| Posted By |
Message |
RocNMel
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/07 697 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Note: Please don't quote this as I may delete it at some point. It's long so anyone who replies I really appreciate it...thank you 
Currently I work P/T as a dance teacher, I love it. It's only 18 hours a week but technically a bit more because choreography is kinda time consuming. I'm probably at the max amount of classes I can teach without it being extremely stressful and having to use all my free time choreographing especially when our LO arrives. I make decent money (off the books) but I'm off summers so I don't make anything July/August. I'd like to contribute more to take the stress off my husband so I've been looking to get another job. Here is where I've been running into difficulties...
I don't have a college degree because I only went for a semester because I fell into teaching and at the time it was great money because I was living at home, I just wasn't thinking long term. I've been looking for a F/T office job but most of the hours don't work with my teaching schedule so I'd have to quit teaching defeating the point of getting another job because I'd probably be making the same amount of money but working more hours 
My husband brought up the idea of me going to school but then money would be tight with the cost of going to school plus if it interfered with teaching I'd have to quit that so it would be even tighter  Secondly I wouldn't even know what I'd want to go to school for, not even a slight idea, nor where to even start to apply. I don't think in my situation just doing liberal arts is an idea, I think if I go to school I need to have a clear idea of what I want to do/be.
I'm just feeling really stuck right now, stressed, confused and it's been making me sad  Did I mention I'm 23 weeks preggo  I really could use some advice...
Message edited 3/25/2011 2:09:38 PM.
|
Posted 3/25/11 1:34 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
|
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Do you love what you do? Because if you love your job, then I wouldn't leave it. You could either see if you could do more hours at the current studio, or look around at surrounding studios for more full time work.
Another option is to keep your job and work retail on your off hours and weekends. This way you would have something for the summer too. I wouldn't go to school just to go to school, unless getting your degree is important to you.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 1:43 PM |
| |
|
RocNMel
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/07 697 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Posted by glinda-goodwitch
Do you love what you do? Because if you love your job, then I wouldn't leave it. You could either see if you could do more hours at the current studio, or look around at surrounding studios for more full time work.
Another option is to keep your job and work retail on your off hours and weekends. This way you would have something for the summer too. I wouldn't go to school just to go to school, unless getting your degree is important to you.
Thank you so much for replying. I do love what I do but I'm probably working the maximum amount of hours I can without it being extremely stressful. I feel super drained some weeks so choreography for any more classes would take too much out of me plus I'm worried when our LO arrives I won't have as much time to choreograph.
And retail is definitely not an option, I did it when I was younger and with the pay not being so great and the terrible hours especially around holidays it's not worth it for me. 
Message edited 3/25/2011 1:52:35 PM.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 1:51 PM |
| |
|
jteach
2 and through
Member since 9/07 3939 total posts
Name:
Jess
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Could you take on some dance classes at another school for the summer?
Or even take on some classes at another school during the week to increase your hours
|
| Posted 3/25/11 1:59 PM |
| |
|
jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
i agree with others and try to get another dance school job.
also you could start slowly getting a degree. start by taking liberal arts classes. i am going to school and did basic classes on saturdays and sundays. i even took a class online. you could take one class a semester. you could take a summer class.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:08 PM |
| |
|
RocNMel
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/07 697 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Posted by jteach
Could you take on some dance classes at another school for the summer?
Or even take on some classes at another school during the week to increase your hours
i agree with others and try to get another dance school job.
Unfortunately I'm at my max amount of classes I can teach without it being extremely stressful and very time consuming thinking of choreography for each class. And unfortunately summer dance teaching jobs are far and few, if I got anything it might be 2 or 3 at the most for the week, I've done it a few summers.
Message edited 3/25/2011 2:13:57 PM.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:13 PM |
| |
|
RocNMel
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/07 697 total posts
Name:
Melissa
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Posted by jerrysgirl
also you could start slowly getting a degree. start by taking liberal arts classes. i am going to school and did basic classes on saturdays and sundays. i even took a class online. you could take one class a semester. you could take a summer class.
This could be an option but I still feel as if I need to know a career direction first. I took a 400 question aptitude test to see if it had some good insight but instead told me I'd be best suited as a Funeral Director
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:17 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Is opening up your own studio an option at some point?
Then hiring people to work for you?
I am pretty sure there's at least one regular poster on the boards who has her own dance studio.
I have no idea the cost of something like this or how much time it can entail.
I also would not go to school for the sake of going to school unless you have some kind of idea what you would like to do. Especially in this $hitty economy where there's no guarantees of finding a job once you take on all that SL debt.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:28 PM |
| |
|
PrettyPeonies
GAW my baby boy <3
Member since 8/10 3874 total posts
Name:
Pino
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
ITA w/what previous posters said....if you love dance, why not stick w/it or continue to surround yourself w/it? You might have to think "out side the box" but there is no reason you cant afford it.
Have you ever thought about opening your own dance school? You could go to school for business. Even if at the end of everything you didnt open your school a business education is invaluable.
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:31 PM |
| |
|
Kassie
LIF Infant
Member since 12/10 240 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
How about taking classes at a community college? It's cheaper. I know someone who works 80 hrs a week and still got an MBA with top honors. You just have to lime the material...
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:32 PM |
| |
|
FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
What if, to make extra money in the summer, you posted an ad on Craig's List or something to do child care? That would bring in additional off the books money for you.
I agree with the others that if you love your job, stick with it. I wouldn't advise going to school for liberal arts. As you said, you really need to have a direct or somewhat direct plan of action. What about taking business classes and then maybe opening your own dance school when your LO is older?
|
| Posted 3/25/11 2:46 PM |
| |
|
MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
My husband is currently finishing up his bachelor's through Empire State College. It is great for working adults. It is a lot of independent study. You meet about once a month with your advisor to discuss your progress and hand in papers. It is relatively inexpensive compared to most colleges, probably on par with community college.
DH also wasn't sure what he wanted to get his bachelor's in (he has an A.A. in Communications). After working with his advisor, they felt Cultural Studies was the best path for him.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
|
| Posted 3/25/11 4:36 PM |
| |
|
trish414
LIF Infant
Member since 8/08 182 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
ITA - look into Empire State College.
Another route is to go Civil Service. You can start slow by becoming a College Aid or Teachers Aid then consider what tests you want to take to make more money and set a career path.
Often a job like a College Aid pays about $12 an hour and has flexible part time hours (i.e., you choose the times/days). While not great pay this will give you an opp to explore/learn about options in Civil Service to allow you to decide what you want to pursue.
Food for thought. Good luck to you and don't stress! Take care of you 
|
| Posted 3/25/11 4:44 PM |
| |
|
JessT
LIF Infant
Member since 6/08 323 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Hi, I just wanted to say that you should wait until you have the baby to make any decisions. You will have to take some time anyway so see how you feel after your LO arrives. It might really change your idea of more hours/school. The 18 hours you work might end up being just enough to fill your time and contribute without adding stress.
I have been in a similar postion, and with a new baby a new job/career will be very stressful. Also, more time at work will not always equal more money or a better lifestyle! You need a work/family balance that you might already have, for now.
|
| Posted 3/26/11 7:38 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Posted by JessT
Hi, I just wanted to say that you should wait until you have the baby to make any decisions. You will have to take some time anyway so see how you feel after your LO arrives. It might really change your idea of more hours/school. The 18 hours you work might end up being just enough to fill your time and contribute without adding stress.
I have been in a similar postion, and with a new baby a new job/career will be very stressful. Also, more time at work will not always equal more money or a better lifestyle! You need a work/family balance that you might already have, for now.
I think this is excellent advice.
I also wanted to say that based on my and other ladies stories during pregnancy, a common "symptom" we face is wanting to change our whole lifestyle especially when it comes to work.......
Thoughts that often cross our minds are taking on more work and responsibilities, and often changing careers completely, when we have a LO on the way where that probably will not be possible, at least for a while.
I went through this and I am super glad I made no major changes. Now work works with me and is super accomodating..........I can often work from home and set my own hours if I so choose.
Message edited 3/26/2011 9:28:22 AM.
|
| Posted 3/26/11 9:26 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
I personally think with the baby on the way, starting a new career path will be way too stressful especially since you are not sure what you want to do. If you always had a dream and knew exactly what you wanted to go to school for that is different. But with this economy, spending money in college is just not worth it right now in my opinion. Plus when the baby comes 18 hours working may be perfect for a new mom.
In the meantime, pick up extra hours in retail, childcare, cleaning, dog walking, restaurants etc. Private dance lessons out of your home.
In the future you may want to consider beauty school. I know someone that makes lots of money off the books in her home. She cuts all the neighbors hair, all her kids' friends, and their kids' moms' hair and people like coming to a home for a hair cut, its comfortable and they save cause they don't have to tip. She had a sink area just for hair, alll the supplies, shelf, mirror set up and even a salon chair right in her home. So all the hours you are not doing dance class you can cut hair on your own schedule, also if you get good at styling, just working the weekends, LI brides pay lots of money for their wedding hair!! $$$
good luck!
|
| Posted 3/27/11 1:21 PM |
| |
|
bobby769
LIF Infant
Member since 7/10 253 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
Posted by RocNMel
I've been looking for a F/T office job but most of the hours don't work with my teaching schedule so I'd have to quit teaching defeating the point of getting another job because I'd probably be making the same amount of money but working more hours
The benefit of doing this is that you'd have more potential for a financially brighter future.
ETA
Years ago I had to make a decision between a "career" in music or financial stability. I chose the latter and overall it was the best choice for me. Music is now a hobby and in some ways I really feel that have the best of both worlds. The stability of a regular job that now affords me the relaxation and freedom to pursue my passion purely for self fulfillment.
Message edited 3/27/2011 4:21:01 PM.
|
| Posted 3/27/11 4:10 PM |
| |
|
smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
|
Re: Stressed & confused...big decisions to make...thinking of going to school?!?! Need to choose a career?!?!
I was PG when I finished school and I can't tell you how difficult it was. I was working FT, in school for massage therapy, studying to take the state board. It was hard. It would have been harder after DS was born.
You have options:
You could teach Zumba/cardio classes in a gym. You do your routine only once in a while. Not constantly! You can work through Summer.
You could do a complete career change. What hours do you want to teach dance? That will determine the type of job you can do as a side job.
Aside dancing what do you like to do?
Do you see yourself working in an office?
Working with people?
In healthcare?
How many hours do you want to work?
I suggest you make a realistic list of the available hours you want to work in a new career.
How much of dancing do you want to keep?
|
| Posted 3/28/11 10:40 PM |
| |
|
