careers and working dead end jobs?

Question

I just got laid off from a $20 an hour job, wondering wether or not to go back to school and try to get out of workin labor and union jobs, but if i went back to school, I am not even sure what I would go into it. I am 24 years old and have responsibilities such as my apt, and other bills. I have no continued education and fear its too late to go back, and I am just seeking some opinions or something, maybe a 2 year technical school? I dont know, I worked with cars since I was 16 and gave that up, got into assembling Mining trucks and loved it but I cant deal with the constant lay offs. Can anyone share their experience or advice?

Answer 1

The average college graduate makes 47,000 dollars per year. In contrast the average high school graduate makes 27,000 per year. Figure if you went to school for 4 years you will be 28 years old. From that point on, on average you will be making 20,000 more per year than if you did not go to college. If you retire at the age of 65 you would have made 740,000 dollars more than you would have with no skills. If you were offered a salary of 185,000 a year( 740,000 divided by 4) for 4 years only would you take it?
I anticipate the income gap widening in the future because we live a knowledge based economy. You get paid for what you know not what you do.

Answer 2

I faced a similar experience. What worked for me was to do some real soul searching, with the first question being "what is it you LIKE to do". Once i figured that out, then I devised a plan to go back to school (and work at the same time) to reach my goal. I made it, so can you. It takes time, and it won't happen overnight, but if you have "drive", you will get there. Life is too short to do something you don't like to do.

Answer 3

Schooling is a great option! If you can find a job during the day, go to school at night or vice versa. I worked days and schooled at night to get an accounting degree and it was the best thing I ever did landing a great job before graduating. And, I was 27 when I started college, so go for it!