college classes

[sweetprincess23]

I am planning on going back to college finally and can't decide what type of degree I want. I took some of my pre requisites at CSM and need to finish school to further my career. While I would love to save the world or find some fun and exciting job, in this type of economy and as a single mother I need to find a career that pays very well.
I believe most of the forumites work on base or for contractors I am guessing. My question is, what type of degree's do employers look for these days? Also, I have been told that some contractors will hire you as long as you are in school pursuing a degree. What type of class could I take that looks good on my resume at this time. CSM offers a contracting certificate I think, at least they did years ago. Would something like this look good right now? I don't want to be picky but I have taken an accounting class and I just can't see myself doing that but I know that is a great career field so I will probably end up with an accounting degree or something like it. I can also say I probably wouldn't do well in the IT field either, again I know this is where the money is but I never have been much of a tech person.
Websites like MSN and yahoo will have articles about what degree's are "hot" right now but they don't seem to fit the types of jobs in this area. Oh and also I have a weak stomach so nursing and dental jobs are out also, I hate to sound picky. Looking for more of a civil service or contracting type job. I have noticed jobs in the public relations field lately, is that a major I could look into or is that a dead end?
Can anyone point me in the right direction and without telling your incomes or to much personal info what jobs pay the best and provide the best stability?

 

[somdfunguy]

If you want to work on base then you should go to school to be an Engineer. Sometimes you can find a coosh HR job or other non challenging jobs but Engineering would help you make the most money.

 

[sweetprincess23]

I am sure this will sound dumb but what exactly does an engineer do? I was thinking of something like this but will it require a masters? I would love to go further than a BA or BS but again as a single mother I might not be able to get that done right away. What is the many study area of an engineer? Is it something where I will need lots of math classes because I am pretty stong in math but not so great in science such as chemistry. I can learn fast and do anything but I am not going to lie and say I am great with science.

 

[sweetprincess23]

And.... I just went to the classifieds section to try to check things out and it brought me back to what I meant to ask before. I didn't grow up in a military family or with anyone who worked for a contractor so I get confused on what the job requirments are. I don't get all the acronyms(sp) and special names for standard job skills. I know the contractors have to make the jobs sound special and hard but can someone please help me understand what these jobs really are. Also, I know I can get a security clearance but what bottom of the beanpole job can I get to get a clearance? I have no problem starting at the bottom and working my way up.

 

[Beta84]

I am sure this will sound dumb but what exactly does an engineer do? I was thinking of something like this but will it require a masters? I would love to go further than a BA or BS but again as a single mother I might not be able to get that done right away. What is the many study area of an engineer? Is it something where I will need lots of math classes because I am pretty stong in math but not so great in science such as chemistry. I can learn fast and do anything but I am not going to lie and say I am great with science.

There are various types of engineers. There are electrical, mechanical, aerospace, computer, environmental, civil, nuclear, materials, etc etc. There is a broad range of stuff they cover.

I know for my major (Electrical), we had to do a TON of high level math...I basically was 1 class away from a Math minor if I wanted one. The only Chem class I had to take was Chem 101. There was much more involved on the physics side. Then again, not many women go with Electrical anyway...they seem to do some of the other engineering majors (especially Environmental!).

I also bumped this up because there are other people around here who probably know more than me regarding what kinds of jobs, opportunities, and degree needs are around the base.

 

[HeavyChevy75]

The other hot field is working in the healthcare field.

I am a software engineer and LOVE it. I tried to do something else and was miserable. If I had to redo my decision again I would do the same thing.

 

[D-35]

Career Tracks, Required Courses, etc.

I am planning on going back to college finally and can't decide what type of degree I want. I took some of my pre requisites at CSM and need to finish school to further my career. While I would love to save the world or find some fun and exciting job, in this type of economy and as a single mother I need to find a career that pays very well.
I believe most of the forumites work on base or for contractors I am guessing. My question is, what type of degree's do employers look for these days? Also, I have been told that some contractors will hire you as long as you are in school pursuing a degree. What type of class could I take that looks good on my resume at this time. CSM offers a contracting certificate I think, at least they did years ago. Would something like this look good right now? I don't want to be picky but I have taken an accounting class and I just can't see myself doing that but I know that is a great career field so I will probably end up with an accounting degree or something like it. I can also say I probably wouldn't do well in the IT field either, again I know this is where the money is but I never have been much of a tech person.
Websites like MSN and yahoo will have articles about what degree's are "hot" right now but they don't seem to fit the types of jobs in this area. Oh and also I have a weak stomach so nursing and dental jobs are out also, I hate to sound picky. Looking for more of a civil service or contracting type job. I have noticed jobs in the public relations field lately, is that a major I could look into or is that a dead end?
Can anyone point me in the right direction and without telling your incomes or to much personal info what jobs pay the best and provide the best stability?

Yes, the Government (PAX, elsewhere, etc) hires a lot of engineers of all types/disciplines at the B.S. level. Once hired you can pick up your M.S. with the gov picking up the tab. Engrs are also on a faster promotion/finacial track. Engineers don't just drive trains any more and probably haven't for 70 years. Those are operating engineers. If you're not afraid of math/physics you probably couldn't be in a more rewarding career on many levels. PAX also hires lots of financial managers, BFMs (Fin Mgt track, not CPA); H-R Generalists (various H-R sub-specialty courses); and Logistics Specialists (Most have 4 yr degrees, [not as rigorous as Engrs], plus extensive military exp.) Contracting Specialists have 4 year degrees, most are Pre-law grads or lawyers. ***Also, if you have really advanced MS/Power Point/Project, etc. skills you'd have a foot in any contractor shop door as we do LOTS of slide shows in the gov. If you can produce really razzle-dazzle shows w/ complex graphs & all the bells and whistles, you WILL get noticed and be in demand. Best of Luck!

 

[smdavis65]

Yes, the Government (PAX, elsewhere, etc) hires a lot of engineers of all types/disciplines at the B.S. level. Once hired you can pick up your M.S. with the gov picking up the tab. Engrs are also on a faster promotion/finacial track. Engineers don't just drive trains any more and probably haven't for 70 years. Those are operating engineers. If you're not afraid of math/physics you probably couldn't be in a more rewarding career on many levels. PAX also hires lots of financial managers, BFMs (Fin Mgt track, not CPA); H-R Generalists (various H-R sub-specialty courses); and Logistics Specialists (Most have 4 yr degrees, [not as rigorous as Engrs], plus extensive military exp.) Contracting Specialists have 4 year degrees, most are Pre-law grads or lawyers. ***Also, if you have really advanced MS/Power Point/Project, etc. skills you'd have a foot in any contractor shop door as we do LOTS of slide shows in the gov. If you can produce really razzle-dazzle shows w/ complex graphs & all the bells and whistles, you WILL get noticed and be in demand. Best of Luck!

Oh, and also if you have blonde hair and boobs and 1 year experience in EVM the government will hire you with an automatic promotion to a GS-13 in 2 years. You don't have to worry about all those pesky degrees that way. In fact, a GED will do just fine.

 

[D-35]

Blond Hair & Boobs

Oh, and also if you have blonde hair and boobs and 1 year experience in EVM the government will hire you with an automatic promotion to a GS-13 in 2 years. You don't have to worry about all those pesky degrees that way. In fact, a GED will do just fine.

Ha-ha...You've got a point about that EVM bs, Punk!

Between EVM, Lean Six Smegma (whatever), Navy ERP (NERP!) and Command Staffing, I retired from NAVAIRHQ 5 years earlier than I'd intended to.

Regrets? Oh, maybe a couple...

 

[D-35]

Have a Great July 4th

Ha-ha...You've got a point about that EVM bs, Punk!

Between EVM, Lean Six Smegma (whatever), Navy ERP (NERP!) and Command Staffing, I retired from NAVAIRHQ 5 years earlier than I'd intended to.

Regrets? Oh, maybe a couple...

Whoops, forgot... Retired with 34 years of Fed service that is. Have a rompin', stompin' Red, White and Blue American exceptionalism July 4th !!