need some advice...

**rachelMcK** · 01-12-2008, 01:44 PM

I'm not sure if this is the right place so if its not..sorry.

Anyway, I went to school for 4 years and racked up alot of debt. After months of trying (and being told I don't have the experience/qualifications to be employed in my field), I've given up on finding a job. I work at a terrible job that pays decent, but its just altogether a terrible, miserable job. I have found a course that will give me the qualifications to work in my field but its at a private college and its $9000 for a 8.5 month course. Here are the pros and cons

Pros
-the course will allow me to work where I originally hoped I could (in a hospital/lab setting)
- I can work anywhere in ontario so I can get out of the city
- I will enjoy my job
- Having a job that I like would allow me to start a family and not mind going back to work. (If i have a child now with the job I have now, I'd never go back)

Cons
- $9000
- more debt added on
- Still have to work part-time while in school
- with the economy not being good, I don't know what would happen if I did add more debt
- we have only $1000 in savings and we'd would not be able to afford adding to the savings but we need to because we need a New (used) car.

What would you do?

Thanks

**watchingpennies** · 01-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Is the college close to you or would you have to move? Do you qualify for any student grants? Is your dh able to work extra? Is he ok with you going back to school. It is sooooo expensive for such a short time but if you can't go anywhere else to get the qualifications you need...if it will make you happy then you should probably give it a go! All the best in making a tough decision. Sorry about not giving any useful advice!

**Darlene** · 01-12-2008, 02:22 PM

I eccho the above questions but my gut says go for it. Life is to short to be miserable and it's not like you are throwing the money away. Sure you'll owe the 9k but you'll have the future full of all kinds of new prospectives to help you pay it off. I'm guessing your sweetie is cheering you on too. Listen to him. You will find a way and it will be worth it. Be Happy. Remember you have your whole life to pay it back.
Assume alot don't I!

**rachelMcK** · 01-12-2008, 02:24 PM

The college is just a short bus ride away, I don't think I'm qualified for any grants (as I wasn't when I was in college before) but Im still going to try, and DH is ok with me going back.

**Darlene** · 01-12-2008, 02:35 PM

I didn't realize all the debt you have from before, did you change what you wanted to do? If you do take this course are you guaranteed a job? You still wouldn't have the experience...

**yonksgirl** · 01-12-2008, 03:00 PM

If it is in the Medical field you may be able to get a furture employer to pay for it! Good luck!

**rachelMcK** · 01-12-2008, 03:13 PM

Yes, this course is in the same field. The problem was the program I took in college was brand new and they didn't have it registered with the board that allows people to work in the field (certification). They said they were working on getting it and we should be able to write the board exams when we graduated (4 years later). Well, graduation came and we were told that the course didn't give us all the pre-requisites to write the board exam so we could not be certified. I think only 4 people out of 20 that graduated got jobs sort of related to our field. 2 got fired because they didn't know enough. So this program will allow me to write the board exam...

**Mom23boys** · 01-12-2008, 03:38 PM

So, in other words, this course would allow you to be certified in the field you have previously studied? You would just be finishing up your certification so that you could be employed in the field, correct?

If so, I say go for it! You have already studied the field for 4 years (if I am correct). You must have really wanted to do this or you wouldn't have stayed with it for that long. I know noone wants to add on more debt, but if you are positive that you can be employed in the field you are studying, then I would do it!!

**kaykwilts** · 01-12-2008, 03:43 PM

I would not feel comfortable taking on additional debt but if you do it and come out of it I'd work really hard living as frugally as possible and pay off the debt as quickly as I could.

**Jskell911** · 01-12-2008, 08:05 PM

I would definatly look into more grants. The medical field in some areas is getting desparate for help and there are more and more scholarships and grant being offered.

Hope it works out well for you!