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"- Where do I even begin?" With logic: - Pick a goal (AKA a destination) - Find a map to achieve that goal (AKA a Roadmap) - Ask a question regarding the ab

"- Where do I even begin?" With logic: - Pick a goal (AKA a destination) - Find a map to achieve that goal (AKA a Roadmap) - Ask a question regarding the above two points, to a search engine, such as "Roadmap to becoming <XYZ Occupation>" For example, perhaps it's "Roadmap to becoming a Civil Law Attorney" or "Roadmap to becoming a Web App Developer" If it's the latter, here's a good resource: https://roadmap.sh/ https://roadmap.sh/ If you intend to educate yourself, search for "Resources for <learning to become XYZ Occupation/Learning XYZ Skillset>

gorjusborg 4y ago
It's easy to let the feeling of being overwhelmed make things seem harder than they need to be. This is an excellent way to view the problem (or any problem, really). I'd emphasize that 'I guess I'll go back to school' is probably not a constructive thought. It is fine to go back to school, but it should be a tool to get to your goal. If you have no goal, school (and more debt) probably isn't going to help.
- blahblah1234567 4y ago
  I totally agree. I'd also extrapolate on "If you have no goal, school (and more debt) probably isn't going to help." because I agree with that. Instead of making school the goal, recognize that School leads to a goal of a "Skill set" / "Knowledge base" Therefore, the Skill Set & Knowledge Base are actually the goal. And both can be had without school. As can credentials-- in the form of certificates, rather than school. I am a software developer at a "Fortune 1000" company and my company likes employees to have certifications. I am currently studying for a Kubernetes certification for example. Anyway, to get back to the idea of a goal-- I'd pick a goal based on what is in demand in the economy. For this, you can check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- such as by googling: "BLS Fastest Growing Occupations" and/or checking this page to get a sense of projected job openings vs. salaries: "Visualize it: Wages and projected openings by occupation" https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/wages-and-openings.htm https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/wages-and-ope... I recommend picking a goal of a developing skillset for an occupation which doesn't require a degree, but which focuses on the skill set instead. But that said, a degree is OK too... it's just that: 1. it's expensive (in the US at least), 2. it takes years, 3. many classes in most degrees aren't applicable to jobs.

gorjusborg 4y ago

It's easy to let the feeling of being overwhelmed make things seem harder than they need to be. This is an excellent way to view the problem (or any problem, really). I'd emphasize that 'I guess I'll go back to school' is probably not a constructive thought. It is fine to go back to school, but it should be a tool to get to your goal. If you have no goal, school (and more debt) probably isn't going to help.

blahblah1234567 4y ago
I totally agree. I'd also extrapolate on "If you have no goal, school (and more debt) probably isn't going to help." because I agree with that. Instead of making school the goal, recognize that School leads to a goal of a "Skill set" / "Knowledge base" Therefore, the Skill Set & Knowledge Base are actually the goal. And both can be had without school. As can credentials-- in the form of certificates, rather than school. I am a software developer at a "Fortune 1000" company and my company likes employees to have certifications. I am currently studying for a Kubernetes certification for example. Anyway, to get back to the idea of a goal-- I'd pick a goal based on what is in demand in the economy. For this, you can check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- such as by googling: "BLS Fastest Growing Occupations" and/or checking this page to get a sense of projected job openings vs. salaries: "Visualize it: Wages and projected openings by occupation" https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/wages-and-openings.htm https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/wages-and-ope... I recommend picking a goal of a developing skillset for an occupation which doesn't require a degree, but which focuses on the skill set instead. But that said, a degree is OK too... it's just that: 1. it's expensive (in the US at least), 2. it takes years, 3. many classes in most degrees aren't applicable to jobs.