less time to actively apply for new jobs.
My alternative after this exam (if I don't start getting more shifts) is to not study any longer, and take up more part time work and then just apply for work that is at least somewhat more consistent and gives me a dependable income, even if it's not a high paid job or within my preferred field.
So, that would lead me to YOUR current position. Wanting a better job, but wondering if you should study more or search for jobs. I say, in your position, I would NOT to either or. I would rely on my current job, and send an application for a new job perhaps once a week. Then I would clear my schedule, and not have a social life, and use my free time on taking up some classes, but just part time. Not a full course. It will cost you too much time to study full time, and if you think you are lacking in means NOW, I can assure you.. you will be utterly lacking in means if you start to study full time. It might work out, but then you'd have to move to your parents or something and live rent free and have someone else bring food on the table. Being financially dependent on someone else, as an adult, is not a good feeling at all. I do not recommend it.
Take part time studies and tell all your friends and relatives that you will now be very busy with studies, so you can not take the same amount of time to be social as before. Hopefully they will understand. I had no social life at all during my final year of studies, as that year I didn't have any student loans. It's the longest period of time I've ever been single, lol, because I could not have found time for a boyfriend even if he was Prince Charming. I settled for a casual arrangement in that period.. this woman has her needs... But I didn't see friends more than maximum once a week, or once every other week. My casual love just dropped by to spend the night and that's it, no movies or time for dates or anything.
You need to be mentally prepared if you're heading into this, because working full time and studying will require a massive amount of self discipline, and some things will have to be sacrificed. And you can not afford to sacrifice your economy.
As for education, I give it a thumbs up, but only as long as you can work full time as well. There is no guarantee you will get a job even if you get a degree (I have two degrees, look where that got me), and you might have to wait a long time to get a job too (Ive been actively applying jobs for around 8 months now). So it is not worth giving up your job over, unless your job drives you to the point of depression.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (13 November 2014): For me it was a bit of both. I started working a a company right out of high school, so I didn't go to college right away.
After a few years and a few promotions I decided to go back for my degree because I realized that I would not be able to get an equivalent job to the one I had without one, and I had gotten to a point where I may need to move my career laterally from there.
I did have to take on some debt, so it has been a bit of a burden there. However, each job I have had since has been a move to a slightly different field, and then to other companies, and each time I have had to take a pay cut. Mainly due to the economy & employer's job market lately, not my lack of education or skills. I do not make much more than I did with just the high school diploma, but I am glad to have the degree or I would not have gotten my more recent jobs at all I am certain, and would have been stuck or unemployed.
If you decide to go back to school, I would encourage you to make sure you can stick it out and get your degree, with taking on as little debt as possible. I would encourage you to get an education, it is never too late to start.
Best of luck!
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