OT: Anyone else here really hate their job

[yulog]

[Yeah...but they make a TON more than teachers do...it takes 20+ years to get to the $70K-$80/yr range in the teaching profession...you can step out off college in other fields and in some cases make that much .

A nurse in Pittsburgh right now steps out of school in a $25/hr job...long hours for sure, but they are well ahead of what a first year teach makes.

Baloney. My boyfriend just graduated with a surgical tech degree. After working the past two months for NOTHING while be does his clinicals, he'll be working 4, 12 hour days and every other weekend on call...making $32,000.

oops.


A surgical tech is a low level position in a hospital ,most of those courses are between 1yr to 15 months, hardly equivalent to a teachers 4-6 years of education, and not at the same level as a nurses education either.Any job with the word tech or aide at the end of it is not going to pay well in the medical field.(unfortunate but that is reality)

And why is that? Cause I was a Medical Technologist (tech) and I had 4 years of college taking the same courses as the pre-med students were. I had to spend 12 months living at a hospital on rotations in the lab while taking very hard classes on not only the lab tests we would run, but what these tests are used to diagnose, what chemicals are in each test, etc. It was basically a mini-med school. In fact, you can enter straight into med school from that field. And we got and still get paid crap compared to other health field careers with even less education and much easier science courses. What is it about that "tech" word. Med Techs fall under the "pathology" part of a hospital, and I know people used to blame it on that. That the pathologists never fought hard enough for us to get what we deserved for our education and hard work. We are the workers that no one sees, so it's hard to be appreciated.

Its just the way of the world i guess, the term tech or aide was used to decipher between people who were considered to be professionals and someone who wasn't,Theres always a pecking order, and when i said that the scrubb tech was a low level job in the hospital setting(I didnt mean it was low class but it may of came off that way I apologize to Angie and anyone who took it that way I was trying to just make the point of pay/years of education.

Oh,by the way you can go into medical school with an english degree, most people did to boost there GPA,so i dont know if the med tech really has any pull to get you in...it sure helps to be in the field if you want to be an M.D., but it isn't a necessity.

The other thing to look at is college is a money making business,it's buyer beware...you can be a med tech in less than a year,but college will be more than happy to take your money for 4 years and give you the same certification.......it sucks, but this is very common.

Theres no guarantees anymore, college doesnt get you high paying jobs, unless you specialize, and even then you have to keep up on trends and see what jobs are hot at the time you plan to graduate.

[Tito]

A surgical tech is a low level position in a hospital ,most of those courses are between 1yr to 15 months, hardly equivalent to a teachers 4-6 years of education, and not at the same level as a nurses education either.Any job with the word tech or aide at the end of it is not going to pay well in the medical field.(unfortunate but that is reality)

Much like the teachers who have been speaking out here, I'm sure they appreciate your low view of them. He was actually in school for over 2yrs and again, much like the teachers here, if you had to use them and they weren't there, you'd be screwed.

Actually thats not the case at all ,that would just be added to the list of duties of a nurse or nurses aide , like it was done many years ago. My point is That a person who has to go to school for 6 years should make more than someone who goes to 1-2 yrs, and i don't have a low view of them(i just stated the facts) ,maybe you have an unrealistically high view of him because hes your boyfriend.

The question should then become, "Why is it necessary to take 6 years to get a degree?" Is this more corruption by the education system? I understand things like medical school, etc is different. Why should most bachelor degrees now a days take 5 years? Do we really need 5 years? Do we even need 4? Did I really need that music and religion classes?

[yulog]

A surgical tech is a low level position in a hospital ,most of those courses are between 1yr to 15 months, hardly equivalent to a teachers 4-6 years of education, and not at the same level as a nurses education either.Any job with the word tech or aide at the end of it is not going to pay well in the medical field.(unfortunate but that is reality)

Much like the teachers who have been speaking out here, I'm sure they appreciate your low view of them. He was actually in school for over 2yrs and again, much like the teachers here, if you had to use them and they weren't there, you'd be screwed.

Actually thats not the case at all ,that would just be added to the list of duties of a nurse or nurses aide , like it was done many years ago. My point is That a person who has to go to school for 6 years should make more than someone who goes to 1-2 yrs, and i don't have a low view of them(i just stated the facts) ,maybe you have an unrealistically high view of him because hes your boyfriend.

The question should then become, "Why is it necessary to take 6 years to get a degree?" Is this more corruption by the education system? I understand things like medical school, etc is different. Why should most bachelor degrees now a days take 5 years? Do we really need 5 years? Do we even need 4? Did I really need that music and religion classes?

Good point Tito, i believe its just throwing more money into the colleges to keep them paid well....those 5yr(4yr) degrees have been going on for a long time.

[Tito]

They are definetly underpaid for what they do, but they are hardly at the top of the list.[/color][/size][/b]

I'm disagreeing with this. Some may be underpaid, a lot are overpaid, and some are just right. As a whole, I think they are fairly paid. I think it's safe to say, we all agree the system blows and needs to be fixed. The best way to fix this, is school choice and get the government out of education.

[StevePerryHair]

A surgical tech is a low level position in a hospital ,most of those courses are between 1yr to 15 months, hardly equivalent to a teachers 4-6 years of education, and not at the same level as a nurses education either.Any job with the word tech or aide at the end of it is not going to pay well in the medical field.(unfortunate but that is reality)

Much like the teachers who have been speaking out here, I'm sure they appreciate your low view of them. He was actually in school for over 2yrs and again, much like the teachers here, if you had to use them and they weren't there, you'd be screwed.

Actually thats not the case at all ,that would just be added to the list of duties of a nurse or nurses aide , like it was done many years ago. My point is That a person who has to go to school for 6 years should make more than someone who goes to 1-2 yrs, and i don't have a low view of them(i just stated the facts) ,maybe you have an unrealistically high view of him because hes your boyfriend.

The question should then become, "Why is it necessary to take 6 years to get a degree?" Is this more corruption by the education system? I understand things like medical school, etc is different. Why should most bachelor degrees now a days take 5 years? Do we really need 5 years? Do we even need 4? Did I really need that music and religion classes?

Yes, grammar classes would be money better spent I agree though. Too much merit is put on school education for certain careers.

[Rhiannon]

But, there's only a handful of jobs I can think of that someone without at least a 2-year associate's degree could honestly support a family of four on... (yourself, a spouse, and 2 kids... more or less an average nuclear family I guess?).

Exactly, for someone who isn't overly ambitious or resourceful or lucky, life without any degree is an uphill battle.

I know my friends that have dropped out of college are working hard and making decent money, but they are all single, and in some cases, still living at home. And there's no way in hell they are saving money and planning for their (and their potential family's) financial futures. They just don't make enough to set aside and still cover the expenses they have. Even the ones still living off of their parents still have car bills to pay for, school loans to keep paying off despite dropping out, etc. I'm worried about some of my friends that elected not to finish college... it's becoming harder and harder to live today and it always pays to be more qualified.

True. I've seen that too. Of course, being 1000 miles from home I'm kind of forced to be 100% self-sufficient. And most of that you're speaking of is just fiscal responsibility and financial planning. Which anyone, regardless of degree, is susceptible to based on personality.

I couldn't have been more thrilled when my best friend told me he's returning to finish undergrad... really smart guy who should not be working the job he's working the rest of his life... I don't know, to me it's smart to get a degree of some kind, even if it's from an inexpensive/less prestigious school. Especially if you started on your way to one.

No doubt. I still may go back one day. I don't know. I'm too all over the place right now. As I was telling friends last week, I quit planning too concretely in the future because life has toppled me in directions and places I'd never imagined. Part of me still daydreams about taking off to Colorado part thinks about running a surf shop on Hilton Head. When it comes right down to it, if you're doing what makes you happy and living your life and writing your own story, then screw the typical college to corporate path! I'd much rather tell my grandchildren stories of living all over the place and all the adventures there than sit at a cubicle or in an office all day for the rest of my life working a "good job" because I want money. I got money. I want the free-spirited, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants life I've had to keep going. My point is, if there is one, you can't major in "everything" in college. And there's just too much I want to do.

[Tito]

I'm a baggage handler at AA, nuff said.

My dad used to do that. He worked in the cargo department. He retired a few years ago. He worked out of O'Hare.

[Ehwmatt]

The question should then become, "Why is it necessary to take 6 years to get a degree?" Is this more corruption by the education system? I understand things like medical school, etc is different. Why should most bachelor degrees now a days take 5 years? Do we really need 5 years? Do we even need 4? Did I really need that music and religion classes?

I'm 22 credits away from a liberal arts degree (in otehr words, they made me take all kinds of bullshit AND forced me to minor) and I could graduate this semester. That'd be 3.5 years. Oh, and I transferred after my first semester of freshman year, so I lost a couple credits. MOST people that take more than 4 years to finish a standard bachelor's have shitty advisors and low self-initiative to not figure out how to make their schedules to get out in 4. I understand there's some specialty majors out there that seem to take 5, but if you're a standard cut and dry major there is no excuse for not finishing in 4.

[Tito]

Five years of college, a bachelors degree and $50,000+ in student loans and I'm making $8 an hour in a shitty factory in the middle of nowhere. Embarrassing huh? I swear to god every day I spend there my IQ drops 10 points, half of the people that work there can barely do elementary school math. I guess that's what I get for picking a field that no company is interested in. Had a really bad day at work...can anybody tell.?

Haven't read the rest of the thread yet, but I'm curious... what's your major? Because I know plenty of people in business/corporate america making decent to really good salaries just a few years out of school with all kinds of majors. Saying you picked a major that no company is interested in kinda sounds like a cop-out to me... did you do decently well in class? Did you shop yourself around? Attend career fairs? Try and make connections? etc etc...

I'm curious about your major and why you think no one would be interested in you...

I think ebake02 is Barak or Michelle Obama. He sounds like them. I'm kidding, I hope his/her luck turns around.

[Tito]

that is part of the reason there is such a high burnout rate

Read the article I linked to earlier. That is a myth.

[Ehwmatt]

But, there's only a handful of jobs I can think of that someone without at least a 2-year associate's degree could honestly support a family of four on... (yourself, a spouse, and 2 kids... more or less an average nuclear family I guess?).

Exactly, for someone who isn't overly ambitious or resourceful or lucky, life without any degree is an uphill battle.

I know my friends that have dropped out of college are working hard and making decent money, but they are all single, and in some cases, still living at home. And there's no way in hell they are saving money and planning for their (and their potential family's) financial futures. They just don't make enough to set aside and still cover the expenses they have. Even the ones still living off of their parents still have car bills to pay for, school loans to keep paying off despite dropping out, etc. I'm worried about some of my friends that elected not to finish college... it's becoming harder and harder to live today and it always pays to be more qualified.

True. I've seen that too. Of course, being 1000 miles from home I'm kind of forced to be 100% self-sufficient. And most of that you're speaking of is just fiscal responsibility and financial planning. Which anyone, regardless of degree, is susceptible to based on personality.

I couldn't have been more thrilled when my best friend told me he's returning to finish undergrad... really smart guy who should not be working the job he's working the rest of his life... I don't know, to me it's smart to get a degree of some kind, even if it's from an inexpensive/less prestigious school. Especially if you started on your way to one.

No doubt. I still may go back one day. I don't know. I'm too all over the place right now. As I was telling friends last week, I quit planning too concretely in the future because life has toppled me in directions and places I'd never imagined. Part of me still daydreams about taking off to Colorado part thinks about running a surf shop on Hilton Head. When it comes right down to it, if you're doing what makes you happy and living your life and writing your own story, then screw the typical college to corporate path! I'd much rather tell my grandchildren stories of living all over the place and all the adventures there than sit at a cubicle or in an office all day for the rest of my life working a "good job" because I want money. I got money. I want the free-spirited, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants life I've had to keep going. My point is, if there is one, you can't major in "everything" in college. And there's just too much I want to do.

I think you'd serve yourself well to go back and get something, even if it's an associate's from a community college. Not like there'd be anything stopping you from doing whatever the hell you want to do anyway.. it'd just be something nice to have if something ever went wrong with your other plans.

But, you captured the heart of the problem in the first part... it's fiscal responsibility. Whether it's college loans or working hard without your degree but spending it on frivolous shit... There is absolutely NO sense in going to an expensive private school that the loans alone will leave you crippled and without a pot to piss in after you graduate. Go somewhere that won't kill you paying off the next 20 years. The friend I mentioned before went to Dayton, a private school he had no business going to. Plenty of reasonable alternatives that wouldn't have killed him. Same as there's no sense in spending 50% of your year's pay on a car that'll impress those who see you in it but that you can't really afford.

People need to realize that above all - fiscal responsibility is important whether you're making 4 figures a year or 8.

Doesn't sound like you have any reason to worry, looks like you got a good head on your shoulders.

[Tito]

So to the people denigrating the profession and its challenges: Fuck off.

Personally, I'm not denigrating the profession at all. I'm just saying they are paid fairly (as a whole). As a taxpayer, they need to find a way to control the spending because the property taxes are starting to get out of control.

[Tito]

Theres no guarentees anymore, college doesnt get you high paying jobs, unless you specialize, and even then you have to keep up on trends and see what jobs are hot at the time you plan to graduate.

Unless you're a teacher and have tenure. Then you have guarantees: job, pensions, raises, benefits, etc. But seriously, that is true.

[Ehwmatt]

So to the people denigrating the profession and its challenges: Fuck off.

Personally, I'm not denigrating the profession at all. I'm just saying they are paid fairly (as a whole). As a taxpayer, they need to find a way to control the spending because the property taxes are starting to get out of control.

No you definitely weren't. Others were though. I'm sure there are plenty of teachers who deserve more pay and plenty that don't deserve it at all. Same thing with any profession though. That's where I come in telling teachers as a whole to stop whining

Liked the Obama crack though, I actually had the same joke in my head when I opened the thread.

[ProgRocker53]

I HATE my job. I get $7.25 an hour to glue together hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of fucking boxes. Every now and then I get to drive a forklift for 30 seconds. Woopity fucking doo. Raises once a year, and they're insignificant. The office guys at the factory only get like $15/hr and struggle too. It SUCKS.

I HATE my life. I'm stuck living at home with a possessive mother and a father who can't manage finances worth shit, and always has to "borrow" money from me... and he makes $50K a year!! I love them both, but it's hard to live with them. Not to mention my little sisters, who get away with everything and intrude on everything in my life. I sleep on a mattress on a floor, have very little to truly call my own, and drive a gay ass purple minivan.

I HATE decisions I've made and where I am now. I had my IQ officially tested three times growing up and every time it charted over a 130. I got amazing grades through elementary and middle school, won many contests and awards, was a three-sport athlete and had a bright future ahead of me. That's when I got arrogant, careless, and complacent. My GPA nosedived from a 4.0 to a 2.9 at the end of my freshman year because I finally stood up to bullies and got my ass suspended, refused to do homework, and cared more about useless crap than school. I managed to get my GPA back up to 3.3 by the time I graduated with a 28 on the ACT.... not great, but respectable, but yet FAR under what I was capable of.

I was obsessed with sports and wanted to prove to everyone that I could play college football.... SO, instead of looking at legitimate colleges for educational purposes, I looked at expensive private schools (which were the only ones that wanted me to play football, due to near-fatal meningitis stunting my growth my 10th grade year and keeping me at a meager, unimpressive 5'10"). My guidance adviser only cared about minorities and the class top 10.... so I got no guidance from her, and then my parents never went to college, so they went into the whole thing blind too.

College went splendidly, I was on the Deans' List, played football, and was getting a great reputation as an amazing journalist, witty video editor, and music expert. It was the best time of my life, and even though I was at a shitty expensive college, things were looking up for me. Due to it being shitty and expensive, though, I fell into debt at the end of the year that I STILL have yet to pay off due to how much of it I have.... and I don't think I'll be getting back to college for at least a couple years. I may have to start all over again, because my dumb ass failed to realize that communications majors only average something like $23,000/yr starting out.

I HATE most of my friends and people I know. I've lost a lot of my closest friends from high school due to the fact that they're living at their respective colleges now, with their own lives and tracks and ambitions and everything completely straightened out, and never come back home, and have no need for those who have been left behind. The friends I do have now, are all uncultured, unsophisticated folk with poor taste in EVERYTHING, and have very little to offer in the way of ANYTHING.. they're no fun and only ever want to play video games and/or sit around and smoke weed... and I'm not into that. My town is filled with uneducated, directionless bumblefucks who do nothing but annoy, soak up government checks, and smell like onion bagels.

I HATE where I live and what happens from day to day. I have little expendable money, too much free time, nothing to do, no way out, no direction or hope.... I'm insecure about everything about myself and need to change ALOT before I can really be happy. This is not the life I saw myself having at 20, and this will probably end up being my life, my whole life, and I can't fucking stand it....

I know someone's going to tell me to suck it up.. someone's going to tell me to think positive, someone's going to go "don't stop believin'," someone's going to call me a name or whatever. BUT.. I don't care, I needed to get all of this shit out to someone, somewhere... it's been bothering me for a LONG TIME and I needed to unload. And this was the perfect thread to do so on.

It just SUCKS, with the economy the way it is, me living where I am, the decisions I've already made, and the way it looks like everything is going.... I'm STUCK.

[Maui Tom]

Joy calls you "Gorgeous Prog"

I'd kill for that man....

[Michigan Girl]

I HATE my job. I get $7.25 an hour to glue together hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of fucking boxes. Every now and then I get to drive a forklift for 30 seconds. Woopity fucking doo. Raises once a year, and they're insignificant. The office guys at the factory only get like $15/hr and struggle too. It SUCKS.

I HATE my life. I'm stuck living at home with a possessive mother and a father who can't manage finances worth shit, and always has to "borrow" money from me... and he makes $50K a year!! I love them both, but it's hard to live with them. Not to mention my little sisters, who get away with everything and intrude on everything in my life. I sleep on a mattress on a floor, have very little to truly call my own, and drive a gay ass purple minivan.

I HATE decisions I've made and where I am now. I had my IQ officially tested three times growing up and every time it charted over a 130. I got amazing grades through elementary and middle school, won many contests and awards, was a three-sport athlete and had a bright future ahead of me. That's when I got arrogant, careless, and complacent. My GPA nosedived from a 4.0 to a 2.9 at the end of my freshman year because I finally stood up to bullies and got my ass suspended, refused to do homework, and cared more about useless crap than school. I managed to get my GPA back up to 3.3 by the time I graduated with a 28 on the ACT.... not great, but respectable, but yet FAR under what I was capable of.

I was obsessed with sports and wanted to prove to everyone that I could play college football.... SO, instead of looking at legitimate colleges for educational purposes, I looked at expensive private schools (which were the only ones that wanted me to play football, due to near-fatal meningitis stunting my growth my 10th grade year and keeping me at a meager, unimpressive 5'10"). My guidance adviser only cared about minorities and the class top 10.... so I got no guidance from her, and then my parents never went to college, so they went into the whole thing blind too.

College went splendidly, I was on the Deans' List, played football, and was getting a great reputation as an amazing journalist, witty video editor, and music expert. It was the best time of my life, and even though I was at a shitty expensive college, things were looking up for me. Due to it being shitty and expensive, though, I fell into debt at the end of the year that I STILL have yet to pay off due to how much of it I have.... and I don't think I'll be getting back to college for at least a couple years. I may have to start all over again, because my dumb ass failed to realize that communications majors only average something like $23,000/yr starting out.

I HATE most of my friends and people I know. I've lost a lot of my closest friends from high school due to the fact that they're living at their respective colleges now, with their own lives and tracks and ambitions and everything completely straightened out, and never come back home, and have no need for those who have been left behind. The friends I do have now, are all uncultured, unsophisticated folk with poor taste in EVERYTHING, and have very little to offer in the way of ANYTHING.. they're no fun and only ever want to play video games and/or sit around and smoke weed... and I'm not into that. My town is filled with uneducated, directionless bumblefucks who do nothing but annoy, soak up government checks, and smell like onion bagels.

I HATE where I live and what happens from day to day. I have little expendable money, too much free time, nothing to do, no way out, no direction or hope.... I'm insecure about everything about myself and need to change ALOT before I can really be happy. This is not the life I saw myself having at 20, and this will probably end up being my life, my whole life, and I can't fucking stand it....

I know someone's going to tell me to suck it up.. someone's going to tell me to think positive, someone's going to go "don't stop believin'," someone's going to call me a name or whatever. BUT.. I don't care, I needed to get all of this shit out to someone, somewhere... it's been bothering me for a LONG TIME and I needed to unload. And this was the perfect thread to do so on.

It just SUCKS, with the economy the way it is, me living where I am, the decisions I've already made, and the way it looks like everything is going.... I'm STUCK.

I say pack your bags, get in your shitty purple minivan and come to Louisiana....I think I can help you get on your feet!!! You're a great kid Proggy~Pooh!!!

[Arkansas]

Dude, if you hate your life & everything else so much, you might as well enjoy a little weed. Might take the edge off a bit.

...just sayin.


later~

[ProgRocker53]

Dude, if you hate your life & everything else so much, you might as well enjoy a little weed. Might take the edge off a bit.

...just sayin.

LOL!!!

Thanks.

[AlteredDNA]

Prog - Suck it up... Just kidding...

All I'll say is this - you may think your life is set in stone now at 20, but you've got so much more life ahead. I'm 42, and just three years ago, I started my own business, and my wife and I had our first child (both in the same month). Needless to say, my life changed dramatically at age 39, and that wasn't even the first time major change happened.

Totally understand your need to vent, though. I've had those moments as well.

[RossValoryRocks]

I HATE my job. I get $7.25 an hour to glue together hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of fucking boxes. Every now and then I get to drive a forklift for 30 seconds. Woopity fucking doo. Raises once a year, and they're insignificant. The office guys at the factory only get like $15/hr and struggle too. It SUCKS.

I HATE my life. I'm stuck living at home with a possessive mother and a father who can't manage finances worth shit, and always has to "borrow" money from me... and he makes $50K a year!! I love them both, but it's hard to live with them. Not to mention my little sisters, who get away with everything and intrude on everything in my life. I sleep on a mattress on a floor, have very little to truly call my own, and drive a gay ass purple minivan.

I HATE decisions I've made and where I am now. I had my IQ officially tested three times growing up and every time it charted over a 130. I got amazing grades through elementary and middle school, won many contests and awards, was a three-sport athlete and had a bright future ahead of me. That's when I got arrogant, careless, and complacent. My GPA nosedived from a 4.0 to a 2.9 at the end of my freshman year because I finally stood up to bullies and got my ass suspended, refused to do homework, and cared more about useless crap than school. I managed to get my GPA back up to 3.3 by the time I graduated with a 28 on the ACT.... not great, but respectable, but yet FAR under what I was capable of.

I was obsessed with sports and wanted to prove to everyone that I could play college football.... SO, instead of looking at legitimate colleges for educational purposes, I looked at expensive private schools (which were the only ones that wanted me to play football, due to near-fatal meningitis stunting my growth my 10th grade year and keeping me at a meager, unimpressive 5'10"). My guidance adviser only cared about minorities and the class top 10.... so I got no guidance from her, and then my parents never went to college, so they went into the whole thing blind too.

College went splendidly, I was on the Deans' List, played football, and was getting a great reputation as an amazing journalist, witty video editor, and music expert. It was the best time of my life, and even though I was at a shitty expensive college, things were looking up for me. Due to it being shitty and expensive, though, I fell into debt at the end of the year that I STILL have yet to pay off due to how much of it I have.... and I don't think I'll be getting back to college for at least a couple years. I may have to start all over again, because my dumb ass failed to realize that communications majors only average something like $23,000/yr starting out.

I HATE most of my friends and people I know. I've lost a lot of my closest friends from high school due to the fact that they're living at their respective colleges now, with their own lives and tracks and ambitions and everything completely straightened out, and never come back home, and have no need for those who have been left behind. The friends I do have now, are all uncultured, unsophisticated folk with poor taste in EVERYTHING, and have very little to offer in the way of ANYTHING.. they're no fun and only ever want to play video games and/or sit around and smoke weed... and I'm not into that. My town is filled with uneducated, directionless bumblefucks who do nothing but annoy, soak up government checks, and smell like onion bagels.

I HATE where I live and what happens from day to day. I have little expendable money, too much free time, nothing to do, no way out, no direction or hope.... I'm insecure about everything about myself and need to change ALOT before I can really be happy. This is not the life I saw myself having at 20, and this will probably end up being my life, my whole life, and I can't fucking stand it....

I know someone's going to tell me to suck it up.. someone's going to tell me to think positive, someone's going to go "don't stop believin'," someone's going to call me a name or whatever. BUT.. I don't care, I needed to get all of this shit out to someone, somewhere... it's been bothering me for a LONG TIME and I needed to unload. And this was the perfect thread to do so on.

It just SUCKS, with the economy the way it is, me living where I am, the decisions I've already made, and the way it looks like everything is going.... I'm STUCK.

First: You are not stuck. You have identified the areas you needed to work on and have reasonable self realization of your faults, your positives and your mistakes. You can do ANYTHING in this country you want to do, with enough hard work. I don't think you are afraid of that from the sounds of it. You won't want to hear this but if you need more money, go get another job to help out, even if it is part time.

I graduated from college and my first year I worked basically 2 full time, and 1 part time job and got experience, which then turned into 1 full time job that paid way more than the 2 full times I was working, and still worked the part time for some extra cash. It wasn't until 7 years after graduation that I was making enough that I didn't have to work an extra job anymore. And then I went back to school...LOL...it took me 15 years to pay off all my school debt.

It can be done bro! I will talk with you more in Cleveland about it. It's not easy, but it also isn't as hard as you are making it out to be.

[epresley]

I HATE my job. I get $7.25 an hour to glue together hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of fucking boxes. Every now and then I get to drive a forklift for 30 seconds. Woopity fucking doo. Raises once a year, and they're insignificant. The office guys at the factory only get like $15/hr and struggle too. It SUCKS.

I HATE my life. I'm stuck living at home with a possessive mother and a father who can't manage finances worth shit, and always has to "borrow" money from me... and he makes $50K a year!! I love them both, but it's hard to live with them. Not to mention my little sisters, who get away with everything and intrude on everything in my life. I sleep on a mattress on a floor, have very little to truly call my own, and drive a gay ass purple minivan.

I HATE decisions I've made and where I am now. I had my IQ officially tested three times growing up and every time it charted over a 130. I got amazing grades through elementary and middle school, won many contests and awards, was a three-sport athlete and had a bright future ahead of me. That's when I got arrogant, careless, and complacent. My GPA nosedived from a 4.0 to a 2.9 at the end of my freshman year because I finally stood up to bullies and got my ass suspended, refused to do homework, and cared more about useless crap than school. I managed to get my GPA back up to 3.3 by the time I graduated with a 28 on the ACT.... not great, but respectable, but yet FAR under what I was capable of.

I was obsessed with sports and wanted to prove to everyone that I could play college football.... SO, instead of looking at legitimate colleges for educational purposes, I looked at expensive private schools (which were the only ones that wanted me to play football, due to near-fatal meningitis stunting my growth my 10th grade year and keeping me at a meager, unimpressive 5'10"). My guidance adviser only cared about minorities and the class top 10.... so I got no guidance from her, and then my parents never went to college, so they went into the whole thing blind too.

College went splendidly, I was on the Deans' List, played football, and was getting a great reputation as an amazing journalist, witty video editor, and music expert. It was the best time of my life, and even though I was at a shitty expensive college, things were looking up for me. Due to it being shitty and expensive, though, I fell into debt at the end of the year that I STILL have yet to pay off due to how much of it I have.... and I don't think I'll be getting back to college for at least a couple years. I may have to start all over again, because my dumb ass failed to realize that communications majors only average something like $23,000/yr starting out.

I HATE most of my friends and people I know. I've lost a lot of my closest friends from high school due to the fact that they're living at their respective colleges now, with their own lives and tracks and ambitions and everything completely straightened out, and never come back home, and have no need for those who have been left behind. The friends I do have now, are all uncultured, unsophisticated folk with poor taste in EVERYTHING, and have very little to offer in the way of ANYTHING.. they're no fun and only ever want to play video games and/or sit around and smoke weed... and I'm not into that. My town is filled with uneducated, directionless bumblefucks who do nothing but annoy, soak up government checks, and smell like onion bagels.

I HATE where I live and what happens from day to day. I have little expendable money, too much free time, nothing to do, no way out, no direction or hope.... I'm insecure about everything about myself and need to change ALOT before I can really be happy. This is not the life I saw myself having at 20, and this will probably end up being my life, my whole life, and I can't fucking stand it....

I know someone's going to tell me to suck it up.. someone's going to tell me to think positive, someone's going to go "don't stop believin'," someone's going to call me a name or whatever. BUT.. I don't care, I needed to get all of this shit out to someone, somewhere... it's been bothering me for a LONG TIME and I needed to unload. And this was the perfect thread to do so on.

It just SUCKS, with the economy the way it is, me living where I am, the decisions I've already made, and the way it looks like everything is going.... I'm STUCK.

Proggy, I'm 44 and I've made every mistake imaginable in my life, and then some. We ALL have. If I had followed my dream, I would have been Ace's replacement in KISS, NOT Vinnie/Bruce/Tommy!!!!!!!!! But it's all good, I ended up with three beautiful daughters, a job I can tolerate most days, and play my guitar out back in my wood shop, alone and hot. Hang in there man, I've walked in those shoes.

[Tito]

I HATE my life. I'm stuck living at home with a possessive mother and a father who can't manage finances worth shit, and always has to "borrow" money from me... and he makes $50K a year!! I love them both, but it's hard to live with them. Not to mention my little sisters, who get away with everything and intrude on everything in my life. I sleep on a mattress on a floor, have very little to truly call my own, and drive a gay ass purple minivan.

At least you have something to tell your kids - about how rough a life you had growing up.

[Michigan Girl]

Proggy, I'm 44 and I've made every mistake imaginable in my life, and then some. We ALL have. If I had followed my dream, I would have been Ace's replacement in KISS, NOT Vinnie/Bruce/Tommy!!!!!!!!! But it's all good, I ended up with three beautiful daughters, a job I can tolerate most days, and play my guitar out back in my wood shop, alone and hot. Hang in there man, I've walked in those shoes.

You're so funny!!!

[epresley]

Proggy, I'm 44 and I've made every mistake imaginable in my life, and then some. We ALL have. If I had followed my dream, I would have been Ace's replacement in KISS, NOT Vinnie/Bruce/Tommy!!!!!!!!! But it's all good, I ended up with three beautiful daughters, a job I can tolerate most days, and play my guitar out back in my wood shop, alone and hot. Hang in there man, I've walked in those shoes.

You're so funny!!!

MG, the truth hurts, but I tell it!

[StevePerryHair]

[
Its just the way of the world i guess, the term tech or aide was used to decipher between people who were considered to be professionals and someone who wasn't,Theres always a pecking order, and when i said that the scrubb tech was a low level job in the hospital setting(I didnt mean it was low class but it may of came off that way I apologize to Angie and anyone who took it that way I was trying to just make the point of pay/years of education.

Oh,by the way you can go into medical school with an english degree, most people did to boost there GPA,so i dont know if the med tech really has any pull to get you in...it sure helps to be in the field if you want to be an M.D., but it isn't a necessity.

The other thing to look at is college is a money making business,it's buyer beware...you can be a med tech in less than a year,but college will be more than happy to take your money for 4 years and give you the same certification.......it sucks, but this is very common.

Theres no guarantees anymore, college doesnt get you high paying jobs, unless you specialize, and even then you have to keep up on trends and see what jobs are hot at the time you plan to graduate.

You actually can't be a med tech in a year. You can be a Medical Technician in a year, but not a Technologist. And they get paid TRUE crap. Technologist's have to have a Bachelor's Degree and then 12 months at an accredited School of Medical Technology. This degree process is required nationally. It's kind of the difference between a Pharmacy Tech and a Pharmacist. Technician's can work almost the same jobs we do, but with more stipulations involved. Techologist's have to supervise them. Also depends on where you work. Some rural hospitals may hire a technician, and not care. Some hospitals won't hire them at all. There are certain parts of the lab that they would not be able to work in also. Technologist has degree requirements and then you have to take a national accreditation test and pass it. All hospitals require you to be certified. And some states such as the lovely state of Florida have their own test and certification process on top of that. We have a license we have to keep up that makes the state money basically. That's what's irritating though. They require all of this knowledge and education but then they don't give you the pay. Other health care careers such as Nursing, Pharmacy and Physical Therapy get way better pay with as much or less education in some cases.

And pay varies depending on where you live too. I realize that Florida pays in sunshine If only sunshine paid those bills!!

[Sassie]

I just have one thing to say. Not all of your friends are no good. From what I have been reading you have some pretty fantastic ones right here. That's a good start.

[Ehwmatt]

I just have one thing to say. Not all of your friends are no good. From what I have been reading you have some pretty fantastic ones right here. That's a good start.

Lovin the Guess Who sig. More and more Burton/Randy love round these parts lately...

[Angiekay]

Prog...its tough love time!!

It's GOOD that you don't want people to tell you to suck it up, because you shouldn't!! You should get off your ass and move ahead. Like Ross said, you know what's wrong, you know what you don't like, and yes it does seems overwhelming, but believe me, you're not anywhere that half the people on this board haven't been before...or maybe still are. My friend Ray used to say, "Everyone has to start out eating their shit sandwiches". That's what you're doing now.

I've been in radio for 20 years but I STILL have a part time job. Over the years it's gone from an additional full time job to part time, but I've been there for 19 years. Start small. If your debt is overwhelming, get that second job. You mentioned you had too much time on your hands! Start paying down your debt. When you get a little extra, sock it away. Have a goal, and a time table. Maybe say, be able to afford rent in a year from now. Are you renting from your parents? If you are and they need money, tell them you will BORROW it to them! You're all adults now!

If you've ever thought of moving and trying something different, NOW is the time to do it, while you're young! Your debt is going to be with you, no matter where you go, so why not take a chance on a change? Hell, Sioux Falls may be cold, but we have less then 3% unemployment here! There are always recruitment job ads on the radio for over twice what you are making!

Most importantly, even though it is the toughest thing to do, try to keep a positive attitude! If you believe you're at the bottom, there is no place to go but up, right?

[Sarah]

[because of CA being THE BEST STATE EVER

I really hope you were being facetious.

If you read the whole paragraph you know that was dripping in sarcasm.