Posted on Feb 26, 2020
As a recently separated veteran, should I pursue full-time college or a full-time job?
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Hello all, so heres the scoop; I just separated from the army a couple months ago. Im currently working and am awaiting my results for the MA civil service police exam and Fire is march 21st. So I was thinking this past week, should I hold off on getting on of these careers and use my GI Bill to go back to school and work part time at my job now? The reason for this is going to college while working one of those jobs could be stressful and I know I wont be getting the full GI Bill benefits, which here in MA the BAH is $3024 a month, sheesh! Thank you all for the help in advance.
GI Bill
Education
Infantryman
College
University
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
I worked 42 hours a week as a shift working chemical plant operator. I also took 12 to 13 hours a semester with additional classes in the summer. I was able to obtain my degree in five and a half years. College and work can go together if you are organized and focused.
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Jesus christ, this is exactly why we have SFLTAP process in place. These are the kind of stories that when someone tells me a plan like this, I tell them they will end up homeless.
Don't go jump from one career path to another like you did with the Army, you'll only end up worse off. Sit down and plan out what you want long term. Either choice will have you being poor for a while. That GI Bill BAH isn't coming in any time soon, you won't get it over the summer break, and it will be prorated any school month you aren't in school the entire month. Let's not forget how often the VA doesn't pay on time, sometimes for months on end.
If you go making more of these poorly planned decisions you'll end up with half a degree and no benefits left over. Unfortunately it happens all the time, veterans try out a program, then another, then another before finding their niche. But by then they've run out of benefits.
Think, plan, then think some more and replan before making a move
Don't go jump from one career path to another like you did with the Army, you'll only end up worse off. Sit down and plan out what you want long term. Either choice will have you being poor for a while. That GI Bill BAH isn't coming in any time soon, you won't get it over the summer break, and it will be prorated any school month you aren't in school the entire month. Let's not forget how often the VA doesn't pay on time, sometimes for months on end.
If you go making more of these poorly planned decisions you'll end up with half a degree and no benefits left over. Unfortunately it happens all the time, veterans try out a program, then another, then another before finding their niche. But by then they've run out of benefits.
Think, plan, then think some more and replan before making a move
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) it's almost like it happens so often that it's a major statistic
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1SG (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I doubt the SFLTAP covers it like you did.
Likely gives information on what benefits and careers are available, but not a strategy to build a career (e.g., Firefighter: what are testing and physical capabilities; study material; career paths for firefighters -LT, Chief, BN Chief, HAZMAT, Arson Investigator, Paramedic; training and education requirements for promotions; what career fields do firefighters transition to after retirement or because they no longer want to be in that position, and what positions, training and education requirements are required - Emergency Manager, Safety Manager; .....)
Understandably, some see the BAH and let money lead their decision, which may end up being the short game versus the strategic game.
Likely gives information on what benefits and careers are available, but not a strategy to build a career (e.g., Firefighter: what are testing and physical capabilities; study material; career paths for firefighters -LT, Chief, BN Chief, HAZMAT, Arson Investigator, Paramedic; training and education requirements for promotions; what career fields do firefighters transition to after retirement or because they no longer want to be in that position, and what positions, training and education requirements are required - Emergency Manager, Safety Manager; .....)
Understandably, some see the BAH and let money lead their decision, which may end up being the short game versus the strategic game.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Farley, I whole heartedly agree with SFC Boyd. You need to plan. That's what I did before I even committed to seperating. If you have questions feel free to call me if you still have my number. If not just shoot me a message on here and I'll get back to you.
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LCDR (Join to see)
I agree that after discharge you need to plan out your degree; you don’t have time to waste on random classes. I also agree that you need to put school first and structure work around school.
That said, after you get your degree, you can fairly easily try out different things. I knew lots of successful people in my MBA who has done lots of different things; the key is being able to communicate what you learned during those times and how those things apply to your new job.
That said, after you get your degree, you can fairly easily try out different things. I knew lots of successful people in my MBA who has done lots of different things; the key is being able to communicate what you learned during those times and how those things apply to your new job.
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SPC (Join to see) , are you asking if you should go to college now or work in the civil service (dependent on your exam results)? Or are you asking if you should go to college and work your current job part time? And, if you do that, what happens if you get accepted into civil service? Your question sounds like you have two options, but all that you wrote makes it seem more like you have three options, but won't have the full scope of those options until March 21st. Is this a fair assessment, or have I missed something?
Regarding your question of work or school, it depends on many factors. For what would you go to school? What are your job prospects with that degree? How likely are you to be placed in a job upon the completion of your degree? How long will it take to be placed in said job (sometimes it can take six months or more to get into a job after graduating...what is the track record for the students at your chosen school?)? How many months can you afford to be jobless (plan for worst case scenario)?
Why do you want to go back to school? Is it because you think you should, because it seems to be what people do post military? Or do you have another reason?
What is the opportunity cost of you going to college? (For those reading this that may not know what opportunity cost is: "the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen," according to Oxford Dictionary) So, for instance, if you chose to go to college instead of work, how much money would you not make (opportunity cost) by not working? How much money do you stand to gain by going to college?
What do you want to do, truly? Is college the only way to get there? Could you self educate and slowly build experience in that field, to a level you want to be? What are the barriers to entry?
Far too many people go to college and end up never working in the field with which they earned a degree. The opportunity cost can be great. Imagine what all those people who never work in their field of education could have done with those four years they spent getting an education they don't or can't seem to use? What is the most beneficial use of YOUR four years? Only you know what you yearn for in your heart, in your gut. Only you know what you dream about when you're all alone and can breathe easy. Dig deep. Reflect. Be truly honest with yourself. The person your decision will affect the most is you. What is it that you REALLY want, and what are the many ways you can get there?
Regarding your question of work or school, it depends on many factors. For what would you go to school? What are your job prospects with that degree? How likely are you to be placed in a job upon the completion of your degree? How long will it take to be placed in said job (sometimes it can take six months or more to get into a job after graduating...what is the track record for the students at your chosen school?)? How many months can you afford to be jobless (plan for worst case scenario)?
Why do you want to go back to school? Is it because you think you should, because it seems to be what people do post military? Or do you have another reason?
What is the opportunity cost of you going to college? (For those reading this that may not know what opportunity cost is: "the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen," according to Oxford Dictionary) So, for instance, if you chose to go to college instead of work, how much money would you not make (opportunity cost) by not working? How much money do you stand to gain by going to college?
What do you want to do, truly? Is college the only way to get there? Could you self educate and slowly build experience in that field, to a level you want to be? What are the barriers to entry?
Far too many people go to college and end up never working in the field with which they earned a degree. The opportunity cost can be great. Imagine what all those people who never work in their field of education could have done with those four years they spent getting an education they don't or can't seem to use? What is the most beneficial use of YOUR four years? Only you know what you yearn for in your heart, in your gut. Only you know what you dream about when you're all alone and can breathe easy. Dig deep. Reflect. Be truly honest with yourself. The person your decision will affect the most is you. What is it that you REALLY want, and what are the many ways you can get there?
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you very much for the insight. Well, I can assure you that by missing out on a potential police or fire job in my area until my schooling is done (4 years) will cause me to miss out on a six figure job until the next Fire or police service exam In 2022. If I was to go back to school it would be for business admin, for which I already have 41 credits. I would continue to work for the security company that I do now and add the BAH income of $3024 a month. I live home currently so my living situation is very stable for now. Im still young so Im not too worried what my choice is for now (22 years old). I think both choices are fantastic routes but I just want some insight which will pay off in the long run?
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LTJG Stephanie Thompson
As I understand it, if you go to school, you miss out on a six figure salary for 4 years. We'll round it out and say that the opportunity cost is $400,000 (that you would be missing out on). You could potentially get a Fire or Police job in 2022...but you could also be denied and not get the job. Let's assume you don't get it. Loss: $400,000 (you have a better handle on your actual numbers, so you may want to go back and do this exercise on your own with those real numbers).
Going back to school would get you a Business Admin degree and $3,024 per month ($36,288 per year, or $145,152 for four years...I'm assuming you will earn this money for 12 months a year, though I understand that is not necessarily the case). Now, that's an extra $145,000 for four years, on top of what you make in your security job. Is it more than $400,000? Do you break even?
What do you plan to do with a Business Admin degree? Why choose that degree route? It is a very general/broad degree and can be used in many ways. It is also so general that it's not that meaningful. There's not really a "business admin" career title out there, is what I mean by that. So what is the plan? Would you get that degree to get a pay raise or promotion in your security job? Do you want to stay at your security job? If so, how does Business Admin help? If not, what do you want to do instead and how will Business Admin get you there?
What payoff are you looking for? Financial payoff? Then run the numbers. Fulfillment? Then dig deep and be honest with yourself about what you really want.
There is no wrong answer. But one of those options will be a faster or at least more effective route to the life you actually desire.
Going back to school would get you a Business Admin degree and $3,024 per month ($36,288 per year, or $145,152 for four years...I'm assuming you will earn this money for 12 months a year, though I understand that is not necessarily the case). Now, that's an extra $145,000 for four years, on top of what you make in your security job. Is it more than $400,000? Do you break even?
What do you plan to do with a Business Admin degree? Why choose that degree route? It is a very general/broad degree and can be used in many ways. It is also so general that it's not that meaningful. There's not really a "business admin" career title out there, is what I mean by that. So what is the plan? Would you get that degree to get a pay raise or promotion in your security job? Do you want to stay at your security job? If so, how does Business Admin help? If not, what do you want to do instead and how will Business Admin get you there?
What payoff are you looking for? Financial payoff? Then run the numbers. Fulfillment? Then dig deep and be honest with yourself about what you really want.
There is no wrong answer. But one of those options will be a faster or at least more effective route to the life you actually desire.
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