What to do? (lenghty rant)
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Topic: What to do? (lenghty rant)
Posted By: lemongirl
Subject: What to do? (lenghty rant)
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 1:58pm
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Alright anonymous internet people give me some life advice.
I had a unplanned pregnancy in June which ended in a missed miscarriage in late August. The minute I woke up from my D&C I thought to myself ‘oh I’d quite like to be a midwife.’ So I applied to AUT’s programme and today I found out I got in. At the moment I officially work as a Policy Analyst (a researcher) but am more like a secretary. There’s no prospects of promotion from within the organization and any jobs with any sort of career progression are in Wellington as the Auckland ones are going to downsized with the supercity. The good things I can say about my gig are that it is strictly 9-5, I get overtime and the biggie is that I get nearly 2 weeks of extra public holidays a year on top of my annual leave and New Zealand public holidays. Aside from the pension plan, the money sucks and I really hate my current job. It’s mostly mind-numblingly boring aside from a few days a year where it’s so frustrating I want to tear my hair out. I would like to enjoy my job and feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives (yeah corny I know) at the moment I feel like I’m wasting my life doing what I am doing. But I am feeling a little insane for jumping off this cliff. I already have a degree and still have $9k owing on student loan (though I could pay it off right now with my savings). And while I think being a midwife would be awesome, what I really want to do right now is throw away my birth control and become a mother. DP says he not ready yet for a few years yet and from what I can see it’s really hard to do this course if you have young children. However it is possible to work as a hospital based-midwife for a couple of years before doing the independent on call 24/7 thing. DP earns an awesome salary so housing and food aren’t going to be an issue for me and I’ve got a good little nest egg saved up but nevertheless the fees alone are likely to be 24k which is a whole heap of money not to mention 3 years of not earning anything. I could get my teaching credentials which would only take me a year. I’ve taught in Asia and know I am a good teacher but never felt ‘a calling’ towards the job. It would more likely be a means to an ends as it pays reasonable money and has good vacation time. Thoughts? |
Replies:
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:02pm
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I'd go for it. Personally I hate doing something I'm not passionate about.
I trained as a teacher and am currently looking for a job (not to much avail either unfortunately). I do have 3 months work at my current employment but I couldn't think of anything worse to be doing full time as its not fulfilling. LittleBug will be doing midwifery next year and she's got 2 under 2 so I think you'll be fine with just you to take care of 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:11pm
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Go ahead and do it, I'm retraining next year after 20 years in office admin as I am bored bored bored and frustrated with not having to use my brain on a daily basis. I'm doing Health Science no idea what I'll be doing when I've finished as it will take about 4 years and its fairly broad so loads of options. We're TTC at the moment and studies will slot in when babies arrive. Remember you don't have to repay student loan until you are earning over the threashold and its interest free, so I'm using the govt's money and when I earn I have to pay it back I'm guessing I'll be earning enough to do so. I have seen friends retrain and are now doing really well and loving their work. That's where I want to be, as I'm not satisfied with my lot atm. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:16pm
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I vote GO FOR IT as well
I've also done the teaching in Asia thing and I'm lucky because I realised I really do love it and want to make it my career. I had friends working with me who didn't and I reckon you'd end up in the same place in a few years as you are now - wondering if you should go for it and train to do something you think you will love. In terms of when to fit it in round kids ... I think you've said before your DP has a pretty demanding job time wise. I would do your study now and then have kids once you're qualified .... my DH works long hours and there is no way I could study at the moment and look after (and enjoy) Callum as 99% of his care is down to me and some days I feel like DH is my eldest child 
Seriously. Go for it ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: littleLittle
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:19pm
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Sounds to me like it's the perfect time to do it and the only thing stopping you is you being uncertain! I agree with the others that you should do something you enjoy. While it's great to earn good money and have good perks it's far better to do something you believe in and enjoy.
You've got the rest of your life to pay back student loans so if you're in a position where you can dedicate the time to it then go for it! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:21pm
| I'm bored too and would love to know what I want to do as a career. I say if you love it, do it. |
Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:25pm
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I'd say go for it too. Worst case scenario, you still have your other quals and experience so can always find another policy job if you decide midwifery isn't for you (BTW I've worked as a policy analyst before and agree it isn't the most exciting or fullfilling job!).
I would pay off the $9k student loan from your savings before you started your course though, just to make it a clean start.... ------------- Two little girls under 2! 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:28pm
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I vote go for it as well. ------------- 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:56pm
I wouldn't do this. You are earning interest on your savings and its costing you nothing in interest on your loan. Just keep paying it off over the next hundred years or so  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Febgirl wrote:Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:57pm
Another one on the "just do it" bandwagon here. $9k student loan, sheesh, that's nothing, I started my teaching diploma this year with still about $40k owing  And I would add, if you don't feel a calling, don't do the teaching diploma, it's hard enough when you do feel passionate about it!
I'm going to disagree on paying off the loan though, why bother while it's still interest free? ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 2:59pm
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snap Becs -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 3:02pm
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As for midwifery training, I think you need to ask yourself some hard questions. Are you wanting to train as a MW to fill the void left by your current yearning to be a mother? Or is it something you can imagine yourself doing long term, once you have had your family? In my experience, decisions made when you are grieving can be either really bad or really good - some people get a very clear idea of what matters and what they want. If that is you, then go for it!
In the scheme of how many hours you are likely to spend working in the future, it's definitely worth spending the time and money to get into something that you like so if it is what you want, then go for it. Congrats on getting accepted, btw ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 3:06pm
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DO IT!
The student loans are interest free at the moment which is a bonus, you can always work part time while you are studying, and you'll be in a career which you'll love. And we need good midwives! If you do end up having a baby while still studying, there'll be some way to make it work - I know plenty of people who had babies just as they were starting med training/work and it's tough but manageable. Also, you don't say how old you are but I am guessing twenties? Still plenty of time to get a new qualification and really establish a career. Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 3:09pm
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Short term 'pain' for long term 'gain' Life it too short to be stuck doing something that bores you crazy. My advice is don't just take the easy road, do what inspires you or you will always wonder "What if" ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!) 
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Posted By: lemongirl
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 3:21pm
That's what is worrying me. It's really a bit of both. I hated my current job before I got pregnant and was looking to do 'something else' just never knew what that 'something else' was. I think that's why I didn't get an abortion as being mum was always a job that I wanted do and I knew I'd regret it if I walked away because of 'bad timing.' I know from being a step mum that having kids changes priorities a whole bunch. But I can see this as being something I could do. But then I've seen myself as doing a whole bunch of things over my last 29 years on the planet. |
Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 3:27pm
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If it is what you really want to do, then go for it.
Independent MW makes more than hospital one, but the hospital ones have the security of the hospital & you can always venture out when confident. There are always ways around study & working when you have kids, so don't let that put you off. As for the SL, I guess it depends how much you will be paying with 2 loans as it is I think 10% of what you earn but don't know if that is each. I would pay the outstanding one off if you can, does not matter if it interest free what matters is it still has to be paid back & if you have 2 of them, & then a baby & work part time you don't want 2 loans to pay back. Plan for the future & good luck. |
Posted By: Bexee
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 4:41pm
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If you really want to do it, then go for it. Life is far too short to be doing something you hate and from my understanding the midwifery courses can be hard to get in to - so it's awesome you've been accepted.
Also, there seem to be some schemes where midwives can be bonded to a DHB - although I think this is only for hard to staff areas so might not work. Good luck with your decision |
Posted By: didi99
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 5:31pm
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I say go for it too.
I recon even if it didn't work out you would never regret giving it a go, better than wondering what if. -------------  Angel Babies Nov 09, May 10, Dec 10
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 7:21pm
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im in the go for it camp too....ive got a prof career but have dreamed about running a business etc for a while and starting the online one this year has been the start of that plan....yes it is costly to take the leap of faith but you will feel much better for having done it.
there are a few midwives on here so maybe talk to them about it also - depending on where you practice may affect childcare arrangements in time etc etc....as considerations. look forward to hearing when you give notice!
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 7:47pm
Yip, life is too short to be doing a job you are unhappy in.  ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 8:14pm
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Go for it - I'm like Mrsg1, have done a job for 20 years and don't want to be doing it for the next 20 years. Am starting to look into the timetables for doing Health Science part time and it looks hard juggling family/kindy/school with lecture times but just have to commit to it and I'm sure everything else will work out. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 8:14pm
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Do it. My achitect qualified friend has chucked it in for fashion retail....she's inspirational.
The worst case senario would be wondering what if? Anything else can all be put down to experience. You're in a secure enough spot that you have nothing to loose. Good on ya -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 8:42pm
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If it's what you are passionate about then I'd do it. You can't be stuck doing something you hate and I firmly believe that if you should follow your dream if at all possible.
Before I had a breakdown I started a Science degree to go on and become a Crime Scene Anaylst or some related forensic work, total madness! I still hope to go back to it because it's something I am extremely interested in (darn you CSI!!!!). I may not succeed but like Flake said, if you don't you're left wondering "what if?". ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 9:09pm
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I think you should do it too
I have two young ones and there are a few Mummies doing it with young kids as well and in actual fact the ones with kids are having no extra problem than the ones without. We also have a woman who is 19 weeks pregnant and going to do second year over two years, in the year above us a woman had twins and is still doing it! In terms of working I don't think being on call is any more inconvenient than doing hospital shifts. You can take a small caseload work 9-3 (apart from the births) so still be there for your future babies. So yeah totally go for, you get to go to births quite early on so you get a feel for it and decide if it's for you. Good luck with your decision
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 01 December 2009 at 10:23pm
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From some one who study once, had a break & then went back they just stick your new loan on top of your old one so you aren't actually paying two back.
I'm with you go for it! I have a couple of papers to finish my degree & then I'm changing complete tack & doing something else, they will hopefully be an asset to each other in that field but I would like to do something I'm passionate about as well. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 02 December 2009 at 8:36am
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I say go for it too. The student loan isn't a biggie, mine was at $40k before I started my degree over summer school (and that's after I've paid approx $15k off it). It just accumulates and you pay it off out of your wages once you earn over a certain threshold. Your savings will come in far handier while you're studying being available for you to use in the event that a big expense comes up, than they would paying off a student loan which doesn't incur interest, nor does it have ongoing payment requirements if you don't have an income.
It also sounds like the best time for you to study, where you don't have to fit it in around babies etc. at the beginning when you're just getting into it. I'm fitting in study around the girls and some days I just feel like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall  because they won't sleep, or aren't happy etc. so I can't put the time in.
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 02 December 2009 at 9:39am
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Sorry to thready hijack, are you studying through Massey Linda? I'm doing my studies extramurally for the most part and attending lectures/tutorials when I can fit it in. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Ceres
Date Posted: 02 December 2009 at 10:08am
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I'm with everyone else here, go for it if it's calling you!
I've followed this path, left a career to return to university study in my mid-late twenties and do not regret it for a second. The beauty with most tertiary education too is that it is possible to take a break for a semester (or more) if you did find yourself pregnant. I have another four years study to go minimum but am actively (with difficulty unfortunately) ttc now. I think it is absolutely possible with good management to have the best of both works. And I'm with those that say to put this loan on top of the old one and not pay the 9K back yet, you're far better off taking advantage of the interest free terms as they are. |
Posted By: lemongirl
Date Posted: 02 December 2009 at 10:16am
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Thanks for all the well-wishes.
I know the ins and outs of the student loan system as the last time I was at varsity I was vice-president of my students association so was one of the ones lobbying for the changes
I still need to talk this through with DP. I need to know he's on board with this because it will mean big changes for both of us. |