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Deciding my next career path

Blogs > EscPlan9
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EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 23 2009 20:12 GMT
#1
As I mentioned previous, I specialize in IT and am inbetween jobs. I was laid off late October (on good terms) due to the economy and major cutbacks to the IT department, and have been unable to find a job within my field since. I am keeping my head above water purely from unemployment wages.

I've attended our local workforce assistance center a few times to help me solidify my resume, interviewing skills, and networking. But none of them have been enough to help me land a job in these times. I'm really getting tired of the same crap every week.

After some research of my own, and discussions with friends and family, I've decided these are my options:

1) Apply for scholarships, grants, and financial aid so I can obtain a bachelors degree in IT. I currently only have an associates in Social Sciences (and a couple computer related certifications). I figure going back to school is better than stressing about this crap every week, and they may be able to help place me through internships.

2) Join my friend Jon in Shanghai who is teaching ESL. Although it's not Korea, I could (hopefully) find time at some point to see a live Starcraft match there and be the "white guy on TV" for my 5 seconds of fame!

3) Join the Airforce for a technical position. They offer great benefits and it would be a beneficial experience I'm sure. However, I would have to serve a 2 or 3 year term, which is quite the commitment.

4) Work at fuckin McDonalds. lol I'd rather be unemployed than work a job I hate.

Any advice on these options, or other options I should explore?

**
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
caelym
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6421 Posts
March 23 2009 20:17 GMT
#2
1 or 3 seem the soundest. they both offer something to do in the "short term" and offer a solid foundation for the future. 2 and 4 doesn't get you anywhere. i would choose 1 because i like learning... but pick something that will not only get you past the next year, but also offer a long term solution
bnet: caelym#1470 | Twitter: @caelym
Blunderbore
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Lithuania23 Posts
March 23 2009 20:17 GMT
#3
go 1). Bachelors degree is permanent. On the other hand, the fat on your stomach obtained from McDonalds is permanent too. Tough choice
Fan of Termite Terran (Bogus)
defenestrate
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States579 Posts
March 23 2009 20:27 GMT
#4
Education has a reduced opportunity cost right now. 1 is the best by far.
We believe that we invent symbols. The truth is that they invent us; we are their creatures, shaped by their hard, defining edges.
Gray[FH
Profile Joined January 2009
152 Posts
March 23 2009 20:30 GMT
#5
2 sounds wild!
<3
x89titan
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
Philippines1130 Posts
March 23 2009 21:03 GMT
#6
you should go homeless like that one guy and write about your experiences and share you stories with lost frontier =]
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross the Savior made me whole
MoRe_mInErAls
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Canada1210 Posts
March 23 2009 21:26 GMT
#7
4 sounds nice. Fucking is always good
Hypnosis
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States2061 Posts
March 23 2009 21:39 GMT
#8
escape plan 10!

just keep lookin and stay positive, things will turn around they ALWAYS do. And you seem to have your head on straight so good luck too.
Science without religion is lame, Religion without science is blind
Elvin_vn
Profile Blog Joined March 2004
Vietnam2038 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-23 21:42:52
March 23 2009 21:41 GMT
#9
Career path should be based on your aptitudes, traits and personality. So try your best not to change it just because of the economy situation or you'll regret it later on.

So, I think #3 is your best choice. Try to survive for 2-3 years until the economy gets better. You'll have more opportunity, especially with the relevant experiences in the army.

Good luck.
do not agrue with idiots, they will pull you down to their level and beat you with their experiences
Durak
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Canada3684 Posts
March 23 2009 21:48 GMT
#10
I'd recommend 3 if you can get a good job with the Airforce. It most likely pays really well. If you can't, I'd go with 1.
Caller
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
Poland8075 Posts
March 23 2009 22:03 GMT
#11
2 and 3 i would think
Watch me fail at Paradox: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=397564
Drium
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States888 Posts
March 23 2009 22:10 GMT
#12
4

McDonalds is fucking delicious.
KwanROLLLLLLLED
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 23 2009 22:26 GMT
#13
Thank you for the constructive responses. I didn't mean this to be a poll, and this definitely isn't a joke.

A couple things... Airforce doesn't pay really well to start. However, it's more than just your wages. They also pay for your food, rooms, as well as benefits like paying off the rest of my student loan (less than $10k they'll help pay it off), health insurance (haven't had it in three years), and a whole slew of other stuff. So all in all, it's a good deal. It's just a matter of making that 2-3 year commitment and taking the risk of being deployed in a hostile territory. I keep reading though that most of the people joining the Airforce want to be a pilot - those aren't my intentions at all. I just want to increase my skill set, get back in the workforce, and gain some new experiences and perspectives from the opportunity.

I've worked a job I hated before (tech support for Turbotax software) and I could only handle it for two months. I still did a great job, received a certificate for my technical proficiency and customer service. But I hated my job nonetheless and I would come home feeling miserable knowing I have to go back the next day for the same crap. So I definitely don't want to just take "any job".

I've never applied for scholarships or grants before and was hoping one of you had experience or could point me in the right direction. I'm thinking of asking our local workforce assistance center for advice there given my situation.

For the first couple months I was able to remain positive and optimistic... but it's been so long now that I've lost hope in landing a job here.
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5459 Posts
March 23 2009 23:06 GMT
#14
man and i was going around complaining about how high school is boring. good luck bro. don't go with 4 (i have a low-wage job and it sucks knowing that one chipotle burrito cancels out one hour of work). go with 3 and set yourself up for the future even more than you have already.
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 23 2009 23:10 GMT
#15
haha I'm definitely not taking a crap job like #4
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
Khaymus
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States750 Posts
March 23 2009 23:11 GMT
#16
Hey EscPlan9,

First of all I wanted to say RAWR I WILL DESTROY YOU IN TECMO BOWL!

Second, I am going to be commissioning as an officer in the Air Force in October. I have been going through the ROTC program at Michigan Tech. I don't know if you are familiar with this program, but in a nutshell it combines your options 1 and 3 together. Its a 4 year commitment after college, but you would be an officer (much better pay than enlisted) and there are also scholarship opportunities to pay for college. I think its a really good deal. Anyways, just throwing that out there! If you have any questions about ROTC or the Air Force in general, let me know!

Good luck with everything!!
Let them say we lived in the time of Boxer, Emperor of Terran. Let them say we lived in the time of Nal_rA, Dreamer of Protoss. Let them say we lived in the time of Savior, Master of the Zerg.
rredtooth
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
5459 Posts
March 23 2009 23:17 GMT
#17
by the way, i sort of found your name ironic when juxtaposed with your current situation.
[formerly sponsored by the artist formerly known as Gene]
miseiler
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States1389 Posts
March 23 2009 23:36 GMT
#18
You could be like a friend of mine and go for your PhD (doesn't pay well, but it does pay) and do consulting to pay the 'real' bills. He's in his 40s and decided he'd rather work on computational biology than business software.

1 is a good place to start.
"Jinro soo manly wearing only a T-Shirt while the Koreans freeze in their jackets" -- Double_O
"He's from Sweden, man. We have to fight polar bears on our way to school." -- Yusername
Nitrogen
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States5345 Posts
March 23 2009 23:49 GMT
#19
i'd go with #1 in a heartbeat
UNFUCK YOURSELF
vAltyR
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States581 Posts
March 24 2009 00:13 GMT
#20
1 and 3 are definitely your best options. 1 is basically "more knowledge" and 3 is basically "more experience," and both look good on a resume. I'd say go for the bachelor's degree first, then see if you can't get a job. If not, go for the air force. Yeah, it's a 2-3 year commitment, but the benefits really make up for the low salary, and it's overall a pretty good deal.
내 호버크라프트는 장어로 가득 차 있어요
Lucktar
Profile Joined July 2008
United States526 Posts
March 24 2009 00:32 GMT
#21
If you're going back to school, www.fafsa.gov is where you want to start for financial aid. Aside from that, just contact the school and get an application for financial aid.
NaDa, much, ZerO fighting!
B1nary
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Canada1267 Posts
March 24 2009 00:39 GMT
#22
3 is your safest option right now. The 2-3 year commitment isn't too long (college is a 2-4 year commitment) and even if you are deployed in hostile territory, the chances of something happening to you isn't too high. Also, the economy might improve in 2-3 years. 1 will probably give you the most utility in the long run but you'll have a really hard time finding the financial support to go through college. It's becoming harder and harder to be successful without a college degree so at some point in the future, you probably will kick yourself for not getting one.

Personally, I really like option 2. I visited Shanghai a few times and it's a great city if you can get used to Chinese culture and customs. It'll really give you the opportunity to experience something now and to "live life," as some might put it. That being said, it's probably your riskiest option and if you end up hating it, you'll be in even more financial trouble.

Good luck! I really hope you find something right for you.
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 24 2009 01:10 GMT
#23
I've used FAFSA before to help fund myself as I went through college. However, I've never applied for scholarships or grants, and I don't know if there's specific ones when you're unemployed like me.

And to clarify my education history goes like this (after high school)

2 years at community college: obtained Associates Degree in Social Sciences

Transferred to a 4 year college to obtain my Bachelors Degree. However during my senior year I was in a terrible state of mind then and couldn't concentrate on my education anymore. My family let me know it's okay not to finish college then, and I took their advice and dropped out during my senior year. I don't need any lectures on whether it was a good move or not - getting out of there and being back with my family helped me get back into a more stable state of mind, and there was no chance I was going to be able to pass any of my classes that semester.

Then I picked up a few stray jobs here and there before deciding that IT is the field I want to go in (and not Psychology, as I was doing at the time). Finally, through self-study I passed the A+ Certification exams last April.
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-24 01:44:43
March 24 2009 01:34 GMT
#24
On March 24 2009 08:11 Khaymus wrote:
Hey EscPlan9,

First of all I wanted to say RAWR I WILL DESTROY YOU IN TECMO BOWL!

Second, I am going to be commissioning as an officer in the Air Force in October. I have been going through the ROTC program at Michigan Tech. I don't know if you are familiar with this program, but in a nutshell it combines your options 1 and 3 together. Its a 4 year commitment after college, but you would be an officer (much better pay than enlisted) and there are also scholarship opportunities to pay for college. I think its a really good deal. Anyways, just throwing that out there! If you have any questions about ROTC or the Air Force in general, let me know!

Good luck with everything!!


You shall not destroy me in TSB! I predict I go 4-1 reg season and then 2-1 in the finals. Liquibet that mothafucka!

Thanks for letting me know more about the Airforce, I'll PM you for further details.

edit: Check out my league stats yo:
[image loading]


My experience is going to shine through. Good luck next season!
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
eXigent.
Profile Blog Joined February 2007
Canada2419 Posts
March 24 2009 02:10 GMT
#25
Too bad your area doesn't offer the same pay level as mine for Trade work. I put up tin buildings for oil / energy companies to encase all of their piping etc, and the entry level salary is $27/hr, with your typical foreman making close to $80/hr (no previous training required)
t_co
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States702 Posts
March 24 2009 02:23 GMT
#26
do 2, teach some girl w/ a rich daddy, become her boyfriend, go work for her daddy's company
"Look, don't congratulate us when we buy a company, congratulate us when we sell it. Because any fool can overpay and buy a company, so long as there is money to buy it." --Henry Kravis
Mista
Profile Joined January 2009
Singapore1022 Posts
March 24 2009 02:31 GMT
#27
Go to school...in this bleak economy acquiring knowledge seems the most sensible.And you can have a part-time job for that extra income.So options 1 and 4 are definitely what i'd recommend
Time for some Revolution !
iSCOUT4u
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States327 Posts
March 24 2009 04:41 GMT
#28
Air Force hands down...ok pay..along with free living food etc. It should be a great learning experience...learn some new skills...stable. 2-3 years isnt long at all. And lets be serious...its the air force...if u get deployed anywhere...your not going to be in much danger. This isnt the marines or army were talking about....If i didnt have so many visible tattoos...i would have joined the air force or navy a long time ago.
<3 R1CH <3 TL Just ordered a TL shirt and can't wait :)
JeeJee
Profile Blog Joined July 2003
Canada5652 Posts
March 24 2009 04:47 GMT
#29
On March 24 2009 11:10 eXigent. wrote:
Too bad your area doesn't offer the same pay level as mine for Trade work. I put up tin buildings for oil / energy companies to encase all of their piping etc, and the entry level salary is $27/hr, with your typical foreman making close to $80/hr (no previous training required)


whoa where is this
(\o/)  If you want it, you find a way. Otherwise you find excuses. No exceptions.
 /_\   aka Shinbi (requesting a name change since 27/05/09 ☺)
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11552 Posts
March 24 2009 04:50 GMT
#30
3 seems like the best path. The air force will definitely be more stable than the business atm. It will also count towards experience, and you can ride out the tough times with decent wage.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 24 2009 08:10 GMT
#31
RE the "2-3 year commitment isn't long - college is a 4 year commitment":

Joining the AirForce is a far different commitment than going to college. With college, you have a ridiculous amount of freedom in how to spend your time. With the AirForce, you only get the freedom when they specifically allow it (i.e. paid vacations). I also will be living a drastically different life considering the majority of my free time right now is spent playing guitar or gaming.
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
Divinek
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada4045 Posts
March 24 2009 08:27 GMT
#32
On March 24 2009 11:10 eXigent. wrote:
Too bad your area doesn't offer the same pay level as mine for Trade work. I put up tin buildings for oil / energy companies to encase all of their piping etc, and the entry level salary is $27/hr, with your typical foreman making close to $80/hr (no previous training required)


Pretty much the same here too.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Oh goodness me, FOX tv where do you get your sight? Can't you keep track, the puck is black. That's why the ice is white.
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-24 13:22:08
March 24 2009 09:56 GMT
#33
On March 24 2009 09:13 vAltyR wrote:
1 and 3 are definitely your best options. 1 is basically "more knowledge" and 3 is basically "more experience," and both look good on a resume. I'd say go for the bachelor's degree first, then see if you can't get a job. If not, go for the air force. Yeah, it's a 2-3 year commitment, but the benefits really make up for the low salary, and it's overall a pretty good deal.


I should also mention another benefit from the AirForce - they will pay for 100% of your tuition if you decide to take classes while you're enlisted. I DEFINITELY would make use of that!

edit: So AirForce can give me both more knowledge and more experience simultaneously.
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
Track
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
United States217 Posts
March 24 2009 11:35 GMT
#34
Yeah, EscPlan9, I was about to make a note of that. I'm in the Marine Corps, and I know many, many, many people that have gotten their degrees while in active duty. It's completely free, and the USAF has just about every class you can possibly imagine available on every base, online and free of charge. One should also note that given your associates degree, you would start at a higher rank than normal, possibly as high as E-4, which is a considerably better pay grade than E-1 which you probably assumed was going to be your beginning rank.

Feel free to PM me regarding any questions about the Armed Forces.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 24 2009 11:47 GMT
#35
Thanks, will do!
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
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