Thoughts/ideas about going back to school

goosh24

So I've complained, many times, about the lack of jobs in my career field (School Counseling) and with the state/school budgets it doesn't look like anything will be changing anytime soon.  I apply for jobs in all kinds of fields but fall in the over qualified category so I don't get anywhere, or even interviews.  After talking about it with DH, I know I've got to start figuring out something to do or some kind of program to look into.  One idea I had was looking into doing some sort of program through BOCES, like a phlebotomy program.  The one I looked into was a 10 week evening course, followed by 16 clinical hours, then you work for a year and then sit for the exam.  The program is pretty affordable-$700 but I need to still go to the information session and find out about some questions I have, here's what I came up with so far:

-Graduate rate of employment

-Exactly how the year after completing the course/before taking the exam works

-Average pay for our area

-If any financial aid is available

-Days/time of the course/clinical hours

Any questions that I'm obviously missing?   Any other similar programs that anyone can think of?  Or has anyone gone through a program like this? I really don't want to/can't afford handle going back to school for a couple of years with 2 little kids, plus an already ridiculous amount of student loans.  TIA! 

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt

I would LOVE to go back to school for dietetics but it would be at least 3yrs full time and like you said, the idea of adding more loans makes me sick.

My sister did the Boces LPN program and loved it. She is going on for her RN now at a private college. The price was reasonable, she did get financial aid and she found work right away.

benniferbaby

I'm so with you. Not about to go back to school, but apparently totally overqualified for everything so finally I am just taking the NY bar exam so I can practice law in this state (something I never wanted to do but I've gotta do something since it's been almost 2 years since I was laid off and I can barely score an interview). I digress.

I know almost nothing about the medical field but I DO know that my sister took a phlebotomy course last year, it was like 2 or 3x week for about a month. I THINK she took a test, and was thereafter able to get a job as a phlebotomist. It didn't cost that much and it definitely did not involve everything you've included here. She had been through MOST of a nursing program at the time, but she wasn't enrolled then and I don't think it had any bearing on the phlebotomy program. I can get details if you like, before you commit to anything more substantial.

abba916

what agencies employ graduates? yes, you want to know IF graduates are working but you also want to know where- what if they primarily place at nursing homes and you'd rather work for the red cross (but the red cross needs more experience or something)- the program would be a waste, right?

I would ask if they have childcare available on site- just in case your child care cancels or cant make one day- it would be nice to know if they have a center or something... 

good luck 

kevinandmonica2011

goosh24:

So I've complained, many times, about the lack of jobs in my career field (School Counseling) and with the state/school budgets it doesn't look like anything will be changing anytime soon.  I apply for jobs in all kinds of fields but fall in the over qualified category so I don't get anywhere, or even interviews.  After talking about it with DH, I know I've got to start figuring out something to do or some kind of program to look into.  One idea I had was looking into doing some sort of program through BOCES, like a phlebotomy program.  The one I looked into was a 10 week evening course, followed by 16 clinical hours, then you work for a year and then sit for the exam.  The program is pretty affordable-$700 but I need to still go to the information session and find out about some questions I have, here's what I came up with so far:

-Graduate rate of employment

-Exactly how the year after completing the course/before taking the exam works

-Average pay for our area

-If any financial aid is available

-Days/time of the course/clinical hours

Any questions that I'm obviously missing?   Any other similar programs that anyone can think of?  Or has anyone gone through a program like this? I really don't want to/can't afford handle going back to school for a couple of years with 2 little kids, plus an already ridiculous amount of student loans.  TIA! 

I would really really ask a lot about the class and clinical schedule/location... what are the hours (days, nights, weekends, etc) and where is the clinical done (hospital, outpatient center, right at BOCES, etc).

I just graduated from an RN program (at Crouse, so a little different granted), but I found often that by agreeing to the program, I was at their mercy with regard to clinical hours.  I was in the evening program, so the hours were primarily evening, but they threw in random days, varying days of the week, occasional weekends, etc.  It would have been a real nightmare with childcare.  I would question whether it was a set, solid schedule that you can plan around or whether you need to be available and flexible on a variety of days/times.

I would also ask how far in advance you would receive your schedule (ours was changed frequently last minute).

I had a friend who just graduated from a phlebotomy program and is having a difficult time finding a job.  She adamantly does not want to work at a hospital and, from what she has found, this is the primary place for a new grad to get hired... the outpatient sites and labs tend to lean toward more experienced phlebotomists.  That said, I'm sure outpatient labs and such do hire new grads, but it may be more difficult.

As far as the program itself, like PP above said, you really can't go wrong in the medical field.  It is one of very few areas that continues to grow and there are unlimited opportunites to advance yourself.  If you can commit to a one or two year program, LPN or even better RN are full of tremendous opportunities and the pay is pretty darn good (slightly biased, lol).  It may be easier to bite the bullet now and get it over with, rather than wait until the kiddos are bit older and you have to balance school, after school activities, sports, etc.  We had a few moms in my program and the ones who seemed to struggle the most with the schedule were the ones with school age children.

I'm excited for you that you are looking at going back to school and I want to wish you the best of luck!