Advice on Career Investment

[Snakpac]

I have a Bachelor's of Science degree in Technology (computers), but am finding a lack of opportunities and interest. I completed a year in the AmeriCorps program, but have not worked in the field other than a little with that. Prior to my Bachelor's of Science degree, I tried art school for 2 years as well. So, needless to say I am already in quite a bit of debt (around $31,000, which is mainly art school) and have a lot of apprehension when it comes to starting yet another program. I just turned 25 and still live at home, and I really would like to get my life moving forwards. It seems like I keep going backwards.

I am considering the Radiology Technology field because it is in Healthcare which is doing much better than the technology field and because I don't have much of a passion for the technology degree I have. I think that I'd like it from what I've read online. A friend may help me get into a hospital his mom works at so that I could see what the job is actually like. I am also checking into volunteering at a hospital to see if I'd like it.

I'm really afraid of making my financial situation worse however. I would like to be able to make it on my own. Not having a job and attending school would make that very difficult to do. I would hate to complete more schooling, go into more debt, and still be without a job and bigger student loan payments. At the same time I don't want to be miserable in my career either.

I thought I read somewhere that some hospitals have programs where they'll pay some or all of your tuition if you are working for them. Does anyone have advice on how I could transition into this field and make it work? Is it even possible to go to school for this type of program part time and work fulltime? Is this something I could do slowly or is it best to just jump in?

Financially, the investment I have made sucks so far. Especially when it’s so difficult to get an entry level job in computer technology without experience, and the entry level pay isn’t too great. So I’d really like to get this thing turned around, but since I have a lot of student loan debt (no other kind) I'd like to make a wise decision rather than a hasty one.

Am I nuts for trying to go back to school and start from the begining again? Some of my classes would probably transfer.

Is this common among anyone else? It would be nice to know that I'm not alone.

Any advice or comments would be great!

Thanks guys.

[sweeps]

My $.02. First, I'd advise not to chase career paths just because they're hot at the time. Does radiology technology really interest you, or are you only considering this change for the money? (I'm surprised that you're having problems finding a decent-paying, entry-level computer job right now. I'm seeing a lot more appear on Monster and Hotjobs. But I suppose this depends on what area of the country you live.)

In my experience you have to give a new job/career at least 6-12 months before you can really know how you feel about it. Are there any opportunities at the hospital you're volunteering at to use your computer skills? You could give the computer career a fair shot, while also getting your foot in the door in the healthcare industry -- perhaps making some connections there so you could transition to radiology technology or similar job if necessary.

[Snakpac]

Hey Sweeps. Yes, Radiology Tech is interesting on paper, but I haven't got to shadow someone to actually see if it was something I definitely want to pursue. I totally agree about giving computers a fair shot first. That is part of what is stopping me from making quick decisions.

The idea of checking out the territory at the hospital and seeking out opportunities and open doors would be ideal as well. I am not volunteering yet. They said to fill out an app and they would have an orientation in sept. So I have a while yet. I've also been checking out college IT jobs thinking that if I'm working full time I could get free tuition to check out some of the classes and experience working in a hospital through the volunteering.

I was also wandering if I'm just a few medical classes away from something that would put me into a healthcare position that would use computers. For example, is there something like medical terminology that put with my technology background would tranisition me into healthcare? Maybe that isn't a question for this board, but if you know that'd be wonderful too.

[Broken Arrow]

I agree with Sweep, and to add on that, I believe in taking the career path one step at a time.

In other words, I personally believe that no matter what you decide on, one should always be earning income. This includes co-ops or paying internships.

Please try not to add student debt if you can help it. I started out as a Comp. Sci., but switched tracks (and colleges) to the Humanities mid-way with a Criminal Justice degree. Long story short, my student loan ballooned much larger than it needed to be, and now, I'm paying for it. Literally.

Also, please remember that your job situation isn't always permanent. This is a good thing if you're stuck with having to do a job that isn't all that enjoyable but at least pay well enough.

While you're doing that job, then I would take the time to hone skills that would move you into something you would enjoy more. In other words, I don't recommend having "income gaps" where you are not bringing home anything, and worse, is only adding onto your overall debts.

[Snakpac]

Broken, Thanks for your comments.

It does make me feel a bit nauseous when thinking about adding on more debt. Ideally, I'd find a way where I wouldn't have to pay for it (like tuition reimbursement or something).

It is so frustrating though when I've educated myself on saving money and know that I am disciplined enough to do it, but I have no money to do it with! I really do want to enjoy what I do as well. I could careless if I'm making 50,000 (although it'd be nice ). I would be happy if I could make enough to get rid of my student loans and be able to support myself on my own. When the entry level jobs I'm finding are $10/hr and an hour or more away, it just doesn't seem like that would work.

I have also been trying to think of jobs that a technology background is a plus, but it isn't a install, support type computer job. Any recommendations there would be good as well. Are co-ops like a temp job?

Unfortunately, I'm in one of those income gaps right now. I just finished AmeriCorps service and I'm freelancing for the place I was working while we are waiting to see if a grant goes through. If the grant goes through I'll have a job for 3 years working through the funded program. I should find out about that by the end of Aug. The freelancing only lasted for so long and they ran out of work. I'm only occasionally getting things to do (couple hours a month). Luckily, during the AmeriCorps service I built an emergency fund that I'm living off of currently.

[parafly]

It doesn't sound like you live in a good area for tech jobs. I recently graduated with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering and had absolutely no trouble finding a job with a high salary. Are you open to the idea of relocating?

Also, I would definitely look into internships as a possibility. They are relatively easy to get, and often times they lead to full time opportunities with the company.

In any case, I would definitely try to limit more student loans if possible. Experience is key in the tech industry. The longer you wait to get your foot in the door, the harder it will be to find a good job in the future.

[cschin4]

I really think you should go foward with the degree you have and give it a go You haven't really worked much in the field so how do you even know if you like it or not? And, it is not uncommon to graduate and start working and wondering if you should have done something else, this is not what I thought it was, etc. Every job has periods of boredom.
Find a full time job and get out and start working. Start paying off your debt. If you find that you really still have a desire to do something else, then pursue it then.

[PrincessPerky]

IMO

Get a job, any job..then while paying off your debt do the volunteer thing, do theshadow thing. if you like it go for it, if not you at least have a job now, rather than waiting for the 'perfect' one.

I'll ditto the 'boredom' not boredom as in nothing to do, but even with the greatest job in the world (mine is motherhood) there are periods of....disillusionment.

[Saluki96]

It depends on the job market a I guess. My wife is a sonographer. She got her Associates in Radiology, then stayed on and specialized in Ultrasound and got a BS. This is something she wanted to do all through HS, and picked her college based on that. There are community colleges that offer programs, and others that offer the specialties, like CT, MRI, Utrasound, etc. You could go to a CC for less money, work while taking classes, and be an X-Ray tech. Then some hospitals might allow cross training in other areas. On top of education expenses, you will need to pay for certification tests. Ultrasound tests are $200 a pop. And like other test, if you don't pass you pay again. If I am not mistaken you have to pass two of the different test to be certified. The physics test is mandatory, then you can pick one of the others. Again, I am going by memory. Then you pay yearly to keep your registration active. X-Ray is 15 a year, not bad, but you need to take a test for that as well to be certified. Don't remember the cost. As for jobs, my wife had several job interviews and offers before she even graduated. Spent a year at an adult hospital, then got a job at a childrens hospital after we got married. In our area, some hospitals are offering signing bonus' for Ultrasound techs, now this was a few years ago, but depending on the specialty, there is a shortage. As for job satisfaction, she enjoys working with kids. Is she happy every day no. Finding termanal cancer in kids or doing scans on shaken babies etc does not make for pleasant days. But when she can help the process of getting the kids better, it makes it worth it. Again this is something she has wanted to do for a long time, and has stuck with it. Really enjoys medical stuff and it's just what she has been intrested in.
As for me, I'm in IT