Graduating soon and could really use any advice

**kettel6** · 01-25-2010, 01:59 PM

I will finally be graduating this spring with a Middle School Education Degree and an Associates Degree with emphasis in the social sciences (history).

Background...when I first started college I was a SAHM and taking classes was a way for me to have some "Me Time" and once the kids were old enough I could start working. Well things change and marriages don't last so I have had to put finishing this degree into high gear and I'm finally there. The thing is I am not completely convinced that I want to a public school teacher anymore and I was to far along in the program to switch majors so I suck it out.

I am very interested in going right into a Masters program in the Social Sciences. I have checked into it and there is nothing preventing from going ahead with it, other than the nay-sayers who insist that I do not begin a Masters program without already having a job.

Well people this is something that I really want to do and after the marriage and family thing didn't work out is it so unreasonable for me to do something for myself? Am I just being totally selfish? Yes I am going to have to find a full-time job of any kind, still work around the ex's schedule, and kids but the schedule for the Masters is not unreasonable.

I have also tossed around the idea of eventually becoming a college professor when all is said and done. Do we have any profs here at the village to give me some insight? Like I said at this point I'm just tossing around ideas and thinking but I would like any and all input. I have asked everyone else so why not ask you all too.

**Russ** · 01-25-2010, 02:07 PM

If you can handle the schedule and the finances I see no reason you shouldn't go for it. GOOD LUCK!

oh, that and I am jealous. I love history! My wife thinks I'm a little

but so do a lot of people.

**andrew's mom** · 01-25-2010, 05:08 PM

Aimee,
I went back to school to get my Master's in Environmental Studies while working full time but I did it for me and nobody else. My degree won't help me in my current job but I wanted to continue my education because I really enjoyed learning. I made sure to balance my home life with school and it helped tremendously that my husband was supportive. When my son was born, I still had one class to finish and my research paper to write but in the end it all worked out. I don't know your particular situation but the best advice I can give you is to follow your heart.
I really enjoyed my years in graduate school. I learned so much and it really opened up my thirst for knowledge.
Good luck to you.
Hugs.
M.

**JerryG** · 01-25-2010, 07:32 PM

Aimee - Absolutely yes - Do an Internship, if you can while you're in school - it'll be great references. This is something you feel passionate about and it shows. Don't let the nay-sayers intrude. Go for it! Good for you!

**kettel6** · 01-25-2010, 09:37 PM

Thank you all so much! It really means a lot, more than you know. As an education major (in Ohio) we are required to have a Masters degree within a certain amount of time. My friends and I have already begun looking into to various programs we are interested in, however I believe that I am the only one who is seriously considering going right into it (yes I realize I don't have to do it just because they are). Many people have told me not to go ahead with a Master's program because it will hurt my chances of finding a full-time job now (being overqualified, employer will have to pay me more, etc). I will have to find a job asap after I graduate in June, in any field, because the funds are running low 'round here.

Now like I said I do not know if I am really meant to be a public school teacher, and I've been saying "student teaching will make or break me." What hurts me the most is that my mother, who should be supportive, is not. I was excited about the info I had received about the program and fired off an email to her last week and nothing. The next thing I have to face is telling me ex that I want to do this and see if we can work out a schedule. The good thing is that there is a set schedule for the program and I have already been able to get that info. So hopefully the fact that we get along better as exs, for the moment anyway, will be helpful in this endeavor.

Thank you again and please keep the advice coming. I would really like to hear from someone who is a college professor to see what that type of environment is like. It has taken me way too long to earn just my Bachelors and I am quite accustomed to college life I almost hate to leave it behind.

And rcannon there is absolutely nothing wrong with history. That is my favorite subject and the Masters I am interested in is Social Sciences which is heavy in history.

**Jenibelle** · 01-26-2010, 06:46 AM

I got my degree in Secondary Science Education a almost 3 years ago now. And I know what you mean by "student teaching will either make me or break me". After I did mine, I really couldn't see myself teaching as a career. Its a shame that I had to wait until the final semester of my 5 year college experience to figure that out! But that's just how the program works.

I was lucky enough to find a job Coaching at a University that I absolutely love and at the time didn't need additional education for. But if your new career goal has changed, and thus requires more education, then that is what you need to do. I don't believe you can ever call raising your level of education selfish! Go for your degree, there are many school systems out there that are starting to require a masters before they hire anyways.

**Greebo** · 01-26-2010, 09:27 AM

As long as you don't fall into (or further into) the student loan trap, no reason at all not to do it.

But if you're going to finance a masters degree in social sciences - um... before you do, may I suggest you cash flow a $100 "Financial Peace University" course. Then we can sit down and talk about how far behind financing an education (or a continuing one) will put you, financially.

**Sonnenwende** · 01-26-2010, 10:04 AM

It is very difficult to become a (tenure track) professor in almost any discipline.

Greebo is right in that if you are going to have to take out debt for this degree, will you be able to pay it back if things don't go according to plan?

I'd love to go back to school to study Old English, but it is way too expensive. I've just been teaching myself. Self-enrichment is only a book or group away.

**frugal is fun** · 01-26-2010, 03:28 PM

I say do it now. I got my bachelors degree while working full time and then I stopped. I regret not continuing on. Its extremly difficult to get back into the swing of school once you've had a significant break.

If finances and schedule allow, I say go for it!

**dcompton** · 01-26-2010, 04:05 PM

I have multiple degrees in the humanities, but don't enjoy teaching at all, at any level. After teaching assistantships along the way, I have hardly ever had a job officially in my field, though some have allowed me to use skills I polished while getting them.

I have never regretted the education. Once a person, ok, a bubblehead, asked me why I wanted all that education -- I was just going to die anyway. I hoped she meant "eventually". I just told her it would make me more interesting when I was old.

Well, here I am, much older than I was then, and it is still paying off in enjoyment of life - though admittedly it probably doesn't make me very interesting.

Education is always worthwhile, whether or not you ultimately use it to make a living. There's more to life than a paycheck. If you can afford it, I would say to give it a try. If it doesn't work out, it can always be put on temporary hold for more favorable circumstances.

**shortstack** · 01-26-2010, 05:04 PM

Does this mean you are living off of student loans?
Is OH similar to WV in that you have to get 6 college hours every 3 years in order to maintain your license?

Andrea

**ladykemma2** · 01-26-2010, 06:13 PM

edit: didn't see that masters was required. still concerned that a social studies degree is going to have you unemployed.

**kettel6** · 01-26-2010, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by shortstack

Does this mean you are living off of student loans?
Is OH similar to WV in that you have to get 6 college hours every 3 years in order to maintain your license?

Andrea

I worked for awhile when my ex and I initially seperated until the school schedule became to hectic. I want to be done with this I chose to take the classes I needed when they were available. I had a substantial savings build up, and I'm still doing okay financially it's that the bank account is a bit lower than I'd like.

If I understand correctly in OH once you have your Masters degree you do not have to do continuing education to maintain your license. That is unless something else changes along.

**shortstack** · 01-26-2010, 09:13 PM

You also do not have to continue education in WV after a Masters is Achieved. If you don't have a Masters however you have to get 6 hours every 3 years.

Originally Posted by kettel6

I worked for awhile when my ex and I initially seperated until the school schedule became to hectic. I want to be done with this I chose to take the classes I needed when they were available. I had a substantial savings build up, and I'm still doing okay financially it's that the bank account is a bit lower than I'd like.

If I understand correctly in OH once you have your Masters degree you do not have to do continuing education to maintain your license. That is unless something else changes along.