At a Crossroads, and unsure

[IrishJohn]

Shadowcross: You are only a failure if you give up. It makes no difference what mistakes you have made, that you live with your folks, etc. You are certainly not the only one in this economy to be facing all of these. Heck, I'm 40 and trying to finish my BA! Keep pluggin' away, you can do it! To borrow from another cinematic masterpiece: "Get busy living, or get busy dying".

YouTube - Shawshank Redemption - "Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying."

[JanusthePhoenix]

Obviously I have not seen Animal House. My apologies; thought you just made an absentminded mistake. :o

[taylor]

I wish I was your age again. It looks like you're so close to graduating. Really take advantage of your youth while you can. As you get older you have less time and time just goes at warp speed.

[skyfall123]

From the L3 website
L-3 Communications -> Careers -> New Grads and Internships
L-3 Communications -> Careers -> Transitioning Military
It would make sense as a previous poster suggested to contact the HR department, explain your situation, ask for an internship or advice on how to prepare for an L3 position.

My oldest son absolutely, positively would not have a high paying job in the telecom world if he hadn't moved back home and gone back to school. It was a smart move on his part.

Good luck whatever you choose.

[Lindagerr]

That is a movie with some of the greatest lines ever. My husbands favorite is
'Seven years of college down the drain' I always think of the Animal house guys as the kind that think outside the box. Just like us who think outside the box on how to do college.

[IrishJohn]

I gotta post 2 more you guys might like:

YouTube - 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes

YouTube - 2ndHand Lion speech

[shadowcross]

I guess my question is what do you want to do with your life? Will you be happy in a career of aviation maintenance or something related to that? Or, do you want to change careers?

That is a tough question to answer. Not because I don't know, it's because I know what I'd love to do, but I have a focus on what is most pragmatic. I'm not a dreamy-eyed youth anymore. I need to spend my time building up my value to a prospective employer, rather than chasing dreams.

I think giving up on dreams is part of growing up...
(I wanted to be a cartoonist) Shadowcross on deviantART


I had a rough time as a flightline Jet Engine Mechanic. I didn't really like the job. But a lot of the people that I worked with, that transferred from other bases said that the Aircraft we were assigned to was just THAT bad.

Plus, while I was in Flight School to earn my Powerplant License, many of my classmates told me how easy they have it, working for L-3 and fixing Blackhawks and Appaches. And there is the Pay...Oh, wow :eek:

So I'm willing to try again, but before I apply, I want to make sure that I am as valuable to my prospective employer as possible, hence the Educational crossroads.

[shadowcross]

...I would suggest you complete the general degree you were working towards for a BS and then go on for a more specialized Masters in something that interest you.

That's a good Idea. I'll take that under advisement.

Looking over your accomplishments, I believe that you have a strong basis for becoming marketable in a couple of areas. I also think that you may have overlooked an option. Since your background is in Aviation Maintenance, it is my opinion that you should attempt to get the BS in Aviation Maintenance degree. However, after completion of that degree, you should enroll in Embry-Riddles Master of Science in Project Management online degree program. Master of Science in Project Management, Graduate Degrees, Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University This accomplishes two things, it makes you marketable in aviation maintenance and it makes you marketable for a management position. Also, if you can finish the Bachelor's in 4 or 5 semesters, you can probably finish the Master's degree 4 or 5 semesters after that.

I like your Master's recommendation...I just need to get up there.

[shadowcross]

That said, why did you want to go for psychology in the first place? If you wanted to get away from aircraft maintenance, there must be a good reason that is probably still valid. Maybe you should do some soul searching and really ask yourself about the kinds of craft you would be willing to devote yourself to completely. Instead of trying to tailor your education to the market, I think you should instead try and make yourself the master at something, whatever it is that lights your fire, and then find a way to make money at it. If you are the best at something, you can make it profitable. That is the framework I am working with, at least. You still have your GI Bill, right? If so, you still have the flexibility to pursue the rest of your degree, or maybe even a brand new one and it would only cost you time.

I choose Psychology because I liked the subject. I feel that I can quickly absorb and retain the material. There was also a time when I was enamored with the idea of becoming a Psychologist. I wanted the title "Doctor."

[shadowcross]

Sometimes you have to ask yourself 'Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?'

That was a rousing speech. Go John Belushi! Classic Movie, that.

Shadowcross: You are only a failure if you give up. It makes no difference what mistakes you have made, that you live with your folks, etc. You are certainly not the only one in this economy to be facing all of these. Heck, I'm 40 and trying to finish my BA! Keep pluggin' away, you can do it! To borrow from another cinematic masterpiece: "Get busy living, or get busy dying".

I loved that movie. That quote is most applicable. I just need to figure out how to apply it.