When should I go back to school?

[Deja Q]

I can see my job ending in 3 or 4 years, assuming layoffs don't happen. But given as my company is expanding and buying new buildings, they can't afford to chop IT's budget so I'm not going to worry about being laid off. (I do PC support)

However they are already toying with the idea of replacing PCs with a modern sort of "dumbtube" that connects to Windows Terminal Server for a few of their machines. Doing that throughout the whole complex would negate the need for me if they replaced all the PCs with the inexpensive, maintenance-free devices (I forgot the proper name, sorry!)

As I am going bankrupt now to stay ahead of the so-called "reform" about to take place, what sort of education should I look into?

As much as I want to stay working for government, I have to face the fact that's not possible, certainly under current conditions.

How much in general does a community college or vo-tec place cost anyway, $12000?

Thanks!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. IT will never die.

Forget school. Ramp up your IT skills on your own, start a consultancy, lead an open source project, etc.

[Droopy]

2. If you're going back to school, try to avoid bankruptcy

I would think it would make it hard for you to get student loans with a bankruptcy on your credit record.

How much school do you have? For how many years do you plan on going back to school. I've decided to go back to school and finish up my degree at a state college. Tuition is going to run me about $12,000 for two years.

[Deja Q]

3. Oh

I have an Associates of Applied Sciences Degree in Business Administration, 1993. A+ Certified, about to be Netowrk+ certified, and go on to Server+ or MCSE or something after that.

Weird, since student loans can't easily be removed via bankruptcy... I thought it would be easy to get one.

Again, I wouldn't consider bankruptcy except the banks want to rush the issue through for their own twisted gain.

I'd probably go for a 2 year degree in something else or go for a Bachelor's. I just don't know what I want to do, except survive for some reason (though this society is not worth living in, I may as well as I've got no alternative.)

[Nikia]

4. Decide what you want to do before school

I don't think that it is really necessary of you to go back to school to be employable if your company should cut your position. There will be other companies with IT people. I don't know how much money you make, which could be the cause of your concern. If you are making $20/hour now, you obviously don't want to be stuck in a $15/hour job that others might consider a decent living. Computer skills are important skills and so are business skills in a variety of jobs. I am in the quality assurance field and some entry level positions give associate in business as a fullfillment of their minimum educational requirements. There are many office jobs that could also use your skills. If you do have a good wage though that you have gotten used and are convinced that IT will be obsolete, decide what you want to do and go for a degree that is highly marketable like nursing (if that pays comparable or more in your area). Another alternative might be to check into what other jobs your company offers and see if you could be transitioned into a different field there (I don't know what type of company you work for and if they support employees who wish to train for other jobs in the company.). As far as your bankruptcy, don't let the bankers pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do or need to. My husband and I have had friends that have gotten screwed over by bankers looking out for their own interests. I hope that you have checked into other alternatives.

[Deja Q]

7. Quite

Anything less than what I make now would be a disaster, and I'm about to get an effective pay cut also because my employer's "management" would rather eliminate benefits and pay in order to buy new property because they claim the amount of workers is growing (and just after we closed 34 open positions and laid off 4 people too...) They're giving themselves healthy raises too.

IT won't be obselete. But my position might be made to be. But my boss says that while getting MCSE certified is a good thing, they have no need for MCSE people right now. He did mention Novell support, but they've got 4 people who know that to varying degrees already and who should know the job (but prefer to contract out instead, sigh.)

If it weren't for certain things, I'd find a $15/hr decent as well.

Maybe I should tough it out and not do bankruptcy, but I will be living from paycheck to paycheck with nothing left over after the bills are paid. "Tight" won't begin to explain it. But as I can't get a second job to compensate...

[zelda7743]

5. Two words: health care

Go to nursing school, you'll make loads of money and will never be out of work.

[Deja Q]

6. To become involved in what I dislike?

I've been in nursing homes. I don't have the personality to cope with the patients.

I would also need to find a backbone to take blood and do everything else, and Heaven help me if I screw that up. Heck, I've vomited for less...

Besides, it's political. I dislike the health care system as it stands. It leeches off of people unfairly and bilks them for all they've got and more. Meanwhile, unless you're a doctor, you don't get paid much. My counselor makes $60k a year. Maybe that's what I should study for. Just sit there and listen to people's problems and soothe their souls and patronize them while offering nothing constructive to deal with the problem that caused the people to see them in the first place. Uh-huh.

And we all can't be in the industry.

And it's a myth. I mean, $800 for one ambulance ride and yet the EMTs and such only make $30k a year (which is a fair amount for what they do but you'd think they make much more considering the costs within the system)? I suppose I could do that, but I'd be pissed at the system. $800 for one ride and that's just one person, where does the money go? Management alone. There are plenty of people who need ambulance service, so the ambulance industry alone is colossal.

We should all be in the management industry. And CEOs.

[mlawson]

8. When you are really really motivated to do it.

Not until. Believe me, I know.

Also, when you are reasonably financially secure; worrying constantly about paying your bills does nothing for your ability to concentrate on studying.