Christ_empowered
Member
I'm 28. I'm in the "recovery" phase from what was probably some kind of childhood onset, moody, mildly obsessive "thing" that dominated my life until Christ stepped into to save the day (and me). Somehow, I got all kinds of college credits. Not the best grades, but they're transferable, and that's what counts. I'm looking at Liberty U online. They seem accomodating w/ transfer credits, they're Christian, and they're non-profit. Check, check, check.
I'm considering paralegal. Actually, I should say I'm first getting serious about vocational rehab and looking for a very small, not too stressful part-time job (I'm on disability now because of the crazy, plus my very kind parents throw me some cash), and then I'll ease into a program. When I last went back to a real school @ 23 to finish my degree in Sociololgy, I went nuts. I mean...landed in a mental hospital, involuntary electroshock nuts. So, I'm not eager to deal with the classroom setting. Also, I'm 28. I know this sounds cantankerous, but I want my book learnin' on my terms, you know? Email it to me!
Anyway, I have so many credits that I'm looking at the 4 year degree in paralegal. Would this be competitive? I'd want to stand out from all the 2 year degrees from local tech schools, plus I want to use credits my parents have already paid for. I would start slow, probably with some general education credits I missed in round #1, and then ease into the core of the program (assuming I stick with paralegal, of course).
Now, there are certain issues here. #1: A liberty university degree. They seem legit, but I'd hate to work on a 4 year degree, roll up to a law office for an interview, and then get kicked out for having a completely undesirable degree. Most likely *wouldn't* happen, but...I have that fear in my mind, you know?
#2: Is paralegal even a good field? I checked bls.gov. They say its growing, but competitive. My other option would be to finish an undergrad in Sociology. I don't know *why* I pursued that degree. A schizophrenic into post-modern, marxist, nihilistic social sciences? Wow. Also, I was on drugs. And 17. But, I could do *something* with a sociology undergrad, I'm sure. And one day...around, say, 35 or so...I might be able to save my monies and get into some kind of graduate school. There's one right near here that does applied sociology, which is good for...you know...a real job.
#3: Is it weird to be a male paralegal? I know in larger cities, they even have lawyers doing paralegal work. But I'm concerned that, in this area (southeastern us, mostly not at all metropolitan), it'd be an issue. Plus, I'd be 30ish when I started, which is a lot different than doing it as a gig straight out of college.
#4: stress and office politics. I can't handle a job where I'd spend more time dealing with co-workers than...working. I'd go nuts, and I've just been crazy for about 20 years. Plus, the authority structure...ugh. Its like, I know in the real world, you have bosses, and sometimes they're mean, but...man...I'm just now getting over my schizo-bipolar-whatever. Then again...what's the point in recovering if you're not gonna toughen up and deal with reality, right?
I know this is kind of a random post for General talk, but with so many people in this forum, I was kind of hoping that somebody out there might be able and willing to answer these questions.
I'm considering paralegal. Actually, I should say I'm first getting serious about vocational rehab and looking for a very small, not too stressful part-time job (I'm on disability now because of the crazy, plus my very kind parents throw me some cash), and then I'll ease into a program. When I last went back to a real school @ 23 to finish my degree in Sociololgy, I went nuts. I mean...landed in a mental hospital, involuntary electroshock nuts. So, I'm not eager to deal with the classroom setting. Also, I'm 28. I know this sounds cantankerous, but I want my book learnin' on my terms, you know? Email it to me!
Anyway, I have so many credits that I'm looking at the 4 year degree in paralegal. Would this be competitive? I'd want to stand out from all the 2 year degrees from local tech schools, plus I want to use credits my parents have already paid for. I would start slow, probably with some general education credits I missed in round #1, and then ease into the core of the program (assuming I stick with paralegal, of course).
Now, there are certain issues here. #1: A liberty university degree. They seem legit, but I'd hate to work on a 4 year degree, roll up to a law office for an interview, and then get kicked out for having a completely undesirable degree. Most likely *wouldn't* happen, but...I have that fear in my mind, you know?
#2: Is paralegal even a good field? I checked bls.gov. They say its growing, but competitive. My other option would be to finish an undergrad in Sociology. I don't know *why* I pursued that degree. A schizophrenic into post-modern, marxist, nihilistic social sciences? Wow. Also, I was on drugs. And 17. But, I could do *something* with a sociology undergrad, I'm sure. And one day...around, say, 35 or so...I might be able to save my monies and get into some kind of graduate school. There's one right near here that does applied sociology, which is good for...you know...a real job.
#3: Is it weird to be a male paralegal? I know in larger cities, they even have lawyers doing paralegal work. But I'm concerned that, in this area (southeastern us, mostly not at all metropolitan), it'd be an issue. Plus, I'd be 30ish when I started, which is a lot different than doing it as a gig straight out of college.
#4: stress and office politics. I can't handle a job where I'd spend more time dealing with co-workers than...working. I'd go nuts, and I've just been crazy for about 20 years. Plus, the authority structure...ugh. Its like, I know in the real world, you have bosses, and sometimes they're mean, but...man...I'm just now getting over my schizo-bipolar-whatever. Then again...what's the point in recovering if you're not gonna toughen up and deal with reality, right?
I know this is kind of a random post for General talk, but with so many people in this forum, I was kind of hoping that somebody out there might be able and willing to answer these questions.