![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 1:59:12
I've been thinking about my future and I realize that I don't have the skills needed to succeed in the workforce. I need specialized skills.
Right now I'm looking into the Dental Hygiene two year program offered in college. I did some research on dental hygienist as a career and apparently it pays well and offers flexible hours. It is also science related and is a respectable profession.
Is anyone here a dental hygienist? How do you like the work?
I need to do more research.
What is the best decision for me? Should I go to college? I plan on working as a dental hygienist and then finishing my degree. Is this a good plan? Maybe I can find even better jobs with both a college diploma and a degree?
Is college really different from university? Will there be more structure? I need structure to do well.
Posted by Michael83 on February 7, 2008, at 2:49:44
In reply to Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 1:59:12
Any healthcare related job is going to be in big demand (in fact already is in demand).
Dental hygiene would be a good job. But please remember about the healthcare jobs Deneb, you'll be working with a lot of people and often in fragile situations. The stress might be a bit higher. An accidental nudge, or if you're not concentrating, you could hurt the patient.
But if you still want to do it, being a dental hygienist would be a good job under any plan, without a college degree. I would imagine it pays decently and would be a good permanent job.
BTW, I understand what you're saying about not being able to do it in the workforce. I could have easily done well in college (school isn't hard for me and I like studying) and gone to become a lawyer (which is what I wanted to do). I planned to go to the University of Chicago law (same school as Dr Bob strangly) since I first visited the campus in 1998 (I was like a freshman in HS). But I could never imagine myself working on someone else's time table or as I call it "jumping through someone else's hoops." I just can't do it, I get nervous and my motivation is unpredictable and I cannot be told how to do a certain task. I can do a lot of things "my way" very well, but when I try someone else's way, I always fail miserably.
But anyway Deneb, don't forget about what the job might be like and what kind of people you might be interacting with and how.
Posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 2:56:44
In reply to Re: Good idea? » Deneb, posted by Michael83 on February 7, 2008, at 2:49:44
Hmmm...I just read some post on this forum and some bad things were said about this career.
I must research further. Perhaps this isn't such a great job.
Posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 8:00:58
In reply to Re: Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 2:56:44
I have two friends and a cousin who works for the government. They make good money. I think that's what I should do...
First I need a university degree.
Posted by Phoenix1 on February 7, 2008, at 8:33:56
In reply to Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 1:59:12
> I've been thinking about my future and I realize that I don't have the skills needed to succeed in the workforce. I need specialized skills.
>
> Right now I'm looking into the Dental Hygiene two year program offered in college. I did some research on dental hygienist as a career and apparently it pays well and offers flexible hours. It is also science related and is a respectable profession.
>
> Is anyone here a dental hygienist? How do you like the work?
>
> I need to do more research.
>
> What is the best decision for me? Should I go to college? I plan on working as a dental hygienist and then finishing my degree. Is this a good plan? Maybe I can find even better jobs with both a college diploma and a degree?
>
> Is college really different from university? Will there be more structure? I need structure to do well.
>
>
>
I think both options your considering could be good. But I would caution you not to jump to a decision too quickly. Maybe spend some more time doing some more research. See a career counselor (maybe through your school). Talk to people who are actually doing the various jobs you are considering if possible.I know you're having some big issues with continuing on in University, and pressure from your family about your future, but please don't jump to a quick decision about what you want to do with the rest of your life. Learn about what the opportunities are out there, and talk to people who are doing those jobs.
The last thing you want to is to make a quick choice, and then be miserable later on with the job. But it's excellent that you are working so hard to plan your future now. Too many people float through life without planning or figuring out what it is they want to do to make them happy and stimulated at work, and end up totally unsatisfied with their career.
Regards,
Phoenix1
Posted by Kath on February 7, 2008, at 20:23:21
In reply to Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 1:59:12
Glad to see your post Deneb - I didn't see you above & sent a Babblemail to you!!
Sorry.
I think Phoenix1 had a good idea about a career counsellor. Does your school have one?
I think that college is way more structured than university, but I've been to neither!
Do try to see if you can find a career counsellor Deneb.
And my friend's daughter just got a job in the government. She went to Fanshaw College in Ontario, something to do with architecture. She just got a really good job in Ottawa!!!! With a college degree! (2 years, I think)
So there ya go!! You don't need to go to university. I suspect college might suit you better, but that'd be more research for you do do.
I hope you can see what happened here.....you were feeling AWFUL & now you're looking at things, & seeing 'hmmmm, what might I want to do?'
I applaud you so much Deneb.
Keep us posted hugs, Kath
Posted by MissK on February 7, 2008, at 21:20:59
In reply to Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 1:59:12
> don't have the skills needed to succeed in the workforce. I need specialized skills. and is a respectable profession.
You should probably expand your concept of the workforce. The workforce comprises the dishwasher in a restaurant to the garbage picker/groundskeeper in the park, to the rocket scientist at Nasa or the President or Prime Minister of a country, and everything imaginable in between.Why not be a lab technician if science is your thing. Or become a travel agent, open a dog grooming business or become a dental hygienist if that is what you want to do. Don't get so stuck on one idea like only something involving sciences are respectable. There is a science to most any job. Expand your concepts a bit and maybe you will discover something that actually holds your interest.
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2008, at 0:02:26
In reply to Re: Good idea? » Deneb, posted by MissK on February 7, 2008, at 21:20:59
Deneb you're brilliant in sciences and you could work in a research facility. Would you like that? Phillipa
Posted by Michael83 on February 8, 2008, at 12:38:45
In reply to Re: A better idea, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 8:00:58
Government jobs are easy. Overpaid and underworked. =)
Posted by TexasChic on February 8, 2008, at 20:15:29
In reply to Re: A better idea, posted by Deneb on February 7, 2008, at 8:00:58
I think getting into a short term program that will help you get a decent paying job (that you can support yourself on), then continuing the college thing on your own terms, is an excellent idea! In fact, its what I recommended to your#1fan. You are in a situation that isn't beneficial to securing your education. Its up to you to change that.
Keep exploring your options and figure out what it is that you excel at, and then look for that niche. However you can make the most money while working the least amount of time will give you the most time for school. If you do this, you can move out and get away from the negativity you are experiencing at home. You can still be with your family, but on your own terms. That's something I've learned can make a huge difference in a person's emotional well being.
You can do it!
-T
Posted by Deneb on February 9, 2008, at 2:21:48
In reply to Re: Good idea? » Deneb, posted by Phoenix1 on February 7, 2008, at 8:33:56
I checked the openings for getting into the dental hygiene program in the fall and they are all closed. So, I have no choice but to think about this for one year. Dental hygiene is highly competitive to get into.
Right now my plan is to pass my current class, then finish my degree in the next school year. Then I'll do the dental hygiene program for two years. I'll work full time as a dental hygienist. If I get tired of dental hygiene, then I will work part time as a dental hygienist and take more university classes and prepare for something else.
> I think both options your considering could be good. But I would caution you not to jump to a decision too quickly. Maybe spend some more time doing some more research. See a career counselor (maybe through your school). Talk to people who are actually doing the various jobs you are considering if possible.
Good idea. I'm in the process of finding other dental hygienists and talking to them.
Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on February 9, 2008, at 10:20:19
In reply to Re: A better idea » Deneb, posted by Michael83 on February 8, 2008, at 12:38:45
> Government jobs are easy. Overpaid and underworked. =)
Please don't post anything that could lead others - such as government workers - to feel accused or put down.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be directed to Admin and should of course be civil. Dr. Bob has oversight over deputy decisions, and he may choose a different action.
-- 10derHeart, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by Dinah on February 9, 2008, at 12:56:25
In reply to Re: Good idea?, posted by Deneb on February 9, 2008, at 2:21:48
I think my dental hygienist enjoys her work. We've talked about it in general terms. But she clearly has to wear a mask of good cheer all day, when sometimes I'm sure she'd rather snap at annoying patients. (Yes, I have been known to be annoying in the dental chair.)
But your current job also calls on that from you. Would you find it a chore to do it in person?
It does seem to be a job with good security. Perhaps that's why it's so competitive?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.