I do expect the costs. I have some savings that don't have a real designation, that is what I would plan on using. Hopefully I'll still have those savings by the time. You never know what'll happen.

good luck, mtp.

OK so I think I have decided on Peace Corps. I mean, what else am I gonna be doin anyway? Yes I have family obligations here, but they're just gonna have to live without me.
I'm thinking about volunteering with Cross-Culture Solutions before I join Peace Corps. 2 reasons: to be sure I want to do this kind of work, and to get experience for my application for Peace Corps.
If CCS and Peace Corp don't work out, I might try AmeriCorp, but they don't thrill me. I don't have good reasons for not likin AmeriCorps tho. Just how I am.
First I have to finish my associates, which I still haven't found out how many more classes I need. I will though, soon. Very soon.

Anyway, I know ya'll weren't curious, but I thought I would update ya'll anyway.

mtp, I was always under the impression that you had to have a bachelor's degree to join the peace corps, so I went to find the qualifications. You have probably seen this, but here is a "am I qualified" section. They say a 4 year degree isn't absolutely necessary for some programs, but can increase your chances of being accepted.

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?...howvol.qualify

Good luck.

MTP I am in your boat and I to have chosen the core. And according to both my recruiter and my advisories you should finish as much school as you can before you began with a bachelors being required or about 10 years experience in construction. With the peace core they will pay you and deferred your loans, if you have any, for school. All the info is on the site.

Yeah I know, I just have no clue what bachelors I would get, and where, ect.
Plus its takin me over 4yrs to get my associates, I shudder to think how long it'll take for me to get a bachelors. Its not that I don't have the dedication to do so, but I have to work and right now I'm damn lucky I don't have to work full-time. In other words, not wanting to go for a bachelors. So I'm gonna try to be an exception.
I did take that little test or whatever and it says "Your responses to the quiz suggest there might be a place for you in the Peace Corps! Take a look at the link below to find out more specifically how you may qualify with your associate degree. If you find your education and experience appear to match our needs, we recommend that you to read the remaining links on this page to find out what you can do next."

They have a list of associates that qualify, right now I haven't committed myself to any, and I was already planning on getting 2 associates.

One bachelors is general better than two associates, and from what I have seen most people don't do what they went to school for anyway. So get it in whatever you like. Perhaps one of the humanities.

Whatever you decide to do, do it before you get married and have kids.

I know you're not in a relationship now, but so many people feeling like you do tend to view a relationship/marriage as the solution to "I don't know what to do with my life." Ask me how I know, heh. That will definitely settle a few things for you, by means of removing options. :(

I envy you. I wanted to travel, or at least move away somewhere and be independent for a while. But I got guilted into being a good girl, staying home, getting a job and settling down because I had parents who would've been "heartbroken" if I had been more adventurous.

What tora says is absolutely true. Unless you're in a highly specialized field, it does not matter what your degree is, just that you HAVE one. My Associates is in liberal arts. Nothing wrong with that.

Do not be the woman in the rocking chair asking yourself "why didn't I...?" We all make, have made, and will make choices about the paths we take, but if you want to try to do something DO IT.

mtp, I've said that you are wiser than your years. YOu can do anything!

I reckon your work experience and independance should offset some of the "harm" of not having a 4-year degree. Anyway, I'm sure I read 4-year degree, not bachelors. Well you said you took 4 years, so I reckon you're sorted! :lol: Good Luck.

Lots of great advice here MTP. You are in the place my son is right now. Study what you love and the rest will fall in place later. For the PC and many other service organizations it really doesn't matter what you get your degree in, only that you have one. Good luck.

what is an associate?

it's like half a bachelor's.

can you add two together and make it a degree?

That came out clumsily..What I mean is, is it like bachelor level but only half the course, or is it a level before bachelors?

mort,

learn pharmaceuticals. big job market there. look at how many pharmacies there are springing up.