Going back to college

[silentsamurai]

I noticed there is quite a few business owners on this site, and im not asking for a job or anything. I basically need your guidance as too which route you would go if you were in my shoes. Kind of desperate.

Im 23 years of age.

living at home

Have @$18k in funds

Paying off about $17k left in my truck

have about $500-600/month to spend on classes or rent somewhere else.


i make $1900 a month at my job. im a radio dispatcher. I am a art major from Art Center: College Of Design in pasadena. Kinda went the other way there.

basically. I can use the $18k, and pay off my truck. i would then have about $1k to spend on courses/month.

Or, I can keep paying off my truck, and use the $18k for school. But theres a problem with that. I will end up usingthe $18k for just random classes, flooding myself, and probably not going anywhere with it.

Art school is iffy right now. I took night classes at art center. Those were about $1200 for a 14 week course. But in no way is that the same as going per semester. i think its @ $25-30k a semester there.

Im basically looking for a school i can pay per unit rather than a lump sum so i can afford it.



If anyone has pointers for me that would be great. Another major i was thinking about was International Business and learning japanese w/ japanese history. From what I hear, The japanese are not so hire friendly when it comes to whites vs japanese if i were to find a job over there.

any input would greatly be appreciated. If i have confused you I am sorry. I'll try and clear it up the best i can.

Adam

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basically what im trying to do is. Get out of the house. Use as little of my funds as possible. Get into an apartment, and start a new career.

So i guess its either pay off the truck, or live at home for another 4-5 years hah

[bigriver]

I only have input on your interest in working in japan. In my former job I oversaw global finance/accounting and we had a japan subsidiary. the only way i would hire a "gaijin" would be if that person spoke fluent japanese and had the right skillset, including at least a bachelor's degree from a respectable college. cost of living in japan is ridiculously high, even compared to orange county. also not a good idea to go there as an english teacher cause many folks got screwed a couple of years ago when one of the larger agencies went out of business and were on the street with no job or place to live.

I've worked at large global companies, including my current employer, and haven't met anyone with an "international business" degree. if you can, I would recommend living at home and get a solid degree that you can put to good use soon after you graduate (e.g. accounting, HR, information systems, law, architecture, engineering etc.).

[Pro2X]

Use the money and pay off the truck. You can then go get student loans per semester that you do not have to pay back until 6 months after you graduate. Go to fasfa.com. You can use your income to get into an apartment,dorm, etc.

[CT_Nismo]

I'm glad to see a young man see the larger picture of life. It is confusing without a guiding mentor. What you do with the $18k is not nearly as important as the direction you strike out in. There are many avenues for loans.

First off, my sense is that you do not have a passion for art. If this is true, get out of it. Secondly, you cannot just learn Japanese in school and be functional in a business setting. It takes many many years. Anyone who tells you otherwise is just taking your money.

I don't know your situation at home. Many parents let their kids live at home even though they know they are drifting through life. Other parents don't care either way. If you can convince your parents that you are now serious, they may chip in and help you out. For many parents, this is the sign they were looking for.

And finally, whatever you do, do it with serious intent. If you think college is just a place to "get your ticket punched", this will affect your success. College is not only about learning, it is to demonstrate that you can build an intense enough mental fire to succeed at what you want to do. This intensity will pay dividends throughout your life.

Good luck!

[igbar]

Have you read through ag titan's sticky?

Want to be a millionaire? Finance advice inside..

I haven't gotten through the whole thing, but more information is better than none.

good luck with your decision.

[rogzballz]

I believe you learn more through hands on experience instead of just classroom case studies.
Figure out what you actually want !!! Don't spend money on the classes you "think" that will help you pick a career or guide you towards something. There are a lot of people who go to college for one thing and end up doing something else. If you don't have the finances to figure out what you don't want to do, then don't get yourself into school dept.
I agree with the others and are sure there are some financial aid programs out there. However lately, Sallie Mae and other large lenders are tightening their requirements because of the economy. Ask your local resources, like churches or clubs or whatever that you might be able to get help from.
When selecting a school, find a place that has a strong internship/co-op program. It'll get your foot through the door at some companies and broaden your network (Not your Myspace Network, more like LinkedIn network).
Remember, having cash is more important than having no debt. When an opportunity comes and you have that available funds to flip, then do it. Think about it, everyone has to pay bills ... mortgage, loans, credit cards, etc. It's about how much you can afford, so enjoy some of it but be responsible and know your limitations.

[Devilrunner665]

need a roommate.,...lol...it is very hard living on your with rent, truck, school, and misc.....and if your like me...you get speeding tickets up the wazoo....

[silentsamurai]

Thanks for all your inputs.

The living at home situation isn't a problem so much for my mom as it is for me. I am basically here helping her out, because her last husband croaked. so im back at home givin her $450 a month for her bills/rent. She doesn't mind me being around. Im a good kid, clean record, never had a cerfew, never did anything bad, so staying here isn't a problem.

Im not in debt in any way. Im smart kid, didn't get suckered into credit cards and i will never own a credit card. Only thing I own is a debit/atm card with a Visa limit only good for $2000.00

the funds are growing in a morgan stanley account and i dont plan on touching them. I'll either just pay school off with the extra $4-500 a month i have and just stick with my truck.

I am pretty art oriented. Been in classes since elementary school. Draw and do computer animation. So i'd like to stick with it. The only reason why I question it at all is because its so dam far away. usually downtown LA or pasadena. But like you said, they are way too expensive and I could prob find the same course outline if i went to a 2 year community. I know people in the art and film industry, they tell me the same thing sometimes. Just become good on your own time. Doesn't matter what your resume says. I guess I just forget that at times.

I do like what you said about just going to school and taking the basic classes till you figure something out. I thought that myself. your gonna need to take the basic courses to get into a 4 year anyways. Why not start there and get into that "social network"

I need to sit down and smack my head against the desk for a bit. I've got a creative mind that pulls me into about 20 different job fields that have nothing to do with one another.


Thanks for the input. I'll keep ya updated.

Adam

[bigriver]

all the best to you! also, in most cases, its who you know that helps the most. mateo the wombat is in the animation biz, you might want to get some tips from him...

[06nismoKC]

PM me if you want some honest advice from someone who has offspring your age.