I have a dilemma. (1 Viewer)

[kinnie]

Idk if I'm settling for the study program I'm currently in right now because it's convenient and I'm only in it for the money.
My major is currently Business Administration with Accounting being my main goal.
This is my second time returning to school.
Long-story short, I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education which I've never even pursued because during my final semester I also pursued dog grooming.
Instead of running off to Korea or Japan to teach English like my original plan was, I stayed and groomed dogs over the past 5 years.
Now I'm burnt out and back in school.
I had the idea of studying to become an Ultrasound Technician or a Dental Hygienist, but due to my current schools limited programs, I cannot do that.
I'd have to drive an hour away if that's what I really wanted to do but I also have work.
After doing some research, I settled for the Accounting route.
I don't even like math, but I'm good at it and especially when handling numbers.
I've been fortunately given a $4,000 scholarship to use towards school funding.
Idk if I'm making the right decision, but my fear is that I'm wasting this money given to me on classes I might end up having zero interest in.
Honestly it's so unfair how you don't know what you're getting into before it's too late. Obviously you need experience first-hand to know, but unless you have a degree or years of experience you're out of luck.
Any advice?

 

[Selfmate]

well my friend my advice and it's solely in terms of pragmatism and reality

go with the career that has most upside - ie. most $$$

why? money makes the world go around - there's not many problems one cannot solve with sufficient money
obviously none of us are going to be Bezos or Zuckerburg rich but having sufficient money leads to a lot less issues

obviously if one can do something that one loves as a career and that it can not only pay the bills and then some - great
but to afford a house, maybe marriage, children, holiday or two, health insurance, personal hobbies etc etc all costs $$$ and to me it's the one that earn the most

obviously this is me as an old man saying that so take it with a grain of salt

 

[kinnie]

well my friend my advice and it's solely in terms of pragmatism and reality

go with the career that has most upside - ie. most $$$

why? money makes the world go around - there's not many problems one cannot solve with sufficient money
obviously none of us are going to be Bezos or Zuckerburg rich but having sufficient money leads to a lot less issues

obviously if one can do something that one loves as a career and that it can not only pay the bills and then some - great
but to afford a house, maybe marriage, children, holiday or two, health insurance, personal hobbies etc etc all costs $$$ and to me it's the one that earn the most

obviously this is me as an old man saying that so take it with a grain of salt

Thank you for your words of wisdom, ol' sacred one.

Yes, my heart is telling me to go with what I THINK I wanna do and my brain is telling me it's too late, and to just continue with what I'm currently doing.
I mean hell, if money and location weren't an issue I'd already be there, but unfortunately my options are limited.
I just returned to school back in March. Going to take an Accounting class over the summer and I think that will be the make-it or break-it decision.
My husband and I may potentially be moving next year, so there's that. Hopefully if we do, it will be somewhere that offers more opportunities.

 

[Selfmate]

Thank you for your words of wisdom, ol' sacred one.

Yes, my heart is telling me to go with what I THINK I wanna do and my brain is telling me it's too late, and to just continue with what I'm currently doing.
I mean hell, if money and location weren't an issue I'd already be there, but unfortunately my options are limited.
I just returned to school back in March. Going to take an Accounting class over the summer and I think that will be the make-it or break-it decision.
My husband and I may potentially be moving next year, so there's that. Hopefully if we do, it will be somewhere that offers more opportunities.

yeah I think that's also a decision you have to speak with your husband on and clarify what your future goals are my friend
since like I said what do you want your lifestyle to be - children? no children? stay at home parent or both working - how many children and whether you have sufficient childcare (whether external paid childcare or family)? can you afford to buy a house or rent etc etc

Also not to disincentivise you from pursuing further education/skills to better yourself and your family but will you be able to actually use that knowledge you gained from studying productively - I say that as a cautionary tale in that I've know people to study things that they like however cannot use to find a job - not only did one have to fork out the money to undertake such education but if that education doesn't lead to a job...

my own counterargument to myself (yes I'm like that lol) is that maybe doing something you enjoy even if it earns less or has less earning potential is better for you for your own circumstances because it leads to better physical and mental health. I've also seen people leave high paying high stress jobs because it was killing them literally and figuratively.

 

[kinnie]

yeah I think that's also a decision you have to speak with your husband on and clarify what your future goals are my friend
since like I said what do you want your lifestyle to be - children? no children? stay at home parent or both working - how many children and whether you have sufficient childcare (whether external paid childcare or family)? can you afford to buy a house or rent etc etc

Also not to disincentivise you from pursuing further education/skills to better yourself and your family but will you be able to actually use that knowledge you gained from studying productively - I say that as a cautionary tale in that I've know people to study things that they like however cannot use to find a job - not only did one have to fork out the money to undertake such education but if that education doesn't lead to a job...

my own counterargument to myself (yes I'm like that lol) is that maybe doing something you enjoy even if it earns less or has less earning potential is better for you for your own circumstances because it leads to better physical and mental health. I've also seen people leave high paying high stress jobs because it was killing them literally and figuratively.

I totally agree. We have discussed and agreed upon having children once we're financially stable, and living a healthier lifestyle than we are right now.
Yeah, fortunately even pursuing a field within Accounting it opens up doors to other fields within Accounting such as accounts payable, book-keeping, data entry, etc. I think finding a job won't be difficult It's more so worrying that I won't enjoy it in the long run. I'm a very adventurous person and I tend to get curious about trying other things. After all we only live once. I think from my own perspective it's pretty redundant to settle for one thing your entire life. But I do need to consider what would bring in more money and also being wise with money in general is always a plus. I thought I enjoyed dog grooming up until it took a detrimental effect on my mental and physical health.

 

[Selfmate]

I totally agree. We have discussed and agreed upon having children once we're financially stable, and living a healthier lifestyle than we are right now.
Yeah, fortunately even pursuing a field within Accounting it opens up doors to other fields within Accounting such as accounts payable, book-keeping, data entry, etc. I think finding a job won't be difficult It's more so worrying that I won't enjoy it in the long run. I'm a very adventurous person and I tend to get curious about trying other things. After all we only live once. I think from my own perspective it's pretty redundant to settle for one thing your entire life. But I do need to consider what would bring in more money and also being wise with money in general is always a plus. I thought I enjoyed dog grooming up until it took a detrimental effect on my mental and physical health.

to my knowledge accounting is a very transferrable skill in that it opens up a lot of careers and jobs and also it has high earning potential as well especially if one can get a degree or something. Also the other benefit to accounting is that it can assist with better financial knowledge and planning and budgeting and investing and things like that

I don't remember how old you are but you sound younger and thus you have time to find yourself and discover what you like to do and experience new things before settling down to one (or more things)

 

[kinnie]

to my knowledge accounting is a very transferrable skill in that it opens up a lot of careers and jobs and also it has high earning potential as well especially if one can get a degree or something. Also the other benefit to accounting is that it can assist with better financial knowledge and planning and budgeting and investing and things like that

I don't remember how old you are but you sound younger and thus you have time to find yourself and discover what you like to do and experience new things before settling down to one (or more things)

Right! Absolutely. That's one thing I know I can really benefit from. Having that knowledge in finances can leverage my own personal finances. Still haven't gotten there yet. I've familiarized myself to some degree thanks to the infamous Dave Ramsey--the king of financial experts.
I'll be 28 this August. Still young. Just undecided on life.

 

[Selfmate]

Right! Absolutely. That's one thing I know I can really benefit from. Having that knowledge in finances can leverage my own personal finances. Still haven't gotten there yet. I've familiarized myself to some degree thanks to the infamous Dave Ramsey--the king of financial experts.
I'll be 28 this August. Still young. Just undecided on life.

good luck with everything my friend - I hope everything works out well for you and your husband

 

[kinnie]

good luck with everything my friend - I hope everything works out well for you and your husband

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your input.

 

[Selfmate]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your input.

any time my friend
if you ever need life, adulting, children, AESTHETICS advice - I'm your guy

 

[kinnie]

any time my friend
if you ever need life, adulting, children, AESTHETICS advice - I'm your guy

Noted!