Need Suggestions Choosing a Career, Getting Master's Degree

I work in the medical field and I see a lot of opportunities for business analyst related to the medical field. Specifically systems that manage physician practices / group practices / hospital systems.

Let me pose a question: If you won the lottery tomorrow... say 500 million... how would you spend it?

Seriously, write down the whole list. Who and to what organizations you'd give it away to... how much to keep in reserve (to live off the interest)... what would you buy (from properties to dentalwork)... and then, after it's all been written out: HOW would you spend your time? What would you do???

Once you answer that question, you can figure out how to make that pay.

I've found that with most people, what they really want out of life gets occluded by the whole "have to pay the bills" thing. So much so that they can't even look rationally at their dreams. In all reality, whatever you *love* you can incorporate into your life and make some serious money at it, you just have to turn the problem on it's ear.

I suggest that you take a course in finding a career path. Or at least take an aptitude test. Also do an Internet search in this area to learn as much as you can about your options. Make a tentative choice and shadow someone in that field or talk with them at length about what they do.

I also suggest that there is no way of knowing for sure that you will love whatever path you choose. I started out as a Home Economics teacher. I loved teaching but couldn't please the supervising teacher enough to fit in with the department. A student suggested that I become a police officer. She said she spends time in juvie and thought she'd like to be arrested by me. I had a married couple who were friends and also worked in law enforcement for two different departments doing two different jobs. We talked about the job.

I resigned and applied for a law enforcement job. I definitely didn't fit into the role as a police officer but yet I liked the job better than teaching. I learned that I had a problem with authority. No wonder I chose both of those careers in which I could be the authority. I finally realized that even tho I was the authority in many ways I still had to get along with those who supervised me. Thus began a satisfying journey in learning about myself and how to understand myself and others and be of benefit in the world.

The reasons I started out in both fields were not the reasons I stayed in the latter. Looking back I can see that I might also have learned the same things in a different way by staying in teaching. I loved both occupations and hated both as well.

I stayed in law enforcement because I finally realized that learning and growing was my actual focus. They were similar in that I worked with people. I did start out knowing that I wanted to work with people. Then my focus changed as I learned more about myself. I worked with people and enjoyed learning about people and myself well enough to stay in a difficult job. I had no way of knowing that when I made the switch.

Research the various jobs available with an MBA and make a decision. "They say to list the pros and cons." That didn't help me when I was deciding whether or not to find a different job but that may help you. I suggest that whatever path you choose your choice will be the best one for the moment. You may stay with it or you may learn more about yourself and change once again. Whatever you decide will be OK.

You are on the right track. You've narrowed the field considerably. I suggest that an MBA will help you in any number of career choices. I suggest you get started in an MBA program, if only to take a couple of classes. Over time your thinking will evolve into what you will do.

I assume you've taken some type of career assesment in previous college work. If you haven't I highly recommend you do that. Most colleges offer a semester course in career development. The assesment tests you get in those courses won't necessarily give you a solid career choice, but will definitely help you to narrow down your strengths and interests. I found that the things that were pointed out as my strengths, and potential career choices were mostly things that I love to do as hobbies.. or as I told the college instructor.. things I'd do for love but not for money. However, I did find reassurance that the one career that I'd always thought myself good at and interested in was indeed one of my strengths.
Think about what you naturally enjoy doing and see if that gives you a clue as to what career you'd be happy in and good at doing. Often we look for what will make the most money. That isn't always the best choice because if we are miserable in the job, the money doesn't mean much.

Mom, Find a field that is your passion or you have a true interest in. That is what I did when I returned to college after graduating 25 yrs earlier. It was the best decision ever for me and I love my job now. Good luck to you.

Before you decide on what is IS, think about what it NEEDS to be to be a good fit for you. Do you want to continue PT work for now? Then it needs to be something with flexible hours.
What about something like speech therapy?

I did the same thing you did. I have a BS in IT on the network side, and went for my MBA. I chose my MBA and I did do a concentration in IT. I did that way so I am still very versatile with having the MBA but was able to stick within my current field as well. At this time though I use none of my degrees as I am a stay at home mom. But I would definatly go with the MBA program.

The best place to get the information as to what careers you can use the degree in, go to the advising office where you want to get the MBA. Then ask them about job placement assistance. They will give you the best information for the area you live in.

Good luck.

You've got to decide what you like to do.
Do you like teaching? Do you like computers? Do you like something totally different?
We told our children that it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do what you love.
I have an MEd. and an MBA. What do I love? Handbells... That's what I do.
LBC

MBA is a good choice because you'll have a lot of flexibility in choosing/changing your career with it. When you take your core classes, you'll discover what other subjects peak your interest. You can start with your option in IT and then change it to something else if you decided you like marketing/accounting/finance/etc better. You'll also get a chance to meet other students who also have careers of their own. You can network and find out more about their careers and if it would interest you.

I have always wanted to be an accountant/financial analyst. I decided for a MBA over a MS in Accounting because I still wanted to have the flexibility in the event I got bored of Accounting. Even if you stay in an IT related field, the MBA classes will help you better understand your co-workers around you and what is important to them. It allows for you to make sounder business decisions all around which can lead to a good career. I'm a numbers person, so I love what I do. Excel excites me. =P But even then, I was glad that I took other classes outside of accounting and finance during my MBA program as it broadened my horizon. Sounds cliche, but it's true.

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