LOL Is this only MY irrational fear?

When dh and I first met (17 in HS) I totally had this vision of me going to college and getting an amazing job and having an amazing career. I didn't dream of being a sahm to say the least.

Well as things have turned out, I often wonder even when I get my degree, if I will ever use it. Now, ever is a bit dramatic. I mean, hopefully I have a long life ahead. But seriously, I will have spent almost $40K on a degree that I am going to do what with? I have no clue!!! I have no clue what kind of job I would get and to make it even more difficult, my dh has a job that moves us every 1-3 years! I don't think he will be giving up his job anytime soon.... so anyhow. I meet people who have a degree in this or that but have never actually had a job, and I wonder if that will be me!

I used to feel that way which is why I didn't pursue finishing my degree. But now I am motivated toward a certain career path so I don't worry anymore. I have also spent so long supporting dh in his career and am over it now for a variety of reasons, so my career will take priority once I am out of school.

However, I see nothing wrong with spending the money to get a degree even if you have no plan for a career because it is a wonderful use of money and time. Learning is marvelous and you will have the basic degree to enter the work force should you decide to do so. Even entry level positions WITH a degree pay more than some experienced positions WITHOUT a degree.

It took a long time for me to decide what I wanted to be when I grow up and now that I know, I am going for it. I wish I already had my bachelors as I would already be in my last year of law school. But I have to finish that and then enter law school.

I guess I just don't know what I want to be anymore. Originally, I was premed. That is a pretty easy to follow career path (as long as you pass all your tests!!!). Then I made a drastic shift to business, and while I love business, I guess my dream is to own my own business, and that won't happen until dh quits his current job and we are stable.

I absolutely worry about that, because I'm fairly certain I don't want to work in my original field. But I'm finishing that degree for other reasons. Hopefully, I'll figure out what I want to do and go to school again for whatever that is.

I do - and that's what held me back for so many years. I do love being home with my kids (or would want DH to be home with them) and if I went back to school, I'd have to take out student loans. Then, when I graduate(d) I would have to pay those loans back. Sooo, for me, it was a balancing act trying to determine when I would be able to go into the workforce or if DH would be able to pay my student loans (or if we could pay out of pocket).

I decided to take the long road - and get an advanced degree that will take me much of my parenting years to accomplish. As an aside - I found an old journal thing of mine, one of those fill-in-the-blank type of things? And I said that in ten years I would be married with two kids and be an attorney. So, that was 4 year ago. I guess it *kinda* happened ;)

Anyway - it'll take me at least four years to finish my undergrad degree, plus another four for part time law school - so that's 8. M will be 19 by then and at college herself. S will be 16. J will be 14. P will be 12. And, Jack will be 10. So, I could, theoretically, work part time or office share with DH at that point.

I keep telling people that I'm not worried about loans and such since it'll be like 8 years before I am in the work force. However, that puts me in my 40's. EEP! That seems kind of old to be ENTERING the workforce for the first time, but then again, maybe people will afford me more respect since I'll be of age to have been working for longer, kwim? I'm contemplating a masters degree. Double EEP, lol. I'm basically just along for the ride at this point. My dream is to find a killer job BEFORE I graduate that I'm already qualified for and just go straight for it. Not sure that exists, but you never know. School is half networking half education at this point for me.

40s isn't too old to enter the work force.

I have lots of friends who have done so after SAHMing for the earlier adult years.

I'll probably be 40 before I get my first job that requires a degree. That's been a consideration when I try to pick what to do. I can't compete against youth. I'd rather be in a job where a little wisdom and experience counts for something.

I used to not worry about it, then I went to work with many people that have their degrees and are sitting beside me making the same small paycheck I make.

Now, I worry a bit.

I am still going for it and staying positive I WILL get a better paying job and one I actually half way enjoy.

I'm not a student mama, but I saw this in new posts and wanted to reply.

I followed a fairly traditional path. I went straight to college after high school. Got my bachelor's at 21 and my master's at 25. Emma was born five months later. And I've been home ever since. So I've never actually officially used either of my degrees. But I feel fine about it. I feel like I use it every day in raising my kids, being part of society, etc. I am working (very) part time now, but it doesn't actually utilize my degrees. Without a master's, though, I wouldn't have this job (and it's a great one).

There is nothing wrong with doing something for the process and not so much for the product!

I kinda agree Nancy, but honestly, if I were just doing this for the process, I can thinking of a lot of other ways I would rather spend $40K to enrichen my life. LOL

So are you thinking you won't WANT to work or that you won't be able to find work? Choosing to not work is one thing. Wanting to work and not being able to find it is quite another!

I'll probably be 40 before I get my first job that requires a degree. That's been a consideration when I try to pick what to do. I can't compete against youth. I'd rather be in a job where a little wisdom and experience counts for something.

yep, that - totally.

Yes, I worry about it, because I'll be taking out mass loans for the next 3 years and I'll need to work to pay them back. So there's no going back, as in deciding I'd rather be SAHMing after all. But I'm just hoping that in staying positive and focused, the perfect oppotunities will arise, ones that will work with my life.

So are you thinking you won't WANT to work or that you won't be able to find work? Choosing to not work is one thing. Wanting to work and not being able to find it is quite another!

I think it is going to be difficult to find a job around dh's job. Dh has an AMAZING job, it pays incredibly well, he loves his work, and it has given us a lot of really good opportunities. We don't plan on him leaving anytime soon. The problem is, we have to move every 1-3 years. So for me, building a career in business around that, would be very difficult. Not impossible by any stretch, just difficult. He makes enough money that I don't need to work by any means, but I want to, I had always planned on a career, and honestly, I want the security of being able to bring in my own money.