Anyone get a second degree or change careers?

[flynnsmom]

I am planning on leaving teaching to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I don't have to get a whole new degree, and will still put mu M.Ed. to good use. After this horrible year I have had, I need to reevaluate if I still ever want to teach again. So, I am taking it as a sign to take those last classes for my BCBA.

[USNsis]

Originally Posted by flynnsmom I am planning on leaving teaching to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I don't have to get a whole new degree, and will still put mu M.Ed. to good use. After this horrible year I have had, I need to reevaluate if I still ever want to teach again. So, I am taking it as a sign to take those last classes for my BCBA.

How long have you been teaching so far? I remember feeling similarly in my first few years.

[Bluebox]

I got my BS in sociology and worked in law enforcement for 10 year and hated it. I went back to get my BSN and now I am an RN in a NICU. I'm so glad I made the switch. I paid for it all with financial aid and had no problems. If you can do an accelerated program in your area I would recommend that.

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Originally Posted by Bluebox I got my BS in sociology and worked in law enforcement for 10 year and hated it. I went back to get my BSN and now I am an RN in a NICU. I'm so glad I made the switch. I paid for it all with financial aid and had no problems. If you can do an accelerated program in your area I would recommend that.

Did you get grants? What sort of financial aid was available to you as someone who already had a BS?

[Janine]

I'm hoping to go to grad school once the kids are a little older. Thankfully grad school is almost always free in my field. But I worry about how the heck I will find the time to do it all and to do well.

[flynnsmom]

Originally Posted by USNsis How long have you been teaching so far? I remember feeling similarly in my first few years.

It is my 6th year. Last year I had a wonderful year. This year I switched districts and it has been awful. The administration is horrible and I have dealt with high levels of teenage violence and substance addiction all year. I am exhausted and feeling very cynical right now. Can't say that I will never go back to teaching. I love the kids but all the red tape and politics is making me want to reevaluate.

[jamieism]

My BA was in theater, I went back for an MA in religion and performance studies - used federal loans to help support myself and my dd (was single mom then). Then i got a phd in anthropology. Most phd programs pay a stipend. Had I skipped the MA I would have zero student debt.

I have friends who went back for science related fields after getting degrees in social sciences or humanities. One of them had to get a whole new BS. He did as much as he could at a community college, then switched. Not sure now but then and when I was in school it didn't matter if you had a degree already or not - you were still eligible for loans.

[aylasmommy]

Originally Posted by jamieism My BA was in theater, I went back for an MA in religion and performance studies - used federal loans to help support myself and my dd (was single mom then). Then i got a phd in anthropology. Most phd programs pay a stipend. Had I skipped the MA I would have zero student debt. I have friends who went back for science related fields after getting degrees in social sciences or humanities. One of them had to get a whole new BS. He did as much as he could at a community college, then switched. Not sure now but then and when I was in school it didn't matter if you had a degree already or not - you were still eligible for loans.

Oh yes, you can always get a loan, it's just the type of loan . After getting my BM, I went to culinary school. Because I already had a bachelors, I was only eligible for annoyingly high rate private loans.

[DiaperPalz]

Looks like I'm in good company mamas!

I have a bachelors in legal studies and will be starting an accelerated bsn program in the fall to become an rn. I'm scarred!!!! It's a 16m program, 16months of pure hell! Lol but when I am done I will have another bachelors degree and be able to sit for my boards. I am able to take most ofmy pre-reqs through nursing abc. A 4 credit class is only $680 so that's helping out in the money department. I am taking out personal loans through my credit union to pay for school though