Second Career - How?

[GrinAndBearIt]

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This is my second post and is really just a duplicate of my first post. I didn't see this board and wanted to put the post here as well as I think it will possibly get more results. Please forgive the duplicate post. The original is at: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=672968


I'm currently a computer programmer. I've been interested in dentistry since high school. But I got married, had kids and went to work instead of finishing school. (SIDE NOTE: for you younger people, DON'T DO THAT! In hind sight it would have been SO much easier to struggle through back then, than it will be now). I make aprox $80,000 per year now. My wife stays home and home schools our 2 kids (girl age 9 and boy age 7).

I'm considering a second career as a dentist. I'm pretty confident that I'd really enjoy it (I've always thought so) and I'm VERY ready for a career change. I'm also very uncertain about my current skill set sustaining my current career for the next 30 years.

I'm 34. I'm having trouble coming up with a way to make dental school happen. It is soooo hard to give up what you've grown accustomed to (meaning our life style). While I think I would be fine to drastically cut back and do whatever it takes to get through the next 6 years (I have some prerequisites to finish up), I'm not sure how to put my wife and kids through that.

At first I thought perhaps I was too old. But the more I think about it in 6 years I'll be 41. If I work till I'm 65 that's still 24 years as a dentist. Me being 41 when I get done isn't the issue. My daughter being 15 when I get done scares me. What will being in college and dental school for those 6 years cause me to miss? Age 9 to age 16 for my girl. Age 7 to age 13 for my boy. Will I really be missing anything? Maybe not, but it would require them to move with me to go to school. Which would take them away from family and friends.

And what about the money. Is it even possible for me to work part time while I go to school? From what I've read it is not. Is it possible to get enough loans to cover the cost of living in addition to the cost of school? My wife could possibly get a job to support us while I go to school. Did I mention she home schools our kids?

They say that where there's a will, there's a way. I've got the will to put myself through whatever it takes, but I don't think I'm willing to put my family through it.

So, why am I posting this to you all and "whining" about it here? I'm hopeful that I'm just too close to the situation and for someone standing on the outside looking it is clear how to go about becoming a dentist. I've been trying to find my way out of this mental maze and keep hitting dead ends. So, I'm looking for a "Just buck up and do it", or a "you know have you ever thought about...", or perhaps a "there is this one scholarship for people who..."

Thanks in advance. (and stay in school!) 🙂

 

[DucoNonducor]

Hey there! And welcome aboard this journey! Well... I know exactly how you feel. I work in the IT area and the only way that I was able to stay in the field was to do something relating to medicine... Computer Science is a great field but it's not for everyone and certainly not for me =)
I could not see myself in this field until retirement. I have a friend who is making tons of money but he's not too happy. He's working for a private company who treats their employees like slaves, but in this economy you just have to deal with it.

Your situation is a bit tough since you have two kids. That only makes it harder specially since they are older. I'm not so sure about dentistry, but I know that it is MUCH shorter than medicine!

Are there any dental schools close to where you live? I have a few options for med school but even then I'm very restricted since I don't want to move my family away from friends and our other relatives. I know it will be hard enough for them since I won't be around as much... Much less moving them away from everything that they're used to.

It takes a lot of planning and thinking and it's definitely a big decision. You're making a decent salary which will be hard to be without. You'll probably have to take out loans unless you have the money set aside to pay for all your expenses. And your wife may have to look for employment in order to make ends meet. I'm counting on my spouse to get us through the next several years. It's truly a whole family affair! It's not you going to Dental school but the whole family!

There are programs for medical school graduates where you can have assistance from the government on paying your loans back. There are several options but I am not sure about Dentistry...

Good luck!

This is my second post and is really just a duplicate of my first post. I didn't see this board and wanted to put the post here as well as I think it will possibly get more results. Please forgive the duplicate post. The original is at: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=672968


I'm currently a computer programmer. I've been interested in dentistry since high school. But I got married, had kids and went to work instead of finishing school. (SIDE NOTE: for you younger people, DON'T DO THAT! In hind sight it would have been SO much easier to struggle through back then, than it will be now). I make aprox $80,000 per year now. My wife stays home and home schools our 2 kids (girl age 9 and boy age 7).

I'm considering a second career as a dentist. I'm pretty confident that I'd really enjoy it (I've always thought so) and I'm VERY ready for a career change. I'm also very uncertain about my current skill set sustaining my current career for the next 30 years.

I'm 34. I'm having trouble coming up with a way to make dental school happen. It is soooo hard to give up what you've grown accustomed to (meaning our life style). While I think I would be fine to drastically cut back and do whatever it takes to get through the next 6 years (I have some prerequisites to finish up), I'm not sure how to put my wife and kids through that.

At first I thought perhaps I was too old. But the more I think about it in 6 years I'll be 41. If I work till I'm 65 that's still 24 years as a dentist. Me being 41 when I get done isn't the issue. My daughter being 15 when I get done scares me. What will being in college and dental school for those 6 years cause me to miss? Age 9 to age 16 for my girl. Age 7 to age 13 for my boy. Will I really be missing anything? Maybe not, but it would require them to move with me to go to school. Which would take them away from family and friends.

And what about the money. Is it even possible for me to work part time while I go to school? From what I've read it is not. Is it possible to get enough loans to cover the cost of living in addition to the cost of school? My wife could possibly get a job to support us while I go to school. Did I mention she home schools our kids?

They say that where there's a will, there's a way. I've got the will to put myself through whatever it takes, but I don't think I'm willing to put my family through it.

So, why am I posting this to you all and "whining" about it here? I'm hopeful that I'm just too close to the situation and for someone standing on the outside looking it is clear how to go about becoming a dentist. I've been trying to find my way out of this mental maze and keep hitting dead ends. So, I'm looking for a "Just buck up and do it", or a "you know have you ever thought about...", or perhaps a "there is this one scholarship for people who..."

Thanks in advance. (and stay in school!) 🙂

 

[bcombs]

Well, I'm married, no children, and only 23, but I am absolutely terrified about the financial ramifications. I just got out of the military, and with my IT background/ entry-level certifications, and security clearance, I am throwing away a very comfortable living to pursue an undergraduate degree followed by, most likely, 4 years of med school.

Definitely make sure your wife is on board with it; my wife has been a big supporter (she's a full-time student as well). Besides that... you don't have to plunge right in. Can you take some pre-reqs at night while keeping your IT job during the day (I'm doing that now, but am considering focusing more on school). Whatever you do... best of luck.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Well, I'm married, no children, and only 23, but I am absolutely terrified about the financial ramifications. I just got out of the military, and with my IT background/ entry-level certifications, and security clearance, I am throwing away a very comfortable living to pursue an undergraduate degree followed by, most likely, 4 years of med school.

Definitely make sure your wife is on board with it; my wife has been a big supporter (she's a full-time student as well). Besides that... you don't have to plunge right in. Can you take some pre-reqs at night while keeping your IT job during the day (I'm doing that now, but am considering focusing more on school). Whatever you do... best of luck.

I don't see any reason why an adult can't pursue a degree while working full time. 6 years versus 4 years may seem a long time to you, but when you are in your 40's it will seem only a short time. What you will remember is the financial pain of your family doing without. The car breaking down without being able to fix it - the weeks of living on Hormel's pork & beans - the worry about whether you can pay the heating bill. If you can avoid this financial hardship by having a good job while going to school 9 to 12 hours each semester - then you'll be better off at the end.

Working full time and going to school that many hours may seem like a hardship - but I've heard that med school is even harder - so we might as well get used to it.

 

[Simplify]

I'm also former IT (8 years and also high salary). Who would have thought that so many of us were disillusioned with staring at a computer screen all day?

My advice if you'd like to stay married is to discuss this with your wife. If she isn't on board with the sacrifice, it isn't going to work out. I'm sure you understand this already but it doesn't hurt for me to reiterate.

In my case I made the change after my wife graduated and landed her first job. I quit almost immediately rather than become accustomed to the 2 income lifestyle.

 

[J ROD]

Here's the thing with dental.....

in order to make those big bucks you have to buy and own your own business. So, not only will you have alot of loans (school and family support) you will have the business loans as well. That's alot of debt without the mortagage.

The chances your wife getting a job depends on whether or not you will send your kids to public school.

You can do it but it is going to be a high price dollar wise and on your family. Think hard!!!!