Career change suggestions?

[Delinquent]

Recently, I decided to drop the radiology tech program and transfer to another school to pursue a biology degree. I'm still in the process of applying to another school so I'm nowhere near finished with that process. My wife mentioned something today that made no sense at first but now I'm kinda wondering if it would be a good idea

Since I only have 16 months to go on the radiology tech degree, I can finish that and start working in the radiology field while going to school for the biology degree. At first, I was thinking that it would be a big waste of money if I'm not gonna stay in the radiology field. Then I realized that it's gonna take around 10 years to get through undergrad and grad studies for the biology degree. Instead of working part time or full time jobs such as customer service or retail which would be minimal pay, I can work as a radiology tech for those 10 years and make much more money.

One thing I need to research is if I will be able to work part time if needed in the radiology field or will full time be required. I never really thought about this option as it seems like a lot of money to dish out just for something that I wouldn't do that long. 10 years though, is a long time which would mean much more money in those 10 years leading up to finishing my studies

The last thing I'm worried about is how intense the undergrad and grad studies will be for biology and if I will even have the time to work. But, this is something that I may have to buck up and accept that even though it may be a lot of work, I still need to have a full time job.

Comments appreciated

 

[Behemoth]

Become a gynecologist

 

[Smurfy]

I think youre wife makes a good point.

 

[Sassy69]

I have 2 masters degrees & 20 yrs' experience in software product mgmt. I'm graduating from bartending school tomorrow....


LOL Not making a career change, but its an option to supplement while I'm job hunting my way to a better position in software that includes relocation allowance...

 

[jenscats5]

What your wife proposed sounds like a decent plan......

 

[mrplunkey]

Finishing the degree you started isn't a bad idea -- and you chose a great field (radiology) as well. You should always be able to get a good job and perhaps even a part time one at that.

Now this biology degree... not a bad idea, but do you have something specific in mind? Highly-degreed biologists go mostly into life sciences these days -- is that your plan? I'd hate to see ten years work wind-up with you collecting whale seimen for analysis working for greenpeace at $8/hour

 

[mrplunkey]

Oh, and it may be old-fashioned but your first and foremost obligation is to provide for your wife. Yes, it IS a man's job IMO. That radiology degree could do that in spades whether you choose grad school or not.

 

[vansmack2000]

I have 2 masters degrees & 20 yrs' experience in software product mgmt. I'm graduating from bartending school tomorrow....


LOL Not making a career change, but its an option to supplement while I'm job hunting my way to a better position in software that includes relocation allowance...

i have heard people say dont mention you went to bartending school when you interview. likes its looked down upon.

 

[Sassy69]

i have heard people say dont mention you went to bartending school when you interview. likes its looked down upon.

I've been told don't mention my master's degrees when I interview for a bartending job.

I also probably won't mention that I am a certified dive master on my software interviews and wouldn't mention the bartending thing if I were interviewing for a dive master position -- because you don't drink & dive.

 

[samoth]

Experimental physicist.

Whatever you do, don't become an engineer. They suck.

 

[HS Lifter]

i have heard people say dont mention you went to bartending school when you interview. likes its looked down upon.

Why does everyone seem to say this?

Why is it looked down upon?

 

[mrplunkey]

Experimental physicist.

Whatever you do, don't become an engineer. They suck.

I completely agree. Why get a degree that virtually guarantees great employment when you could be sitting in a particle accelerator somewhere debating the origins of the universe for what works-out to be around $8.75 per hour?

 

[digimon7068]

If you work in radiology while you're earning your other degree, there's a good chance that all of your tuition, books, fees, parking, travel, etc will be tax deductible as long as you stay in the medical field when you're done. . .if you're going to do something anyway, why not do it in a tax efficient manner?

 

[digimon7068]

Become a gynecologist

Nah. . .that would take away a lot of the mystery of that particular device. Plus, you gotta look at a bunch of nasty ones too.

 

[Delinquent]

Finishing the degree you started isn't a bad idea -- and you chose a great field (radiology) as well. You should always be able to get a good job and perhaps even a part time one at that.

Now this biology degree... not a bad idea, but do you have something specific in mind? Highly-degreed biologists go mostly into life sciences these days -- is that your plan? I'd hate to see ten years work wind-up with you collecting whale seimen for analysis working for greenpeace at $8/hour

I was looking at either a wildlife biologist where I would like to work for a state/national park or possibly animal behavior working in a zoo environment. As of right now, I'd rather do field work studying the adaptation that animals make in their habitat, tracking endangered species, etc. I already know that this path does not pay very well compared to the radiology tech career but it's not about the money.

I don't think that it's my job to support my wife. She's perfectly capable of handling her end of the deal as this isn't the 50's anymore where one person works and the other stays home. I told her I would never make that much money to support both of us because most jobs that do pay in the 6 figure range aren't careers that I would enjoy.

 

[mrplunkey]

I was looking at either a wildlife biologist where I would like to work for a state/national park or possibly animal behavior working in a zoo environment. As of right now, I'd rather do field work studying the adaptation that animals make in their habitat, tracking endangered species, etc. I already know that this path does not pay very well compared to the radiology tech career but it's not about the money.

I don't think that it's my job to support my wife. She's perfectly capable of handling her end of the deal as this isn't the 50's anymore where one person works and the other stays home. I told her I would never make that much money to support both of us because most jobs that do pay in the 6 figure range aren't careers that I would enjoy.

I'm assuming you are 20-something, so if I'm wrong I apologize in advance.

I see a *ton* of 16-29 year olds who have this "I'm going to go do what I love" mentality and it's definately commendable. I strongly recommend you blend that with the harsh reality that money will become increasingly important to you over time. It's human nature to want to improve your standard of living -- better food, better house, better neighborhood, better entertainment. Then there is kids... and kids get crazy-expensive... think college -- that will probably cost 100k+ just for undergrad by the time your kids go. Then there are the health issues that invariably come-up. When you are 20-something, you wonder "why do people complain about healthcare costs?". At 30+ you get that question answered. Then there is retirement... a less-than-30 year old isn't seeing social security -- ever. I don't mean to be so depressing, but while money can't buy you happyness, the lack of it can most definately buy you tons of misery.

And yeah, we do differ on the marriage thing. I'm probably old fashioned, but to me that's the man's job even if the wife wants to work. Let her work, let her even be more successful and make more money... but at the end of the day I still think the hubby has to answer if they come up short on money.

 

[Sassy69]

RE: wife working --- if she gets pregnant, you need to plan on doing the work because you cannot guarantee that she will be able to work while pregnant. And you can't always plan a pregnancy.

RE: you & college -- lots of people go into college thinking they will do something like "Biology" -- talk to the school counselors & see what sort of immediate or intern opportunties there are while you are IN SCHOOL (pre-degree). Most of my jobs I got via internships while in school. Many of the software companies I worked for just flat out needed people and were willinig to take several not yet graduated students who could code. If you think in terms of this nebulous thing called "Biology" -- often you can't really get the job you had in mind that falls under the title "Biologist" -- esp in the pure sciences you need an advanced degree to do anything more than wash bottles or clean lab eqpt for $8/hr.

Look for the opportunities & job descriptions that are part of whatever is your industry of choice but are things you can add along the way or just make really decent money w/ maybe some on the job training or something.

Its hard to explain exactly what I'm talking about - but often the jobs you will find are not ones that fall under the titles that you would think translate directly from your degree, ie. "Biologist" -- instead there are all sorts of careers tucked within the industry that you would never really "learn" in college.

Here is where if you are really interested in whatver field, maybe go talk to one of the profs who works in the industry as well (e.g. visiting prof) or even send a letter to someone at a company that is in the industry yuou want to work in & ask if you can talk to them about the types of positions or activities that are available. Or read the trade journals in your field and see what people do - if you see what various companies are doing, e.g. genetic engineering of better grains or somethign -- see what the companies are doing vs "job titles".

 

[mrplunkey]

If you think you like biology and want to do a Ph.D., just cash-out and go to some life sciences company. Granted, you may have to genetically engineer a $200k cure for wrinkles so the country club crowd will look young again, but you'll be making bank!

 

[samoth]

I completely agree. Why get a degree that virtually guarantees great employment when you could be sitting in a particle accelerator somewhere debating the origins of the universe for what works-out to be around $8.75 per hour?

pwned!

I hope UA doesn't see this...

 

[Sassy69]

Why does everyone seem to say this?

Why is it looked down upon?

Its all perception - just implies a bar lifestyle even if it means nothing. Figure bartending requires:

- fast on your feet
- organized
- excellent sales person
- customer service oriented
- good people skills
- excellent money management
- people management skills
- responsible for judging people - ie.. sobriety, check licenses, etc.
- ability to "read" people.