free money for school, what would you do?

[dirtyhipegirl]

Hello all,

I've been racking my brain lately trying to make some decisions. I'm a military wife, whose had an unbelievably hard year. My life is finally starting to regain some normalcy. I only have a few years left to use my GI bill money for school. I've used a partial amount towards a degree in English, I need to use the remaining money but not necessarily for the same degree. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I know I don't want to end up like my mom and be stuck in a dead end job living paycheck to paycheck when I'm 60. If I do end up finishing the English degree it will more than likely be online, with a reputable school since dh deploys a lot. I hate the idea of an online degree, no offense to anyone. I know there is not much you can do with an English degree. I don't know if I should go ahead and get it just to have it and finish using my money before it goes down the toilet. I guess I'm worried that in 10 years or something I will finally figure out what I want to do with my life and need to peruse a total different direction of study. I just don't know what to do??? I know I will regret if I don't use the money, it will make those crappy years of being in the Air Force for nothing. What would you do?

[poppan]

I think I would get a degree, English or otherwise. Having it will make you more marketable no matter what subject it's in.

I got a degree in Economics and none of my jobs has ever had anything to do with Economics. I also know people who majored in stuff like Math or Psychology and we all work in the corporate world together and have nothing to do with the subjects we studied. A 4-year degree from a reputable school will at least get your resume looked at. The rest is more up to the experience you gain after that (in the working world, internships, etc) and by how well you interview.

[laurabfig]

Could you get a degree in something else? English is a great degree for going on to more school, or law school, or teaching....but if you don't want to do those things, why not use the money now to get a degree that you could really use right out of school in a job that you'd be interested in?

[GuildJenn]

Is there a way to apply it to a more technical program?

I wouldn't suggest journalism right now, but human resources (corporate communications) is thriving, marketing/marketing communications, public relations...all areas where the ability to read, think and write will really help, and which can position you for quote-unquote Real Jobs.

If not, I'd finish the English degree. Whether in 10 years you find a new passion or not, you'll have a completed degree and have used the money, even if it's online.

[Carita]

I would get your degree. if its from a reputable school that has a brick and mortar complement, then no one even needs know that it was an online degree. that said - i would get the degree, take lots of electives to figure out what might interest you later, and then consider a master's degree later if you want to change fields.

[dirtyhipegirl]

I think the best thing to do is just go ahead and try to get it online. With my life situation right now that is the only option. Now to find a reputable school that offers Eng online. Thanks all

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by dirtyhipegirl

I think the best thing to do is just go ahead and try to get it online. With my life situation right now that is the only option. Now to find a reputable school that offers Eng online. Thanks all

Look into your local universities to see if they offer it online, before looking into "U of Phoenix" or something like that. Several of our in state colleges have full online programs.

If in 10 years from now you decide you want to do something new, you could always do a new program or grad school