I obtained my Associates Degree when I was 20. While I do enjoy my career, I'm not in love with it. I have always wanted a job in health care and the desire has only gotten stronger, as well as the want to obtain a higher education. My dream job would be an Occupational Therapist. I talked to my soon to be husband, and he said he would fully support my decision to go back to school. Even I could see the worry of how would be handle the bills if I'm in school full time.
My goal is to take the Pre Occupational Therapy Program, which is a 2 year program at the community college, after my son is in middle school (so about another 3 to 4 years). This is geared toward working adults and offers night/weekend classes.
There is a local university, which is well known for the allied health programs, that offers a combined bacc/masters program. It's a tough 3 year program, that will require me to go full time. The last 3 months of the program are the hardest. Full time in the class room and full time on job training. I will have to take out student loans.
Those 3 years are going to financially strain us, we will be able to make do but it means heavily budgeting. I'm hopeful I am giving us plenty of time to financially prepare us for this. I can't help but feel guilty that I won't be able to contribute to our bills and the strain of going to school full time on my family. I would find a job that I could work around my school but I won't make anywhere near what I make know. In my mind, I keep saying it's only 3 years but in my heart I have to wonder if it's worth it in the end.
Any advise or words of encouragement are appreciated.
Thank you to everyone.
I have researched this pretty extensively. The OT field is growing. More public schools now have a full time OT on staff and that is going to only increase. More hospitals are now transferring patients to rehab centers since insurance will cover a longer stay in a rehab center verses a hospital. I live in an area that has several large scale hospitals and the keep expanding their units. There is a major children's hospital as well. There are openings and the demand is only growing.
We have talked about moving in the future and I've researched those cities , and found the same.
The average salary of a first year OT is 65k, the average salary after 5 years of experience is 70-80k. With my husband's salary and my salary, we would be living very comfortably.
The reason I want to wait is due to a few reasons. We are getting married this year, I don't think putting that kind of strain on a new marriage is smart, and I would feel better if I made some financially planning and strategies first.
I finished my Masters last year as I worked part time and looked after two little children at home. The week after I finished I was offered the best job I've ever done. This was as a direct result of having my Masters degree. I LOVE my job. It's a hard slog, and can be stressful, but it can work. Good luck. I hope you have the same results as me!
Think about it this way: 5 - 10 years from now, as you look back, will you regret having gone to school or NOT having gone? I also went back to school when my daughters were little. What was great is that I scheduled my classes so that I could drop them off at school; I then would go to school myself; some days I would even pick them up after school and take them to a gymnastics class. All the parents would drop off their kids and leave, but I would sit on the bleachers and study. At the same time I could watch my girls do something special and wave and smile at them. We always had dinner together, but when they went to bed I would start studying again. If we went to the park during the weekend guess what I would be doing? Yup, studying on a blanket under a tree. Once a year I would take them to class with me (1 at a time) and we'd have our "special lunch". It CAN be done. Regarding finances: look into financial aid (FAFSA). There are lots of scholarships for mothers too! Good luck.
I keep planning on going back to school but I haven't been accepted yet (for nursing school); part of me wonders if I should just give up and start looking for a full-time job to keep for a few years. But I know that if I give up that dream of going back to school, I will regret it. I really want a career where I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile with my time, and I believe nursing will be that job for me.
How is the job outlook after you graduate? If it's a good job outlook and will provide a decent salary, I think it's definitely worth it in the end. It'll be hard, but it helps that your husband is supporting you in doing this, and it sounds like you've already started planning financially for it, so I say it'll definitely be worth it. Good luck!
when it's all said & done, will your new career provide the extra income required to cover the monthly payments on those student loans? That's your starting point! & then, how many job openings are in your immediate area for this career? For example, in our circle of family, we have 2 nieces who are RNs & are struggling to find jobs!
The next question would be: if you delay doing this, how long will it take you to better prepare financially to achieve your goal of returning to school?
Good Luck!
I'm starting my dissertation for my PhD, so I'm all for higher education :-)
I applaud your desire and your planning to take charge of your career.
What I would suggest is doing a lot of research now about the type, location, and pay of jobs available in the field you want to enter. You want to be as sure as possible about the opportunities waiting for you when you finish this journey.
I don't regret my time and money spent pursuing my current degree. I have learned so much and this will be a life goal that I will meet. I do wish that I had done more research. I am now finding that many of the best career opportunities available would require me to relocate. I am not willing to do that because of my family situation. I still believe I will benefit from my graduate degree, and find work locally, but my tendency to jump into really big efforts (six years so far of classes!) with more intuition than data (surprising because my degree is all about data/research??) is leaving me feeling a little stressed now.
Once you've done your research, though, why wait 3-4 years to start? My daughter was 2 when I started and I was working full time. Once you are clear on your plan, go for it!
I quit my fulltime job (I made more than my husband) to go back to school fulltime and it was the best decision I ever made. I too had to take out some student loans, I also got some scholarships. We as a family had to make some sacrifices and found out that the things that we gave up we could do without because they were a complete waste of money.
I am not going to lie; it was hard sometimes but my husband was really supportive with the kids and around the house which made the three years go by smoothly. And after I got my graduate degree my husband decided to go back and get his. With my new degree, I got a job that made more money and I could support the family while he went to school fulltime.
So what I am saying is that it can be done. Stop feeling guilty, this is a decision that will better your family’s lifestyle. You are teaching your kids the value of an education and the fact that sometimes you need to sacrifice in the short term to achieve a long term goal and benefits. Good Luck and keep you eye on what you want and be determined to get it.
I went back to school last year. I had a bachelor's but wanted a masters, in a totally different field, meaning I need a 2nd bachelor's first.
My kids are now 12, 10, and almost 8.
I don't regret it one bit. Yes, I'm taking out loans. Yes, money and time are tight. But, my kids see me going through school and doing homework and studying for tests, and they know I mean it when I tell them school and homework are important. They all now plan on going to college. And they don't miss what I don't give them, because we still plan things as a family, and they know how to make do with the toys they have.
I also plan to go back to school when my youngest is in school (another 3 years). Although I don't have any personal experience with going to school after becoming a mom/wife, my mom went back and got her PhD when I was 11 and my sister was 6. From a financial standpoint, it was SO worth it! She now makes literally 10 times what she made pre-PhD--she did completely change careers, but she would have never gotten the job that she has now without her doctorate.
First research to make sure being an Occupational Therapist will be paying good money in the future..that way you can forecast paying back the school loan and contributing..nothing like going to school, spending all that money and time, then come out with nothing to show for it but a huge bill and no job..so think about that first.
Secondly, budget how much you want to invest in school and determine your age and when it would be a good time, considering your children, husband to be, finances, etc so you are able to do it full time without guilt..nothing like starting the program only to end it half way because of your child/husband demands.
Thirdly, see if you can do online courses from home at this school, then do the practical stuff at the physical site. It will save you time and give you a chance to be with your family.
I think you should go for it! Getting an education is more than getting a job or a career. It is a whole new way of thinking and solving problems. The people you meet are by and large wonderful. I learned as much from my peers as the classes themselves. You gain confidence there, your passion thrives there. It is a lot of work and yes you may have financial struggles, but it sounds like you have a good plan in place, but in the end it is worth it. You will also be setting a good example for your children when they see you work so diligently for something and set high goals for yourself. There are so many more positives to going back to school than negatives in my opinion. This is also the greatest country in the world to get one as well because there are so many resources out there to help you get it. Make sure you talk with a financial advisor at your school to find out all of your loan/grant/financial options out there. I don't know when you are planning to marry, but you may consider starting now because I believe there are a lot of financial options for single moms you could benefit from right now. Good luck! You will do great. Occupational therapy is a great field to go into!
A.
You can do this!! I am in graduate school right now and it's been tough, but we are surviving. The key is to get organized and stay that way.
I do homework with my kids, but I have had a few very, very late nights studying. Sometimes, it was kind of discouraging, but I hung in there. You will be tired, but the payoff will be worth it. Plus, you will feel good about yourself. Not only will you contribute more financially, but when you work at a job that interests you, it makes you a happier person.
Good luck! It will be worth it! Three years will go quickly, believe it or not!
I am like you, I liked my job just fine, but I did not love it. I attended community college part time for the last 5 years or so, one class at a time and got my AA degree. Earlier this year I quit my job and went back to school full time for my BA, I hope I will go on to grad school after this.
It is HARD, we also take out student loans and pay a bunch on top of that, but we can make it work.
I think it will be worth it and I enjoy the challenge.
Good luck!
