Dilemna - School or Work? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

rubecube · 06-07-2006, 02:38 PM

So I've kind of hit a bit of a crossroad in my life right now. I'm at a very steady paying job that I somewhat enjoy right now. I'm 19 (turn 20 in December) and am making good money for my age group. The problem is my company is shipping out my department and laying me off from my job at the end of the month.

I'm currently trying to get a job with another department within the company so I can keep making the good bucks. So far it hasnt been working out. The job market out there is not particularly attractive to me as I have no desire to work in the trades. Most of the jobs that I would like that pay well require me to have a better education. Needless to say it's very frustrating.

I've always been one of those students who has the tools but lacks the motivation. Up until now I had no idea what I wanted to take at school but now I'm pretty sure I know what I want.

So my question is what do you think I should do? Sit back, collect my UI and go to school or keep plugging away at the job market?

Cube Inmate · 06-07-2006, 02:45 PM

Can't collect EI while you're going to school... no?

jolinar of malkshor · 06-07-2006, 02:47 PM

I wouldn't waste the 5 months of limited EI. I would either work or go to school. Or you go do EI for the summer and go to school in sept.

rubecube · 06-07-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Can't collect EI while you're going to school... no?

I think you can as long as you got laid off before you go to school and prove you're trying to get a P/T job.

Igottago · 06-07-2006, 02:48 PM

I'd say at your age, find a way to do some schooling..you're young, think about what you want to do with your life and start taking steps towards it. If you don't take the chance to go to school now, it'll be much harder the older you get.

rubecube · 06-07-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I wouldn't waste the 5 months of limited EI. I would either work or go to school. Or you go do EI for the summer and go to school in sept.

Yeah I was thinking of just doing EI for the summer and school in the fall.

Cube Inmate · 06-07-2006, 02:51 PM

Don't you have to prove that you're attempting to find work in order to collect EI?

rubecube · 06-07-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Don't you have to prove that you're attempting to find work in order to collect EI?

Yeah, but there's loopholes.

ken0042 · 06-07-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

and am making good money for my age group.

The question is- how much to 30 year olds doing the same job make? Would you be comfortable raising a family on that kind of salary?

As much as I don't practice what I preach, it would have been a lot easier for me had I stayed in school. In most jobs it doesn't matter what you know; it's "do you have a piece of paper that says you know those things."

HitterD · 06-07-2006, 02:58 PM

Why not do both???

I'm not sure what you are looking at taking (please share if you like), but you can always do the correspondence or night class route. Or you could work at night instead.

I took a 4 year degree in business doing one 3 hour class per night (5 nights/week) and worked 9-5 during the day. This may be too much to handle, but you dont necessarily need to finish in 4 years, you can take less classes and finish in maybe 6. It is a nice way to go if you need money to pay for school/life. It worked well for me as I wanted to save for a down-payment on a house while I was in school, so when I got out I could get a job and buy a house in a much shorter period of time.

HitterD · 06-07-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

The question is- how much to 30 year olds doing the same job make? Would you be comfortable raising a family on that kind of salary?

As much as I don't practice what I preach, it would have been a lot easier for me had I stayed in school. In most jobs it doesn't matter what you know; it's "do you have a piece of paper that says you know those things."

Very true.

In life, all you need as that piece of paper saying you can work hard for 4 years and you are a good learner. In most cases, the actual stuff you learn in school is not directly relevant to any specific job you get anyway.

You also need connections...big time. It is very hard to get a good job unless you know someone ( I learned this from experience)

Flames Draft Watcher · 06-07-2006, 03:02 PM

School. I just went back after working for 5 years and I think it's such a great life experience. Plenty of working years ahead of you....

moncton golden flames · 06-07-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

So my question is what do you think I should do? Sit back, collect my UI and go to school or keep plugging away at the job market?

My brother was in a similar situation a few years back, and somehow, EI paid most of his way thru school. I'm not sure how he did it, but under certain circumstances, EI will subsidize your education. Look into it, but be careful of what you say, and how you say it....don't make them suspicious.

Muta · 06-07-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

Dilemna - School or Work?

Definitely school.

rubecube · 06-07-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muta

Definitely school.

LOL...I knew that!

moon · 06-07-2006, 03:40 PM

If I had to do it over again I am not sure whether or not I would go to school. I had a great time with friends but did not feel like I learned anything or that I really had an advantage when I was finished in the job market. Now these advantages may come up later but I found a decent job because of connections I had not anything to do with having a university degree or having gone to university.

It sounds like you have a specific goal in mind and I would encourage you to then research it as you may find that once you get into the program the course work is not interesting and not waht you may have thought it would be.

It sounds like although you like your job it is not your dream job so may not be worth keeping just because.

I guess the bottom line for me is don't go to school just to go to school. I personally think that it doesn't necessarily give you the leg up that people make it out to be and if you don't want to be there or are do not enjoy your program it is basically a waste of time and money for you. Whatever you do I would say look into it and see not only how it affects you now but 5 and 10 years down the road.

Mr.Coffee · 06-07-2006, 03:58 PM

Id say school, but only as long as you have an idea as to what you are interested in. For example, I'd advise going into getting a diploma or degree that is of value (I'd throw out an example, but I'm sure you can figure it out for the sake of me not insulting some people out there).

There's definitely an easier ride by having a degree. Especially in the corporate world.

peter12 · 06-07-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

LOL...I knew that!

I disagree with moon here. Go to school just to go to school. If you do it right, ie. plenty of on-campus activity, it's the best time of your life. Plus a university degree will dramatically increase your income and general happiness. It's pretty much like magic.

HitterD · 06-07-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Id say school, but only as long as you have an idea as to what you are interested in. For example, I'd advise going into getting a diploma or degree that is of value (I'd throw out an example, but I'm sure you can figure it out for the sake of me not insulting some people out there).

There's definitely an easier ride by having a degree. Especially in the corporate world.

I agree

In the corporate world, it is an advantage for sure...but making as many connections should be your #1 priority no matter what. I have a degree, and searched for a job for 4 months before I finally go an opportunity. This opportunity came from a friend of my father, who got my name from him when they were out for lunch. The corporate community tends to hire people they know or friends of people they know. But I still wouldn't have got the job if I didn't have the degree.

oldschoolcalgary · 06-07-2006, 04:08 PM

school -

as many have said, it is a great experience...connections and a degree are additional benefits. That being said, you have to be pretty disciplined and you have to ensure those years are well spent (ie not just for partying)...

if you know what you want to do when you graduate, then you can't go wrong in getting a degree...if you don't know yet, then I would hold off until you are sure about your future goals.