Career goals may conflict with DJ lifestyle interests

[dcastillus]

Here’s the skinny,

I’ve been contemplating my life goals, after reading so many great posts and the DJ Bible to help me get over a relationship that ended some time ago (3mos) I heeded the advice of some DJs with respect to working on myself more so than trying to get back into the game and was wondering if I could get some advice/feedback on the following:

I am currently focusing on pharmacy as a career option; I’ve already applied to schools and am waiting to hear back from some that will be starting this Fall. My concern is a financial aspect and way of life conflict, I’ve spent over about $100K in schooling over the past 7years ($15K for undergrad, $36K for a master’s program, and $70K for dental school, which I didn’t even complete so I don’t have much to show for it except a huge debt). If I decide to go to pharm school (considering I get in), I am probably looking at another $300K in debt and I’d be done in 3-4years. So I’d be 30yo with about $400K in loans.

My beef is this: Let’s say I do become a pharmacist, get out @ 30 and start making the $80K they supposedly make (probably $50K after taxes), I’ll probably be paying my loans off for life if I don’t play it smart (first question: how would I play it smart?) so I don’t see myself enjoying myself until I am 60 I sometimes think maybe pharmacy isn’t the best route but I can’t think of other options that would be as attractive income and stability wise (the biotech field is so volatile you don’t know what’s going to happen and I am definitely not going for my PhD) for what I’ve studied (BS in Biochem and MS in Molecular Biology) (second question: what other options should I consider?)

I don’t feel as if I’ve lived my youth, I’ve spent so much time studying, I’ve just now started even trying my path towards Djhood. I haven’t traveled much (only E. Europe in undergrad and Mexico 2 years ago) or partied much (a little over the past 2 years) There’s so many places I’d like to see (W. Europe, Asia, S. America, more of the U.S.) and things I'd like to do (jet ski, more snow boarding, spin plates ) but I feel that if I keep going to school those opportunities will be gone and I’ll be an old man living in debt. Has anyone been in my situation or a similar one and if so what advice would you give or what worked for you? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post/sob story

 

[SmoothTalker]

Wow man, that's rough.. Is there no way to save money like living with your parents or something? Do pharmacists really make that little?

400k is a crazy amount to be in debt unless it's a mortgage, and even then...

Maybe you should finish dental school, they make enough money to pay off those loans pretty quick.

 

[Effington]

That is pretty brutal, man. Wasting 70k on a failed dental school experiment is a really bad deal, that's for sure.

Are you truly interested in becoming a pharmacist? You definitely don't want to pull off the same stunt you did with dental school, and from your post I don't see much indicating your passion for pharmacy school, besides the financial aspect. I think you need to figure out what you are interested in, and go from there. If you are smart and plan well then you can make a lot of money doing virtually anything.

As for the financial legitimacy of pharmacists, the general concensus I've heard is that they make a lot of money. In Illinois I heard that most of them start around 110k. I wouldn't worry about your previous debt if you make that kind of cash. I didn't realize that pharmacy school is that expensive, (300k sounds really high, honestly), but I don't think you should consider the cost of entry as a blockade to entering the profession, nor should you consider your previous 70k.

 

[dcastillus]

Thanks guys, yeah I am trying to see what else I might like to do besides pharmacy b4 I get into it, for the same reasons you mentioned, another debt if I don't make it. I just don't know where to start, I am usually thinking of something in the health care field b/c there's so much potential and I enjoy the interaction with people (even if some patients are a bit cranky sometimes ) I am gonna try to volunteer at a pharmacy to see if it's something I truly would like to do for the rest of my life. My heart isn't into dentistry that's why I didn't try to pursue it again. And that's key, I need to find a passion for something.

I am sure there's away to manage your loans once you get out of school and still live a good life I'm just not sure how I'd do it. I might just have to move to Illinois to earn a bit more , I know they make a lot in CA but I was just guessing how much I'd start if I were an associate pharmacist or something.

And I am not sure if I'd like to live with my parents when I am 30 (no offense to those who still do, who knows maybe I will be :crazy: ) Thanks for your input DJs

 

[SmoothTalker]

Volunteering sounds like a pretty good idea. If you like the work, its definitely not a bad career, especially with the current demographic trends, you'd be in a lot of demand.

However, while education is an excellent investment, do your best to minimize the cost because with interest, even if you're making 100k, that's at least a decade paying off your loan (assuming you can put 50k a year towards it, which is a pretty big commitment.)

That mean's you'll be 40 by the time you're breaking even, and then you need a house and retirement savings and whatnot.

Hence why I suggested living with your parents, or at least some other measures to cut costs.

... Unless the economy dies and we get hyper inflation, in which case 400,000 might not be so bad.

 

[backbreaker]

I personally don't think you can put a price on a good education. Any money you invest in yourself is not wasted money, regardless of the amount. never look at it like that.

with that said, you are doing nothing but preparing yourself for the onset of your real life. The greatest successes usually steam from the greatest sacrifices. you can't have it both ways. you can't be the kid that is 24 years old and is going out 4-5-6 nights a week and had 5 girlfriends and at the same time is well on his way to being a 6 figure earner. On the flip, it's not possible to be the guy who is well on his way to making a career in a field he likes, going to school to invest in his future but also has the time to get a 4 games of madden in a night and hit the club on friday-sunday.


but most importantly, figure out if it is in fact what you want to do. My mother went to school for 13 years, has 3 degrees, one of them being a masters in Commincations (or something along thoose lines) only to find out when she got out of college she LOVES sales. No degree needed.

whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you and the fact that you even see this as a fork in the road so to speak, speaks volumes.

 

[iqqi]

^^^^^^^^^^^^BB, Dude you might as well start a thread, you are about to be BOMBARDED with PM's asking what's been up.

 

[mpimpin]

whoa..BB is back..

 

[EricInTheHouse]

I think the price of education is insane as hell dude.. A lot of people go to college for something then realize that maybe this is not what they really want to do , but the debt will still be there.

Wah... I'm only 3,000 in debt and I/m 30.. I couldn't deal with being over a 100,000 in debt... Pharmacy id great if you are seriuos.. I believe a pharmacist makes 3 figures...not for certain.

Surely you need to scope out options.. It's obvious that you won't be able to pay back that much money( no one can)..so I would do research and see how you can get help with this.. I'm dure some sort of help exsist.

Damn the stress must really suck... wish I could help more...

good luck, lol

 

[backbreaker]

^^^^^^^^^^^^BB, Dude you might as well start a thread, you are about to be BOMBARDED with PM's asking what's been up.

arkansas derby in 2 hours, will be back later on.

 

[dcastillus]

I see, there's def a lot of serious thinking I have to do, I really appreciate your guys' feedback and support, you help put things in perspective, both on a financial view of things and lifestyle choice. I'd prefer to be the guy going out all the time and not end up the "rich" old man who pays his way to get into a girls pant$ or enjoy life in general when I am old that's not the DJ lifestyle from what I've read.

I understand that an education is priceless esp. if it's something you love, and again that's what i have to find, something I LOVE to do. I am going this week and try volunteering at a pharmacy to help me see if it's for me. Thanks again for your advice, if there's anymore out there I am all ears. And thanks BB for making a special guest appearance from the looks of things you've must've been gone for a while, welcome back!

 

[C-quenced]

There has to be a way for you to manage all this debt. I say you should definitely look into it but don't let this debt business get the best of you. Figure out if you really want to persue this pharmay career and if it's really what you want to do then by all means go for it and get your life together one step at a time. I don't see why you won't be able to see the world and enjoy your life. Also are you sure that it takes about 300k to get through pharmacy? I hear of people literally living off of student loans for several years and making it through 6 years owing about 100 - 130k. I've asked around and this is what I hear. I really want to major in pharmacy so I would also like to know.

I don’t feel as if I’ve lived my youth, I’ve spent so much time studying, I’ve just now started even trying my path towards Djhood. I haven’t traveled much (only E. Europe in undergrad and Mexico 2 years ago) or partied much (a little over the past 2 years) There’s so many places I’d like to see (W. Europe, Asia, S. America, more of the U.S.) and things I'd like to do (jet ski, more snow boarding, spin plates ) but I feel that if I keep going to school those opportunities will be gone and I’ll be an old man living in debt.

Don't burn out. I may be a virgin and can't interact with women worth a **** but if there's any advice I can give you all I have to say is that with determination you can do anything.

I don't know how guys like us are going to fit women into our schedule while going through many years of education but all I'm going to say is I'm not going to give that up over women!!! If I have no social life and absolutely no time to be interacting with women then **** them. Getting sex is already hard enough... why make the rest of our lives harder?

 

[dcastillus]

Thanks for the feedback CQ, very inspirational, I decided to look into it and calculated the costs for the schools I applied to: USC would be $158,040 after I'm done, USN in Las Vegas $113,349, Belmont in Nashville $96,000. I guess I was exaggerating a lil but I was also trying to take into account the $100K I already owe and interest and room and board and what not.

I agree, there'd have to be a way to manage this debt and still live a fun lifestyle I just don't know how. I've been looking to volunteer at a pharmacy this week, so far Walgreens turned me down but I am gonna keep looking. As for females, you're definitely right, it's super hard to fit them into a busy study schedule and they're not the epitome of my life, I learned that from reading the material on this website, but they are fun once you learn how to play the game , sooner or later i'll get there and you will too, we just have to be persistent and hella patient :crackup:

That's cool that you're also pursuing pharmacy, best of luck with that! What made you decide to pursue it? I actually have an interview next week with Belmont, we'll see how it goes :nervous: Thanks again for the great advice , I won't burn out, hell I'm just getting fired up

 

[STR8UP]

Education is expensive.

I don't care whether it is paid to a school, or paid in mistakes, if you want to grow it's gonna cost you.

I could have been a doctor, a lawyer, and a pharmacist and then some for what my "real life" education (read- the money I've lost) has cost me.

That said....I don't see how anyone could stay in school until they are 30 years old. A friend of mine did it, and he has a bunch of degrees to show for it, but in the end he's working as an RN. My mom went to school for all of 4 years to become a nurse. I don't see much value in collecting expensive paper you aren't gonna use.

 

[schttrj]

my little worldly experience tells me

u either are born with money and u pursue the DJ lifestyle

u either take up any of the career u like and bank on available opportunities, though very limited

u take up such a career that makes meeting girls ur living

 

[dcastillus]

That's a good point STR8UP I don't think it's worth it either if I am not happy doing it and I end up doing something else I like your friend, but how do you go about finding out what you enjoy to do enough to make a living out of it (tough question, which I guess everyone asks themselves at one point), and in regards to

"I could have been a doctor, a lawyer, and a pharmacist and then some for what my "real life" education (read- the money I've lost) has cost me."

do you have a thread about the money you've "lost?" If so how could I go about reading it?

And schttrj, your worldly knowledge is concise and very true, unfortunately I am not privileged to the first choice, but I am still debating on which of the last ones I will decide to pursue (or end up in )

Thanks for your feedback DJs, I'm still talking to pharmacists to see if i can volunteer once I get that far I'm thinking it'll help clear things up but I still need to work on what other options I'd choose