Going back to school - What should I chose?

I see there are a lot of women here who have gone or are still going to school, and I need your advise.
I'm thinking of going back to school to finish off what I started but don't quite know what to do. I have about 60 credits (from sem and high school.) I also went to touro part time for one semester and got 6 credits but I quit cuz it was way to hard at the time. Now ds is in school and I work at home as a babysitter. I have a nice group and I love the kids but I still want to accomplish more.
I thought of signing up with Raizel Wright's program for ot or speech but I'm pretty sceptical of this corecpondence course. Anyone tried it and landed a decent job? I also heard that therapists nowadays are having a hard time finding work (something to do with gov't cutbacks) and even seasoned therapists are worried about their jobs- is this true?
Any advise or experiences?

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48155

those jobs are overcrowded and the schooling is very hard and competative.

I do not know about OT or speech...

Right now with the economy I think most people are worried about their jobs... and btw seasoned therapists, probably would expect a higher pay than newly graduated therapists, so I would assume that's why they are worried.

Special Ed is becoming flooded. Speech and OT are still on the rise and thats because the population that needs speech and OT is expanding. Elderly people or adults who have had strokes, TBI, or other brain damage often need speech therapy. Therefore, Speech therapists can be employed in several areas. Nursing homes, rehab centers, and hospitals are places that employ speech therapists and OTs, besides for the typical school or children center.
However, Speech and OT programs are considerably harder than Special Ed programs. They are also more competitive than Special Ed so if you do decide to go into speech or OT you need to really do well in college to get into grad school.

Also, if you dont live in NY, there are not a lot of options to work in Special Ed. This is because you can only work with children with a special ed degree but the gov. is not giving as much money to these programs. But for speech and OT, as I mentioned above, there are several options for employment besides for working with kids. As the population ages, there is more and more of a demand for speech therapists and OT's.

Platinum Member Joined: May 13 2007 Posts: 8153

I would try online courses but I first need to decide what to do. I wouldn't go into nursing because of the hours and because its a very demanding job (there's a reason why there's a shortage of nurses.)
I want to be able to get a well paying job with hours conducive to having small children. I want to be the one to send them off to school and to be the one who picks them up in the afternoon.
That's why the therapy idea is so appealing since I can make my own hours, not to mention that I love to watch kids grow and accomplish new things. Any ideas? (except for teaching - it's way to stressful for me)

Platinum Member Joined: May 13 2007 Posts: 8153

Beginner Joined: Jan 22 2008 Posts: 10

if you are determined and focused then you can do this and make a living while having a family.
I am currently a working court reporter for the last 8 years. I have a family of 5 kids and a husband. I went to school while married and had 2 kids.
There are always jobs and work for reporters (either freelance or in Court). you make your own hours and can take time off and then continue later (I.e. maternity leave, yom tov).
check out ncraonline.org for info about certified schools in your area. there are also courses offerred online, but they take extreme devotion and I believe more time.
If you want a long-lasting, fullfilling, good-paying, flexible, professional CAREER (not job) that coincides with a family life, then perphaps you should take the time and look into court reporting.