Work then school? Or the other way around?
 

I am having a hard time planning myself for the future and hopefully I get some advise to those who have experience with school and employment.

I either work in a well benefited job (by means of getting a certificate/diploma - ex. paramedic), get financially stable, then go back to school to pursue my 'real' career, knowing that I can cover myself (certificate/diploma w/ employment + financial stable).

OR

Attain a bachelors degree, coop program, and afterwards, I have to supplement my existing degree with another program/degree (ex. BSN nursing) that will make or break my future career. And on top of that, I will be in debt with a low paying job, without any paper to prove I am qualified to do something.

It's quite frustrating right now because the first option does make a lot more sense, however, I want to enjoy student life while I am young and get the program that I want to go into with the degree that I need... but it may not be the case (competitive program), realistically speaking of course.

I am also taking my age as a factor as well. I should get my bachelors degree when I am young or am I just brain washed by the young students who get their degree at a young age.

For example, I get a bachelors degree, apply for numerous jobs in BC, no one excepts me, what to do next? I have no certificate in any other job, work for $10 - 15/hour, and in a heap of school debt, all on my own.

However, is there any way I can merge the two together and secure myself? For example, bridging programs like program -> degree or something like that? Is an associates degree well enough to get a decent employment here?

What's your advise on this situation?

for me I did my schooling while I lived at home and didn't have any bills to pay. Now that I'm almost 25 I wouldn't mind going back to school (if I could figure out what I want to do) but I know I couldn't afford to now that I'm living on my own.

Getting your bachelors degree later than others is not a bad thing at all. In fact, many employers prefer to have individuals who have matured and gained some life experience as opposed to young grads straight out of school.

If you get set up with a career now with intentions on going back to school later on .. you probably won't do it.. I don't know many people that are comfortable enough to leave their 40-50k/year jobs just to go back to school to get another 10-20k/year on top of it.. there are the exceptions ofcourse..

but for the most part you might get a little comfortable with your career.. you might move out of your house.. put a downpayment on a condo or something and by the time you know it your 30 years old about to start a family and in a huge pile of debt.. I think getting a degree (mind you.. professional degree) right away is most beneficial in the long run because you have many more years of the high paying salary that you want.

I also see that you're interested in the nursing field.. if you want a BScN, just do a care-aide/LPN bridge-in to the bachelors program (i'm not too sure if theres a care-aid bridge in.... but LPN for sure)... both those pay around 20+/hr which is better than paramedic pay in BC I'm assuming..

imo, the only reason you wouldn't do school first is if you need the money to pay for school.

i would say... always school first then work..

once ustart work.. u will never have the motivation to go back to school..
unless ur the kind that's really realy determined..

i do full time school and part time work (about 30 hours a week), started the job when i first started university

pays for my living and tuition.. i have a small student loan.. less than 10k... and i should be graduating next year..

i know for myself.. if i worked instead of school.. i wil never want to go back to school

Like most I would say if you can swing the time / tuition whether its from parents or via loans, do school first.

There'll never be another time in your life when you have so much liberty to learn about what you like, party, expand your knowledge, and network like no tomorrow.

With flexible schedules most program offer these days (not like working 9-5pm all day), you should attend as many career fairs and FIND YOUR INTERESTS. Alot of people I know ended up finding their dream jobs / field while partying and talking to people of different fields.

HTH.

thanks for mentioning about a career fair, actually there will be one on feb the 19th, il sticky that.

which career fair is that?

?

Bachelor is the minimum education that you should do before you start working, unless you are financially challenged and MUST work for money first to afford anything else.


Then you work, then you can decide if you want to go back to school for an advanced degree.

u could do what Im doing..

go to bcit for 2 years and get a Diploma
get a job
work for 2 years
go back to University for 3 years since i have some credit
then find a job easier since i do have some real life experience un like those people who come straight out of university lookng for a job.

experience is just as important as education nowadays. employers dont like to train too much.

i have to say schoooling first, then work. My mistake was work then school. Now i do both, but ive been in school way too long.

Get at least a Bachelors and do well. There are lots of opportunities for new grads but you have to look for them. Don't believe the BS that after high school grades don't matter and that its only a matter of pass or fail. People I know who did well in university usually got a great job right after. Volunteering and Co-op also help secure a good job after graduation. Even if you don't have good grades (like me) and volunteer (which I did a lot of), I still found myself a 45k year job right out of the gate. Just remember some companies hire during your final year of university.

if you absolutely need the money first then go get a job first. if not, like you said, enjoy your school life and you could get a part time job to pay for some stuff.

you may change your plan/motivation may change if you go work for a couple years first.

School then job straight is nice for sheltered kids w/ family support. (ok that was mean but true) - many CA's I find land a big 4 gig straight out of UBC, 2 years ibanking/top 4 accounting - go back for MBA = comes out with $150k gig jobs. Maybe that still exists for accounting/law.

Practically for many of the people on here - work then school feels more likely. NOTHING like washing dishes, flipping burgers, bussing tables, or working in a hotel as a bellhop trains you to NEVER want to fucking be on the bottom of the ladder. AGAIN.

Motivation has done some great things for people - especially ones that are resilient and stick it out, mad respects to those : )

For those more fortunate, travel the world a bit when you finish school, it'll open your mind far more than you think. Vancouver's a tiny dot on the Earth filled w/ laid-back whiners (who are nice) but already have it pretty good vs many other places.

co-op ftw! imo you need to go to school first. If you want to escape from the books, just take co-op like I am.