Okay, so I currently am going to a small (and semi-expensive) private school. I was planning on becoming a nurse from convincing by my mom, but that’s no longer what I want to do. I guess I didn’t even want to at first, but I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I thought I’d give it a chance. After a semester, I’ve realized that I hate science and I can’t handle that for the next four years. Going to this school would no longer be worth it because of how expensive it is and the fact that I will be in debt for the rest of my life and I can’t handle that if I’m not majoring in something that will pay off financially in the long run.
My mom works at a college (University of Louisville) so I would be able to attend for free but she will not listen to me when I tell her that it is obviously the better option. I originally wanted to go here in the first place, but she kept telling me how horrible it is and how awful the teachers are. I really want to transfer though because this will be much better for my future! I have decided I want to major in social work, but my mom hates this because of how “little” they make as opposed to something like nursing. How do I convince her to let me transfer?
Wow, she doesn’t want you to pursue the FREE degree? Huh. Well it sounds like she’s hung up on nursing as a career for you. Maybe tell her about some other majors/career options that you’re thinking of.
I hate to say it, but if she’s totally stubborn you may have to threaten to “drop out” after this academic year. At that point she may see the tuition-free school as a better option.
I’m glad you’re being realistic about your major and career. Good luck!
At the end of the day it’s your career and you have to do what is best for you. I must say I am somewhat shocked by your moms response. A free education compared to a expensive one is a no brainer for most folks.
It sounds like mom cares about “prestige” of your private uni. It doesn’t sound like she is going to let you transfer, so unless you have the money, you cannot do it alone.
Find something opposite of nursing at your school. They should have social work there as well. Change your classes. Done. Plus if you can’t handle blood, bile, or urine, you will be in the wrong profession.
Don't go back for another semester, if you know nursing is not for you then don't even consider wasting the money. And your mom is probably right, What do you think a social worker even does?
Is your issue what you’re studying at your college or the amount of debt you have to take to study there? How much are you borrowing? If it’s money you’ll be paying “for the rest of (your) life,” it sounds like much more than the federal student loans. If your mom cosigned loans for you, I think you’re smart not to go back.
Put an app in at your mom’s school. Would your parents let you live at home if you attended the college where she works? Room and board at Louisville is ~$8500 so the federal student loan and summer work earnings might cover it if you get free tuition, but the less debt you have, the better. You don’t have to pick a major yet. If your main concern is debt, focus on that in your discussions. What’s your dad saying? Is he okay with the transfer?
Ask your current school for a leave of absence (instead of going back in the spring) so you can work. Get a full-time job (you’d probably have to start repaying your loans until you go back to school) and do some volunteering in your community in a field that interests you. That will allow you to save some money, cut down on your debt, and give you time to think about what you might like to study when you go back to college.
Perhaps her concern is the social work field. I have a young friend that got her Master’s (pretty much a requirement oin the field. Then after just a few years, she wast burned out. She felt compelled to resign and now is rethinking a new path.
I have to speak up in support of social work. One of my dearest friends has been a social worker for 30+ years. She works on staff at a hospital and currently works with out patients undergoing treatment for a chronic, sometimes fatal, illness. She has a decent salary, benefits, a pension and is one of the kindest people I know. I don’t know if this is still done, but my friend graduated with an undergraduate degree in sociology and her employer paid for her MSW.
The nurses might make more money but if it’s not a career the OP sees herself in, she shouldn’t pursue it.
Social workers do not earn ginormous salaries…but we DO need good social workers. If this student wants to pursue this field, I can’t imagine discouraging her because her salary will be lower than other professions.
She has the option of completing a bachelors degree at very little cost.
To the OP, really you will need a MSW…a masters…to do most social work jobs.
Thank you for thinking of a career that reaches out to others despite a lower salary. I do agree…you want your debt to be as low as possible if you pursue this field. But then…I think debt should be as low as possible regardless of the field of study.
If the OP still wants to be a social worker after evaluating the career and the pros and cons fully, then more power to the OP. But it does a disservice to students to not at least suggest that they understand the pros and cons of any career they want to pursue (trust me, I have told some students who want to be management consultants just how soul sucking that career can be – not all downsides are financial!).
I think most students pick careers with very, very little research into what the job is really like day in and day out, what the salary ranges are, and what long term career options they have. Every student should research this thoroughly, not just those interested in social work.