Back to school - Part 2

As you all know - I'm going back to school and I can't wait! I met with the advisor at CCRI on Tuesday and was able to get an idea of what credits I have from my first time there and what credits I need to take...

Here is my problem - I don't know what I want to be when I grow up!!! I am going back and forth between 3 careers that are so polar opposite that I don't even know where to begin - so here is what I have thought about so far...

Option 1 - Business Management

I currently work for Bank of America as a supervisor of Premier Banking, so I have my foot in the door at a really great company to work for. We have great benefits, 4 weeks of vacation, tuition reimbursement, child care reimbursement, great medical coverage, 100% match on my 401K, not to mention that I am already vested and have 4 years of seniority. Going for a business management degree would put me in a good place as far as promotions go within the company - but - do I want to work in Corporate America for the rest of my life? The courses required for this degree are boring - Financial Accounting, Computer 1, Intro to Business, Micro/Macro Economics etc...

Option 2 - Nursing

I've never worked in that type of environment so I have nothing to base my decision on, but I do love to help people and create friendships/relationships with people. I'd love to work in a bariatric unit at a hospital and help people going through Weight Loss Surgery - that is definitely my passion. This degree would require a LOT more thinking on my part with courses like Human Anatomy, Psychology, Sociology, Physiology and the nursing courses which are 5 hour lectures plus 15 clinical hours per week - which would be really hard working full time. Another downfall with nursing would be seniority - I want to have a family soon and I don't know that I'd be willing to work holiday's and weekends and not be around for my (future) children.

Option 3 - Paralegal

Again, no experience here - but I'm a Leo - 'nuff said (lol). I love to be right and argue my point and opinion until I'm blue in the face. I could study to be a paralegal and then work my way through Law School and eventually become a lawyer 30 years from now. This would cost a LOT of money and would definitely be very mentally draining due to the complexity of the courses. Reading through the course guide - all of the Law classes look really, really interesting, so there is no doubt that it would hold my attention.

Please, share your opinions/experiences/advice - it is all greatly appreciated!

I'd like to go back and meet with the advisor again tomorrow because the first time I didnt declare a major and he has me pointed in the direction of Gen. Ed - but I dont want to waste any credits... So - can't someone just TELL me what to do??? I'm so confused!

~Laura

Congrats on going back to School Laura! I think you'll do fantastic no matter what you choose to do!
I'm afraid I cant be a lot of help on which to choose, but personally, I see you more in the nursing role...simply because you're so good with people and I think you'd be really good at it.
Then again, you'd be good no matter what you choose!

Hi Laura,

From your post and I have met you at Angela's house you are still young and have  many more years of work ahead of you.  I know people in the business and nursing fields. Nursing has I believe more benefits for the working mom.  First of all, nurses are in great demand.  You have many areas in which to practice your nursing.  From a hospital to a nursing home. Everyone is looking for nurses.  The good thing about nursing is that you can work part time, and the money is great. I have a freind that is my age 61, did her nursing in ER for many years to a nurse that would go out in the field and visit patients that needed stents, picks, antibiotics etc..that could not leave their homes.  Now she is working at Mass General Hospital on the phones as a triage nurse who makes 60 dollars an hour and works 4 evening a week.  I am only touching the tip of the iceburg..there are so many avenues in nursing.  I know you start out on the bottom in a hospital but it goes up from there.  The business management is also very good but I dont know if the financial world lets you have the lee -way with night or evening hours or even part time hours.  Just my thoughts....what ever you do, I am sure you will do very well.....Leo's always do... Carol B

Hi Laura,

I am a nurse.  I have worked in hospitals(working everyother weekend and holiday), now I work as an outpatient psychiatric RN(no nights, weekends or holidays), my goal is to be a school nurse.  I think that a school schedule is the best possible when you have children.   

I worked in management for 9 years and loved it for 8.5 of those years. 

Good luck you will do great in what ever you choose!