If you are considering going back to school, you might want to major in one of the hard sciences. As wonderful as a liberal arts or Women's Studies degree might sound, exactly what jobs do they prepare you for outside of the world of academia? A degree in Business Administration or Engineering is in greater demand in the world of work.

However, it sounds like you might be done with your education for now. Although you don't like being in a classroom, what about working as a school counselor, a job in which most of your work would be done with one person at a time?

I guess I'm responding to your posting because there often isn't much activity in this group, and I hate to see your inquiry go without some feedback.

Does anyone have something encouraging and supportive to say to MoonLight4?

Dearest Beaumont,

Thank you very much for your feedback- I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post.

I would absolutely be open to going back to school and haven't ruled out academia as an option though I realize it's very competitive. In the past I have considered something such as a school counselor or the like and haven't ruled out entirely. I really don't see myself in the field of engineering or business.

Thanks again:)

If you're financially secure then deciding on a career is just a matter of finding something you love. Few of us are in that position. Most of us have to make a decision based on financial needs. That being said, you may end up in a career you don't love. I spent 25 years in IT, hated it every minute. However, it allowed me to travel the world, live on my own, do what I wanted to in life. At the time I majored in computers, I really had a love of languages and wanted to be a translator or something along those lines. A little research into that career choice revealed low pay and few jobs. At 18 I decided I didn't want to be able to say I'm hungry in 10 languages and decided to major in something that would take care of me for life.

Happily it did for 25 years. And then, technology moved alone and took away my career. I found myself in my 40s having to make another career choice. By then I was married and had money in a 401k. I decided to choose nursing as a career. It had been my second choice back in high school. I managed to get accepted into a program and was happily on my way to career nirvana, or so I thought. Then I started clinical and realized that nursing was not for me. In short I hated it. I'd already devoted 25 years to a career I didn't love, and wasn't willing to end my career pursuing another I didn't love. I dropped out. But here is the difference: I was older, had money saved from working all those years. And I was married. We were financially sound. Quitting was not an issue because we could afford it.

Now, if I went back in time and majored in something that would not get me a job and end up working somewhere for low wages, and owing some college 100,000 for attending, what would happen to me when I retire? I read recently that most women worry that they'll end up homeless when they're old? Would that be me? All because I wanted to do something I love?

After I quit nursing school, I took a job as a receptionist. I couldn't get back into IT because my skills were too old and so was I. The receptionist job paid eleven dollars an hour. No benefits either, so that meant I'd end up relying on social security if I'd done that for 25 years. And social security isn't reliable--not going forward. There could be cuts. Did you know the average social security check is only 1200 a month? And I know plenty bringing in 800 dollars a month? Would you want to live on that when you're old? For the rest of your life? With no way of earning more because then and now employers don't want older workers. I know, I'm one of them.

So, in making your decision, think carefully. And think of the future.

Here's my situation now.

My husband passed away a few years ago. I'm working in sales, but will be losing this job soon because of the economy. I'm nearly 60. Have enough money to now seek something I love and not just a job. I know my age sounds old. But the average person is living into their 80s now which means I could have another 30 years to work, if I desire.

And that's the thing: maybe you can't do what you love now. Maybe you have to take the hated job to pay the bills, but save, save, save. Put money away, invest well, and plan to retire early. Let's say early 50s. Then do what you love.

By the way, here's how social security works: They take 35 years of your highest earning working years and average it. That means if you work only 35 years they'll include low wages and even 0 amounts. Keep in mind that college loans are not dischargable in bankruptcy.

After about 7 years in my current field I'm also looking for something new. I loved my job when I first started (working the information line for the local library system) but it has changed, and now I feel burnt out. In a new field, a certain amount of customer service would be OK but not high-volume, and definitely not in the public service sector! But since my previous career was in K-12 special ed, I've almost always worked in the public sector. Venturing outside of it will be new to me.

I'm re-reading 2 old favorites, "Wishcraft" by Barbara Sher and "What color is your parachute?" by Richard Bolles, which is updated yearly. Since I have a small side business as a personal coach, I read A LOT of this kind of material, and these are still the best. If you have enough patience for in-depth processes, try "Parachute" - it's very thorough.

In my experience one thing can be very helpful - finding a partner (another job hunter) to meet with on a weekly basis.

I'll add that if you're still in the exploring stage like me, I'd be happy to "meet" with you once or twice a week to share experiences.

Hi, Moon.

You may want to check out www.mynextmove.org. There you can complete an assessment that will help match you to careers based upon your interests.

I just graduated with my MSW last year (I'm 54), and before that I had spent 20 years in private-sector business management. I knew it wasn't a good "fit" for me, but I too graduated with a bachelor's in liberal arts and didn't have a particular niche. I am SO VERY GRATEFUL for that undergrad education! It taught me to think, to solve problems, to work to very high standards (my college was private and had a reputation for being tough). i did well for myself, earning a six-figure income. Then I quit to change careers completely. How freeing, I must admit. Though I just moved back to my hometown and am searching for my "encore career" path.

Another site you may find helpful is www.onetonline.org. That's where you can research careers to learn what education is required, average salaries (perhaps even in your specific geographic location), etc. I'd suggest you think back to what you wanted to be when you were a child, and see whether that still resonates with you. Although the specific job may not be practical (I wanted to be a cowgirl), use your early passion as a starting point to ask yourself what really excites you--what you can see yourself doing next. Then follow that path until you either become what you desire or decide, as Truhal did, that you need to adjust your course a bit.

I wish you all the best during this exciting time!

Lamb