Vocation/Education Advice Please!

[FIREFTW]

Short background on my situation: I am 29 years old with no debt who saved up enough money to go to RN school and graduate debt free without working for 2 years plus the cost of tuition at a JC ($34,000). I worked in mental health/human services for 9 years and after being DONE with that field due to immense unhappiness I left to go be a CNA to get some experience before going to RN school. Unfortunately, I found out that I hated being a caregiver and now I no longer want to be an RN.  I know the two are somewhat different but I've learned that's just not my thing. I am having a hard time figuring out my vocation or 'calling' if there even is such a thing and I'm not sure what to do. I have strongly considered going back for a degree in Microbiology/Clinical Lab Science or Environmental Science since I loved the science classes I took for RN school but unfortunately because I live in California most colleges don't allow second Bachelors degrees re-admission so I would plunge myself into debt going out of state because of out of state tuition. I have also considered a career in the trades like welding or being a lineman but I know these jobs are hazardous/physically taxing even though the cost to learn these would be much less. I've also thought about business but can't help but wonder if the thing that I really like is just personal finance when it comes to money.

So.....

1.) what are your thoughts about picking the above vocations given my situation? I know that all of these seem very different from each other...
2.) do you think it's worth it to go into debt for the degree or is I it better to pick a more financially feasible option like a trade and be debt free when I come out of school and still have money left over? Btw it may or may not be relevant but I have around $90000 if that helps
3.) do you guys have any advice/book/article recommendations on finding out what's right for me when it comes to a vocation or career?

Anything would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance for any input at all.

Thanks again!

-D

[sith02]

This is an exciting situation for you. Sorry I don't have any advice but would like to hear what others would say.

But definitely get the course you want, especially you enjoyed those science classes.

[Khan]

Trades/blue collar work isn't always necessarily physically demanding/damaging, I work as a technician at a semiconductor factory, and nonmilitary people end up here usually from 2 year AA's, and this place previously hired from Devry and those profit colleges. Pay is good too, from 50k-120k or so(nightshift though or other issues though), and opportunities exist for Field Service Engineers(lots of travel/contract work). My most likely injury would be carpal tunnel/ergonomics related.(Can you read an ifixit repair guide? Ever built a computer or played with legos or built ikea furniture? Can you identify out of whack parameters or respond to them when the equipment points it out to you? Can you learn?  Those kinds of skills)

Just throwing out what I know personally. I don't know about commenting on your specific situation, interests, goals, hatred/acceptance of debt, or how hard you are for your current location(I grew up in Cali, but you couldn't pay me to go back unless I found something in Northern California away from the population centers and insane COL). I do however fully endorse using your stash to retrain or relocate or whatever to more acceptable work though, good luck!

[FIREFTW]

Thank you for sharing your input and personal experience! I do live in Northern California...Chico to be exact and I do like it here....can't give up Sierra Nevada :)

[Freedomin5]

You asked about books -- I found "What Color is Your Parachute?" to be an interesting read.

Regarding your job in mental health/human services, was it the entire field that you hated, or were you burnt out by your job? Is there some way to parlay that into a related job that doesn't have the elements that you hate?

For example, one of my psychologist friends burned out as a school psych after five years, but she used her experience to get a job in administration and program development that did not involve any direct clinical work.

[Vindicated]

It really seems like you're up in the air about what you should do, and open to just about anything.  We can't really answer that.  However, there are a lot of quizzes online that help show you what professions fit your personality the best.

I did one through a local firm years ago, and felt like the results fit me very well.  Later, I did some free tests online, and most of them gave me similar results.  I can't remember which ones I did online for free.  Some of them cost a little bit, but it might be worth it to you.

Try something like this:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/tests/career/career-personality-aptitude-test

I hope you find your fit!

[big_slacker]

Trades/blue collar work isn't always necessarily physically demanding/damaging, I work as a technician at a semiconductor factory, and nonmilitary people end up here usually from 2 year AA's, and this place previously hired from Devry and those profit colleges. Pay is good too, from 50k-120k or so(nightshift though or other issues though), and opportunities exist for Field Service Engineers(lots of travel/contract work). My most likely injury would be carpal tunnel/ergonomics related.(Can you read an ifixit repair guide? Ever built a computer or played with legos or built ikea furniture? Can you identify out of whack parameters or respond to them when the equipment points it out to you? Can you learn?  Those kinds of skills)

Just throwing out what I know personally. I don't know about commenting on your specific situation, interests, goals, hatred/acceptance of debt, or how hard you are for your current location(I grew up in Cali, but you couldn't pay me to go back unless I found something in Northern California away from the population centers and insane COL). I do however fully endorse using your stash to retrain or relocate or whatever to more acceptable work though, good luck!

I can second this. My dad was a journeyman electrician but got into running HVAC systems for a semiconductor plant. Mostly a desk job with some minor field work (making sure control units and sensors were working, etc). He did it most of the time I was growing up, semi-retired and worked for the same company as a consultant till he fully retired.

[Kl285528]

What color is your parachute? I also recommend that.
Look also into The Five O'Clock Club.
Finally, there is a guest post on Tim Ferris' website about how to become an expert without formal credentials.
Also, start talking to people who actually work in the fields you are considering. That way, you get not just the academic subject matter side of work, but the actual work and work environment understanding. And if you can take a job at their place of work, or volunteer, or something to get exposure to what you'll actually be doing, that could be very illuminating.

[Sibley]

There's jobs that require being a nurse, but you're not actually being a nurse. I don't know enough to know if you have similar opportunities, but worth looking into.

[marion10]

Insurance companies often hire nurses to do case review. My sister who is an RN does IT work Informatcs and helps design hospital medical records systems.

[Better Change]

Since you mentioned clinical laboratory science, have you considered starting out as a histology tech or med tech?  Those jobs require only certification rather than full BS degrees, and there are always open positions.  I realize that it may require 2nd and 3rd shifts until you become more senior, but good histo techs and med techs are worth their weight in gold (i.e. you will have strong pull to set your schedule once you prove yourself).  It might give you a taste for that field if you want to go further into your education in microbiology (pathology).

[Morning Glory]

I wouldn't suggest going for RN if you hate patient care. Yes, there are non-patient-care jobs out there, but they generally pay less than hospital nursing. Also you will have to get through clinicals, then usually 1-2 years of bedside experience before you can get those jobs.

If you like medicine/ science how about biomedical engineering?

 Pharmacy usually requires doctorate, but pays more than nursing, and great for introverts.

Surgical technician is shorter degree program, but pays less.
Patients will all be unconscious though.

[sjlp]

I recommend Designing your Life: http://designingyour.life/ -- You can also read the blogs and watch the videos and get the gist of it. A great idea from the team is to try out life changes before you commit. So if there's a job you are interested in, rather than diving into years of school and debt, talk to people who are currently in the field, see if you can shadow them for an hour or a day, find opportunities to volunteer or intern in the working environment to get a feel for it, etc.

Another good tip I've received is to focus on the activities that you enjoy and excel at (collecting and analyzing data, working face to face with clients, writing original prose, etc.). Then use this as a guide for a career. Sometimes the day-to-day activities of a dream job are not actually a good fit for you, even if you think the profession itself is great.