To educate more or NOT to educate more...?

[FirstLight]

I am kicking around an idea, and it seems silly but I thought I'd bounce it off you guys first...

So, what's the job market looking like? crap and we all know it. While my experience and knowledge could get me a secretary job for $10/hr, that's not a realistic career move and it sure as hell wouldn't support us....not to mention jobs like that are often high turnover.

I have told my story often about taking a 'fast track' HR Mgmt certificate program back in 09-10... thinking it would afford me a better life, but now that the bottom has dropped out it seems BA's are all that anyone wants...

Sooooo - I was thinking about buying some more time till the economy turns around and going BACK to finish my BA once and for all, at least then maybe I can have a better chance, or maybe not...


there's the rub
...will it even make a difference?


and can a 40-something single mom actually get out of the HOLE and have a shot at something greater? Or am I just stuck no matter what?

[FirstLight]

1. bump for the morning crowd...

this idea seem even more plausible in the daylight... very interesting...

[FirstLight]

2. quick kick

[hack89]

3. You have to gain practical experience in the field you want to get into

You will need the BA for any meaningful job in HR but you will need some practical experience. I would start by looking for programs that have a track record of getting internships or co-op experience for their students. It also means you need a good understanding of what you want to do and what skills you are lacking.

Good luck.

[FirstLight]

5. ya, that's why Journalism is the choice

HR was a try at a 'quick fix' and was supposed to work because the EDD said so, editor and reporter were on the list then too...but because they scored lower on industry growth compared to HR, I had to go with an HR program...even though I had no background, and still can;t find a job or get experience.... so screw it, i should do what I KNOW, right?

[FirstLight]

4. More backstory...

I am actually thinking of going to Journalism School, of all things. Now also, other than attending those certificate classes for CEU's...I have nevert actually attended UNIVERSITY before, either.

While I may know how to do a thousand related things, webdesign, photoshop, etc...the real passion has always been about the news...telling others' stories because they can't, getting the word out...you know, the REAL side of Journalism
So instead of spinning my wheels yet again maybe I should just DO it...I mean, the economy is only going to be BETTER in a couple years... I may as well prepare to step into it, right?

the logistics include getting my student loan out of default so I can qualify for pell grants again... and applying for scholarships...maybe relocating closer to Reno...

so ya... lots to think about, but it beats sitting here twiddling my thumbs...

[FirstLight]

6. nice

kicky

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. You're not telling us the only relevant thing.

What skills do you want to bring to a job, i.e. what do you want to do?

Employers don't (or at least shouldn't) pay for education, they pay for work product.

My eldest is a truck driver, his younger brother is training to be a diesel mechanic. Their job prospects appear good.

[FirstLight]

8. sorry, thought it was in there...

I have been freelancing for years since I can't get hired full time at our local newspaper, despite having been called to fill in multiple times...because of the BA thing. years of experience and working freelance for indie news isn;t gonna get me a good job either.
so I taught myself graphics, took a web-class and have been designing websites, logos, etc for locals off & on...very sporadic work...so I have also done admin and reception stuff with a local temp agency. but NOTHING is a career or a actual place to grow my own skills - and it sucks being in entry level jobs when you are 42 and have been doing secretarial stuff for ages.

I have been trying to figure this out for the better part of a decade or so... I know what I am good at, but always hit the wall when it came to that damn degree. now i am thinking i should just double down and see of I can emerge with a degree into a better economy...and maybe FINALLY have something to call a real CAREER.

[Why Syzygy]

9. Why don't

you start your own paper/weekly/monthly periodical? You know a lot of people in your town. If you tell someone you want to write about their *insert main interest*, they are usually willing to open the door and give you a few minutes. Start small. A tri-fold or something. And/or, publish to the web. I think paper copies might be needed to get out of the gate. Dunno, not an expert here. Just an idea

[calikid]

10. I"m going along with Why Syzygy on this.

I read your post in ASAH and then came here.
If you're not sure what you want, don't bother with the BA.
My wife & I had a acquaintance several years ago about your age, who wanted to start her own paper, one that wasn't slanted so far to one side that the print runs off the page. The town we're in is very small, smaller than where you are, most of the residents are uneducated, and if they are educated, they are usually right leaning. So, to get the kind of paper off the ground that she wanted was going to be an uphill battle. But battle she did, with alot of help and encouragement from my wife. Several years later, her husband was offered a better job in his company, that was closer to their families, so they left.
So, a very young man who worked for our friend bought & took over the paper, and here we are now. The paper is still going, I feel it's a wonderful upbeat addition to our community,it asks questions, no snarky facebook posts, not to much right wing crap and no CORPORATE adds.
You TOO CAN DO THIS, out of your home, RIGHT NOW! You know how to do everything you need to put the paper together, and you like doing them, to me it's a no brain er. PLUS, you can get "your" word out to the stumbling misinformed public, we all know that there's a big need for real news. And finally, your area I believe would gobble up a real newspaper.

IMHO

[Brickbat]

11. Don't go to J-school. Just find a way to finish your BA as quickly as possible.

I say that as a veteran of the newspaper industry.

From what you've said, the lack of BA seems to be what's holding you back. You already know, and you have the clips to prove, that you can do the work. There's no reason to get a specialized degree in it. Just take the classes you need to finish and be done with it.

In the meantime, to get some quick cash, check out freelancing sites like elance.com and guru.com. Don't lower your rates to get "exposure" or "to get your name out there." Stand by your work and don't be a scab.

[FirstLight]

12. interesting

one of the reasons I wanted to do J-school was to work for a news org and have a real stable job (and to learn more about multimedia...i need to learn more about filming and editing content)...doing it myself is WAY too far out of my league, and I am not good at being the manager/finishing things

[SheilaT]

13. I am under the impression that journalism

jobs are on a steady decline. Newspapers are laying off staff, using more copy from outside sources rather than from their own reporters. They are cutting production and even shutting down.

So the scary thing is that you're trying to go into a field that just may not be one with a future.

However, do follow the advice of others here and see where it gets you.

Meanwhile, you might want to consider something totally different, something that the local junior college has a degree or certificate program in, and that companies are actually giving those graduates jobs.

Personally, if I were only in my 40's, I'd look long and hard at all kinds of allied health jobs.

[FirstLight]

14. the market is coming back actually

http://journalism.about.com/od/careersinjournalism/a/What-Can-Journalism-School-Graduates-Expect-In-The-Job-Market.htm


smaller news orgs and online news are now growing... besides, learning the skills of podcasting, video and editing, etc can only help


the argument for the BA is that EVERY upper level job basically requires it now. my years in the field and my writing have never helped me get in with a news org...and i have over 120 unite at the Community college level...almost 2 AA's, and I took a certificate course at CSU Sac in 2010 and it never helped either.... that's why i think it's time to just knuckle down and DO it.

I would be the first person in my family to complete their BA, too...there's GOT to be some financial aid for that one

[SheilaT]

16. Good. I'm glad to hear it's coming back.

But there are many, many areas, where employers simply won't look at someone without a BA, regardless of that person's experience, abilities, or other qualifications.

No wonder people sometimes lie about a degree.

[snot]

15. 40, schmorty.

My mom went to law school when she was over 40, and had a successful career.

But I know an awful lot of laid-off journalists with good degrees.