r/industrialengineering • u/DoughnutTheBoi • 1d ago

Help

Hey, I'm a 24 yo with a GED caused by poor homeschooling. I'm planning to throw a final hail Mary attempt in getting a degree that's been heavily delayed by my dad requiring full time care and my chronic battle with Major Depressive Disorder.

The goal would be a BS degree in industrial engineering (hence the post here) starting hopefully January, funded by a pact with the student loan devil, and taken into a career in emergency management with FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, or the private sector. The reasoning behind Industrial Engineering instead of Emergency Management is for the ability to pivot in case this administration or the next decides to pull another DOGE and just stops caring about preparing for anything anymore.

I wish there was a way to avoid Sally Mae, but the aid I had originally when trying for an AAS in programming is pretty much gone due to my class completion percentage taking a giant hit from my dad's care needs. Thankfully, that can finally be taken care of by other family members.

This feels like my last shot at having any form of a meaningful career and financial stability. Am I correct in this realization, or is there a better way to get my foot in the door with emergency management that I'm not noticing?

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8

u/flaginorout 1d ago

Your last shot? You're 24 years old. LOL

Get a job in a 911 center. Earn your associates online from the local CC and pay for it with your salary. Go from there.

5

u/Weak_Sauce_Yo 1d ago

Lmao. Fuck off. 24 years old? You're good dude.

I'm 32 and I just started college for the first time.

3

u/SoCalGal67 1d ago

It may seem like you are getting a late start, but you're really not. Take the advice of getting a job within the emergency Management system, 911 call center if you have the mental capacity for it, a civilian position within law enforcement or fire, working for a city or County, etc. You're not looking at any jobs that will be worth what you take out in loans.

I know it's super hard to be patient, especially since most of your high school friends are now graduated and getting into their careers. Careers. However, it'll all even out by the time you're in your early thirties. You'll actually be better off, if you can graduate then without any student loan debt or very minimal debt.