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Old 02-01-2009, 07:27 PM   #1 (permalink)
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What should I do with myself?

Here I am, getting my life together. I'm 31 years old, finally exercising and losing weight, feeling pretty stable in life (finally). So, I finally feel I could go to school, as I never got to straight out of high school. I do plan on checking in with a school career counselor, but I thought I would hit the ever knowledgeable (and more generally honest) TFP crew up for advice.

I have a few ideas for what I might want to do. For life/job exprience at this time, I've spent 5 years as a small business retail owner. The place was profitable when I sold my shares in the LLC, but wasn't making 'get married' money. From there, I moved into Customer Service on the phones, and have worked in that field for 7 years. I'm a Quality Assurance Manager, and did a 4 year stint as a Team manager on the floor here as well.

For school ideas, I've imagined a few.

I've thought about getting a Sociology degree. People and culture, especially global culture and the effect of technology upon it, have always fascinated me. Not sure how that becomes a career, though.

I've thought about going into education. I educate people at work now, and enjoy helping people learn new things. Still, the US education system treats our teachers like shit, and jobs can be hard to come by from what I know.

My last (mildly crazy) thought is to go into a craft, like blacksmithing or brewing. I've always wanted to be a smith, and work in an old school forge hand making black iron things, knives, swords, candle sconces, etc. The issue on this one, of course, is making any money doing it, and finding out if I'm any good at it at all before I start taking courses. I'm poking around at some local smiths, but haven't really heard a lot back from any of them yet. As far as brewing, I homebrew at least 4 times a year (the wife hates the smell) and love to do it. Friends say I make a decent brew, so I know I at least have the basics down on that.

So, any thoughts? I want to do something I enjoy that will allow my family and I to have a decent existence. I'm not concerned with being incredibly rich. I have most things I want in life right now as far as material goods.

Thanks for any advice in advance!
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Old 02-02-2009, 11:09 AM   #2 (permalink)
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If you are going to school for the sole purpose of getting trained in a career then I would have to say be careful. Not many people get a job in their field of training after college. If you want to make more money, so be it, but if it's only to become an expert at something, I would keep your post-education expectations low.
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Old 02-02-2009, 11:40 AM   #3 (permalink)
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I am a sociologist, finishing PhD and all.

What I am going to say applies to most undergraduate careers: unless you are in the hard sciences, most people either dont work in the field they graduated in, or they go for some postgraduate education soon after.

Now, I dont want this to sound as if I am discouraging you getting a degree. College graduates do on average make significantly more money than non college graduates. But it doesnt make you instantly get a job doing what you loved in college.

With regards to careers in sociology, sociologists often are employed on research companies, marketing research divisions, human resource divisions, non profit organizations, and civil service. Without a graduate degree, more often than not these people are hired in a position where their sociological research methods training is more in demand than their theoretical training. It takes a while, and usually a graduate degree, before you can make a living doing heavy theoretical stuff.
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Old 02-02-2009, 11:44 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Sociology is a good direction to head in if you're still feeling around career-wise. I would imagine a degree (and education) in sociology could lead to journalism, law, social work, pr, medicine, and myriad other fields. Not only that, but you sound interested in it, which a lot of people seem to forget when choosing a major.

I kinda wish I'd gone the sociology route considering the direction my careers took.
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Old 02-02-2009, 12:52 PM   #5 (permalink)
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I would advice against a psychology or sociology degree unless you're certain you know what your going to do with it. I got a BA in psychology...almost completely worthless. Only go for the social sciences if you're *certain* you want a PhD. If you want a more general bachelors that will actually help make you money then go for a business degree of some kind.
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Old 02-02-2009, 02:00 PM   #6 (permalink)
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****Get through your undergraduate degree as inexpensively and as quickly as possible. ****
Apply for any and all financial aid opportunities. Grants you didn't even realize existed will start flying your way if you just fill out the FAFSA form: FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The Meyer-Briggs Personality Index is something they had me take when I started my undergraduate studies. It helps you understand your strengths/weaknesses and suggests fields that will correspond well with your personality.

When it comes to choosing a field of study, find something that you enjoy and that you won't hate studying for the next 3-5 years. There will always be a course or two that you hate along the way, but if every single class you're taking is not something you enjoy, it's a good bet that you won't be satisfied with the job you'll get when you're done.

Seeing a career counselor sounds like a great idea. They'll help you sort through the big decisions.

Since you're interested in brewmaking, I recommend looking into the UC Davis Master Brewers Program. Here's a pamphlet that describes it: http://extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/br...40_brewing.pdf
There are probably programs like it elsewhere, I'm just not familiar with any. This one is nice because you only need about one year of undergraduate work before starting the program, which you can complete inexpensively at a community college. The program itself is quick and inexpensive. The optional exam that you can take when you've completed the coursework is the equivalent of a master's degree. It'll get you far along your path to becoming the chief-cook-bottle-washer-everything-guy at a microbrewery.

Have fun figuring out your path!
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Last edited by genuinegirly; 02-02-2009 at 04:10 PM.. Reason: typo!
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Old 02-02-2009, 04:09 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by genuinegirly View Post
Since you're interested in brewmaking, I recommend looking into the UC Davis Master Brewers Program. Here's a pamphlet that describes it: http://extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/br...40_brewing.pdf
There are probably programs like it elsewhere, I'm just not familiar with any. This one is nice because you only need about one year of undergraduate work before starting the program, which you can complete inexpensively at a community college. The program itself is quick and inexpensive. The optional exam that you can take when you've completed the coursework is the equivalent of a master's degree. It'll get you far along your path to becoming the chief-cook-bottle-washer-everything-guy at a microbrewery.

Have fun figuring out your path!
Oregon State offers a degree in Food Science and Technology with an option in Fermentation Sciences: Food Science & Technology Many schools offer programs in food science; you might see if they also offer minors or options in brewing or fermentation science. I've also seen programs at community colleges, so look there too.

Regardless of major, education isn't getting any cheaper, and investment in yourself is a good investment, no? genuinegirly's advice about the FAFSA and community college for general ed requirements is good advice.
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Old 02-02-2009, 04:44 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Good advice here! I've done much of this already. I think I really just wanted some backup on what I was looking at, and wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something big.

My FAFSA is already filled out and filed. I'm already looking solely at the area Tech College for my first 2 years of schooling if I decide to move to a 4 year degree. No matter what path I choose, my first year of schooling will pretty much be the same.

I'm really kind of leaning towards sociology. I don't necessarily want to move into a job in that area that's solely theoretical, or anything of that nature. I just find society and how it reacts to change fascinating...but I'd still be pretty happy moving into something like marketing, or research. My worry is that, as Zeraph states, I'll end up doing the same damn thing I am now, making the same wage, only with school loans to pay off.

That's why I haven't comitted to anything, as of yet.

I don't expect a degree to magically get me the job I want. However, it may get me a foot in the door, so I can hopefully show some folks that I'm fairly intelligent, hard working, and an OK guy.

I think I'm just feeling a little adrift. I'm fighting the pull to follow my dreams against the need for stability as the sole breadwinner for the family, so it's a little frightening at times.

If other have ideas or advice, I'd love to hear it. For those who have already posted, thanks a bunch!
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Old 02-02-2009, 08:41 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anxst View Post
I'm really kind of leaning towards sociology. I don't necessarily want to move into a job in that area that's solely theoretical, or anything of that nature. I just find society and how it reacts to change fascinating...but I'd still be pretty happy moving into something like marketing, or research. My worry is that, as Zeraph states, I'll end up doing the same damn thing I am now, making the same wage, only with school loans to pay off.
First of all, please don't get me wrong. I LOVE sociology and dont want to discourage anyone from becoming a sociologist. So please dont take what I will say that way. I just want to give you a better idea of the nuts and bolts of the discipline.

What is it you like about sociology? I ask that because sociology is quite a broad field. Personally I research the sociological side of how financial markets work (trends, fads, reputation, etc), but sociology also includes criminology, demography, politics, culture, etc. Most of it is pretty specialized. I say this because it is often fun to read these classic sociological texts about wide scale societal change, but the daily work is a lot less exciting than that.

Let me be a bit more precise about what I mean. In sociology you have some research methods training, and some theoretical training.

The basic methods include some training on how to design and conduct surveys, how to conduct focus groups, in depth interviews, and, to an extent, ethnographies, and statistics.

The theoretical part will include some of the general sociology classics, such as Weber, Durkheim, and etc. But mostly it will include the current research in whatever field you want to specialize in.

Now, with just a B.A. in sociology, you will not get a job conducting your own research. At the B.A. level, employment is either directly tied to your specialization area, where you will try to apply your insights into daily problem solving of one sort or another, or you will help out, but not conduct or head, research that will use part of your technical skills.

And the thing is, at the B.A. level, the vast majority of employment opportunities will make more use of research methods skills than theoretical knowledge. That is, at the B.A. level, sociologists are rarely in the position to think up what questions are going to be asked, or even what method is going to be used. They often do more of the nuts and bolts part of the research, helping organize focus groups, transcribe the discussions, crunch numbers, manage datasets, etc. That is, the focus is a lot less on "why is this or that happening" but on helping get the data.



Maybe this link will help you:

Careers in Sociology | American Sociological Association
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Old 02-03-2009, 11:47 AM   #10 (permalink)
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I have a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology...I'm now (almost) a lawyer. I don't consider myself an "anthropologist", but my background in that field has proved very useful in my area of practice (family law). If you can go to school and major in what you want, by all means do that. Just don't expect to work exactly in that field when you graduate, but let it enhance your skills and influence how you view the world.
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Old 02-03-2009, 11:56 AM   #11 (permalink)
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I suggest you minor in socio, just take the interesting classes, and major in something else. Psych/soc degree is really about learning how to do proper research.
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Old 02-03-2009, 12:11 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
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from your post, it sounds like your real passion is in brewing and/or iron smithing. i would do that.

sociology training is interesting, but what you will end up with is very much a function of the department at the school you decide to attend. alot of american sociology departments really aren't that interesting, particularly at the level of theory. but in this, it really depends on exactly what kind of thing you'd like to pursue. so while it may sound strange to say this, i would treat an undergraduate degree at bit like one does looking for a graduate program---try to be sure that the faculty in the department you're thinking about does the sort of work that you're interested in. you may not find sociology to be the most congenial field--history routinely cribs methodologies from sociology and/or anthropology for example.
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Old 02-03-2009, 12:37 PM   #13 (permalink)
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I wouldn't do a degree in sociology. I'm speaking as someone who did one in history. It was fun doing it, but it's pretty rough once you're done. It's unlikely that you'd be doing anything connected, though one UW sociology PhD i know got a job doing census work. He only got that job because he's fluent in Spanish, so you'll need sociology + something else.

If you're interested in teaching, get a degree in education. Sociology probably won't help too much there. Finding a post in teaching is hard, but these days, what isn't?. If you don't have family obligations, teaching in China or someplace might be a good way to see how much you like it.

Have you visited that metal-working school out in Stoughton? They're pretty cool. One way to dabble with metal is to do a class or two at MATC. It's cheap.

Brewing would be a good idea. I volunteer to test your stuff!
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Old 02-03-2009, 04:30 PM   #14 (permalink)
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If you're interested in teaching, get a degree in education. Sociology probably won't help too much there. Finding a post in teaching is hard, but these days, what isn't?. If you don't have family obligations, teaching in China or someplace might be a good way to see how much you like it.
Actually, I find my growing knowledge of sociology very helpful in the classroom. If teaching is the goal, I wouldn't necessarily discount a sociology degree out of hand, nor would I pursue just an education degree by itself. Many schools offer a similar program to the one I am currently in, which is a double degree program in (subject area of choice)/Education. I will graduate with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science as well as a B.A. in Education. The coursework is really not that much more over just one degree. The other option is to pursue an initial Bachelor's degree in the subject area of choice and then go on to a Master's in Teaching program, which typically adds up to a full year of school beyond a B.A. or B.S.

Someone who has majored in Sociology and minored in a subject such as History would be able to get endorsed as a Social Studies teacher.
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Old 02-03-2009, 09:01 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Someone who has majored in Sociology and minored in a subject such as History would be able to get endorsed as a Social Studies teacher.
I don't disagree that sociology would be generally useful. However, to get Wisconsin certification, he'd need that all-important ed degree + some other stuff. Certification is pretty rigid here.
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Old 02-03-2009, 10:21 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Didn't see the OP was in Madison. University of Wisconsin at Madison is generally considered to be one of the top, if not the top, sociology program in the nation. Dont know if this changes anything or not, but I thought it would be a nice piece of information.
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Old 02-05-2009, 11:33 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Quote:
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I've thought about getting a Sociology degree. People and culture, especially global culture and the effect of technology upon it, have always fascinated me. Not sure how that becomes a career, though.

I've thought about going into education. I educate people at work now, and enjoy helping people learn new things. Still, the US education system treats our teachers like shit, and jobs can be hard to come by from what I know.
What about getting a degree in education in a foreign language, or English as a second language? That may satisfy both your curiosity to interact with other cultures as well as your leaning towards education. Also, education in a foreign language can occur at any age.. you could even open your own private teaching/tutoring service to adults. Or, you could teach English in another country.. I know that many countries' governments (Japan and Spain for sure) hire people to come to the country and teach English.

Not sure if that's the type of "culture" that you're interested in, but it's worth considering! Best of luck with what you do pick; keep us updated.
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Old 02-06-2009, 03:35 AM   #18 (permalink)
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well, from my experience and learning from other's experiences, i wont disagree with the rest. I too am a qualified journalist but currently work in marketing and event co-ordinating.

i never dreamed that after college i'd ever be anything but a journalist, but here i am and i'm loving it!

i think that because i studied a field so broad, it opened up many doors for me, as i am now able to work in PR, Marketing, Advertising, Communications and the media...all this completely unbeknown to me when i first decided to study journalism.

Healer's cousin has degrees coming out her ears. She's a qualified Chemical Engineer and Lawyer.

i guess what i'm trying to say is, study as much as you can. dont close yourself up to only one thing because at this stage you think its what you truly have a passion for.

i say go for it! study sociology! study brew making! study whatever and however long you want even after you get your job. all that matters really is that you wind up in a place that you feel happy, fulfilled and successful in.
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Old 02-06-2009, 10:54 AM   #19 (permalink)
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My last (mildly crazy) thought is to go into a craft, like blacksmithing or brewing. I've always wanted to be a smith, and work in an old school forge hand making black iron things, knives, swords, candle sconces, etc. The issue on this one, of course, is making any money doing it, and finding out if I'm any good at it at all before I start taking courses. I'm poking around at some local smiths, but haven't really heard a lot back from any of them yet. As far as brewing, I homebrew at least 4 times a year (the wife hates the smell) and love to do it. Friends say I make a decent brew, so I know I at least have the basics down on that.
Get a hold of your local SCA chapter. (Society of Creative Anarchism?) You know, the Renaissance Fair people. They typically need someone to do armor/weapons work, and it would be a good way to get in slow and practice without a lot of initial investment. Also, they had beer way back when, so you could open your own blacksmith/beer booth.
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Old 02-07-2009, 10:52 AM   #20 (permalink)
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All good ideas! I'll add a few things.

I'm already in contact with the SCA folks, and have been for years, I'm a former member. That's actually where I learned most of my initial brewing info. Have been in contact with any of the armorers for a long time, though, that's a great avenue.

Learning a third language doesn't especially interest me, and isn't the type of culture I'm into. The culture I'm into is actually socioeconomic culture and how it changes, especially when it comes into contact with new technologies. The change in how information disseminates is one of the largest driving factors, in my mind, in the ways the world is changing. Looking into that (and making money from it, since I want to do it for a living) is pretty cool.

My career counselor said she has a bunch of info to show me about a possible Network/Information Security degree, as she believes it may interest me. I'm pretty good with computers, and that still gets into the whole 'how information moves from place to place' thing. I also love word and encryption games, and she knows I do anagrams when I'm bored. Maybe a minor in sociology, and specialize in educating people about social engineering and how to not get hacked by it? That rolls a lot of my interests into one package, and sounds pretty damn cool, as well as in demand in the upcoming years. Gods know, IT already loves me for constantly reminding coworkers to use secure passwords and not write them down.

I'll keep posting as things come together here, and I roll a few more of the things you've all given me around. Thanks again, all who have posted. You've gotten the ideas flowing, and will continue to do so!
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Old 02-07-2009, 11:24 AM   #21 (permalink)
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lots of business schools hire sociologists, so it is quite possible that if you decide to go the business route that you could combine network administration/security and sociology of organizations. One of the members of my PhD committee is at a business school, and several of my friends at that business school do information technology/ management. So depending on the make up of the business school where you end up attending, it could be relatively easy to mix the two.
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