I have NO idea how I would do this but with the situation I'm in, I feel that I need to do this sooner than later. I'm not really sure what I want to go for but I do know that I will most likely have to do a distance education program online. More than likely a business administration type degree or something with teaching. I want my job that I have now to become a lifelong career. I feel that a degree in this area could give me job security. So many directions I could go. Anyone here have any suggestions on a good school? This is probably a ridiculous question but Is it possible to go to school for free? I have so many questions and I don't know where to turn. I honestly don't know what I would call my job now. it's a mix of all sorts of things. Administration, Handling money, teaching, education, counseling and on and on it goes. I'm secretly aiming at the top job as I'm just one step below It right now. That job is mostly an office type job. Dealing with money, budgets, hiring staff, running many programs at once and networking with local government officials. It's a pull between two different organizations who have been mashed into one so it's a very stressful job. But I WANT IT! Not until the lady that's in it leaves though. She's planning on leaving in the next few years. When it comes available I want to be a true contender in the running for it.
Go for it!!! Everyone has told me that it only gets harder the longer you wait. So many more things get in the way and then you start thinking that you don't need to as much.... and so on. Online is going to be way easier than in person -- both because its easier to be flexible, and because online classes just don't do the education system justice. That's my opinion based on experience too. You'll have to be a good self-learner.
mommix3, I think that's a terrific idea! I too am going to school online. It has taken me a LONG time to do this, but I am doing it more as a 'backup plan' in case something were to happen to my hubby (he has health issues). With four kids, and being a SAHM most of my adult life (with the exception of a few jobs here and there when we've needed it), I felt I had to have something. I chose something in the health field, since we will always have/need healthcare of some kind. My field is more on the administrative side and will graduate this year. I had to take a few breaks in between while pursuing this, due to financial circumstances and family issues. But it's still not as complicated as it would have been had I tried going on campus someplace. I'm doing my degree through the local community college, but they also offer transition tracks to universities if I wanted to go further. First, I'd look at any local or state community colleges near you, as in-state is always cheaper. Whichever school you choose, there are usually pages on their websites for you to look for scholarships and grants. And there are a lot available for moms returning to school, women in general, and 'lifelong learning' to get credit for things you've already learned through life & work. Local organizations also offer scholarships & grants to students as well. It's simply a matter of digging around. Oh..and there are a LOT of books you can get at the library for scholarships. Whole catalogs (the size of an old metro phone book) of lists of scholarships/grants based off of any category you want to choose from. They are updated each year. I know this, due to looking for two of my kids who just graduated. If you are wanting to go for a bachelor's degree right out of the gate instead of going the community college route, there are many that offer online degrees. Based off of your profile (you mention God), I am wondering if you prefer private university over public? If you are interested in a Christian school, Liberty University offers a very good ONLINE business degree, all the way up to a master's degree. They also offer scholarships/grants and 'lifelong learning' credits. Just dink around to different schools you may be interested in, check out their scholarship pages, their tuition (make sure you look for the 'online' tuition...it's always different), see if they have payment plans you can arrange (many offer them). One more option that you may not know about is CollegePlus (now known by Lumerit) https://collegeplus.org/about-us . They can help coach you through the process of finishing your degree faster, at whichever school you choose...and may even help you find one, and finish via CLEP tests. There are many CLEP tests you can take to give you credit for courses without having to take full college classes and thus saving time. CollegePlus can help navigate that process OR you can choose to do it yourself. Whichever school you choose, look up the general education requirements they have for your major. Then, check out which CLEP tests they accept (it will be on their webpage somewhere..you often have to do a log of navigating to find it), get the study materials, study and sign up for the test and take it. They are usually around $80 apiece. You can put a percentage of your CLEPS toward your major I believe...can't CLEP all of them. You'd have to speak to an academic advisor for that. But it's a cheaper option that paying for the full four years. I hope I wasn't rambling too much and that some of this helps.
Copperlily that was really helpful and I am glad that you put in a lot of effort to make it easier and simpler.If you badly want to go to college I think it is good to grab the opportunity whenever you can.I am interested in healthcare too.Though I am a single mom of two kids I enrolled myself in classes to be a personal support worker in cestar college and found it very beneficial not only in my profession but in my personal life.Some colleges would even give financial support you can just check them out when you apply.
Mommix3, good for you. Copperlily has a great, great post on this. (We are big fans of College Plus). I taught classes at a university for two years, and I will tell you -- non-traditional students, those who were older than the typical straight-out-of-high-school college students, were some of the BEST students that I worked with. They had life experience, they understood working towards a goal and the difference this could make in their lives, and most of all, they were very clear in their minds what they wanted to do. I think this could be a really great experience for you!
