<p>Thanks for all the great replies. This is really helping. And thanks for the compliments on my written communication skills. While my verbal skills aren't great, I've always been a stickler for good writing. My punctuation may not always been spot on but as far as spelling and such I'm pretty much obsessive compulsive. It drives my wife nuts because I'm always picking up mistakes like "your" instead of "you're" and things like that when I'm reading something. Simple mistakes like that drive me crazy.</p>
<p>Anywho, back on topic. Some things that I've considered for careers are:</p>
<p>Fire Inspector: These usually require a fire science or construction degree and I'm afraid I'd get "pigeon-holed" with one of these degrees.</p>
<p>Zoo keeper: There is only one zoo close to me and it's pretty small. I don't really know what the job opportunities would be somewhere like that.</p>
<p>Personal trainer: I like working out, but don't know how well I would do at teaching others how to do it or what the job outlook is like in this area.</p>
<p>Police officer: Much like the medical aspect of firefighting, I don't care much for dealing with people.</p>
<p>Those are just some of the things off the top of my head that I've looked into. One job that I've been seriously thinking about recently is a lab tech in a hospital, dealing with specimens and things of that nature. The only thing that I'm worried about is I don't know how much complex math is involved in a job like this.</p>
<p>Now I'm going to start rambling again, so I'll end this post. I may think of some more things to add later. Thanks again for all the great advice.</p>
<p>1) Medical - didn't enjoy EMT experience.
2) Mathematically strenuous - you don't seem confident there.
3) Management oriented - don't enjoy telling people what to do.</p>
<p>The types of things that you like seem to be...</p>
<p>1) Working without constant personal interaction - the wildfire fighter in Colorado says it.
2) Communicating in writing. You seem to be articulate.</p>
<p>It sounds like you would be a candidate for a job in a regulatory environment, either in law enforcement (think courts, legal research) or civil service (building inspection, food service regulation). You might consider what type of governmental agencies are commutable from your town and what type of skills they need and direct your educational track from there.</p>
<p>Well I was going to recommend business, since there are several major options. But there is math or management (e.g., Finance or Strategic Management). Perhaps psych or sociology if you are people oreinted, and criminal law as a possibility. You don't sound particularly "Artsy". Good luck</p>
<p>Been busy so I haven't had a chance to respond recently. Some more thoughts. Something tells me that technology isn't going away any time soon. I've been thinking maybe something in computers, but I'm really not very computer literate (I can do basic stuff). I keep telling myself that doctors don't go to school knowing how to be doctors, but the cynic in me keeps rearing it's head. It's just such a step outside my comfort zone that I'm afraid to take the plunge.</p>
<p>The community college I'm looking at has an Associates of General Studies degree, but I don't think that would do me any good.</p>
<p>Dan,
Well every so often a post catches my attention, this one did. I am a geologist working in the Energy industry in Texas. So I have some knowledge, but not so much about the environmental side of things.<br>
So a bit of advice. Based on your comments, about firefighting, animals outdoors you might consider heading in the direction of Environmental Science/ Environmental Resources. FOr example I have had friends do Environmental or Land USe Geology, some with advanced degrees, many with a BS. In addition to the Geology angle, you could look at degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Science.
This will depend some on what you colleges you have access to and your exact desires. This might also lead to --for example the HazMAt side of 'firefighting' or a further extension Safety and Health Career.. government and industry
I am also rambling</p>
<p>The specifics are more important than the general, but the AA in General Studies might be a good option. I didnt see where you live (state) For example , California has a strong Comm College sytem, other states varies. On these boards you will see more direction toward more well known schools, but you are getting good advice.
My thought on the AA in General Studies is that it sort of gives you a goal, and focus and for the 4 year colleges and univerisites it might help let them knwo what you have completed -easily. I am not certain, but just something to consider.</p>
<p>Thanks, rty456. Actually, I live in a rural part of east central Kansas. The area is pretty heavy on agriculture, so the Environmental Science or Geology degree might not be a bad choice. </p>
<p>At the community college that I'm planning on attending, their website says something to the effect that the General Studies degree is for students that aren't planning on going on to a 4 year college but still want to have a degree. That's not the exact wording but it's pretty close. I can't seem to find where it says that on the site.</p>
<p>Well definitely go with the catalog advice.<br>
While you are considering a degree ultimately, I am of the opinion that it is important to continue developing your total skill package. I think (and I believe this web board shows) that there is no 'golden ticket' in life. Even with an Ivy league degree, you must have 'collateral' skills.
I know you have a 'life' so this may not be that easy, but look for opportunities to improve your speaking and other interpersonal skills. Buy some books for advice (for example) , join a civic club, possibly be on a church board, where you may be speaking informally in small, freindly, familiar settings.
Oh, I was also looking back at your posts... the Lab/Medical Tech suggestion seemed like an interesting angle. I dont know all the specifics, but I do know of individuals 'later in life' that is with families etc who have gone into this field successfully. Not knowing what you didnt like about EMT would impact this (IF you dont like blood --not a good idea, IF it is people woudl probably be really good)
By the way, this is a very interesting topic and probably helps many people who 'lurk' on this board. I did a rough calculation once and the 'top 50' universites in the country 'matriculate' about 2% of college students.. most of the world is interested (and familiar) in your goals, aspirations and plans</p>
<p>Are you in any way mechanically oriented in a technical way? Kansas is becoming very big in the wind technology area and all of those windmills are going to require specialists to maintain them. Many community college are starting to offer certificate programs in wind technology. Solar too. Both are outdoor type jobs ;)</p>
<p>There are a lot of great ideas here. I can think of two things you might want to take a look at, one of which is very specific and the other is very general. First, for the specific: Vet Tech jobs are fairly plentiful, and I think there are certificate programs or something like that. (Whether they pay enough for a family man is another issue...) Moving on to the general: if you can find a <em>good</em> career counsellor, they would be able to work with you for a few sessions to identify what kids of things you like to do and are good at, and what kinds of careers have those characteristics. You can then quite easily find out what kind of degree is usually looked for when entering those careers.</p>
<p>rty456 is on a good track with the geology/enviro idea. Since you have a math aversion (you might be able to get over that hump with some remedial books on your own - try an SAT prep book) another route to the energy industry would be a geography degree with a GIS (computer mapping) focus.</p>
<p>You might want to look at technical writing. One of my friends is looking into it after retiring from her career. She is taking classes at the local community college which will lead to a 2 year certificate.</p>
<p>I used to be a technical writer, and later the manager of technical publications at a large software company. A 2-year certificate in technical writing would not have convinced me to hire anyone. I looked for good writing, obvious intelligence and intellectual curiosity, interest in software/computers, good communications skills (Getting information out of programmers can be challenging! :) )and the ability to learn quickly. I would have been far more interested in someone with a degree in any humanities subject from an excellent college who had taken a couple of <em>programming</em> classes at that community college. </p>
<p>In most cases now, familiarity with some of the software packages used to format online help facilities and do page makeup would be valuable (and since those packages cost an arm and a leg, a CC course is a practical way to acquire that knowledge).</p>
<p>Of course, those were only my hiring criteria. I am always bemused by the kind of ad for technical writers that demands that the person already know whatever software package the company happens to be using to physically create the documentation. If the writer is too dumb to quickly learn a new word processing package, s/he is definitely going to be too dumb to learn your software and be able to present it effectively.</p>
<p>The thing that I don't like about EMS is dealing with people. I've always been shy and I thought that becoming an EMT would help me come out of my shell, but I think I've gotten worse (this subject would require a whole other thread). I have no problems with blood and I've seen quite a bit of nasty stuff since joining the fire department. Coincidentally, I have an aunt that just within the last few years went back to college and finished her degree (she's got two grown children) and is now working in the lab at the hospital where my wife works. Maybe I should talk to her too.</p>
<p>What about a degree in information science? It combines computers with liberal arts. Our daughter has a masters in it - it used to be part of library science. The job opportunities are endless and growing. She is extremely organized and literate, and is able to indulge those passions by organizing, creating, and administering websites. It is not quite as technical as computer science. The best part is that many jobs do not require you to be at a particular location, but you can work from home or coffee shops.</p>
<p>Because you're in Kansas, and because I recently read about K-State's pre-vet major in another thread, I took a look at the K-State website. Here's the link to their list of majors:</p>
<p>Take a look down the list, especially at the health sciences majors and the majors in the College of Agriculture. Some of the majors sound like they might be a good fit for you. There's a write-up for each major, describing what kinds of jobs are available to graduates of that major. Hope it's helpful!</p>