So the economy has gotten the best of me. - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Novice · #31 02-04-2009, 05:21 PM

Let me add to this before I get Alzheimer's and forget why I said this. Relating from my own days in school. I did well in Biology and when I found some classes available in DNA manipulation and Senior level Bio I fell down due to my shallow understanding of Biological Chemistry which is the root building block. Trying to catch up on Bio Chem was putting me far behind. Couple that with work and homelife and commuting and finances I was worn out. I chased the high dollar job and lost. I should have followed something more personally interesting that I had a better grasp of. Probably if you don't enjoy it you won't be good at it even if you are sucessful in reaching the goal. You probably visted Doctors who really were not with it. If you follow the money and enjoy it your great but if not choose something else. Teaching is a fine choice if you like turning people on. rcounts my hat off to you for doing what you did at that age, it took alot of drive to make it happen. But there probably were only a hand full of people your age at the school with the same drive. Mattias, sometimes life gets in the way so you better make up your mind fast. Best of Luck

rcounts · #32 02-05-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novice

Let me add to this before I get Alzheimer's and forget why I said this. Relating from my own days in school. I did well in Biology and when I found some classes available in DNA manipulation and Senior level Bio I fell down due to my shallow understanding of Biological Chemistry which is the root building block. Trying to catch up on Bio Chem was putting me far behind. Couple that with work and homelife and commuting and finances I was worn out. I chased the high dollar job and lost. I should have followed something more personally interesting that I had a better grasp of. Probably if you don't enjoy it you won't be good at it even if you are sucessful in reaching the goal. You probably visted Doctors who really were not with it. If you follow the money and enjoy it your great but if not choose something else. Teaching is a fine choice if you like turning people on. rcounts my hat off to you for doing what you did at that age, it took alot of drive to make it happen. But there probably were only a hand full of people your age at the school with the same drive. Mattias, sometimes life gets in the way so you better make up your mind fast. Best of Luck

I certainly agree with the part about it being important that you choose to study something you enjoy, but it's pretty important that the degree be one that is in demand too. Being an unemployed (or seriously under-employed) college grad isn't much fun either....

When I got my BS in Computer Engineering (my main degree) I intentionally chose a small, engineering-only school that offered evening-only classes, and drew most of its faculty from industry. I wanted to make sure that I was surrounded by other equally serious working adults, in classes small enough to get one-on-one time with my professors, and that the people teaching me had and actually were "doing it" in the real world. As opposed to of being pointy-headed academics who have made a career out of higher education, but have never really gone out there and DONE anything.

I also intentionally chose a field that I knew nothing about (computers - both software and hardware) rather than mechanical engineering - which with my mechanical experience and aptitudes would have been far easier for me.

TchTchr · #33 02-05-2009, 09:35 AM

I worked in a factory for seven years before going back to school part-time for three years and finally to full-time studies for another three years. I graduated just shy of my 30th birthday. The best time to be in school is during bad economic times. Hopefully when you get out the economy will be better. Whenever I have a bad day at school (other side of the desk now), I just think of those days in the factory and everything seems better.

matthias08 · #34 02-05-2009, 11:33 PM

ok.
so is it sad that right now my dream job is being washed away

all i honestly want to do is work for M-B.
its my life.
has been. even before i got my 240D

I've tried. countless times.
willing to drive to Cinci or Columbus. no one looks twice at me.

i need to know someone.

or have a new S550 to get noticed

strelnik · #35 02-05-2009, 11:46 PM

So. basically. I'm an unemployed soon to be college drop out w/ zero family to fall back on. i have to do something, and quick.

i did manage to score a part time job w/ a dish network retailer making $8 + Commission...

anybody need dish!?

this is far from what i needed right now.[/quote]
This will sound crazy but you know how you could make some cash and pay for college?
Join the Coast Guard Reserve
Why--PLEASE hear me out:
1. You woll get paid a helluva lot more because they pay double on weekends
2. You won't go to Iraq or Afghanistan, because the Coast Guard belongs to the Treasury Dept. They CANT send you.
3. You will probably get to work on things like ecology and water pollution, or--believe it or not-- testing biodiesel to see if it's pure and not contains any haz mat.
4. You will be able to save up to $25,600 over 3 years for college on the modified GI Bill.
5. You will actually learn a trade, not to mention lifesaving.
6. You will make friends.
6. You can work extra days because they need people all the time. Weekdays are paid straight time.

Wanna know why other people aren't doing this? Because they, like you, didn't know about it.

I don't make any money off this, but it seems like a way to solve many problems and also meet some new people/. Most Coasties are geeks or gear heads. And the few girl Coasties are usually ok to hot because they like to take advantage of the free physical fitness and gym facilities which are extensive.

It's your choice. I am encouraging my son to look at ROTC because he wants to become a doctor. They'll pay the half million for undergrad and med school. His "service obligation will be to work in anhospital for four years, which is what he wants to do anyway. Right now at 17 he has an internship at a VA hospital and loves it. As a doctor he'll make a contribution and have an ok life.

And I'll get free medical, lol

But seriously--consider it.

TylerH860 · #36 02-06-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias08

all i honestly want to do is work for M-B.
its my life.
has been. even before i got my 240D

I've tried. countless times.
willing to drive to Cinci or Columbus. no one looks twice at me.

i need to know someone.

or have a new S550 to get noticed

The car business is beyond in the toilet right now. I worked my way up in the business, first at carmax as a salesmen, then a Chevy/Cadillac dealership, then worked into their high end used/BMW department. Going in asking for an application for any place other than retail chains is a waste of time. Prepare a good resume/cover letter, and drop it off in person. Request a sales/service manager if they're available,introduce yourself, give them a firm hand shake, tell them you're interested in a position, and politely leave when its appropriate. I have gotten every job I ever applied for using that method. I can send you my cover letter/ resume to look at if you're interested.

daw_two · #37 02-06-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TchTchr

I worked in a factory for seven years before going back to school part-time for three years and finally to full-time studies for another three years. I graduated just shy of my 30th birthday. The best time to be in school is during bad economic times. Hopefully when you get out the economy will be better. Whenever I have a bad day at school (other side of the desk now), I just think of those days in the factory and everything seems better.

This post is on target! If you don't have a job or in a dead end job, these times are the best to be in school.

I left my job in Nov, 1990 to return to college to complete my degree requirements. I earned a LOT of credits in order to graduate in December, 1991. Of course, the recession was worse than when I started...but I managed to secure some part time work on campus and take the needed graduate courses to defer my educational loans.

It took me a total of 16.5 years to complete my BS degree. Was it worth all the part-time college years, crazy sleep and work schedules? Yes, in a heartbeat.

diametricalbenz · #38 02-06-2009, 10:28 AM

Definitely figure out how to complete your degree. You have to be competitive on an education level unless you have some very valuable niche talent.

matthias08 · #39 02-23-2009, 06:07 PM

little update.

still broke as hell.

quit the dish network job.
shady employer wasn't paying...

reported to the IRS, Ohio Labor & Wage board... ect... I guess i'm getting a "thank you" from the IRS soon

so i'm unemployed yet again. got the next quarter of school figured out & paid for...

Sold the sunfire... need to update signature on that one...

but yea... story of my life.