I currently make close to $10/hour which is pathetic considering I have completed 3 years of college and I'm almost 33 years old. I want to get a degree, but I have a 6 year old and no other caregivers that I can depend on so I can attend classes. I'm also limited in funds (still paying for the 3 years from 1994, 1995, and 1996!). I am NOT interested in degrees where you pay $500-$1,000 and they mail you a diploma and transcript. I want to earn my degree. Thank you!
2007-12-01 09:52:06 · 7 answers · asked by 30 year old 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I majored in Interior Design. I found that although I am a creative person and I enjoy art as a hobby, it is not something that I want to do for a living. I currently work in a faith based daycare facility in the early walker room (1-2 year olds). I enjoy my job for the following reasons: I get hugs all day long, I can act like a complete idiot and the think I'm great, and I get to see them accomplish their first milestones. I enjoy teaching them baby sign language. I tend to gravitate toward the babies that are develomentally delayed. I have patience with these babies and I know how badly their parents want to see improvement. I feel encouraged to help them improve. I AM however...jealous of the mom's who come to pick up wearing nice professional clothes and hair and who obviously make more money and have more important jobs. I want to be more of a contributor financially. My husband makes 7X more than I do! I really hate that!
2007-12-01 10:24:21 · update #1
You can certainly do this. I would recommend getting in touch with State Colleges or Universities in your area that offer online degree options. This gives you the benefits of state tuition, programs with solid reputations and accrediation, and the accessibility of online classes. It also allows you the option of online or on campus classes depending on your needs or schedule.
I'm not sure where you live but here are some resources to get you started:
SUNY Learning Network (NY) http://sln.suny.edu/index.html
MNSCU Online (MN) http://www.mnonline.org/
Cal-State Online (CA) http://www.gateway.calstate.edu/extension/Online/index.cfm
Nearly all of the State College/University systems offer online options so I would get in touch with the system for your state.
In addition if your main concern is childcare nearly every state offers grant money for assisting with childcare. Many (if not most) schools also have child care options available for students. In addition many schools offer financial aid for childcare. If you have an employer that offers tuition assistance and/or are pursuing education related to your current position there may be funding available for child care or the option of attending classes while your child is in school.
Good Luck!
2007-12-01 10:13:10 · answer #1 · answered by scoop 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not to sound mean but, having 3 years of college means you're regarded by most HR departments as a "college dropout" and not as "went to college". You have no real option but to get a college degree if you want to improve your position and ability to move up.
What I'd suggest, since you have 3 years already, is one of "The Big Three". These three regionally accredited colleges allow for nearly 100% credit transfer and are incredibly flexible.
Excelsior College http://www.excelsior.edu
Thomas Edison State College http://www.tesc.edu
Charter Oak State College http://www.cosc.edu
The nice thing with these is that you can take courses from any regionally accredited college and then transfer the credit to their program. This lets you take advantage of inexpensive programs (Louisiana State, Brigham Young) or study at the best-and-brightest (Harvard, Berkeley, etc..) at the same time.
I'd suggest the Excelsior College Associate of Science in Liberal Studies (which you likely have already completed 95% of the degree requirements) as a quick credential that you can use for employment advancement followed by a bachelor's from any of these schools.
You might want to determine what sort of career you'd like before you decide what degree to get. It's usually better to put your horse in front of the cart. This way, if you need some specialized courses for the career you're interested in, you'll get them while you're working on the degree.
I have a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College and find it does not offer me any employment problems. It has been sufficient to get me into two graduate programs so far.
2007-12-01 10:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by CoachT 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Upper Iowa University has online degree programs, in which you could earn a Bachelors Degree.
www.uiu.edu
2007-12-01 16:54:18 · answer #3 · answered by lucia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what major did you major in?
go into a booming field like a medical nurse or something.
2007-12-01 09:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by sirdumbalot8 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm pulling $80K on CLEPped degrees (I tested out of all 120 credits for my BA and all 60 of my AAS).
2007-12-01 09:55:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
$30K is really not a lot of money to live on.
2007-12-01 09:54:40 · answer #6 · answered by John S 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe Tom lol
2007-12-01 11:47:05 · answer #7 · answered by Sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋