Grad school, anyone?

[Unregistered]

Has anyone thought about going back to school? I need some advice. I've been working in a somewhat fulfilling job in a remote village in Japan.

I like it here but I can't do this job forever--actually my office can not afford me for much longer and I can't stay in the country without a job. When I think about moving back to Washington DC and looking for a "real job" I panic! It's too stuffy, fast-paced, competitive and cutthroat for me... especially after having gotten used to my lazy island life.

My problem isn't that I don't know what I I'm interested in or passionate about, it's that nothing translates into a practical career field. I've wanted to go to grad school and get a Ph.d in cultural anthropology, but I'm not sure if the effort will be worth the sacrifices of time, money, personal relationship, etc. And mostly, I'm worried that I would not find a job after I graduated. Has anyone faced a similar situation? How did you handle it?

[PonyGirl]

I'm not much help as to advice, since I'm sort of in a similar situation. I got an MA in the oh, so practical field of history, and am now staving off the wolves by working reference in a public library (and by being married to an income-producing, lovable guy.)

Do you want to teach? I have heard that question a million times, and if I only knew the answer! I really want to be a writer, and I'm working on that in my spare time. Problem is, I want to be a "Dr." too. I would like to get a PhD sometime after: 1) I vanquish some of my already intimidating education debt, and 2) I figure out what subject I'm interested in (most).

I don't really want to do history anymore. I'd kind of like to drift toward religion...or English...or Classics...or.... The other day I woke up wanting to be a Latin teacher, just out of the blue! So you see, I have a problem with focus. I'm afraid to choose just one thing, because what happens to all my other dreams?

My gut instinct is to say "go for it." It's so easy to say that to other people, but it's hard to say to yourself.

:)

[CAT11]

I am going to be so cliche here.
I just bought the book
What Color is Your Parachute after I heard about it 5 times this week.
It is a book about figuring out what the heck you are good at and how to make money with it.
So I am reading away. Heck, it was $16 and at least I still have that to invest in myself.

[LP77]

DO you want to teach? yup, I've been asked too, and for years, I always wanted to try science teaching. So here's my deal, I got laid off in January, boyfriend broke up with my a week later, and it's now May and I turn 25 next week....I was an engineer, you'd think I'd find work pretty easily, no such luck. PLus I wasn't that happy in my last job, it was really very cool in some aspects, but mainly they thought I had the brain of a slug, and I ended up doing crap paper work and wasn't happy there the last year I was there (two and half total), and envisioned having my own classroom...although teaching would be totally "giving up the dream" that I've had since I was 5. So now, I have been given the opportunity to teach, my own science class, so in one way I am really excited, and then I think I am totally making the wrong decision and have given up too soon. Friends say I can just do it for a year etc., but am worried that this year will put me back....4 steps back it feels like. I sick of berating myself over every little decision I try to make, worried that it will be a detriment in the end. But this is an opportunity that has presented itself to me, and how do you truly know about something unless you try it? Right? Any words of encouragement or thoughts out there!?!?

[arh1234]

Hey LP77,

I feel your pain (well, some of it). I, too, am an engineer, and whether it's because I am a woman or not, they give me nothing to do. I have mastered the audio transcribing machine, the binder, the copy machine, they send me on pick-up and delivery errands, all that secretarial stuff, while these guys with as much or less experience than I get handed all these projects. A few months ago, I was headed down the road to returning to school with the intention of getting a teaching certificate to teach elementary school. I figured, hey, even if I am making half of what I'm making now (which I would be), at least I would be doing something I'd enjoy, right? So I had that all lined up and then the day before my interview for a Girl Scout job that would fulfill an entrance requirement, I go to work and all of a sudden, my boss said all these projects would be coming my way and I was going to be so busy doing these designs, blah, blah (I hadn't told anyone at work about my school plans). So I cancelled the interview and figured I'd give these projects a try and go from there. Well, it had been two months and they still aren't in view. SO I am quitting the end of July and going back to graduate school (I was headed to the best school in the country for my field before I met my husband), to get my master's degree. THey can get someone else to run their errands.