I am so confused, but that seems to be the norm lately. Here is what causing my confusion, I want a degree in Environment Sciences and thanks to this forum looks like I may have found the school I just am getting cold feet. I have done some checking around and I am not able to really find any jobs here in Alaska but I am prepared to move to get a job. Here is a little background on me, I am 51 and I have worked as an Administrative Asst since 1991 and I hate, I hate office work. The practical side of me says to be smart and go get a degree that will give you almost guaranteed work, I though of an accounting degree. I think I am reacting to how bad things are right now and I get scared. The school I found the cost for the degree I really want is over $500 per credit and I am not sure I want a large student loan into my 70’s but I want to be happy in my work. I also do not have any plans for retirement. Any advice would be appreciated. I guess I just need reassurance. Thanks Pat in AK
What is it you like to do? I recommend nursing all the time since you can earn good money, high demand, work anyplace, and low cost.
Nursing would not be for me at all. I love science and I want to make a difference. I would really love a degree in Marine Biology but that is not possible online. I am not really a people person, animals and how we treat our planet are my real passions. Thanks Pat
From what I have researched this type of career has a lot of competition. With most positions requiring that you have a hard science undergrad degree, i.e. Chem, Geol, Biol, or such and then a Masters in Enviro Science. There are a lot of up and coming youngster's heading into this field. They have time, while they attend college, to volunteer at local river clean-ups and to march on nasty polluting coporations. Seems like most of the work is done in an office setting, but I may be wrong. Maybe you get to go outside and take measurements of stuff and get a little dirty. How much college do you have right now? Are you able to give up extra free time (I am assuming you still have to work full-time) for the next couple of years to get the degree? A lot of people on this board have jobs so they will come along and tell you how wonderful it is and that if you just follow your dreams then it will all be roses and stardust. I will tell you it is a lot of hard work for protentially very little payoff. I do not have a permanent job, and am finding it very tough to get a full-time permanent gig out here right now. Good luck to you, Cory
Here are some degrees that might be of interest to you: Birkbeck (University of London) BSc in Earth Sciences http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ug/earthsciences/UBSEASCI.html Cal State U Bakersfield BS in Environmental Resource Management http://www.csub.edu/erm/ If you are looking for a master degree I think this one is really interesting: MS in Arctic Engineering http://www.engr.uaa.alaska.edu/programs/arctic/index.cfm The problem with environment jobs at the moment is that the Federal Govt and State & Local governments are out of money and environmental jobs are among the first to be cut. One job area that I forcast to increase is related to water. Most people are unaware of upcoming problems re water availability (world wide). Sewage works are being reworked as water reclaimation plants. In my area water is reclaimed from sewage/waste water and processed to a drinkable standard (although it is not certified and instead is used for golf courses). Our local plants have visitors from around the world.
I feel your pain, really Pat, if you "settle" for accounting then you'll hate, hate your job! Nooooooo! Other than that, if you have limited income you might qualify for a Pell grant, need-based scholarships, etc. There are books and websites devoted to pointing you to obscure grant and scholarship offerings, including many for women interested in pursuing the sciences. Here's just one such book (also do a Google): http://www.amazon.com/Cash-Grad-School-Scholarships-Harperresource/dp/0688139566/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244149914&sr=1-2 I used to have a book on scholarships for graduate programs and the number of scholarships was astonishing. You'd be pleasantly surprised -- they are offered based on all kinds of criteria: race/ethnicity, heritage, gender, interest, career goals, geographic location, organizations you belong to ..... the list is endless. It seems that colleges especially want to recruit women in the sciences and math. Yes, there is much competition for jobs right now. Could you spare time to volunteer with WWF, the Nature Conservancy, environmental cleanup projects, that sort of thing? That would help in two ways -- give you experience in what you believe you want to do, and network to meet people who are working in that field. I'm almost 60, and what I've learned is to stay in contact with people in the field in which you work, or want to work. Eventually that will pay off because someone will know of a job and can put in a good word for you, even possibly write a letter of recommendation. As for the cost, that's really a personal decision only you can make. I would suggest you check out all available programs so you don't feel like you have only one choice. Also, you can deduct tuition costs from your federal taxes. I commend you on wanting to pursue your dream job! You're never too old, because you'll get older anyway, with or without that degree.
Thanks all. Cutedeedle thank you for all the encouragement. You are right, I would hate it! We have a great student loan program here that would cover all the costs. It is going to take me years to get this degree and I think our economy will be in a better place when I graduate. We do not have any places to volunteer for environmental causes, you would think AK would be big on that but it's not, but we do have wildlife organizations that need help, I am going to check them out. I have been in a job I have detested for the past 18 years and I am ready to move on. I am ready to apply to Maryland University for fall. You guys are just what I needed. Thanks Patricia
Hi Pat! Degrees don't have to take years if you can handle accelerated programs. I'm taking 3 to 4 classes in a 7 week program to finish my bachelors degree within 1 year. Obviously, I transferred into the school with my associates degree. I have to say that I love this formation because it allows you a better control of how fast you want to complete your degree. My current college has 6 quarters throughout the years. Example 1 & 2 is Fall 3 & 4 is Spring and 5 & 6 is the Summer session. If time permits and the classes and money are available, I can take 12 credits each quarter. Makes for a speedy Graduation. Good luck on your future plans!!!
Hi Pat - Here's a few more ideas that you may not have seen yet. University of London http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate/lse/geography/index.shtml UMUC http://www.umuc.edu/programs/undergrad/enmt/ Mountain State (it's an A.S. program) http://www.mountainstate.edu/majors/onlinecatalogs/undergrad/programs/EnvironmentalStudies.aspx It seems that there are a bunch of Australian programs too. Good luck.
Oregon State University's BS in Environmental Science Northeastern University's Environmental Studies - Policy Thomas Edison State College's BSAST in Environmental Science
Believe it or not, there are some distance learning opportunities in Marine Biology and Oceanography.
Ah, Wasilla Alaska. A place I had never heard about until 2008. You are asking all the right questions. As someone who is only a year younger than you and also who has no plans to retire, I would just like to encourage you and wish you success.
Thanks! Thanks for all the advise. TCord1964, thanks for that info. I checked it out and I am very interested. mbaonline, I needed to hear from someone close to my age, thank you. The reason it is going to take me years is due to my schedule. I live in one town, work in another and I drive 120 miles a day for work During the winter when it snows it can take me 6 hours total to get to and from work. I have gotten home in time to go to bed and get up and leave around 5 am and hope I can get there by 8 am. This very draining and stressfull so I need to go slow. I live in a small town where wages are awful so I drive to Anchorage along with most people who live in Wasilla. I was born in Alaska but I am ready to leave. Looking to move to NH after graduation. Well, that was long winded. Thanks again. Patricia
Hey! That will put you in my back yard. Let me know when you arrive. You're never too old to be a waif.
Pat, I'm happy everyone here is encouraging you to go for that change. Hey, I didn't finish my bachelor's until age 44, then planned on a master's by age 50. Didn't happen. So now I'll turn 60 this year, we live in a very rural area on an island, and I'm trying *another* master's program, just because it's a very personal interest. You're never too old to be "educating" as our commencement speaker told us at U of Oklahoma (GO SOONERS!!). It sounds like you know what your dream is, now just do your best to make it happen, even if it takes a long while. Don't ever give up! Hang in there and please let us all know what you find, k? I know what it's like to have that desire to do something different. Carole-on-the-island Whidbey Island, WA
