Albert Said:

Should I return to College at 44 and Single?

We Answered:

Every last one of your "dreams" is completely unrealistic.

You SHOULD go back to school and get a degree, but you need some serious realistic counseling or you're going off into the weeds — investing a lot of time and effort into schooling that gets you nothing.

Do not follow idiot advice about going with your "heart". Think with your head instead...

You can start by taking a standard test called the "Strong Interest Inventory". This will match your interests with people who are already successful in their field.

Timothy Said:

What is the value of a certificate in human resources if using it to supplement a higher degree (JD)?

We Answered:

Her JD is actually better preparation for a job in EEO/compliance than would be a generalist HR degree and much better than an MBA.

The MBA is a generalist management degree and that's not the career you're explaining she's interested in here. If she wants to do a master's then an MA/MS in HR Management (not HR Development) would be the way to go.

She might also want to look into mediation. Good mediators are hard to come by in HR. Generalist 'Employment Law' positions will be more plentiful than will be specialist EEO positions.

Most HR people have no issue with "online stuff" - we train our own employees that way these days. The issue is the quality of the "online stuff" - not too many question Cornell's quality or reputation. The eCornell certificates are suitable for what she wants to do if she's wanting to learn general HR. Know too - HR is the social science of business. We don't usually have an undergrad in business or HR (though some do) - most have non-degree training in the field or moved in from OJT.

As an EEO specialist, she'll be applying at places that are fairly large and usually have top-notch HR managers. The good HR managers know all about what eCornell is and isn't. They also know that a good JD in EEO or Labor Relations is golden.

She might benefit by joining SHRM http://www.shrm.org/Pages/default.aspx and engaging in some networking.

Consider too: if you're tied to a rural location, is there an employer there large enough to specialize their HR functions? EEO as a full-time specialist is among the last HR staffers we add. She might benefit by that eCornell certificate and then marketing herself as an HR Generalist (that happens to have a JD).

She could always take the route that I did when I couldn't find a specialist position with a single employer - she's well qualified by virtue of that JD for compliance consulting. She might consider her own practice as an HR consultant and just spread "the job" around a bunch of "employers".

Good luck - do look at SHRM for some more ideas. And don't worry about the utility of an eCornell certificate.

Miguel Said:

Career Research, good or bad?

We Answered:

pretty good

Amy Said:

Should I resign/quit $32,000 job for school full time (Post/911 GI Bill) -- Please help?

We Answered:

go to college your getting older and you will be more qualified with a degree. You will have so many more options after college average starting pay with a BA is 36,000.

Carlos Said:

Need ideas 2 get 2 interview phase 4 office or teacher aid job in small town ISD where Im new...?

We Answered:

I'm assuming you are in Texas, since I don't know who else uses "ISD" (Independent School District).

My wife is an administrator in a small district in Texas. You are right about politics. I know of more than one person who was hired because the district wanted the husband/coach and they came as a package. I also know of a case where a school was badly in need of a math teacher so they agreed to hire the teacher's husband.

First off, the schedule is great, but pay might not be. Aids and non-teaching staff are usually not paid much more than minimum wage. Some districts let you spread it out over the summer. Also, health insurance is up to the district and can be very expensive.

Anyway, I would schedule an appointment with the principal in the school you are interested in, and talk to her or him about your interests in employment. Try to be somewhat specific. If you are looking, for example, to be a classroom aid, be prepared to sell yourself. Although you have not applied for anything yet, treat it like an interview.

Also, when you talk about past jobs, be positive! Never bad-mouth a past employer.

Finally, pretty much all of the districts here in Texas have web sites where jobs are posted. Just google the district's name. Also, check the Career Center at http://www.tasanet.org/. Jobs with the Windham School District are State jobs. Windam is the Texas Department of Corrections school system.

Darrell Said:

Who agrees that Barack Obama's use of the term "economic justice" is simply "stealth socialism"?

We Answered:

To Scott (I just couldn't read your response without saying something)

I don't recall anyone being insulted for paying people who "work" and it's always a good thing to have community outreach programs geared to feed the hungry, programs to assist with education and provide health care. What you don't understand is that those of us who do work hard for our money resent the fact that Obama wants to take money out of our pockets in order to create all of these nice sounding programs for the needy. I take it as a personal affront that I am going to be penalized for having the gumption to get an education (that I paid for myself) and a decent job. I work hard because I want nice things. So what!!! There are tons of options out there for people to get a free education and opportunities galore.