As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

Panicking about my life...

mid_altmid_alt Registered User new member
edited March 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
Disclaimer: This is an alt.

If I had to sum myself up in three words, they would be: smart, lazy, and irresponsible.

I'm getting old. I don't want to give too much personal info away but let's say that I'm much much closer to 30 than either 20 or 40.

I currently have no college degree. I have a number of credits from a community college, but not enough even for an associates. Due to a variety of reasons, but mostly laziness, I was academically dismissed from community college. It is embarrassing to even contemplate.

I am also terrible with money. Terrible. So terrible that my credit rating is undoubtedly in the shitter and I'm actually terrified what my credit score might be, so I won't even look.

I am in debt, but that isn't totally out of reach. All told, the number is less than 4k but I'd have to confirm that.

Anyway, after college I took a number of different jobs and eventually found my way in finance, at first doing basic data entry. I started as a temp, managed to go permanent once, lost that job, and after a long period of unemployment (nearly a year) I got picked up at another corporation (again as a temp) and have been working here for over three years, but it looks like my contract is finally expiring in a month. They spoke multiple times about permanent hiring but the markets collapsed and remained in disrepair long enough to make that a pipe dream.

My worry is that without a college degree, I am going to be really, really screwed. My resume is nice, with 7+ years of experience in finance, but having to put on it that I have no degree is a killer. I'd like to go back to college but i have many things working against me.

First, the academic dismissal. Will that prevent me from going back to school? The dismissal was a long time ago...but i don't know how that works.

Second, money. As I said I am terrible with money. I have nothing saved and if I do not remain employed, I will have nothing - certainly not enough to attend school. Getting a loan is out of the question as I have nothing of value and a terrible credit rating on top of it.

I'm way too old to have let myself get into this situation, but here I am. Any advice? I really need to unfuck my life. I'm thinking of the future. I'd like to have a family some day. My credit will disable me from getting a car and a house, no? My lack of college degree is something that shames me greatly. I really need to fix my life.

Is there any hope at this point? I feel...lost. I'm resolved to fight my own bad nature and habits tooth and nail - my laziness, my irresponsibility I will work very hard to overcome. But what about the rest?

mid_alt on

Posts

  • DeebaserDeebaser on my way to work in a suit and a tie Ahhhh...come on fucking guyRegistered User regular
    edited February 2011
    mid_alt wrote: »
    My worry is that without a college degree, I am going to be really, really screwed. My resume is nice, with 7+ years of experience in finance, but having to put on it that I have no degree is a killer. I'd like to go back to college but i have many things working against me.

    You're pretty screwed if you wanna be corporate/white collar and you don't have a degree, yes.

    mid_alt wrote: »
    First, the academic dismissal. Will that prevent me from going back to school? The dismissal was a long time ago...but i don't know how that works.

    Academic dismissal from community college does not look good on your transcript, no. You will probably have to go back to CC and finish your associates before you repair your GPA enough to transfer to a four year. Call Academic advising at your old school and see what you can do about giving it another go.


    mid_alt wrote: »
    Second, money. As I said I am terrible with money. I have nothing saved and if I do not remain employed, I will have nothing - certainly not enough to attend school. Getting a loan is out of the question as I have nothing of value and a terrible credit rating on top of it.

    Set some priorities. Community College isn't that expensive. You can get a Stafford loan to help you out. Start Saving.

    mid_alt wrote: »
    I'm way too old to have let myself get into this situation, but here I am. Any advice? I really need to unfuck my life. I'm thinking of the future. I'd like to have a family some day. My credit will disable me from getting a car and a house, no? My lack of college degree is something that shames me greatly. I really need to fix my life.

    Is there any hope at this point? I feel...lost. I'm resolved to fight my own bad nature and habits tooth and nail - my laziness, my irresponsibility I will work very hard to overcome. But what about the rest?

    My latin professor beat this into my skull and it served me well when I was in a similar spot in life: "Success is never ending. Failure is never final."

    Admitting to your self that you've been fucking up and you want to change is a good step one. Following through is a bit harder, but very rewarding. Good luck.

    Deebaser on
  • SixSix Caches Tweets in the mainframe cyberhex Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    The academic dismissal won't affect you nearly as much as you think. It's there, and it will be there, but you are a long way away from it. Explaining that you've learned and grown in the intervening years (your work experience will back this up) will almost certainly mean that you will be able to properly demonstrate that it's behind you.

    The experience you've had since then is very valuable. Make sure you use it when you apply to school.

    Six on
    can you feel the struggle within?
  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    You can always recover. Go back to a CC or wherever you can get in, and start working your way back. As far as money goes - Make a budget, stick to it. Make it hard for you to get money to waste (as if you're lazy, you won't bother getting it out).
    Most importantly: This doesn't have to be some big complex thing. Focus on the steps in front of you first, worry about EVERYTHING never. Paraphrasing Henry Ford - "Nothing is so complex that it can't be broken down into it's simplest pieces".
    Getting a degree in your early 30's is complex.
    You know what isn't?
    -Calling/emailing the local community college to inquire about classes and registration
    -Setting up a savings account or automated debt payment

    That will start you on the path. Most importantly: You CAN do this. The only person who can stop you is YOU.


    note: Velociraptors can also stop you, but I wouldn't worry about that. Yet.

    schuss on
  • QuantaQuanta Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    Six wrote: »
    The academic dismissal won't affect you nearly as much as you think. It's there, and it will be there, but you are a long way away from it. Explaining that you've learned and grown in the intervening years (your work experience will back this up) will almost certainly mean that you will be able to properly demonstrate that it's behind you.

    The experience you've had since then is very valuable. Make sure you use it when you apply to school.

    This. Academic dismissal is something like a layoff, where the school is basically telling you "Go home, get your shit together, and then come back when you're ready to get serious." After all, there's no point in them taking your money if you're not getting anything out of it.

    Unless it's a private school, in which case I'm sure they'll gladly take your $15k/year tuition for you to not show up.

    Quanta on
  • OnTheLastCastleOnTheLastCastle let's keep it haimish for the peripatetic Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    Also, now that you've worked, you can tell them that you know what you want to do and take that major. They'll be glad to have you and have many night classes set up for working adults.

    OnTheLastCastle on
  • DeadfallDeadfall I don't think you realize just how rich he is. In fact, I should put on a monocle.Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    Just so you know, I've been looking for a new job, and almost every one I've looked at has said, under their requirements: 4 year degree or equivalent work experience. I'd say your 7 years of experience is worth something.

    Deadfall on
    7ivi73p71dgy.png
    xbl - HowYouGetAnts
    steam - WeAreAllGeth
  • useless4useless4 Registered User regular
    edited February 2011
    Most importantly, get your credit in order.

    Most jobs - especially ones in finance - are going to require good credit AND check.

    useless4 on
  • ThanatosThanatos Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    useless4 wrote: »
    Most importantly, get your credit in order.

    Most jobs - especially ones in finance - are going to require good credit AND check.
    This is true.

    Doubly true is that it's way easier to find a job while you already have a job. So, start getting your credit in order and start looking for a new job right now. Use Mint.com or a simple Excel spreadsheet to start making yourself a budget, and get an idea of where your money is actually going.

    Thanatos on
  • LockedOnTargetLockedOnTarget Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    If you're truly desperate for work, don't be picky. Flip burgers or make Subway sandwiches or pump gas or be a convenience store clerk or deliver pizza if you have to. It may feel beneath you, but a minimum wage job is still a job. You can look for a better, more fitting job while you do it, and at least you'll be bringing in some money to help you get by.

    Try to limit your spending as much as you can, but leave some money for hobbies/entertainment. You need some joy in your life. Try to find a hobby that doesn't require much investment.

    Start usng your credit card to buy things as much as possible, and then immediately pay the money back onto the card. And do everything you can to make sure any monthly payments you have to make are on time.

    LockedOnTarget on
  • The Crowing OneThe Crowing One Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Start usng your credit card to buy things as much as possible, and then immediately pay the money back onto the card. And do everything you can to make sure any monthly payments you have to make are on time.

    Use your credit to purchase somewhere around $50 each month (I usually buy a tank of gas or two, these days one fill-up pretty much does it). Do not approach limit or even close to half your limit. Immediately pay it off.

    The Crowing One on
    3rddocbottom.jpg
Sign In or Register to comment.