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View Full Version : What a mess I've made.


lhomme314159
06-25-2009, 10:16 AM
So, I feel I am in a huge mess. After graduating high school, I was offered a job as an IT technician for an organization that manages IT for school districts in the region. I was working this job three days per week and carrying a full Computer Engineering class load the other two days of the week. After a quarter of Computer Engineering, I decided I didn't like it, and moved to the Management Information Systems program, which I think was my first mistake.

After I finished up my freshman year, my employer asked me to work additional hours. Not wanting to give up the additional hours or risk losing my job, I transferred to Liberty University's online Management Information Systems degree. I've been taking classes there for two years. Earlier this year, I accepted a job with the state auditor's office as a computer administrator. I make much more money here, but do not want to graduate from Liberty. I feel the overwhelming need to quit my job and try to go back to a traditional school. I can't shake this feeling.

What are your thoughts? I know I made some bad decisions along the line, but don't really know how to make up for them. If I go back to school, I don't know how I'll pay for anything or how long it will take. I've applied to a school just to see if I can get in, but at this point, I'm really just at a loss for what to do. I know if I don't go back, I'll probably regret it forever. However, if I do go back, who knows what will happen.

-EDIT-
I suppose I should add, that if I stay the current course, I could be finished with my undergrad degree in a year. Then I can move on to my masters degree. If I go somewhere else, it could take 2-3 years to do the undergrad.

MaleVolentworld
06-25-2009, 10:37 AM
Part time course, full time job?
Part time course, part time job?
Full time course, part time job?

Mader
06-25-2009, 10:39 AM
By what you have posted I suspect this is just burn out.

If you are only 1 year from a degree and you are already making money in the general area, I suggest you stick with it and get the degree - one year, you can do that.

Remember, you can change your mind and your career for the rest of your life; you are not locked into this career for the rest of your life. Unless your real life goal is to be a professional comedian, I would get the degree. It will make your life much much easier from that point on.

Employers are not sympathetic towards young folks who quit school one year short of a degree. Graduate from Liberty, try to pay off your debts while you are still working and then you can go back to a traditional school. 3rd year burn out is not that unusual.

lhomme314159
06-25-2009, 10:39 AM
Currently I'm working full time and taking a full time course load. If I were to go back to school, it would probably be a full time load as well.

reb
06-25-2009, 10:41 AM
lhomme314159,

maybe i'm missing something, but i've read your post twice, and do not see these 'bad mistakes'.

perhaps, if you settle down 'mentally', keep the job you've got as long as you can stand it, and take courses in 'whatever you want to towards the degree you want'...slowly, you will see a path that seems right? pretty much, the people i've seen 'jump drastically' from one thing to something entirely different have wound up terrible unhappy, and sometimes with no job and no money. this world, on the physical level, is 'all about money'...you got none, you're a pawn; if you play chess, you know how pawns are used.

slow down, think all these things through; free advice.

Mogura
06-25-2009, 04:18 PM
What are your thoughts? I know I made some bad decisions along the line, but don't really know how to make up for them. If I go back to school, I don't know how I'll pay for anything or how long it will take. I've applied to a school just to see if I can get in, but at this point, I'm really just at a loss for what to do. I know if I don't go back, I'll probably regret it forever. However, if I do go back, who knows what will happen.

I read through the lines in your post. I think you already know what you want to do. You're just looking for some sort of validation or confidence kick to let you know that what you want to do is the right thing to do. I say go with your heart and do what you truly want to do. You're still young, plus, you're smart, hardworking, and resourceful. Things will work out.

In the meantime, why don't you see if your employer would be willing to pay for some of your courses? In a way, they stand to benefit from your continuing education, right?