I'm Desperate for Advice on Going Back to College - HELP!!

i have been a samh for 4 years now. i am going back to college to get my degree in accounting. the best advice i can give is, if your finances will allow you to quit your current job and go back full time - then honey, just do it. you can spend years contemplating it and never get it done (did this one) or you can just do it. talk to your husband and if you can afford to go full time - do it. you won't regret it. i am going back this august and i am thrilled beyond belief.

when my husband was younger, his dad (a dad of 4) was a doctor. after 19 years working as a doctor, he realized that that really wasn't his cup of tea. at the same time his father also needed extra help with his accounting business. he went back to school while my husband's mom supported the family's financies. showing your 2 girls that you are not stuck in a career is a wonderful lesson to teach them. you just need to have the support of a loving family behind you.
good luck!!!!!

one thing though.................teaching your kids it is ok to change your career and going back to school is good, you can't keep doing it or you won't be teaching your kids about responsiblities. that its ok to be wishy-washy.

I recently started going back to school, to college for the first time and will start my fourth semester this fall. I work part time to help with bills, and take three classes at a time. I have a four year old, and thoguth Id never go to college.

Since your daughters are school age I think its a great idea, no sitter is required so you could go five days a week if you dont have to have a part time job as well...
also teh chance to learn more and do something different is worth it. If you think you will regret not doing it, go for it!

Hi K..
I went to USF and got a BA in psych. I was not impressed with their program - it was pretty cut and dry. Also, there is VERY LITTLE you can do with just a BA. You could go on to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in addictions, or focus your graduate work in addictions. That is not always a pretty field but if its where you feel drawn to, then good luck! I do have a friend doing graduate work at Argosy University which is really expensive but she says the programs there are really good.
A.

I think it's great that you're wanting a career in an area where you can help people in need! This will be a great lesson for your girls to see their mom not only working hard in school to get a career that she wants but also a career that will benefit so many others. Good luck!!!

That sounds exciting - I to am considering something like that and have been checking out college again (have a bachelor's degree already). I did discover, like someone else already pointed out, that in order to do anything in the field of psychology, you must have a masters degree and those colleges are highly competitive, very selective and only accept a few students each year. So - that may seem discouraging and I don't mean to be a downer ... but personally for me and as the result of doing some investigating, I think a MSW (social work) is more my speed.

Best of luck.

If you can find a way to do it online part time, you would still work and have time for your girls. I do the online classes at Devry University, work full time at the library, and have a 18 month old son.
You may not find psychology degrees online but if you decide on something simular definately look for online classes.
Good luck!

K.,
My sister has a degree in Counseling and really had to hustle to get work she enjoyed. I would recommend looking at nursing. You can do all of the above as a Registered nurse, but in two years you can work if you get an associates. You can continue to through, specializing in Mental Health and become a Psych CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) or a Nurse Practitioner.
Southwest Georgia Tech has an ADN and is looking at new options to deliver it especially for Moms.
MDW

I don't want to be a "nay-sayer," but I do want to offer some realistic advice. I think you should investigate the types of jobs (and their salaries) you can get with a four year degree in psychology, etc. My understanding is that it's almost impossible to get a job with a degree in psychology - you have to go on for graduate work. Fields such as mental health or addiction support pay very little and require long hours with clients who do not always appreciate you. Is it worth paying for two or more years of college for this?

I would second the advice of the person who suggested nursing. If you can get your LPN, you can make quite a bit of money and you don't need another four year degree. I don't know where you are located, but typically community colleges have LPN programs. Then if you are interested, you can take about another year of courses and get your RN, where the starting salary is $30/hr minimum. This way, you can earn money and still focus on areas you are interested in - you could focus on mental health as an RN, for example. A medical degree pays SO MUCH MORE than a "soft science" degree and you could be helping the same types of clients, plus you would be in demand rather than having to beg for a low-paying job.

If you are interested, I can ask my sister for specifics -- she did exactly the route I'm talking about. I think USF-St. Pete has both the LPN and the RN programs.

There's not much that can be done with just a BA psy degree if you want to work in the mental health field. Most positions require a Master's and extensive research in the field during your undergrad degree. Most jobs that I have seen for mental health or addition are very low in pay in relation to what is required of you.

You may want to check out a nursing degree with a psy concentration is financial security is a factor. Good Luck.