Need help deciding a career!

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by philosophicalme, Aug 16, 2006.

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  1. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member

    Hi everyone,

    As you all know, I like to pick, choose and research at some length before I make practically ANY decision in my life, so I come here asking my fellow distance learners for an opinion on my career ideas.

    A little background information for those that don't know me too well. I am a 25 (26 on Sept 1st!) year old woman with over 4 years experience as a Cost Analyst for a DOD contractor. I have a husband and 2 year old daughter, which naturally drives me toward distance learning programs. Currently, I am 9 exams away from receiving my Bachelor's In Science with a focus in Psychology and Business from Excelsior College. I plan to be complete course requirements in January 2007.

    Most you know know that I am actively searching for my true career/ purpose in life. I've taken a plethora of career interest tests, career/ personality matching tests and have researched most of the careers and degree programs listed below exhaustively. Most of the career interest test results insinuate that I would most enjoy a "Social" career. I now would like your opinions. Pay is somewhat of a factor, as well as advancement opportunities, variety in job duties (I hate to be bored), and flexibilty in work schedule (ie the option to work part-time or flex time)

    MLS Library Science- work at a college library

    MS Human Resource Management- Employee/ Labor Relations

    MS Counseling or Psychology- Career Counseling/ Student Advising

    AAS Early Childhood Education- Preschool Director of a private school

    Any opinions on these careers? My husband shot down teaching as an adjunct, which I mentioned previously on here, as he doesn't think I would be good at it.

    Rhonda
     
    philosophicalme, Aug 16, 2006
    #1
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    MLS Library Science- work at a college library

    My understanding is that MLS holders have corporate and government options as well. Librarianship is conducive to part time work should you have a time when you want to do that, and there's room for advancement. At most universities, you'd even be considered faculty.

    MS Human Resource Management- Employee/ Labor Relations

    Sounds boring to me, but if you like it, hey. A friend who does HR but is transitioning to IT says that HR people used to spend more time helping employees, but now spend a lot of time doing CYA for their companies. (That's just one person's report, though.)

    MS Counseling or Psychology- Career Counseling/ Student Advising

    This doesn't pay well, and it's not always easy to advance. Besides, you don't need a degree in this to get a job doing it. I have a BS in Information Systems, my colleague here has an MA in Communications, and our former colleague had an MBA.

    AAS Early Childhood Education- Preschool Director of a private school

    We have AA and BA programs in ECE here at Southeastern. It seems like that industry has lots of competition for positions, and low pay.

    My husband shot down teaching as an adjunct, which I mentioned previously on here, as he doesn't think I would be good at it.

    That's tough to do as one's sole source of income. You could always try it as an extra thing, though, once you have a Master's.

    -=Steve=-
     
    SteveFoerster, Aug 16, 2006
    #2
  3. spmoran

    spmoran Member

    Actually, based on the list above, I'd like to hear your opinions. Mine are irrelevant to you, but yours can shine light where there is none.
     
    spmoran, Aug 16, 2006
    #3
  4. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member

    Okay, here are my opinions...

    Librarian
    This work would be interesting, varying day to day with some amount of autonomy, offering above average pay in the long term, and I would enjoy the technological aspects of the profession. I would have to pay my way for the MLS degree though, and ROI might not be that high. I might miss co-worker interaction though, as I am used to working for a large company.

    Labor/ Employee Relations
    I think I have some sort of utopia in my head regarding the Human Resources function. I would prefer to deal with labor or employee relations and not so much the strategic part of HR. Jobs are competitive in the HR field and experience is often difficult to obtain unless you are willing to work from the bottom up (which is not an attractive option). I would enjoy day to day challenges of the position, variety in work function and dealing with all types of people.

    Career Counseling
    Helping lost souls, such as myself, find careers they were meant to do would be intristically rewarding but probably not well paying. Level of automomy would be nice.

    Early Childhood Education Director
    These jobs tend to be low paying, but working with young children would be highly rewarding for me. Getting to know students and staff over time and forging relationships with them would be attractive. I've thought about teaching Elementary school, but don't think I would do well with so much structure in the work environment.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 16, 2006
    philosophicalme, Aug 16, 2006
    #4

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