| Author |
Scared to death but want it so bad!
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| I started a new career at age 42. Divorce. Talk about new beginnings. I had gone to college for 3 years in nursing and changed to social welfare. When i graduated I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. That's when the Advisor said, "Go get your masters now! Don't mess up like my wife and get pregnant." So much for life planning right? Well 15 years later, I find my self in a courtroom trying to understand what I did wrong. (my ex had been arrested and convicted...he was a cop...oh the nightmare). I stuck around as the dutiful housewife and mother who had stood behind a manipulative sleeze. The lightbulb came on a year later. I had found my computer ( a gift from my dad to help me find a career...go figure). I had to go to work after being "Just a Mom" after 15 years. Who would want one of those? ha! I went to work for a staffing agency in payroll(ugh-the AS400) and ended up in the A/R and collections role. There I learned new programs and kept on playing with my own computer. I read and read, learned to add memory on my own and ended up answering questions for everyone else. I made a few web pages just trying to learn and found alot of true friends. Now all I want is to learn it all...before I'm too old. Im taking an A+ course, writing a book, and dealing with teenagers and still in A/R. God, I hope I'm good enough for this! Good luck to you all and keep going! I wish I would have known! | |
| sibley 2001-11-20, 10:11 am |
| Go for it silky! If you like it, then it is a great field to be in. | |
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| Thanks Sibley....I love learning and look forward to making the most of it! thank you again.  | |
| sibley 2001-11-20, 3:27 pm |
| It's no problem. How is your A+ course coming along? Are you enjoying it? | |
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| its going great... the class is such of different array of students... im taking the class at a vo-tech school... and im sure you get what you pay for... but the instructor is great... there's alot of wasted time i think... i feel like the class only enhances what im reading and trying to learn on my own.. we are using the meyers 3rd edition book... i just need more time to soak all of it in... the class is filled with the whole range of knowledge... some with no clue and some i envy.... my challenge now is to crack down and learn it all so i feel comfortable taking the test.. we installed the XP os and office last nite... <I know what i want from santa!!> it looks great..anyway we only have a few weeks left in the class and im like WAITTTTT.... i don't know it all yet...and fitting it in between the rest of life is kinda hard... but I WILL DO THIS... and more... Thank you for asking... Have a sweet nite! | |
| darthw 2001-11-20, 9:31 pm |
| Don't knock the vo-techs. I have taken computer courses at both vo-techs and community college toward certifications that are about as good as the week long, very expensive courses at IT tech schools.
That first cert seems to be the most nerve numbing, but it gets easier.
Good luck! | |
| silky 2001-11-20, 10:27 pm |
| thank you darthw... no i can't knock the school... i really do like it... and the people....i am greatful for the opportunity... and when i get the first cert down... i'll know... i can make it! thank you... it is a little numbing though... to imagine myself actually understanding this... i love it... i want to learn it so well... have a sweet nite... and thank you again...
silky | |
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| Remember that after you pass you A+, you will be eligible for the CST from ETA. See:
http://www.eta-sda.com/certification/index.html
for details. And there is nothing wrong with vo-tech schools as long as you are learning something. Just don't fall for the "take our course and make 20 bucks an hour" routine. But just keep at it. noone learns this stuff in a day. It takes a while to seep in. | |
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| Thanks Randy
i saved the link. And no i wouldn't take any class for granted. i am just greatful for the opportunity and will work hard to not just pass the test but to know it! thank you so much
Have a sweet day! | |
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| All I can say is keep up the hard work, the rewards will come take it from an other over the hill career changer it may seem like it will never pay off but it does after 8 years in this biz I'm still learning and enjoying it.....
remember ... work like you don't need the money... love like you have never been hurt and most of all dance like nobody's watching
you will do just great
Ed
A+Question of the Day Guy
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| the music is always on.... gotta dance!!! thank you flext for the kind words of encouragement.
have a sweet nite! | |
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| Good Luck & "God will be with you" | |
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| Rosetower 2001-12-13, 12:17 am |
| You've had it rought but things will get better with time. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders.
Keep up the good work and God Bless! | |
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| it is amazing the kind encouraging words that i recieve. Thank you so much rose! I have the gumption to go for this! and i will make it... than you so much and the best of luck to you!!!! take care!
have a sweet nite! | |
| Angelia 2001-12-21, 12:20 pm |
| I know the feeling...got divorced after 15 years...finished a BS in psychology (at age 37) and was accepted to grad school...and BAM...got pregnant! I don't regret a bit of it (had to resign or stick the kid in daycare at 6 weeks...ugh!)..so I resigned. Then went back to school AGAIN for an IT degree...finished the program in a little over a year. I'm now 41 and just starting out, but have been lucky to land contract jobs (off and on) for the past 9 months...my first one with no certifications at all! HANG IN THERE, SWEETIE...IT'S ALL WORTH IT!!! Got a few certs since then, but common sense and attitude have been the major players. Sounds like you've got both!
Good luck.....
Ciao
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| Thanks so much Angelia! I swear the encouragement Ive received from here has kept me going! I will accomplish my goals and put the past behind me. Thanks so very much for telling me how far you have come. That is wonderful and I certainly wish all the best for you! Keep on climbing high! It sounds like you have all the guts to find the best glory! Thanks again!
Silky | |
| anathema88 2002-01-04, 9:23 am |
| Well, Silky, you have been an inspiration. Takes a lot of courage to walk away from all you know into something you don't know. I gotta say keep on truckin honey and you will get where you want to be or at least someplace interesting. And according to my best friends children, a mommy thats a computer geek is really COOL! So good luck to you and I am sending up a thought for your sucess.  | |
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| thank you so much anathema88 for the kind words. I have moved forward and on to so many interesting new places in my life... this is one of those joys... when i get crazy and think of throwing in the towel.. i read a poem i found:
Faith
When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen. There wil be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly!
I'm spreading my wings for the journey ...thanks again and take care.
silky | |
| sibley 2002-01-04, 3:41 pm |
| Heck, if you want encouragment, read "Invictus" by W.E. Henley. You'll get there, don't lose heart. | |
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| i will check it out...thanks sibley! | |
| Angelia 2002-01-04, 7:45 pm |
| Just realized I posted this to the wrong forum! oops! Anyway...thanks, Sibley. I just read the poem and you're right, it does inspire. I think I'll print/frame it and hang it next to my desk!
Thanks again!
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