Need a bit of advice

[Black Hawk]

I finish taking some classes in June (or July) to get my high school diploma and I have two options after that. I could continue studying, or get a job.

I’m not really sure what to study. Since I’ve been around PC’s most of the time these past years, I feel I want to try something new. I’m thinking of Political Science, Psychology or the psychological aspect of politics (not sure if that's also part of Political Science). This is the route my mom wants me to take but I’m not sure about my dad since I haven’t talked about it much with him.

The problem is that most of the time my family really needs the money. My mom receives social security due to disability and my dad gets paid somewhat ok (for PR), but he doesn't get paid regularly. He does computer part deliveries and pickups and since he only has a verbal agreement with the company, they aren’t pressured to pay him on time. He can go 2 or 3 months without getting paid. My mom pays for most of the stuff and a lot of times we have to wait till he gets paid so that they can go to the supermarket or buy/pay anything else that’s needed. That's where the job part comes in.

He’s worked for 2 companies in the past 6 or 7 years and he knows most of the workers and administration well so he thinks I could get a job there when I finish the high school diploma thing, even if I only have a half-assed computer technician diploma (some Saturday school).

It would be a pc technician that's on the road the majority of the time fixing customer computers or servers and it pays well for what you do. I think they start out getting paid $1,200 a month but you get paid gas, cell phone, lunch ($5 a day) and I believe $100 for car payments or maintnence. Sounds pretty nice but it seems like a dead end thing for me. I've known some of the guys for the same amount of time my dad has and they've been in the same position or one higher for over 5 or 6 yrs. I've also thought about studying at night but I know I'm not that type of person. I don't have the “motivation" for it. If I feel down, I won't go because I wouldn't give a **** at the time. I'd probably get crappy grades.

So my question is, should I study and get that over with, or work and try to study later on when/if things get settled? If anyone has worked and studied at the same time, or is currently doing it, could you tell me about your experience and how you deal with it? TIA


If there's too many or not enough paragraphs, sorry. They didn't give that part of grammer well in 4th grade (last grade I took in the US) and I think they stopped giving it here in PR when I arrived.

Anyone know of a site that explains that crap well?

[Armo]

just remember u dont have to be at a university to continue learning, my brother when to an junior college during the week and took all of his pre requisite classes then transfered to WVU, LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS,

and i go to a tech college for IT Networking/Security the hours are grat 8am-1pm mon-thrus

there must be acommunity college u can go to, never stop learning be it job/skills or school

[Nomad]

Anthropology would be the psychology behind politics in a form. Anthropology has to do with social influences in all areas that cause people to vote and make the decisions they do in all areas of life.

The political route could be a rough one, college education in the United States [Not sure about PR] has become essentially a mandate. The amount of money required to run for national or even state election is what causes most politicians to be lawyers as well. However, you do not have to be running for office, there are plenty of jobs 'behind the scenes' so to speak. Having a degree or masters in anthropology/political science would put you in excellent position to become something like a political journalist or perhaps political strategist.

In the United States, those of us who are in the age group of about 15-21 are in fairly good position for the job market. Although the last few years has shown an inflation in unemployment which has since declined, the baby boomers are about to retire in the next 3-5 years. This is going to leave a ton of American jobs open, so many that the next generation will not be able to fill, but it will leave many opportunities.

Also for reference, for where paragraphs begin. The easiest way I remember how to do it is if you deviate from the topic, you begin a new paragraph.

[mmonnin]

I know I would certainly like for you to continue your education no matter what it is or where it is.

An option around here for people who have to pay for everything is to start out at a local community college and then move on to a bigger college.

I go to college full time and work full time at the moment. I wont be working full time much longer but rather go back to part time employment. If you get some classes and a job that are not during the same time, IE class in the morning then work in the afternoon I find that works best. The night is yours to do HW or whatever you need to do.

I would suggest taking a class or 2, General Ed prolly, just to see how it goes. I dont know how much that would cost or of it is an option where you are. It could be totally possible that if you would and take a class or 2 you can easily pay for schooling and have money after that to help with your parents.

Just dont give up on schooling what ever you do. It will pay off in the end if you stick to it and give some effort. Picking something you like also helps.:)

[Gargoyle]

I'd echo mmonnin and say stick to your general ed classes to start with. If you only take some classes now, then you'll be glad you got the annoying stuff out of the way when you finish later.

As for your degree choice, try to think about what you want to do with the degree. You should follow your heart, and choose something that interests you, but not something that you can't get a job with. I love political science and anthropology, but realize that there isn't a whole lot of jobs in those fields unless you go straight on to graduate school afterwards.

Have you thought about getting away from home for awhile? There are programs like Americorps (http://www.americorps.gov/) where you get to do cool stuff, and get some money to pay for school in the process.

[Clutch]

There are things that come first before anything else in this world, and family is the very first one. I understand how it is important to go to school and all, but to me, family comes before anything and everything.

I was kind of in the same situation you are in. My dad is on disability due to his cancer, and my mom is the only paycheck coming in since his isn't much at all. I went to one term at a local community college. But there is no way I can work full time and go to school, and pay for school. I have a pretty good job where I am, not wtih a degree or anything. I work for a local ISP, doing network support, computer repair, etc..

If it is possible for you to get a part time job and go to school, then go for it. As far as getting that one job. Anything that will put your foot in the door is a good thing. And plus, if you stick with them a couple years, you will have that under your belt.