So, I've hit a somewhat rough patch in my life. My job is contemplating layoffs and my entire division is under review. This really was never the job I wanted to do as a kid, so I'm working on a life plan to get my life back on path and I'm keeping it vague but simple and organized so even if there are disruptions it's still good. I talked it over with some friends and family who agree it's a good plan but I feel a little needy and worried and could use an outside perspective.
Some background:
I'm in my late twenties. I kinda wasted my twenties after getting out of the Air Force, working 2 good but dead-end jobs. One was security and the current one is for a local office IT group. Both have no upward movement capabilities or anymore raise potential but are good work environments and the people i worked with were okay. Both, most importantly, required no college degree. I went military after school because I was a shit head who didn't think I could get in anywhere decent. I had bad grades (2.7 GPA) and never took the SATs. Agh. Great ASVAB scores, 94, though.
So my plan is as follows for the full college and back on track plan:
First, get my job situation sorted. I would like a decent part-time job that would allow me to progress onto the second part. Something flexible that I won't completely hate, something light. This is a doozy, but I'm thinking something simple that I can just leave at the job, like cart return or something. Money isn't really an issue here, I have money for the college part, this is really just for bills. I live like an electronic monk as it is.
Second, enroll in local community college. This starts with taking the SATs, just so I can have them. This will last for about a year or two, I'm aiming for general studies and a language. Hopefully something transferable for part three. I know transferring schools is a tricky grab bag, but if I stay within the state I found most of the state unis will take a transfer. I might go for full associates and jump off from there. If my job is stable and okay, I'm reasonably confident in being able to kill it with grades.
Three, transfer to a full university to close my majors. I have at least 3 good universities in the state that I know take low-level student transfers. There are also like, 2 more that are a maybe. And here I want the full student experience, I'm talking dorm or just-off-campus living. Full immersion. Spring-break. You're never too old to party and to study your ass off. There's not much to say here, except majors which I'll cover in my last part.
Finally, get the job I kinda dreamed of as a kid. I always wanted to work at the Smithsonian. History coming alive and all that. I went as a kid and was enamored with the idea of traveling the world to see priceless artifacts. So naturally, History major. But this brings up what I could do as a minor. Not that the Smithsonian is a hard and fast place, I'd work at any museum that'd take me. I play historically accurate games and see studded leather and watch nubs go "Hur, studded leather makes no sense" and then I go "Those aren't the armor, those are the rivets holding metal plates under the leather, that are poking out instead of in cuz that would be uncomfortable."
Alternate final, I could also go information technology and jump up the rung to an actual IT job. Maybe even for the government, I'm not picky.
Some points: money isn't an issue, I've got money for tuition, classes, books. What I could save up for: living expenses, entertainment. I've had my hard knocks and partying. Unless I have an Old School moment and create a frat, I'm probably going to spend my time finishing homework and then playing games. Also, reenlistment with the reserves or national guard could be a thing at any point in the plan.
Author
Topic: Outside perspective. Or, the life and times of Jimbo. (Read 1561 times)