Resignation

[beav99_4life]

I am currently 27 years old. I graduated with two bachelors in 2004 and was unable to find any kind of decent job. So in 2006, after working a few dead end jobs, i decided to go back for my Masters. I'm going to graduate on May 17 and am still unable to find any kind of decent job. The market is in bad shape right now. There are alot of jobs, but they are mainly jobs that pay $10/hr or under and are not realistic for college grads and professionals. If you were able to stay with the same company for 8 years at your age, then that shows you have dedication and stamina which will look good down the road to other potential employers. This is why I feel it is the perfect time to go back to school. By the time you are done the job market might be in better shape. I have not regretted going back to school for a second. Hopefully things will work out for both of us. More education is never a bad thing. Good luck brother.

 

[thebigdog]

I am currently 27 years old. I graduated with two bachelors in 2004 and was unable to find any kind of decent job. So in 2006, after working a few dead end jobs, i decided to go back for my Masters. I'm going to graduate on May 17 and am still unable to find any kind of decent job. The market is in bad shape right now. There are alot of jobs, but they are mainly jobs that pay $10/hr or under and are not realistic for college grads and professionals. If you were able to stay with the same company for 8 years at your age, then that shows you have dedication and stamina which will look good down the road to other potential employers. This is why I feel it is the perfect time to go back to school. By the time you are done the job market might be in better shape. I have not regretted going back to school for a second. Hopefully things will work out for both of us. More education is never a bad thing. Good luck brother.

The military is always hiring college grads to be officers. Starting pay is around 60K for officers.

 

[TATE]

Today, I submitted my resignation to my employer. I have been working for the same company since 98; I was 16 when I started. I began as a bus boy, and worked my way up to management and a salary, with bonuses, adding up to 43,000 a year. I have two reasons for the resignation. 1. I want to return to school and get my degree. And I'm sure you all guessed 2. I want to focus more on pool. I figure that my wife has finished nursing school and is holding a steady job making nearly what I am and I will not be able to work 50+ hours a week and focus on school. So, I go back to waiting tables, take a few classes and really crack down on my pool game.

My question: Am I a complete idiot? I have this gut feeling that says I am either nervous about the change or making a huge mistake.

I only gave you the details because I want an honest opinion of if I made the right call and what I can expect from the refocusing of priorities.

No kids to support and the wife makes enough to keep us comfortable so the money is really not a huge issue as long as I bring in like 450 a week.

Oh, and I had great insurance too.

How does your wife feel about your plans?

Personally I think your job learned management skills coupled with a degree will be a great combination for you to elevate your career.

I don't see where shooting pool fits in with your goals.


Chris

 

[9 on the snap]

I kept going back to school because I couldn't get the job or money I wanted. I got a BA in Finance, and the economy sucked(1992). I got my MBA, and went to work in construction (not the office, but busting my ass in the hot florida sun), but decided I liked accounting. Got a job in public accounting for $6.50 an hour, which was less than I was making in construction at the time, and loved it. Worked my ass off for ten years (better in the air conditioning), and went BACK to school got my accounting degree and CPA. Now I work my ass off still, but I do what I want, and I love what I do, and luckily people pay me a bunch of cash to do something they hate. It would have been easy to settle, and take the easy way out, I didn't play much pool in those days, but I knew deep down I wouldn't be happy. Life is hard as hell, and it takes cash but if you are smart, do what you have to do, and work hard, you can make it better as you get older. If not it gets harder as you get older. I am 41 now, and I've never been happier, and now I got a GC in my living room and play whenever I want. Study hard, work hard, and make smart decisions, and you'll do fine, but don't expect it to be fun, it may be hard for quite a while.

Good Luck

Joe

 

[Travis Bickle]

To me, our math guy's advice is off target. The most important numbers to me aren't how much income he forgoes or the cost of schooling (within reason) ... the big number is 25 and ZERO, for kids. When you've got the desire and opportunity to change your life, you're crazy not to, I say.

Now if he were 5 years older with a kid or two, it's a very different story ... which is exactly why it would make sense for somebody in this position to take the plunge, no matter what the short-term numbers say. Well, so it seems to me, anyway. And if not college, then some other sort of serious training ... but a life in the food trade, unless you're an owner? That's a rough one.

And the pool-playing part ... I took that with a grain of salt. But a life of nothing but grinding and work will make you miserable at everything you do. So if there's no time for pool, yer not worth much to anyone.

 

[TWHartman]

Yep RN's are making a killing here...

here too, if ya wanna deal with winter, have a go at Altoona.

 

[Snapshot9]

Better off

going to college over the net, it's cheaper, you make your own hours,
as long as you get weekly assignments done, much more convenient, no gas to go to class, you can do it in your underwear, drink coffee, and smoke while you do it. I am an insomniac, so I studied in the dead of night using my computer, or reading textbooks.

I have attended graduate school at a local college, and I have also was in the MSIT program at Aspen College in Denver via the net. They had their own bookstore to buy textbooks from. The net is definately the way to go.

 

[catscradle]

Today...
My question: Am I a complete idiot? I have this gut feeling that says I am either nervous about the change or making a huge mistake.

...

My opinion, you're most assuredly are not an idiot. The way you described the job I feel you may well have topped out without a degree. You either have to go out on your own and open your own place with all the risk and work associated with that or you have to improve your credentials and knowledge, maybe even change your field. Education is never a bad thing. Don't waste the time though, learn, learn, learn.
It is a risk, but so isn't life. You mentioned improving your pool, a fine thing but I think you would be an idiot to hang your hat on that prospect.
Even if it doesn't work out school is something you needed to explore and it would have eaten at you the rest of your life if you hadn't checked it out. You're young enough to recover if it turns out to be not what you hoped.

 

[beav99_4life]

The military is always hiring college grads to be officers. Starting pay is around 60K for officers.

Definately not something I could do as a career. Takes someone cut from a certain mold to lead an officers life. Way too much structure for me.

 

[hemicudas]

My opinion, you're most assuredly are not an idiot. The way you described the job I feel you may well have topped out without a degree. You either have to go out on your own and open your own place with all the risk and work associated with that or you have to improve your credentials and knowledge, maybe even change your field. Education is never a bad thing. Don't waste the time though, learn, learn, learn.
It is a risk, but so isn't life. You mentioned improving your pool, a fine thing but I think you would be an idiot to hang your hat on that prospect.
Even if it doesn't work out school is something you needed to explore and it would have eaten at you the rest of your life if you hadn't checked it out. You're young enough to recover if it turns out to be not what you hoped.

Perfect post, Cats.

Jallan, you listen to Cats. He nailed it.

 

[our_auctionguy]

Bwtter off?? until you compete for a job.

going to college over the net, it's cheaper, you make your own hours,
.....

I have worked in a few different companies in I.T. and was both a project manager and IT Manager in two telecommunications companies. I have never met anyone that had an online degree in any form working in any of these companies in any capacity. Also, my last employer sends the recruiting staff to targeted universities around the country to do 90% of it's interviewing and hiring. I can't imagine them even considering an ITer with an online degree. Universities that have corporate sponsored internship programs for their juniors and seniors are going to produce the best opportunities for new grads. Online schools probably do a good job of exposing someone to a fact based education, but teamwork experience on team projects and internships are not likely to be available in online settings, and most companies in the IT arena are looking for teamwork experience from projects, as well. Their offerings of internships to check out future candidates is a huge plus for them and the candidate. If an intern comes in and fits in the culture and is productive, he is almost guaranteed one employment offering upon graduation. The company gets the value of reducing costs of bad hires like me. I am too old to play with the 20 somethings and keep up with all the latest technology, so I don't fit the current culture. I guess I am tired of constant re-education. Hence, why I am trying to change careers. ITer over 30 is eyed with suspicion, over 40 disgust, over 50, though Jurassic Park goggles. D

 

[JDB]

...I have never met anyone that had an online degree in any form working in any of these companies in any capacity.

I think most schools offer both options now, classroom and on-line and you are able to mix them together if you wish. In fact, from what I understand the official degree does not indicate one way or the other of how the degree was obtained.

I obtained my Bachelor Degree in the traditional manner, through onsite classes, and now am obtaining my Master's through an accredited program, but online versus classroom.

Most employers are concerned with the accreditation of the program and not necessarily how it was obtained, through classroom or online.

 

[RichZuHaus]

Get the degree

Get the degree first.
Can't do both.

I agree with Joey. Get the degree first. At your age, I don't necessarily think you will learn anything at University that you can't learn from experience, but when it gets down to it, that degree is a ticket.

Potential employers want to see that degree. Bottom line.

(Sure there are exceptions, but just like pool, you have to play the probabilities)

One word of advice. GO TO CLASS!!!!!

Also, just one note about online classes. MANY well respected Universities offer online courses. There is NOTHING on your diploma that says "online student," you get the same diploma as everyone else.

Good Luck

 

[td873]

So, I go back to waiting tables, take a few classes and really crack down on my pool game.

This is a recipe for disaster.

As for pool: You must first learn to be comfortable that you will never be pro, never make a living at pool, and never be a world beater. Accept that you are good, maybe even great, but not in the top echelon. Almost no one is. Enjoy pool for what it is - a hobby, a passtime, and a release.

As for the rest: Focus on your wife and your school. You only get one chance at life - on your deathbed are you really going to say "I wish I spent more time on the pool table" or "I wish I spent more time with my wife"?

IMO, going back to school will be one of the best decisions you could make in life. Working on your pool game is the opposite.

-td

 

[Jallan]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to chime in on something so distant from their lives.

I know where my priorities lie and I assure you that pool is not the highest on that list or even the fifth highest. I have no allusions of greatness and am well aware of the repercussions of not taking school seriously. Remember, I am going back.

When I said "crack down on my game," I only meant that I want to spend more time practicing well. I have all summer to do that; school in the fall. I realize that pool will again have to go the wayside when classes begin.

That being said, the support and kind words have made me feel a little more confident in the decision I have made.

Finally, my wife has always dismissed AZB as a "waste" of my time. She has a new found appreciation for all of you and was blown away at all of the comments concerning her well being. She would like to thank you all as well.

 

[Jaden]

you're absolutely correct.

I think most schools offer both options now, classroom and on-line and you are able to mix them together if you wish. In fact, from what I understand the official degree does not indicate one way or the other of how the degree was obtained.

I obtained my Bachelor Degree in the traditional manner, through onsite classes, and now am obtaining my Master's through an accredited program, but online versus classroom.

Most employers are concerned with the accreditation of the program and not necessarily how it was obtained, through classroom or online.

There are some programs that although accredited are looked at negatively if they are only available through correspondence. Many universities though are now offering online classes as a means to either supplement onsite classes or are offering complete degree programs. The key to selecting an online program is to make sure that it is from a nationally accredited institution and that they offer the degree that you are pursuing both online and in a classroom setting. There is no indication on the degree whether or not you graduated via classroom setting or online in most cases and many colleges or universities with online programs still give you the option of walking with your class once you graduate and if asked about your schooling they are only authorized to state whether you attended the school or not and whether you graduated or not or completed so many units. They aren't even authorized to state whether or not you attended via classroom or online without your written consent.

 

[JohnPT]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to chime in on something so distant from their lives.

I know where my priorities lie and I assure you that pool is not the highest on that list or even the fifth highest. I have no allusions of greatness and am well aware of the repercussions of not taking school seriously. Remember, I am going back.

When I said "crack down on my game," I only meant that I want to spend more time practicing well. I have all summer to do that; school in the fall. I realize that pool will again have to go the wayside when classes begin.

That being said, the support and kind words have made me feel a little more confident in the decision I have made.

Finally, my wife has always dismissed AZB as a "waste" of my time. She has a new found appreciation for all of you and was blown away at all of the comments concerning her well being. She would like to thank you all as well.

What course have you decided on? Also check out http://salary.com/ to help you get an idea of what different fields pay.

 

[JoeyA]

Today, I submitted my resignation to my employer. I have been working for the same company since 98; I was 16 when I started. I began as a bus boy, and worked my way up to management and a salary, with bonuses, adding up to 43,000 a year. I have two reasons for the resignation. 1. I want to return to school and get my degree. And I'm sure you all guessed 2. I want to focus more on pool. I figure that my wife has finished nursing school and is holding a steady job making nearly what I am and I will not be able to work 50+ hours a week and focus on school. So, I go back to waiting tables, take a few classes and really crack down on my pool game.

My question: Am I a complete idiot? I have this gut feeling that says I am either nervous about the change or making a huge mistake.

I only gave you the details because I want an honest opinion of if I made the right call and what I can expect from the refocusing of priorities.

No kids to support and the wife makes enough to keep us comfortable so the money is really not a huge issue as long as I bring in like 450 a week.

Oh, and I had great insurance too.

Going back to school to get your degree is THE NUTS!

Put the pool game on a major back burner. Make a committment to yourself: If you maintain an A-B average, you get to play pool X amount of pool time per week. If you drop below that, you get NO POOL TIME.

 

[JoeyA]

Going back to school to get your degree is THE NUTS!

Put the pool game on a major back burner.

Make a committment to yourself: If you maintain an A-B average, you get to play pool X amount of pool time per week. If you drop below that, you get NO POOL TIME until you bring the grades back up.

When you walk into your next prospective employer's office and during the interview process, you can confidently but not arrogantly tell your PE that you maintained an A average, it will mean something to the interviewer.


Good studying,

JoeyA

 

[trueblu8]

Get the degree first.
Can't do both.

I gotta agree with this guy.

I kept going back to school because I couldn't get the job or money I wanted. I got a BA in Finance, and the economy sucked(1992). I got my MBA, and went to work in construction (not the office, but busting my ass in the hot florida sun), but decided I liked accounting. Got a job in public accounting for $6.50 an hour, which was less than I was making in construction at the time, and loved it. Worked my ass off for ten years (better in the air conditioning), and went BACK to school got my accounting degree and CPA. Now I work my ass off still, but I do what I want, and I love what I do, and luckily people pay me a bunch of cash to do something they hate. It would have been easy to settle, and take the easy way out, I didn't play much pool in those days, but I knew deep down I wouldn't be happy. Life is hard as hell, and it takes cash but if you are smart, do what you have to do, and work hard, you can make it better as you get older. If not it gets harder as you get older. I am 41 now, and I've never been happier, and now I got a GC in my living room and play whenever I want. Study hard, work hard, and make smart decisions, and you'll do fine, but don't expect it to be fun, it may be hard for quite a while.

Good Luck

Joe

This is some of the best damn advice I've ever read, very motivational as well.

going to college over the net, it's cheaper, you make your own hours,
as long as you get weekly assignments done, much more convenient, no gas to go to class, you can do it in your underwear, drink coffee, and smoke while you do it. I am an insomniac, so I studied in the dead of night using my computer, or reading textbooks.

I have attended graduate school at a local college, and I have also was in the MSIT program at Aspen College in Denver via the net. They had their own bookstore to buy textbooks from. The net is definately the way to go.

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Going to class is definitely a major drag.

ITer over 30 is eyed with suspicion, over 40 disgust, over 50, though Jurassic Park goggles. D

This is scary man.

This is a recipe for disaster.

As for pool: You must first learn to be comfortable that you will never be pro, never make a living at pool, and never be a world beater. Accept that you are good, maybe even great, but not in the top echelon. Almost no one is. Enjoy pool for what it is - a hobby, a passtime, and a release.

As for the rest: Focus on your wife and your school. You only get one chance at life - on your deathbed are you really going to say "I wish I spent more time on the pool table" or "I wish I spent more time with my wife"?

IMO, going back to school will be one of the best decisions you could make in life. Working on your pool game is the opposite.

-td

This guy is a damn genius. Thomas is the man, and worded this perfectly. Great, great advice. I've got mad respect for this guy!

Finally, my wife has always dismissed AZB as a "waste" of my time.

Mine too. Lol.

I realize that pool will again have to go the wayside when classes begin.

Controlling this is the hard part. Maybe more difficult for some than others.

There are some programs that although accredited are looked at negatively if they are only available through correspondence. Many universities though are now offering online classes as a means to either supplement onsite classes or are offering complete degree programs. The key to selecting an online program is to make sure that it is from a nationally accredited institution and that they offer the degree that you are pursuing both online and in a classroom setting. There is no indication on the degree whether or not you graduated via classroom setting or online in most cases and many colleges or universities with online programs still give you the option of walking with your class once you graduate and if asked about your schooling they are only authorized to state whether you attended the school or not and whether you graduated or not or completed so many units. They aren't even authorized to state whether or not you attended via classroom or online without your written consent.

Great info here!

Going back to school to get your degree is THE NUTS!

Put the pool game on a major back burner.

Make a committment to yourself: If you maintain an A-B average, you get to play pool X amount of pool time per week. If you drop below that, you get NO POOL TIME until you bring the grades back up.

When you walk into your next prospective employer's office and during the interview process, you can confidently but not arrogantly tell your PE that you maintained an A average, it will mean something to the interviewer.


Good studying,

JoeyA

Not a bad idea!