Moving to Phoenix for college (Mesa, Tempe: apartment, to rent, health insurance)

[xSouthwindx]

Hi everyone! I have a weird question and I am not sure anyone can answer it.

The short of it:

The girl I dated for 7 1/2 years recently dumped me, to say the least I am devastated.

I put off college (yes stupid I know) because we wanted to stay together while she went off to college and I was (and still am) making good money.

Well now that she left me high and dry I want to go back to college. ASU is known for it's business school so I want to go there...and I used to fly to Phoenix every 3 weeks for my old job so I know the weather during the summer AND the winter...I don't mind.

Now, has anyone went to ASU and worked full time? Or even part time? I will need to rent my own place and pay for food/car/utilities by myself and manage to get college done.

Has anyone done this before? I am a network administrator with a few certifications and I currently have a salary in the high 50's (low 60's with my yearly bonus).

Money doesn't mean anything to me, I just want enough to eat, have an apartment, make my monthly car payments and buy books or whatever I need for College. I also need medicine for my depression so I need the company to have health insurance and most part time jobs do not have that option so I will need to work full time.

Is this even possible or is this just a pipe dream?

Thank you guys!

Rob

[Think (Freedom)]

Well, I cant be of much help because I personally havent done it. But I work with someone who does. She has a full time job, she's going to nursing school, and she has a baby. So I think that if she can do it, so can you. It'll take sacrifice, but it'll be worth it in the end. Good luck.

[homesweetazhome]

Rob, this is not a pipe dream at all. Lots of people work and go to school. You can take classes at night, at different campuses and/or online. There is tons of cheap housing by ASU. You can also look into other colleges that cater to working adults. Western International University has lots of campuses around the Phoenix valley, as does University of Phoenix, Rio Salado College and Argosy University. Check out their websites for the business degree you are looking for. Good luck!

[luv_it_here]

Rob - I worked full time while attending ASU West, and raised 2 kids at home. I finished my undergrad in the 2 years it was supposed to take. I was in class on Mondays from 6:40 in the morning until 10:00 at night, class Tues/Thursday night, and Wed/Fri morning, plus picked up a weekend class or online options when I could. I worked full time Tues Thurs., 3/4 time Wed/Fri (as soon as I got out of class) and covered what I could on the weekends. I also was known to pop into my office at 2 AM after I drove back from campus and did grocery shopping. You have to have an accomodating office, or else patch together enough contract jobs where you can "sort of" set your own hours.

By the way - I also did my master's through the ground program at Univ. of Phoenix, by myself, with THREE kids at home, and a deployed husband, while working full time 8 to 5 for the sheriff's office as an accountant. It can be done!! You may not sleep much for those few years, but you'll be da*n proud once you finish up!!

[joninaz]

Your best bet is to first look for a company or job with tuition reimbursement as a benefit. You would then have a full time gig and have someone else funding college. Even if they only funded a portion, it's better than going full time and paying for everything with loans.

That's o.k for youngsters, but if you've got IT skills and have gotten paid $60+K, then you're a player with established skills. So find a place with a decent salary and then do school part time. My company offers this and I really need to kick myself in the butt and take advantage... coworkers have gotten their MBA's for basically free. And all the big schools have programs designed for full time workers.

You can ask about this when looking for a job, but you should also contact the admissions folks at ASU (UofA also has biz school programs in PHX). They know exactly which companies and organizations fund such programs... it's their lifeblood.

[ComeBack_Kid]

Originally Posted by xSouthwindx

The girl I dated for 7 1/2 years recently dumped me, to say the least I am devastated.

I put off college (yes stupid I know) because we wanted to stay together while she went off to college and I was (and still am) making good money.

Is this even possible or is this just a pipe dream?

Thank you guys!

Rob

Rob-
It's NOT A Pipe Dream! I was doing the same thing; putting off school because I was in love and did'nt want to leave my girlfriend . Then she dumped me and went off to her own college, and I, like you, bolted to the desert and am now looking to be a biz major at ASU

Ive lived in some amazing places, and Tempe(where ASU is) has a great overall Quality of Living. Yeah, the heat SUCKS, but the really low cost of rent, gas, food, the fact that all kinds of nature is nearby and the great college scene makes up for it. And of yeah, THE GIRLS ARE SO HOT!!!

Good luck buddy

[Robert A]

I graduate from ASU in a few weeks and I've always worked full time. Everyone is right - it takes sacrifice, but a little time management goes a long way. I didn't find it terribly difficult and I don't think you will either.

It may be worth it to attend community college first. I took evening classes at Mesa Community and online classes at Rio Salado before I transferred to ASU. It works if you work it.

[xSouthwindx]

Thanks everyone! I am going to take the plunge, sometimes heading into the unknown is the hardest part of it all. The only problem I had was trying to find a full time job that will support me while I am in College and will work around my college schedule (in I.T. this is very hard to find) but I will be keeping my eye open on craigslist for anyone that offers flex time.

My favorite quote (if anyone else needs a little push to do what I am doing) is: "Leave the beaten track occasionally and dive into the woods. Every time you do so you will be certain to see something you have never seen before. Of course it will be a little thing, but do not ignore it. Follow it up, explore around it, and before you know it,something worth thinking about to occupy your mind."

I will try this out and I will keep in touch on this BB, thanks for your help everyone!

[Takes1 2 Know1]

I've got some advice for you. Since you have certifications and a good job, why don't you just get your degree online at some reputable university i.e. Boston University or University of Illinois at Springfield.

You could also find a job at the university working helpdesk somewhere on campus. That's probably the easiest way to do it.

[ivanabacowboy]

I didnt go to ASU, but I did get my 4 year degree---->while working 40 hours a week, overloading on classes (ie taking more than the University approves without your dean's sign off), being in a relationship, renting my own apartment, with a son in kindergarten/day care the 1 year and regular school the rest, and taking my mom to dialysis 3x a week. I completed a 4 year degree in just under 3 years (by carrying full course overload even in summer semester) with an overall gpa of 3.98 out of 4, and a perfect 4 in my major. I look back and wonder how the h*** I survived it lol---but I did!

My employer at the time was exceptional. I worked in basically a 24/7 facility, so I could essentially write my own schedule around my class schedule. Also inquire with your employer or prospective employer about tuition reimbursement.

My son goes to ASU and I know they offer a "basic" student health package-but I am not sure exactly what it covers because I kept him on my plan. Some employers DO offer part time employee health insurance-I know my employer does. Granted it is more expensive than FT employees, but being single you may be able to luck out and find one that isnt too costly.

Also dont forget to apply for financial aid. Even if it isnt loans, there are often plenty of grants (don't need to be repaid) out there which you do not know you are eligible for unless you apply. Every penny helps. ;-)