Financial Freedumb and Brownie

As a fairly recent college graduate starting salary is probably one of the main factors I looked at when deciding what I wanted to study–along with my interests and job availability. I admit it, money was a deciding factor in my degree. Hey, nothing wrong with that…financially, what makes sense? But in the end, money didn’t win out. My passion for teaching and a rewarding career is what won out…for my degree…but I ended up in a computer job even after all the planning…

Why am I revealing my starting salary? It’s my salary from many years ago, so it’s not as relevant today (i.e. My coworkers finding out is not as bad). Is it close to what I’m making now? I leave that for you to discover. I can let you know that I currently work one full-time job and hold a part-time job as well. So hah, now figure out my salary.

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Originally, I had wanted to become a teacher. A high school biology teacher. And I will one day! But what eventually happened is completely different from what I thought would happen. Life has its funny ways, doesn’t it?

I had tons of experience in computers. I worked my entire college career at the university help desk. Not to mention an internship doing various computer related duties, a computer repair job during high school and working a major computer retailer for one summer. The help desk gave me experience with computers and with customer service. I also took computer programming classes. If you can’t tell, I enjoy computers. I never intended to make a career out of it though…maybe a side gig consulting or a few projects here and there, but not a career.

Well, in my senior year, a friend asked me if I wanted to come along with him to a career day event the following week, and I said okay. I worked on my resume, dressed up a bit, and went to school. We went to the career day event and there was my future employer. That’s how I got my first real job–the job I still do today. Keep in mind this was during the dotcom boom. I do software support for a computer company.

I graduated with a minor in Computer Science. My major? Nutrition.
Starting salary: $61,500.00.
My job: Software Support (officially a Software Engineer)

This is why I believe that work experience >>>>>>> Your degree.

Anyway, there you have it. Why nutrition? A couple of reasons: 1) My scholarship required majors in certain areas, and 2) it was a pre-med program, which offered me another option of pursuing med school if I wanted. Don’t send me nutrition questions though, please. Trust me, you don’t want my advice.

I guess in the end, I really went into college pursuing a degree that left me with as many options as possible. I knew the gist of what I wanted, but I don’t mind riding the wave per se. I guess I just go whereever life takes me.

I don’t enjoy support, but it’s livable, especially with the flexibility it is providing me. Do I see myself doing it for the rest of my life? No…

I recently wrote about how I would meet my 2006 goal, or probably not meet my goal would be the more appropriate description, but what if everything went south, and for whatever reason I lost my income source, my job. What would I do? I’m not sure…I’ve thought about this a little, but it’s a serious question. Am I emotionally prepared to handle it? Financially prepared? What are my backup plans?

Financially, I’ll be okay. I have enough funds to last awhile, but if unemployment lasts long enough, it will eat away at my funds for my future home. Frugality takes on a whole new meaning. Emotionally, I think I’m ready. I don’t particularly enjoy my job right now, and have been thinking of other things I could do. But the truth is, I’m not really prepared for it.

How would I gain a new income source? Can I find a new job? Should I go back to school?

Here are some ideas I have should I lose my job:

1. Start my own business. I do have some ideas that I’ve just never pursued fully. Including an online business selling various items from Hawaii.

2. Go back to school. I’ve thought about this one a few times too. I do want to pursue an MBA and/or a degree in secondary education.

3. Teach. Something I’ve wanted to do since my high school biology class.

4. Join the Peace Corp or AmeriCorp. Actually this is one idea that I would love to do. It’ll become much more difficult as I have more responsibilities, so I could consider this something to do ASAP. With a family, house, dog, etc. it would be much more difficult to leave.

What would you do if you lost your source of income?