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Advice Needed for MT career or going back to school...pls read! - mt

Posted: Nov 20, 2009

Hello! I'm hoping to get some good, sound advice about whether I should persue a career in med trans, or go back to school to finish my degree.

I'm almost finished with MT school (MTEC) and plan to test/look for job(s) around February/March 2010. My boyfriend's income is our primary source of income, any I would make would be supplemental. I've been reading A LOT (perhaps too much) lately about the difficulty/hardships MTs have in making a decent living just doing MT.

I'm seriously doubting my decision to get into this field. There is a good possibility that me and BF will be splitting up, and I'll be on my own for the most part. We have a child together too, so I'll also be a single mom. I MUST have the means to support me and my child eventually.

I was accepted at a university on a full scholarship about 3 hours from my home, and I'm expected to start summer 2010. I'm trying to figure out how I can manage school while taking care of my little one on my own. Of course, her dad would help out as much as he could, but I'll still have to work to cover rent & basics. Don't know how that is going to work out just yet as I'm still trying to work out the details (apartment, daycare etc...)

IF I CAN'T make the arrangements for me to live near campus, I can attend school completely online, still with the scholarship. BF & would live together, just not TOGETHER, if you know what I mean. He is supportive of helping me, which is awesome, but everyday he makes it very stressful being here as he does not want to break up, I do. Its a complicated situation I suppose. Life would not be pleasant I would imagine.

SO, while I do plan on finishing my MT training & start looking for work, should I pursue the college thing & finish my degree?? I want my bachelor's in Health Information/Systems Management as I see that being a highly lucrative, secure/stable career for the future. I love doing MT too, I don't foresee me struggling with it on a daily basis trying to make a decent living.

Advice...feedback...thoughts???

If I was in your shoes . . . - Sunshine State MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Congrats on your scholarship! Just my opinion here . . . I would go with the scholarship and you can always fall back on the transcription on the side.

Good luck to you and take care of yourself and your child!!

Go back to school. - smt

[ In Reply To ..]
It's always been hard to make a decent living in this field but it was doable. Now it's ridiculously hard, sometimes damn near impossible. Assuming your childcare arrangements are in place, I'd say go for the degree. You can always do MT work p/t. You'll have the extra income and much less instability in your situation. best of luck to you!

get the degree - 7DayMT

[ In Reply To ..]
especially with a full scholarship! Good luck to you.

Go back to school and get that degree!! (sm) - clunybrown

[ In Reply To ..]
A full scholarship is a real blessing. Take advantage of it. It also sounds like you are justifiably having real doubts about your future in MT. Learn to listen your inner voice, your "little voice," as I call it. I like what the others said about having MT to fall back on in a pinch or for extra money, but please do take advantage of your scholarship. That way you will be ensuring your future. I wish you the best of luck!

PLEASE GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND GET THE DEGREE! sm - Ella (retired)

[ In Reply To ..]
Just believe me. I hope you could do MT part time, and quite possibly could get a job like that. But this profession is, IMHO, going down the tubes in geometric progression, and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody at this point. Fresh MT school graduates are at the bottom of the list as far as finding jobs is concerned--the services say they want experience, yet they will not offer the graduate a chance to built experience by working! It's sick!

Years ago, I recommended becoming an MT to everybody looking for a well-paying career and the option of working at home. No more. Please accept that scholarship and do whatever you have to do to get a useful degree that will give you some job/financial security, especially in this economy. I truly wish you well!

Back 2 school myself - TS

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been an MT for about 6 years and I have gone back to school myself to get a degree in HIM and sit for my RHIT and then eventually become a cancer registar. I love being an MT but I see the $$$ going south quickly. Get the degree!!

Advice needed for MT - msmello

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi,
I firmly believe in finishing your college degree. You can do MT on the side as an IC because many companies require a schedule and that would be harder for you to stick to with a child and going back to school, but this is up to you. Working at home is a great thing, it has many advantages like saving money on commuting costs and not having to deal with the travel time of getting to and from a job. The money always helps no matter what you make, these days we can't afford to be fussy. You will also be home to be with your family. There are people out there homeless or on the verge of being homeless. I say take advantage of the opportunities you have. Go back to college and MT part time! ;o)

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