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A bit down today..college degree has not done diddly!!

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Posted 5/16/2005 3:30 PM (GMT -8)
Venting a bit - a bit down today.  I worked so hard to get an associates degree.  Went part time, as I also worked.  Went for four long years (when it normally takes two) and finally got the degree in 1997.  I felt so proud, and thought I would keep going to college for a Bachelor's.  Struggled to keep going with moderate depression at the time and a horrible break-up with an ex..kept going..even when family said I was taking "forever" and that I was living in a fantasy world..another 5 years..at the age of 41, I finally received my Bachelor degree.

Decided I would try to keep going and get a Master's in Social work, but when I saw how much debt I was in from nine years of college..I decided to not keep going.  That I would (hopefully) get a decent paying position.  When I received my degree two years ago..the job market and economy were not good and I went into customer service and inside sales because I really enjoy it. I thought I would eventually find something that pays a bit better because of the degrees. I thought college degrees opened doors..but I feel my education was wasted.  I still struggle like I did before and live paycheck to paycheck.  Sometimes I even have to ask my Dad for financial help, which is humiliating and embarrasing.

I try to go to interviews at positions that pay more, and I feel intimidated, like I am not "worthy" of higher salary.  Does anyone feel like this?  So, I stay in the same low salary positions, because I feel I am not good enough to make over $35,000 a year.  Pretty bad..huh?  Can anyone relate?  Like they are not headed to where they want to be..because something gets in the way like self esteem, etc?  Thanks for listening.

Posted 5/19/2005 4:07 AM (GMT -8)
I have a grad degree (Masters) and feel the exact same.
It sucks.
dammy
Posted 5/19/2005 5:43 AM (GMT -8)
I know..it stinks! All this debt..and..nothing to show for it. Thanks for writing. Are you working or looking for something?
Posted 5/19/2005 6:26 AM (GMT -8)
I am not working. I have been looking but I moved to a new town and now I am busy trying to get this house (yeah right) in order and also doing some online.
It makes life depressing.
dammy
Posted 5/20/2005 5:54 AM (GMT -8)
well i fully understand what you are going through when i graduated high school i went to college and after 5 years i was carrying 3 degrees in computers and 1 in board level electronics after another 4 yrs of failed interviews i found a super wonderful job ...... as a landscaper go ahead and laugh i do from time to time here i had 4 degrees and could be makin 50,000 a year or better and i was planting trees and shrubs making 30,000 and was in bliss i used my knoledge to help friends and family and stayed as a landscaper and helped the company grow to where it is today but then had my accident now im at home not makin a dime with the kids and im sometimes even happier then i would be makin a million dollars so what i am tryin to say is do what makes you happy dont worry about the bottem lineand look at your degrees as an acomplishment not a steppin stone i loved my job i was outside playin in the dirt and it was a polar opposite of what i went to school for but i was happy
hope this helps a little
Posted 5/20/2005 8:15 AM (GMT -8)
I know I might wax a bit too phylosophic on this topic so please take what I say with a grain of salt. Realize I am still paying off my student loans too. I received my associates in Horticulture and enjoyed what I was doing and the job I had. After a short time in the field, I realized I really enjoyed the design aspect of the job and went back to school for my Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. I did it because it was something I really enjoyed doing and wanted to learn more about it. When I graduated and found a job with a landsacpe architecural design firm, that is when it became work. I have since gone on and gotten a master in business. In looking back, I realized I did it because I enjoyed both aspects of the career. I loved designing, meeting with clients, selling my design ideas, and seeing the final project being used close to what was invisioned. I loved many aspects of running a business, developing business strategies, marketing the firm, and seeing projects that I workded on receiving national recognition (all ego driven stuff). I didn't enjoy payroll, cash flow, contract management, and personnel issues. Those all became part of the job that made it become work.

How does this relate, I went to school and learned about things I loved and wanted to learn about. It made me a better person. Helped me to understand what it was like to set goals and acheive those goals. I don't regret the college years, yes I do regret the student loans, because I not only learned about my career but I learned that I am a survivor. I can and did accomplish what I set my mind to and did it with a chronic illness.

The time you spent in college is much the same way. It wasn't and never will be a waste. Good was accomplished even if it is just knowing you can complete and overcome a major challenge. I tis easy to look back and say what a waste, I am not getting out of this financially what I had hoped, try and find the intangibles that you gained from your college experience. There are many if you choose to look.
Posted 5/20/2005 9:05 AM (GMT -8)
Oh my goodness, I am blown away by the replies from Never alone and Randy.  Thanks guys for taking the time to write!  Sometimes I really need to get off my pity party and count my blessings.  I wonder at times, if the real reason I went to college was to feel better about myself, and to say I "had" something (since I don't have children or a husband) or for career advancement.  I still wonder about that to this day.  Thanks again for your replies.  I think doing what you love is better than making a ton of money.  Wow..I think it is great Never Alone..that you built your landscaping company from the ground up.  I think it would be a great job to be a landscape architect.
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