Unsure what to pursue

[StoicJ]

I wonder, if you just focused on a TESU BSBA, and did those classes as fast as you could, when would you be done?

If you had JUST that degree in hand in a few months, what regrets do you think you'd have?

[CarpeDiem8]

Oh. I feel there's not very many options for me anyway, so I'm just hoping to get 1 or 2 new viable ideas, or some ideas on why one of my few possible paths is better. Then start off down that path. I understand that plenty of things can't be planned, or that you have to wait, but feel that I could be able to pick the best path now or soon.

I can completely relate and understand. But at a certain point, analysis paralysis sinks in and the only thing left is to jump. I'm talking to myself, too!!!!

[Ideas]

I wonder, if you just focused on a TESU BSBA, and did those classes as fast as you could, when would you be done?

If you had JUST that degree in hand in a few months, what regrets do you think you'd have?

I could possibly graduate in December if you didn't consider the financial part. Because the financial aid issues, March may be possible.

My regret would be that I didn't utilize more undergrad financial aid and scholarship options. I might not necessarily regret it soon, but I think someday I would. Others say you stop caring about undergrad when you have your first Masters degree (and especially if you plan to do more graduate work), and that makes sense. But I think I would regret not using financial aid to at least get the LPN. I feel getting an LPN is very different from other certifications or less-than-Bachelors' degrees since the LPN has clinicals and you can then go all the way to BSN online (or stop at ADN if money and time are scarce). Financial aid is one of the main factors of why I'm reconsidering all of this.

I was mistaken about the LPN hours per week, so that worries me. I am really not sure however, because I could potentially see myself dropping out of the LPN program after 1 semester, if certain aspects were much harder on me physically, or at least needing to take breaks from the program. It might be hard to do the entire semester before having a real break for myself physically.

Edit: Well, not only the LPN. I think I might regret not getting additional undergrad degrees. Again, I know it's not worth it for most people, but because of my situation, where I may have work multiple part-time online jobs instead of being able to pursue a traditional careeer path, it seems I may have more options if I have a degrees in different fields. As long as one is a Masters later. I'm not sure, I guess this may not be true, but undergrad credits can be so easy and cheap. (But, it's not too cheap for other fees like the residency waiver.)

Edit: I see some jobs which need MSN not just BSN.

[Ideas]

I've been thinking, and I can summarize it all like this: I feel the only realistic option for me is to keep doing part-time online jobs / freelancing. I'm not seeing a way that my (future) Masters degree would help me with my situation (due to disabilities), which is kind of a slap in the face to realize! That I could get one and still not have expanded options.

I feel the only way to advance via a Masters degree is if I find some IT specialty that I don't mind as much (or possibly writing or something involving data), but I'm sure I will regret not following what I really want to do. IT/writing/data seems too stressful to me to do on a regular basis, many hours a week.

But, I still hope someone has an idea for some specific combination of degrees that could open a door for me, and I'll keep thinking about it. My only idea has been to purposely have multiple undergrad degrees, to help me with the various part-time / freelancing / writing. Or maybe trying to teach online (which is competitive)!

(Money is one more potential barrier but in a year or two, I might be able to afford more Masters programs. Right now that's limiting if I can only afford the few schools.)

[SolarKat]

Even if you do the LPN/LVN, I'm fairly sure that any ADN would have a clinical requirement (as a hybrid program) or a clincal exam series (like Excelsior's)...and those clinical exams are really hard to pass if you're not practicing the skills daily (sterile dressing, physical assessment, etc.) and getting exposure to the zillion ways things present "in real life" vs in a textbook. If you enjoy helping people, something like a visiting home aide position might give you the flexibility without the intense clinical training requirements. Something like a phlebotomy certificate might be quicker...but even a part-time phlebotomy position will still have shiftwork requirements...and it's been a while since one of my RN friends worked as an insurance nurse...but back then they sent an RN to do the home medical stuff for high-dollar insurance policy clients (blood draws, etc). I don't know if the Red Cross uses just phlebotomists, or if they require nursing degrees. Back in the day (30 yrs ago), a mobility-impaired friend (could stand, drive, etc, but used a wheelchair generally) did his RN and moved into management after graduation...I would talk to a national nursing organization about the opportunities for disabled/differently-abled nurses, truly.

Are you in an urban area? In Boston, one option for intermittent/part time work is in alternative education. There's a very active (and fairly well-off) homeschool community that pounces on educational offerings - an 8-week workshop series in writing, a one-week immersive, a monthly lab class...this model might be something you could leverage in your area, and it wouldn't necessarily require a full degree as much as it requires experience/skill in whatever you're teaching, networking skills, and an affinity for your target age group. Community colleges and tech high schools here also hire people to do adult workshops in everything from knitting to specific cooking (Nepalese, anyone?) to technology skills (how to use that iPhone)...you might put together a program you'd like to teach, and shop that around your local venues. A retired teacher friend of mine got her "master gardener" certification and keeps an amazing garden - she sells plants/cuttings, and does workshops both at her home and around the Boston area (garden clubs, community groups, etc). Do you have a hobby you could leverage (both with/without degree/cert/credential)?

If you're really sure that online employment is where you're bound, then there still are freelance options - graphic design, marketing, etc. I fear that it's *all* going to be competitive, though. And there are still going to be expectations, metrics, etc. Some of my military-spouse friends (hubs did 26yrs in military electronics) do online customer support and make decent money. Again, they have to be available for their shift, handle stressful situations, have a quiet home environment (because it's phone-based with Internet requirements), etc.

It might not generate anything, but I still think talking to your local disability resources agencies is worth a stop - you're right, they may not think as "outside the box" as you do, but they have experience with the hiring market in your area, so it might spark something in your brainstorming. Your doctor(s) might have contacts to suggest, too. The local library might have resources or networking opportunities. There might be a MeetUp group in your area that could offer support or suggestions (whether in a career field or in terms of opportunities for disability employment). Online discussion boards in your areas of interest or area of disability? Certainly you're not the first to deal with what you face - use the wisdom and resources of those who have gone before you. Even the national organization for a particular disability probably has resource people to talk with...worth an email or two.

One more question - what, truly, does a work week look like, in your planning? You mention limitations on time/energy. Can you do a full day of work, or only a little at a time? What can you manage in a week, in a month? What can you do in person? (No need to respond publicly.) A realistic assessment here, combined with crawling Monster, LinkedIn, or Indeed, might give you some ideas of what's actually out there. Plus, you never know...something cool might pop up locally that would work for you.

I think others have mentioned in other threads that a masters with no experience is a big risk for a company to hire...so it, alone, probably won't solve your dilemma. A masters "just to have" is fine, but keep in mind that it's unlikely to be a golden ticket. I realize that you face certain challenges, but if you're working for *anyone* else, you're just going to have to deal with a certain amount of less-than-fun work/expectations. Everyone has days/periods where the job just *sucks*...and times when it's less than fulfilling, and times when it's stressful, and that goes for everything from unskilled labor to multi-advanced-degreed CEOs/scientists/professors. To advance in the competitive economy, there's just a certain amount of "paying your dues", like everyone else starting at the bottom of the ladder. I'm not sure there's really a workaround to that.

In the meantime, crank out those gen-eds like there's no tomorrow...

[CarpeDiem8]

I've been thinking, and I can summarize it all like this: I feel the only realistic option for me is to keep doing part-time online jobs / freelancing. I'm not seeing a way that my (future) Masters degree would help me with my situation (due to disabilities), which is kind of a slap in the face to realize! That I could get one and still not have expanded options.

I was looking at the masters or bachelors programs for instructional designers, freelancing online. Maybe that would be something to look into? I think Ashford has a Bachelor's program, not sure about TESU's Master's, if that is the same thing. I believe it may be to just teach online, which is different.

I feel the only way to advance via a Masters degree is if I find some IT specialty that I don't mind as much (or possibly writing or something involving data), but I'm sure I will regret not following what I really want to do. IT/writing/data seems too stressful to me to do on a regular basis, many hours a week.

I'm not sure about the IT specialty online jobs, I would think the further you go into a niche, the harder it will be to find jobs. Do you have some idea what you are thinking of? There are many different avenues of technology, so it would be helpful to know what direction you are thinking about.

HTH.

[Ideas]

I'm not sure about the IT specialty online jobs, I would think the further you go into a niche, the harder it will be to find jobs. Do you have some idea what you are thinking of? There are many different avenues of technology, so it would be helpful to know what direction you are thinking about.

I don't have any tech degrees in mind, because it's not what I want. But I may have to pursue it, because I'm wondering if everything else is a waste, in my situation. I did see an inexpensive instructional design Masters like you said.

[Ideas]

Thank you for your brainstorming, SolarKat.

I'm not in a city, but I will be down the road. Your idea of the alternative education is the kind of idea I do need, to help me generate other ideas. It seems unlikely to go beyond a side job for me. I'm afraid I can't sustain much in-person.

You're right, Excelsior's BSN is hard! And I know that, but I guess I conveniently forget!

If you're really sure that online employment is where you're bound, then there still are freelance options - graphic design, marketing, etc. I fear that it's *all* going to be competitive, though. And there are still going to be expectations, metrics, etc.

Right. I can do ok via freelancing, but it's not what I prefer, for many reasons. However, it is one of the few options I see that's realistic. Some degrees or certifications could make it easier. I'm not sure which one(s) could help most. For the last 2 months, when trying to select programs, I don't think I've been realistic enough about my future... more on that later.

I wish I had a strong interest in the tech work from home, or could write happily full-time.

I am nearly done with Gen Eds It is mostly brushing up on a few topics and testing out.

I think others have mentioned in other threads that a masters with no experience is a big risk for a company to hire...so it, alone, probably won't solve your dilemma.

To advance in the competitive economy, there's just a certain amount of "paying your dues", like everyone else starting at the bottom of the ladder. I'm not sure there's really a workaround to that.

I agree. Yesterday I talked to a friend who used to be in HR, and they seem to have the same initial reaction as me. They think there must be one type of job that I can do, that fits my needs and preferences. But, I am starting to think there is not (besides freelance, or getting an IT degree to try and get a full-time online job).

Although the reality has been hitting me again, this isn't my first time at this. I've been trying to browse and come up with non-freelance career options for a long time. If there truly isn't any other option with high likelihood of working, I better focus on picking an IT degree.

One good tidbit from the HR person. The employers are motivated to meet a certain quota of employees from disadvantaged groups. I guess that's what I've been wondering about - how I could have any small chance of competing against someone with the years of work experience, when disability keeps me from getting that. I guess this quota thing gives me some chance. As you said, there is no skipping over the requirements. I still have to be reasonably similar to the competition.

Perhaps something like graduating, and getting 2 years of work/volunteer experience, but spread out over 3 years, so I get breaks. You're right, I need more info on some of these aspects, but I was glad for my friend's info. However, maybe it's not enough for my particular situation. I am sure it can help many other disabled people. I am still hoping to have another idea or two.

[StoicJ]

Maybe continue doing the freelance stuff.

I work for myself, too. The classes I am looking at in the TESU bsba will help me in my businesses, as well as in my personal life.

[SolarKat]

In the homeschool space, there *are* folks offering online classes, as an example:

St Raphael's (classical education model)
SKrafty Minecraft Homeschool Classes (Minecraft as a teaching tool)

So it's possible to carve out a niche. St. Raphael's does live lecture times, but they're shorter duration. SKrafty does live and asynchronous. I mention them as examples of outside-the-box businesses. If you have an interest in, say, psychology or health, you might be able to create some sort of ongoing subscription/tuition based model, for children or adults.

SNHU Online - Community & Health Education
ASU Online - Health Education & Health Promotion
Since you've mentioned using Pell Grants & available aid, these options, while not super-quick like TESU, might be a better fit for your personal interests. Combine this with a masters in instructional design, and you've got an education portfolio that makes sense.

(You've mentioned IT previously - what does a home-based IT job "look like" to you? What, specifically, do you mean by IT degree?)