<p>Cliffs for those who don't want to read the whole thing:
1. I'm a college student who can't go to the school his dreams because his mom wants him to work. I have no problem, but she wants me to work at ATT Mobile because I might not have a job out of college. </p>
<p>Okay, so I'm kind of in a dilemma right now. To sum it up, I'm a college student currently living with his mom. My mom only makes 9 something an hour and its been making things really tough for me. I really want to go to engineering school. When I tried to apply, she got mad and told me I couldn't. So I had to go to a local private university. Problem with the local school is that: 1. It's 30 min away and I have to take the bus. The problem with that is 2. I have to work. </p>
<p>I worked at a Walmart where I was pushing 30+ hrs a week as a cart pusher. Well, working those hours is tough. I can deal with that, but I can't deal with having to take the bus in between as that takes a looot of time. Sometimes I'm late for school. I didn't really want to attend the school anyways adn probaly would have been happier going to community college.</p>
<p>Now, here comes to big problem. I quit Walmart and now she's mad (note that my grades started to drop). I did a few interviews, one was with ATT. The only problem with that is the fact that I had to take 4 weeks off school to go to training. I did not want to mess up my schooling, but she became angry with me for not taking the job. She said that I'm not guaranteed to get a job out of college and should have taken it. </p>
<p>I'm not even sure what to do with my life now because it feels like I have to take a job over college. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks</p>
<p>Well, you won’t be able to take 4 weeks off of school for training unless you just drop out or officially take a leave of absence from the school.</p>
<p>Don’t do anything because your mom tells you that you have to. You’re an adult. She should be telling you what jobs to get or where you can or can’t go to college. </p>
<p>That said you could always do school an alternative way, like on-line or part-time, especially while you’re just doing general education.</p>
<p>Don’t feel pressured to give up your dreams for a job at a cell phone store (I worked at Verizon for a bit). Explain to your mother that, by and large, college graduates make MUCH more than high-school graduates over their life time.</p>
<p>If you’re american-born then I don’t see who you’re being so filially pious. If you think you can earn a Strong GPA then it’s worth it to take out loans, as long as it’s not some $30k mediocre private school.</p>
<p>I’d recommend you to attend school part-time and not drop it all together (i.e. take 6 credits instead of 12+) so you are still able to work full-time or almost full-time. Yes your life will be hectic but I think in the long run it would be worth it…help out your mom, and also help out yourself.</p>
<p>All I have to say: ignore your mom’s advice and let her be mad. She clearly doesn’t understand the importance of education, but it seems like you do.</p>
<p>See if your school’s financial aid office can provide you with any sort of loans, and if possible, I even suggest moving closer to campus. If the opportunity is still available, apply to engineering school.</p>
<p>You see, here’s the thing: different classes have different values, and in some of the lower classes, education is not one of them. The main theme is basically: work hard. In the middle class, that shifts and education becomes the center of focus so you can build yourself up to be a professional. Move even higher, and it becomes a lesson in time and money management more than anything else. These values conflict with each other, hence the difficulties in class mobility.</p>
<p>Now, how is this relevant? Well, you could have “saved” thousands of dollars and years of time had you simply not gone to college. Yet, by going to college, you’re flexing your upwards mobility. As much as I hate to say it, your mom is an obstacle to your goal, and you need to get her out of the way. I’d go as far as saying that you should live in your own apartment or room.</p>
<p>Sorry it took so long. Yes, I agree with you guys. I used to be very middle class (six figures) but a pretty nasty divorce changed that 5 years ago. It’s like, she gets mad at me with any decision I make. </p>
<p>For example, I did select Computer Science at first and she was mad at me so I changed it. Then as soon as I changed to business, her friend’s husband works as a programmer. When my mom heard how much he made, she got mad at me for not going to engineering school and talks about how I don’t know what I want to do in life (she didn’t know how much CS majors made). It really sucks. Now I’m thinking about taking some Community College courses so I can get my grades up and transfer (wanna leave my current university). It’s just so frustrating because I could have gone two engineering school TWO years ago. </p>
<p>I don’t mind helping, but this is ridiculous. I figured in 4 years I could potentially have a job. I guess I’m just afraid of standing up for myself/confidence.</p>
<p>Good for you for trying to be responsible and financially help your family.</p>
<p>However, as we know, no good deed goes unpunished.</p>
<p>I think you should pursue your goal of going to engineering school. Explain to your mother that this is an investment, and after you get your degree you will be able to be making much bigger $$$ and it will be worth it.</p>
<p>If you can get into the program, and find ways to pay for it - you need to go. Later in life you don’t want to be bitter because your potential was wasted at ATT, just because your mom had her hooks to deep in you.</p>
<p>Supporting your family is a good thing, heck - that’s why most of us (in one form or another go to college), but as Kevin Garnett told Lebron James - Loyalty can hurt you bro.</p>
<p>Remember, as much as you want to help, your mother is an adult, and no parent should place that sort of burden on their child. A parents top priority should be for their children to better themselves, attain goals, and create a successful future for themselves.</p>
<p>Unfortuantely, your mother is being selfish. Put your needs first this time, in 3-4 years you will be in a much better situation to help out than if you listen to your mom.</p>
<p>“You see, here’s the thing: different classes have different values, and in some of the lower classes, education is not one of them. The main theme is basically: work hard. In the middle class, that shifts and education becomes the center of focus so you can build yourself up to be a professional. Move even higher, and it becomes a lesson in time and money management more than anything else. These values conflict with each other, hence the difficulties in class mobility.”</p>
<p>I totally had no idea. I thought six figures was middle class. Show’s you what world I was living in. But now, I’m just poor (less than $25,000 a year).</p>
<p>WhistleBlower1, I’m not sure what you meant by this (the first part)</p>
<p>“If you’re american-born then I don’t see who you’re being so filially pious. If you think you can earn a Strong GPA then it’s worth it to take out loans, as long as it’s not some $30k mediocre private school.”</p>
<p>Well, the school I was attending was about that much if I lived on campus. Honestly, people that live in the area doesn’t even know it exists!</p>
<h2>I used to be very middle class (six figures) ~ Linkgx1</h2>
<p>Are you freaking serious bro?</p>
<p>When I was a kid, I just wanted figures. Like, three of them - maybe four.</p>
<p>If you came down to the place I grew up (lower middle class), and said, “Yea, I’m middle class too - 6 figures”, you’d get shown how middle class kids role.</p>
<p>Come to think of it, we were probably just lower class but didn’t know any different.</p>
<p>Yeah, you’re right. Ironically, my sister is leaving off before me (med school). Of course, she’s like my dad and will get what she wants. Lolz! </p>
<p>I’ll try to do that. I think if I could work hard for the next few years (I plan to go to grad school), it’ll definitely pay off. </p>
<p>You sound like my uncle (you’re not him, are you?). I would be bitter because I didn’t get into what I really wanted (I always jump up and down when I see MIT on TV). I’ll try that. I want to start exploring my dreams. </p>
<p>I think that’s what I’m having such a hard time staying at the jobs I’ve been at (Walmart, various retail stores)because that’s not my passion. Everyone there takes it so seriously (they fear the managers) and I don’t. Maybe because I know I have more potential than being a cart pusher. …</p>
But now, I’m just poor (less than $25,000 a year).</p>