My parents think I'm a loser for wanting to go back to college.

[Fox Mulder]

I have a job that pays $14/hr, with full benefits, that I absolutely hate. I've been there for almost two months now. Anyways, both of my mom and dad know that I hate my job, yet they keep telling me I'd be a loser for quitting this job because of its benefits. I'm not happy there at all. And they expect me to do this for the rest of my life? I'm 24. I only plan on staying at this job for a couple of years until I can save up enough money to finish college.

What do you all think? Would it be stupid of me to quit a job with full benefits and go back and finish college? Or should I be miserable and stay at this job?

[Mutley]

1. You do what you feel is best for you.

You could always take night classes when you go back so you don't have to quit your job until you graduate. It's tough, but I did it for a few years.

Whatever you do, don't let your parents influence your decision. It's for you alone to make, and they won't be living your life for you.

[Fox Mulder]

3. Good point.

I'm just sick of hearing their crap day after day.

Maybe I should change my phone number...

[Mutley]

Ha! I know that feeling.

:hug:

[democracyindanger]

2. It'd be stupid not to

Even if you stuck with the job, you'll probably eventually hit a ceiling because you don't have a college degree. Besides, universities give students health care.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

4. Im quitting my job in 2 weeks, that has full benefits and pays a lot to go

back to school. im totally stoked to do it. after 2 years of being a slave to the man, im done.

i say school. i wish you the best of luck in your decision :hi:

[Fox Mulder]

6. Thanks!

I'm sick of being a slave to the man too!

I'm definitely going back to school. It's the one thing I really want to do at this point.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

10. down with the man!

:D

what do you wanna study?

[Fox Mulder]

15. I'm not sure yet...

I'm leaning towards environmental science or history.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

17. cool

Im actually going to school to do science (bio)...i got my BA in Social and Poitical Theory and totally regret not doing any sciences...

[Fox Mulder]

21. I was a bio major once upon a time...

but then for some stupid reason, I switched to geology.

[txwhitedove]

5. No job has to be 'for life', especially not if you hate it. Best to hang

in there for awhile, like you said, saving money to finish college.
But you can start night classes and/or internet studies now.
Your parents are probably thinking that job paying $14/hr plus
full benefits is WAY better than a lot of other Americans are getting.
:-)

[Fox Mulder]

13. I know...

I feel bad for complaining about my job because a lot of people are barely hanging on by a thread right now and I'm doing fairly good.

[txwhitedove]

22. As a single mother, I had to take a lot of jobs that required me to ...

suck it up and keep my mouth closed. So, from a parental perspective, you do what is
necessary to feed your family. Your parents probably just don't want you to up and
quit what they think is a great job. Have you told them your plans for finishing college?

[Fox Mulder]

24. I tell them my plans everyday...

but it always ends up in argument.

[txwhitedove]

29. Hmm, time to change the subject quick every time they bring it up.

Please do look into on-line classes. My daughter is taking courses
this way for a degree in Nutrition. And, whatever you spending on
courses should be tax deductible.

[Burma Jones]

7. Did your folks go to college?

that may have something to do with it

[Fox Mulder]

8. Nope.

[Burma Jones]

16. They might feel you are "getting above your raising"

College can be a big deal if you're the first to go, I was (on my Mom's side)

[nini]

9. I graduated from college on my 35th birthday

and it was the smartest thing I ever did.

Go for it and don't look back. You'll be glad you did.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. "Full benefits" for how long?

I'm almost 48, and I've watched friend's and relative's benefits diminish over the course of 30 years. We no longer live in an age where people can expect to have a job with the same company for several decades, then retire with a hefty pension.

Go finish college. Enjoy learning. Your chances of getting a better-paying job doing something you enjoy will be better. Good luck!

[Fox Mulder]

14. That's the thing...

the benefits may not last.

At least a college degree lasts a lifetime.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. Yup.

Stick to your guns. I'm sure your parents want what's best for you. Eventually they've got to understand that you know what that is better than they do.

[hfojvt]

41. not really

employers are not at all impressed by a guy with a 16 year old degree (me). They are far more likely to hire somebody who a) has just graduated or b) has Army training or c) has 3+ years experience.

I have an MA and I am making $12 an hour, which is the best I have done in the last 16 years since I got my MA. So I think your parents have a point. You may not hate the job as much a year from now.

[pitohui]

45. a college degree doesn't last a lifetime tho

many degrees, such as engineering or software design, have a definite "sell by" date

there's a lot of people who used to be in IT who are laughing at the idea that a technical degree is good for a lifetime

[Midlodemocrat]

12. Let me ask you a question Fox Mulder.

Is this decision you are making based on the $14 per hour you are currently making? Because, I have to be honest with you, it seems like a lot of money now, but it is still only around $30,000 a year. Not that that amount isn't okay, but statistics show that a college education can increase your salary dramatically.

Just as an example, medical capital equipment reps or pharma reps start at $65,000 with a car and potential to double that in bonus. ANd that is just one industry.

My dad sold fine paper products in the 70s and made well into six figues in the 70s, and he got the job because he went to college.


Obviously money isn't the only reason that you should return to college, but it seems that your parents are using that as a reason for you not to attend.

[Fox Mulder]

18. I'm basing this decision purely on my happiness.

I don't really care much about money.

[uppityperson]

34. do what makes you happy, so long as you hurt no one & can survive

do what makes you happy.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. The old "stay with a job with 'benefits'" bullshit canard is old & stupid.

Go follow your dream!

For my parents, and seemingly their generation and those of my generation that bought the bullshit propaganda, they make it seem like "having benefits" is the only thing to consider.

Fuck that.

Do a job you love! Go back to college, and get an even better job, with even better benefits!

[Fox Mulder]

20. Amen!

:toast:

[never cry wolf]

23. Go back to college

I didn't graduate til I was 29... I have heard of many others who got their degree much later... I am now almost 52 and never regretted it...

Make your own way in life and do what you want... You are 24 but are still just a puppy... No offense meant, we were all there, but consider doubling the time you have lived, and consider that you are only a handfull of years into adulthood out of hopefully ten times more years of adulthood....

[SeattleGirl]

25. Go to college, if that is where you feel you need to be.

Yes, you have to stick with the job for awhile, make some money, but if you really want to be in college, then I say, go for it!

[Fox Mulder]

26. I am!

Thanks for the advice. :)

[Fox Mulder]

27. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I appreciate it. :) :hi: :grouphug:

I'm definitely going back to school and there isn't a damn thing in this world that's going to stop me!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

28. Your life, your dreams. You should respect your parents' opinion, since

they probably do want what they THINK is best for you, but respect is as far as it goes.

[Book Lover]

31. Tell your parents that the future of US printing is not secure

which has the added advantage of being 100% true. Print is morphing and shrinking; who knows what shape the market for print will look like in three years? Plus, you don't *like* it. Staying where you are for a few years, then taking your savings and getting a college education makes *so much sense*, I don't know why they'd be against it. Even if nothing else, you will be going into savings mode; how could they be against that? Good luck.

[Fox Mulder]

37. I know...

I'm saving every damn dollar so I can achieve my goal.

How can that be so wrong, like you said?

[Rabrrrrrr]

32. Oh, and I need to say one more thing: it's not YOUR job/duty

to make your parents happy, at any point in your life.

It's YOUR life, not theirs.

I became WAAAAAAY happier once I realized this. They were disappointed when I didn't get a job I had gotten a degree for, because I realized I wasn't happy in it - but that wasn't my issue, it was theirs. After a few years, they learned to live with it, because I went off to something better (which I knew I would). Then Mom a few years later was disappointed I didn't get married, and was too slowly (in her opinion) moving into my second career... but, I always said, "Too bad." Thankfully, I did have a pretty good relationship with Mom, so this never caused stress or anything.

Not my job to make them, or anyone else, happy.

Not your job, either.

Make yourself happy; do what you know you need to do; follow your own path.

If anyone can't deal with it, or aren't supportive of you, drop 'em and write 'em out of your life. Life is WAY too precious to drag assholes and anchors around with you out of a sense of "loyalty". One of the signs of maturity is the ability to write people out of your life that are only negative energy.

[Fox Mulder]

36. I'll have to remember that.

Thanks again, Rabrrrrrr.

[zonkers]

33. College. College College. Academia is a great place. There is plenty

of time to work and before you know it, you can accumulate a degree or two. Higher learning is where its at.

[Lavender Brown]

35. There's almost nothing worse than having a job you hate

I know that for sure. If you have the opportunity to go back to school at some point, and that would make you happy, you should do it. Good luck. :hi:

[FSogol]

38. All thru college, I managed restaurants and tended bar.

When I graduated with a professional degree (architecture), I went to work making 1/3 of what I made in the restaurant. It took 3 years to pass my restaurant salary and benefits. Getting your degree may not make sense in a 1-4 year time frame, but it will definitely pay off down the line. Don't let your family hold you back. Go finish college.

[Deja Q]

39. Sounds like my situation.

Except they think that they will pay part of education... when if they saw the obvious, they'd see they're trying to get people OUT. (they've made comments on education but have kept quiet on their own policies too. I don't often pray for self-gain, but I've got to get another job fast.)

If you don't like where you're at, do your best to change it. After all, you can't live on nothing. And American companies want to think that we can. Read my sig line for more info.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

40. Your plans are HARDLY those of a loser. I llike them.

Double attention on the "saving enough money" department, though.

[NNadir]

42. Go for it. You are young.

You'll only regret it if you don't do it.

[brook]

43. In today's world...

there is no 25 years followed by the gold watch+decent pension & healthcare. Your parents may not have fully grasped that. Not to mention the fact that there's not much out there anymore for 'blue collar-non-degreed types' and there will be less and less as time goes by. Not only the education you'll get, but the contacts and opened doors will be very helpful in terms of your future.

Bottom line: it's your life and with all respect to your parents, you must be the Captain of that ship. Save every dime you can - and go for your personal satisfaction and happiness. Best of luck to you.

[pitohui]

44. does it matter what we all think?

all jobs suck

you'll get a job paying abt the same after college except that you'll have debt

i know many people who make a career of going back to school believing that one day they'll find the magic job that makes them happy and all they get is more debt

all i would say is be SURE you know what you're doing because it will cost you time and money

[FSogol]

46. All jobs do not suck. My job is challenging and rewarding.

I don't mind (about 95% of the time) getting out of bed and heading to work.

[NMMNG]

47. Trying to better yourself is never a "loser" option

Go for the extra college. :thumbsup:

[AirmensMom]

48. Getting an education is never stupid.

And you have to do what's right for you. You have too many years ahead of you to spend them being miserable.

[calico1]

49. No, it would not be stupid at all.

Finish your education now while you are still young. Later on if you marry, have kids, etc. it will be harder (at least it sounds like you are single). An education is never a stupid thing. Plus working somewhere that gives you no satisfaction and makes you miserable is not good either. So you have benefits. But the pay stinks. Get your education and you will be prepared for a better and higher paying job. The other option of course is to do it part time. That is tougher but I have known people who have done that. Good luck to you.

[JackDragna]

50. Don't listen to people on the internet for validation.

Make your own choice. Frankly, I think you should wrestle bears for a living. Stupid bears. Always stealing my pic-a-nic baskets.