Major Life Decision

[DuctTapeJedi]

Yeah, it's another one of those advice threads, but I'll make it worth your while. Sorry, I'm just a little unsure of where to go from here.

This spring marks the end of my senior year of college for a degree in building construction management. I eventually want to get a position with a Red Cross type organization (build schools, hospitals in poorer countries, help rebuild after natural disasters, etc.) I have two main options, continue my education, or enter the 'real world.'

-Option The First-
I could continue for two more years in my school's sustainable building program. It's not directly applicable to my field, but I'm really interested in it, and I do tend to border on 'tree-hugger,' so there's that. Also, if I continue my education, I can continue my amazing summer job as a counselor at a Christian summer camp (my faith is not the point, please save it for the politics and religion board) which has been one of the best experiences of my life. Finally, money is much less of an issue now than it would be in the future if I decide later to go back to school. My mom is employed by an affiliate of the college, so as long as I'm a dependent, I get a 75% tuition break.

-Option Deuce-
I enter the workforce this spring/summer, thus saving a lot of time and money, and moving closer to my ultimate goal. There's no guarantee that I would even find a job, however, except for the aforementioned church camp. Also, there is the possibility of a full time, year round position at the camp, but I'm still unsure of this. Perhaps the major upside in this, is the financial.

-Another Option-
I forgot to mention this earlier, but there's also a one semester masonry program that is also a possibility. I already have about half of the required classes done, and masonry is extremely prevalent in Africa, where I want to base my work.

Please, I just need some outside perspective. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
And now, to thank those of you who read to the end, here's some kittens riding a vacuum cleaner.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Please, guys? I'll post more kitten videos...

 

[Kaytastrophe]

dude it seems like a no brainer, stay in school. Any additional education you get will make you that much more distinguished from your peers. plus 75% of tuition back? You will never get a deal like that again. I am also of the mindset that once you go out into the working force and make a regular income you will have a harder time going back to school. I would totally stay in school. I'm in the same boat Im a fourth year student for history and political science and I am continuing and going for graduate school. So if I were in your shoes I would totally keep up the education get as much as you can while you can.

 

[Padwolf]

Well, I think you should try doing what you think is best for you, follow your instincts, if you feel that you want to enter the real world, then maybe that is what is best for you. But if you feel that unsure about what the future would hold in the real world then maybe it is best for you to continue your education. It is a tricky choice, but you have to go with what you feel is best for you and what your head and heart are telling you to do. You have to dig deep to find where you want to go.

I hope that helps

And thank you for the kitten vid

 

[Megalodon]

If you're interested in it, and can pull it off, option 1. You stand to gain far more staying at college (that is American Uni right?), than leaving. Also the discount shouldn't be missed out on, given the horror stories I've heard about the cost of American higher education.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone.

Also, there's this...
Keep 'em coming, I have, like, a million more of these...

 

[Hiraeth]

I am also of the mindset that once you go out into the working force and make a regular income you will have a harder time going back to school. I would totally stay in school. I'm in the same boat Im a fourth year student for history and political science and I am continuing and going for graduate school. So if I were in your shoes I would totally keep up the education get as much as you can while you can.

See I don't agree with that at all, since I've been at uni I've met plenty of people who've gone back to school after taking a break, even some of my professors. If you want to go back to school you'll make it happen, lots of people do. I'm going to graduate next year, but I won't be going into further study because I know I'm just not ready to commit to it yet. I'm going to go and work for a while, travel while I'm still young enough to do so, then if I want to I might go back to do my masters, and maybe even my PhD. I reckon ultimately you have to do what you want to do. If you want to study, then do it, but if you don't, it's not going to be the last opportunity you ever have.

I have friends who are about to head into honours, or masters, or are in the middle of writing their PhDs and are thrilled to bits about it. I've also got friends who dropped out of university, and some who never went, and work full time and they're happy to be earning money instead of accumulating debt. What is important is whether or not you'll be happy doing whatever you choose - if you hate study, don't do more of it. If you're not ready to commit to entering the workforce but you love being in school then keep going.

Threadstarter was there any of the options you were leaning towards, and why? Because you've told us what you eventually want to do, but not what you want to do right now. I doubt any of us would be qualified to tell you the best way to plan out your career. Maybe you should also make an appointment with a career advisor at your college, assuming they have that service...

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Stay in school, m'man. Otherwise, it's quite possible you will never have another time.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Threadstarter was there any of the options you were leaning towards, and why? Because you've told us what you eventually want to do, but not what you want to do right now. I doubt any of us would be qualified to tell you the best way to plan out your career. Maybe you should also make an appointment with a career advisor at your college, assuming they have that service...

I really do want to work at the summer camp again, but that's really my only thing as far as leaning.

I haven't been to the career adviser yet, but I have an appointment for Wednesday. I just wanted to gather as many different perspectives as I could first.

 

[Toriver]

Given the current state of the economy and the job market, your connection to your school, and your non-profit aspirations, staying in school two more years for that advanced sustainable building degree seems like it's almost too good to pass up. I'd shoot for that, but in the end it's your decision.

 

[astrav1]

I say option 2 and then move on to the last one if at all possible.

 

[Lilani]

I say continue your education. It never hurts to have a little more knowledge, and if you pass on it now it will be very hard to come back to it later--especially if for some reason you can't get your mother's discount anymore. Sounds like too good of an opportunity to pass on, to me.

 

[Yureina]

Spoiler

Yeah, it's another one of those advice threads, but I'll make it worth your while. Sorry, I'm just a little unsure of where to go from here.

This spring marks the end of my senior year of college for a degree in building construction management. I eventually want to get a position with a Red Cross type organization (build schools, hospitals in poorer countries, help rebuild after natural disasters, etc.) I have two main options, continue my education, or enter the 'real world.'

-Option The First-
I could continue for two more years in my school's sustainable building program. It's not directly applicable to my field, but I'm really interested in it, and I do tend to border on 'tree-hugger,' so there's that. Also, if I continue my education, I can continue my amazing summer job as a counselor at a Christian summer camp (my faith is not the point, please save it for the politics and religion board) which has been one of the best experiences of my life. Finally, money is much less of an issue now than it would be in the future if I decide later to go back to school. My mom is employed by an affiliate of the college, so as long as I'm a dependent, I get a 75% tuition break.

-Option Deuce-
I enter the workforce this spring/summer, thus saving a lot of time and money, and moving closer to my ultimate goal. There's no guarantee that I would even find a job, however, except for the aforementioned church camp. Also, there is the possibility of a full time, year round position at the camp, but I'm still unsure of this. Perhaps the major upside in this, is the financial.

-Another Option-
I forgot to mention this earlier, but there's also a one semester masonry program that is also a possibility. I already have about half of the required classes done, and masonry is extremely prevalent in Africa, where I want to base my work.

Please, I just need some outside perspective. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
And now, to thank those of you who read to the end, here's some kittens riding a vacuum cleaner.

Go with the first option.

Why do I say this? Because of how you yourself presented your options in your first post. Your first options stresses a continuation of your present life, education for a far lower cost than normal, and the opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience that may help you later on in the future. Your second option on the other hand is plagued with uncertainty, both about what you would be able to do and your own viability to get a career in the short-term. Even before considering the state of today's economy, the first option already sounds like the better one.

Also, two years is a long time. You may find in that time that your interests alter or you discover something else while you are going for two more years of education. That camp you mention might lead to something interesting for you that you want to pursue, or your studies themselves may give you more focus towards you figuring out just what it is that you want to do. Taking that time, and especially if you can do it at home with cheap tuition rates, sounds like it would be worth it. Attempting to enter the work force now might get you "real experience" and money that you will be able to spend for yourself (which could be extremely appealing depending on your nature). But... you seem much more uncertain about your thoughts towards getting a career after you graduate, and this is before you think about the fact that simply getting a career you want will probably be difficult in and of itself.

So, I'd go for the two additional years. It seems like the much safer option, and that is a better course to pursue considering the present economic climate.

Hope that helps. :3

- Rei

 

[zombiesinc]

Go with the first option.

Why do I say this? Because of how you yourself presented your options in your first post. Your first options stresses a continuation of your present life, education for a far lower cost than normal, and the opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience that may help you later on in the future. Your second option on the other hand is plagued with uncertainty, both about what you would be able to do and your own viability to get a career in the short-term. Even before considering the state of today's economy, the first option already sounds like the better one.

I couldn't agree more with Rei about this one.

You sound completely happy and interested in continuing school, and summer camp. The second option sounds fine too, but not as certain. Money isn't an issue with you, luckily, so that's yet another plus towards option one.

If I were in your shoes, I'd stick with school and summer camp. I'm someone who loves going to school, especially if I'm learning about something that truly interests me. Sounds like you're similar in that way, which will make your time in school that much more enjoyable.

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I'd say stay in school and work on the sustainable building thing. A lot of people are going in that direction, and it's good to get a leg up on the competition. I know it might sound odd, but pretty soon, if things continue the way they are, we're going to have a shift in the construction business. People with sustainable building degrees will be in high demand. Not to mention all of the charity organizations that would snatch you up as soon as your done. Building stuff? Great! Building stuff GREEN?!?! AWESOMESAUCE!!!! See my point?

 

[Hawk eye1466]

go to school with the state of the world economy its better to have 2 more years of education besides if the economy is better in 2 years you will be one of the most qualified for the job you want because of your extra education and where else are you going to get 75 percent off college?

 

[PaintyFace]

I'd recommend option one, for these main reasons:
1, You want to work at the summer camp. This is good. Having a job you enjoy is important, and if you're going to be able to work there each year that's good and you'll have a steady income.
2, You're saving 75% of the tuition costs. Say over the next five years, you take a full time job, move out but have problems getting into the work you eventually want. If they then say that this extra course would help, you'd have to pay the full fee to go back to college. As you couldn't work full time with college, this could cause money problems and make life hard.
3, The course you want to do is related. If you'd studied math at college for four years to be an accountant, and now you wanted to take a couple of years to do an art course, I'd try to put you off. But seeing as it is kinda related, it could well be useful.

Ah well. That's my tuppence worth.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Stay in school.

You want to work for the Red Cross? What do you think the Red Cross (or similar) wants, the lazy type who gives up easily and leaves things half done or the determined type who works as hard as they possibly can and exerts as much as they can to do what needs to be done. Building a hospital in an area that has been hit by a tsunami, mortar strikes or just hasn't had a hospital before requires a fuck ton of determination and grit. Do you think that the Red Cross will see these attributes in you if you drop out of school?

Nah, stay for the rest of your schooling and it will make you look much better to potential employers and just make things much easier as others have said.

Also, I respect you for wanting to join the Red Cross (or similar). That is a noble profession.

 

[Icarion (aka Stockholm)]

First option. And maybe put out feelers for a job while in grad school? And explore option 3 in you have time