Radiology Forums

xxxol · Guest

Hello,
I looking in to going to college here in the Detroit are and entering the rad tech program. The problem I am faced with is, this is a career change for me. I am 26 years old, I have a daughter, and numerous bills I must have a full time income for. I know after the year and a half program I will be making about twice as much money as I do now and be in a better field. I'm told during the rad tech program it will be a 40 hour a week program, pulse study time, and that there is no way to do both, work a full time job and the program.

So I'm faced with the problem, a career change I really want to do, one I know I would be good at, but no way I can just stop working for a year and a half in order to do so.

Has any one had the same experience with this? Are there state programs of any type to supply aid during such a career change? is this ever going to be a possibility for me?

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:40 am Post subject:

YOU CAN DO IT! Believe me as a survivor I know, I went to college full time and worked full time so it can be done, but boy will it be hard. If you have some kind of family support system it would be easier for your child. Several students I know are doing this however please be prepared that your grades may not be the quality you are used to as it can be depressing when you realize if you didn't have the heavy load you could do better in school but it can and will be done with determination. I did it and you can to!

mdee · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 1

I fully understand what xxxol is saying on the posting dated 2/14/06. In the response from the guest, they still have not answered or suggested what you are really asking. Likewise, I am 33 years old, have a full time job along with a mortgage and bills but I don't have any children. Is there any kind of aid or funding that I could get to at least help pay my mortgage for eighteen months until I finish my clinicals? Is there any kind of student loan that is designed to help cover living expenses for people while doing clinicals for a degree/career in the medical field? I'm sure that every person who went to school in the medical profession was not rich and they could just afford to quit work for a couple of years to do their clinicals without getting any kind of financial help. My time is winding down slowly but surely as I begin my clinicals next summer. At this point I am very frustrated and I will have to change my major from any type of medical career if I can't find a way to make this work. So if someone could please, please, give me some concrete suggestions and advice. I would appreciate it.

xrayquilter · Power User Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Ohio

Hey there! I can fully relate to what xxxol is saying!! I know people who have worked full time through the rad tech program. Their grades weren't always what they expected out of themselves. I know I am using my student loan money to pay my car payment! We are literally just scraping by. All the bills don't always get paid on time. I'm trying to figure out how to pay for my daughters senior pictures. I hate to tell het she's gotta pay for it all. I do work part time as a nurse aide right now, but that doesn't do more than pay for our health insurance! Sad

I know there is help out there. I know some people who get WIA money~~what WIA stands for, I have no clue. Check it out at your Job & Family Services. Good luck!!

MissE · Moderator Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Ohio