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.
I have a grad degree (Masters) and feel the exact same.
It sucks.
dammy
Thanks for the help.
It sucks.
dammy
Thanks for the help.
I hope that we can all help each other.
I know..it stinks! All this debt..and..nothing to show for it. Thanks for writing. Are you working or looking for something?
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
Thanks for the help.
It makes life depressing.
dammy
Thanks for the help.
I hope that we can all help each other.
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
I have walked the road of recovery
hope this helps a little
I have walked the road of recovery
for sometime now
I look behind and see progress
though slow and alone it was
I look foward and see no end
I am alone.......
then a hand touched each shoulder so tender
so I looked to both sides and I found friends
who dont walk behind nor ahead
but by my side
I am not alone.......
and through my endless journey
I hope to see them reach
the end of thier road of recovery
I will always be here
but NEVER ALONE
I walk with my friends
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.
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.
We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.
Randy
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Post Edited (CheerDad (Randy)) : 5/20/2005 10:15:21 AM (GMT-6)
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.