<p>Ok, here's the deal... I'm 34 and looking to head back to college to change professions. At the same time, I still need to make at least a little money to help provide for the family. My current industry (health and fitness) requires horrible hours, as people typically want to train early morning or late evenings (aka before or after work). This is a part of the reason why I want to leave my current profession, but there is far more to it than that.</p>
<p>Now, I want college to be my main priority. I am starting in summer, and want to enroll in as many honors courses as I can. So, I am trying to figure out what a good profession would be that would give me flexible hours to revolve it around school, but will have enough consistency that I won't be stressed about income while going to school.</p>
<p>The strongest qualities and skills I have to bring to the table at this point are sales, marketing, management, and computers. Management is of course out of the question as the hours would be too demanding. I really don't like direct sales, so I would also like to avoid that if at all possible. </p>
<p>I have considered trying to put together a computer repair company, but I just don't know if there's enough demand out there to get much of any business from it. I put together a page for doing freelance personal training, and spent countless hours aggressively marketing it, but the industry is just so dead due to the economy, that it isn't pulling in anything. So, I'm kind of at a "once bitten, twice shy" point right now in that regard.</p>
<p>I have done research on the web, but most of what I found was hair-brained ideas. Offering yourself as a kind of taxi service to students without cars would be great, but at this point, I'm going to a school that doesn't have student dorms. Anyway, I'm really at a loss at this point, and was hoping some others might be able to help me out with things they've done or are doing?</p>
<p>Since most college classes are held during the day, a job during the early morning or late evening (aka before or after school) would be best. Wait, that’s what you have now. Stick it out during college.</p>
<p>I wish I could, but I really can’t stand it anymore. Plus, the pay for the most part is a joke, since it’s so hard to get clients these days. Sure, when you fill yourself up, you make great money. However, unless you can work at least 30-40 hours per week and constantly sell and market yourself, it just doesn’t happen. So, most the time, I would end up getting paid minimum wage and/or have set hours, which just won’t work.</p>
<p>Besides, since I moved recently, I’d have to start building up clients from scratch again. Then, if the next semester my classes change, I lose on some clients I can no longer train and have to start over. Plus, I’m planning on moving to go to FSU after my AA. Since it can easily take 6 months to 1 year to build a steady clientele in a gym, it kind of defeats the purpose.</p>
<p>I’m going to see what kind of jobs the school might have available. I know the pay won’t be great, but at least I’ll have the convenience of it being right there at the school. I’m also going to try to find some businesses that might hire me on as a freelance writer. Though elance is a waste of time, I’ve heard more and more companies nowadays are hiring on freelance writers to fill in gaps in material. Anyway, I’m still looking…</p>
<p>Well, I just talked with an old friend of mine on Facebook, who told me he makes all of his income off of scholarships. He’s into his 3rd year of school now, and he said that for the last year and a half, applying to a ton of scholarships has gotten him enough money to not only pay for school, but also for his cost of living! He said when he estimated the time put into applying and the money received from that time, he made approximately $25-30/hr applying to scholarships. I’m really wondering whether I can believe that or not?</p>
<p>I know you might not be interested in direct sales, but commissioned sales associates at retail stores can make decent money part-time. The electronics and home improvements sales associates at my department store make $10-16/hr, and the large appliance associates make $15-35/hour. Retail offers very flexible scheduling that can change with your semester schedule. If you get into a good store, you might be able to transfer to that store in the new area around FSU when you move. It sounds, with your background, that you would do well in this kind of sales setting at a large appliance/department store. You might not make $20+/hr immediately, but as you become more knowledgeable about the products, this is certainly do-able, even in this economy. </p>
<p>It’s true that you can spend a ton of time on outside scholarships that might assist with some living expenses, but I would think that is a rare case. If you get some you’d probably be covering books, supplies, gas, and some other odds 'n ends.</p>
<p>Thanks Nova, I’ll be sure to look into that. I think I could deal with that kind of sales, and my background would definitely give me an edge in that.</p>
<p>Serving and bartending are also options to consider. You can go to school during the day and work nights and weekends. Although it isn’t going to bring in big bucks, if you work in a high volume bar or restaurant or if you can score a job in an upscale place where the checks are higher, you may be able to make it work. </p>
<p>The scholarship thing isn’t likely. You’d have to have a near perfect GPA, lots of volunteer work and other things that would make you eligible. Scholarships are in high demand and with the economy everyone is back in school so I doubt you would be able to get as much as you need for tuition plus living expenses. You’re better off filling out the FAFSA and trying to get financial aid that way. Still look for scholarships but do not depend on them as income.</p>
<p>^I was going to suggest serving and bartending too. They seem to provide enough income for most of the people I know.</p>
<p>I would also look into student jobs. I’m actually at my job right now. I get paid to sit at a desk and answer help calls for two of the buildings on campus. I fix a computer every now and then, and besides that, I just watch HIMYM or get my homework done. I make just over minimum wage, but I work so frequently that it’s fine. I also have the opportunity to get all of my work done. Hours are extremely flexible around my class schedule too (my university won’t allow student workers to work at the same time as class).</p>
<p>@biologynerd - Since my wife is a teacher, being a server during the times when I would actually make good money would pretty much eliminate any time I would get with her. Thanks and I appreciate the info, but it’s just not something that would work out for me.</p>
<p>@oxolojo - I did consider this, but the school is small and has very little to offer in regards to student jobs. I’m going to try, but if I remember right, there was only 2 jobs listed on there yesterday.</p>