Way to go Kmoney! So glad to hear that your are still hanging in there with school. Keep going and do not stop for anything! I called myself giving up day after day, well at least when I know I have a huge project to complete

Thank you, what's been going on with you Kmoney? Always glad to see you come back to us. How much more time do you have left in college, or did you finish?

No I will be finished next summer with my year degree and I will apply to my 4 year school in the spring of 2011

I love to read your posts Wanderer, it is so encouraging!!!

Way to go RWMTD! Yes it is hard, but we can do it. I swear to you, I have attempted to burn my books and knock my monitor over from frustration with education. I started grad this summer and it is already making me think twice about going back. Wanderer encourages me, so I guess I can deal with it. I think I am going to take my frustrations out with Colo, by the time he get through with me, I will come back to reality:laugh:

Who's in college? GADS! All you folks kickin' the pig (Navy talk). I am impressed! It's not easy but in reviewing the stats over the last few weeks... there is no doubt the advanced degree will enhance the income over time. There was a recent writing that said men with out some certificate or degree beyond high school would be on the outside looking in as the manufacturing and construction demands are outsourced globally or nonexistent due to over building and lack of demand. WOW! A new world. Also, the "babyboomers" will be gone and the next generations need to step up and take their place in the world. Good luck and best wishes as you move to the next level. I work with Universities now as a volunteer/consultant (retired myself) and it is amazing what the young people can do!

Wanderer

Well, I finally decided to go back to college. I will be starting Grad school in a couple of weeks and can't wait. I finally decided to take my career to the next level (I have over 15 years in the IT field and want to get into management). I'll be getting my MS in Information Systems.

This time around both my kids will be in college. When I got my undergrad they were in elementary school and I was working full time to boot.

I know that it will be a challenge but I am ready.

RWMTD

Thank you, what's been going on with you Kmoney? Always glad to see you come back to us. How much more time do you have left in college, or did you finish?

A Great Big Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2010

honeyb & Meya - talk to me about where you go with these certifications and degrees (jobs) after all the work. I sit on a university foundation board and coordinate a regional science & engineeering fair for about 1,800 exhibit/students so I can stay in touch with students K-12 and college students. You have my interest up. Served as a guest lecturer to three universities in public administration. Try this I graduated in business administration and went on for grad work in labor economics and law. Worked for Ford and other private companies and tripped into the public administration side for 35 years. Got'ta love it...?! Job diversity and being the CAO/CEO of governmental units with huge job diversity was my thing (money too). It is good to share in your education experiences since we have had conversations on student loans and trying to eek out a sustainable living. For the older crowd it is always good to stay connected to the today.

Wow, that is a story to tell, you wrapped it up quick. I plan on staying connected with with my peers. I registered with linkedin.com because it seems like the best way of finding jobs is through networking. I am still in the beauty industry but would like to stay in contact with you when I decide to move forward. God I love this site!

Thanks so much Wanderer and Brian! Brian, the struggle is overwhelming but you can do it. If you can struggle with keeping your credit together (especially in these days), I got faith in you to overpower struggles with education. Wanderer that was a wonderful statement that you had made. You rarely find a person (such as yourself) to focus on those who are struggling to complete the level of education that you obtain. I really appreciate and honor your dedication to to assist those who are struggling for educational goals. It is not an easy task.

We have some type of similar dedication, while continuing my MS, I have registered with Golden Gate Alumni volunteering to provide needs to the homeless and working with disadvantage school children. I know this is going to be my 1st adrenaline rush, being able to assist those who share the same aspects in life as I did. I want reach out and touch not only their hearts, I want to assist in reshaping their future.

As I continue with my success, I will never feel complete without reaching back and dedicating my time to assist those who are less fortunate than I am regardless of their situation.

Same here, I applaud any full-time workers, who also go to school full time (forget adding family to the equation which makes it even harder). I too have been going to school on and off since 2002 and I say with conviction that I will be FINALLY graduating with my AA on May 6th. Well, that is of course if I can pass 2 of my 3 final classes that I'm struggling in at the moment. But congrats to both of you!!!

Thanks, Wanderer!

honeyb - my hats off to you and Meya for your hanging in there...! My utmost respect Your findings that reflect improved job opportunities with certifications and a degree confirm mine clear back to the 1960's. As an aside, I sit on a University Foundation Board's Grant Committee where we place around twenty undergraduate student grants a college year to a group known as the "Under Graduate Committee" that manages various research projects. Purpose is to assist students or teams with the costs associated with doing research (use foundation money to assist the students). This year (summer 2010) we are doing summer research grants (first time ever) to assist under-graduate students with the research costs. It is always good to connect with those we are targeting our efforts towards, the students. It is really easy to forget who it is we are trying to serve when sitting in an ivory tower while the students are in the trenches. Also, focusing on the "non-traditional" students that are older and not on scholarships is a newer and growing market that is encumbered by more costs than the traditional right out of high school student. I worked three jobs at one time right out of high school to avoid debt and I did. So, I can relate to your efforts and Meya's. It sure ain't easy. If I had it to do over again, I doubt much would change. I was able to use my broad B.S. Degree in Business and background coupled with my gift of gab to do fairly well over the years. Congratualtions on your hard work!!!

Meya - the commencement is the same for me. I will be marching this June but will complete my final two classes by August.

Wanderer - I have been taking classes part-time since 2002; I would take only a class per quarter while working full-time. Reason being is because I refused to take out loans and get into debt and I only took as many classes as my employer could pay for ($5250 annually).

This past Winter quarter I began taking classes full-time so that I can finish up. Because there is a maximum amount that they pay each year, I will have to take out subsidized government loans (about $3600 max.). I did receive Pell grants for both Winter and Spring quarter along with a scholarship.

So, my concentration originally was Project Management and because I have a professional background in project based work, I thought at the time this is what I wanted to do long-term. Well, this past January I changed it to Human Performance Improvement because I realized over the years and taking many courses that PM is a smaller piece of a bigger pie. PM is very critical but Project Managers are a dime a dozen (running a household is PM), one needs a niche (specialty) during this time and HPI is it for me. As for the certifications, I will pursue Organizational Development along with a couple of others.

That is where I am at with education.

honeyb & Meya - talk to me about where you go with these certifications and degrees (jobs) after all the work. I sit on a university foundation board and coordinate a regional science & engineeering fair for about 1,800 exhibit/students so I can stay in touch with students K-12 and college students. You have my interest up. Served as a guest lecturer to three universities in public administration. Try this I graduated in business administration and went on for grad work in labor economics and law. Worked for Ford and other private companies and tripped into the public administration side for 35 years. Got'ta love it...?! Job diversity and being the CAO/CEO of governmental units with huge job diversity was my thing (money too). It is good to share in your education experiences since we have had conversations on student loans and trying to eek out a sustainable living. For the older crowd it is always good to stay connected to the today.

Go for it, do not stop at anything. I completed my BA 12/12/09, I told myself that I was not going back because I was tired of school. Well guess what...I begin my MS in May:laugh:. I am going to focus on marketing, I have 2 degrees in business management so there has to be some type of knowledge for MRKT somewhere in the picture. They go hand in hand. To be honest, its much shorter than the MBA and I do believe I only have 13 or 14 classes to complete. I am taking 3 this summer, 4 in Fall, 4 in Spring 11 and the remaining in the Summer 11'.

I just recently found out that if you have good grades and attendance, you can graduate a semester prior to completion. I am going to walk across stage in May 2011, with a signed contract to complete August 2011. Our school only one commencement per year, it would be crazy to wait until May 2012 to go across stage, I might forget to make it there:laugh: