Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

scorpio1980 · 10-27-2010, 08:15 PM

I have decided to go back to school to get a degree in holistic nutrition. I plan on using this to open my own holistic health practice, so I plan on working for myself in other words. I thought online would be the better bet, seeing as how I work full time, and all, but I want the degree to count so that at a later date I could go back, and become a naturopathic doctor. What would you do in this situation? Thanks. P.S. The schools around here may not have the exact degree i'm looking for, but it would give me the basis I need, but I may have to do some holistic courses later on if I persue the on campus version.

WarrenG · 10-27-2010, 09:42 PM

Campus gives you better access to people and resources and helps you network and get closer to more people who might be useful to you (or if that sounds selfish, rephrase as "build fulfilling relationships with!").

Also, the social aspect is a big plus - people on the same course are likely to be the same type of people as you, so you might meet good friends and have a good after-hours social life. Plus, there's the benefit of class discussions which you don't get (or as much, depending on the technology used) online. And it's a new experience, while sitting at home working isn't.

Unless it's going to make a big impact on your work or other parts of your life, it's campus all the way as far as I'm concerned.

scorpio1980 · 10-28-2010, 04:57 AM

Thanks Warren, I'm leaning that direction, but it will cost more obviously, both in time, and money. Sometimes I think since my real goal is to be a holistic health coach of some sort, in my own practice from home, then maybe I should just persue an online certification. Then open a practice at home, making my own hours, and be able to then handle a college better. I just don't know I'm so confused. I will be 30 next month, and after working all my life in jobs that are meaningless to me, I have finally for the first time realized what it is that I ultimatley want from a career, and it excites me. I just don't know what vehicle to use, how to afford it without full time work, or how to work full time, and have the time. I just wish I could somehow come into enough money to quit work, and go to school full time, but I don't see that happening at the moment. Part of this is asking the advice of others, and part I think is just me wanting to release this into the universe. What to do, what to do, sigh.

WarrenG · 10-28-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

I have finally for the first time realized what it is that I ultimatley want from a career, and it excites me

Relax, if you've got this far, you're on the home stretch. There's a lot of aimless people out there. Now you know what you want it's just a matter of time, isn't it?

When I decided to leave work to work on online businesses, I arranged with my work to cut my hours in half. Do you think you could organise something similar with your work? Or find a different part-time job? Could that fund your studies?

Alternatively, could you keep your full-time job and take a part-time evening course? It might take longer to get the qualification but at least it'd fit in with your schedule.

Sue_B · 10-28-2010, 06:52 PM

Two trains of thoughts....

Do any of the schools where you'd train to be a naturpathic doctor, have online courses? If being a naturopathic doctor is your long-term goal, I would check in with those schools and ask them what preparatory certificates or degrees they accept. (I may be using the wrong language as I don't know if you need a degree before you can become a ND.)

As per your second post - do you still have to do any research to find out whether being a self-employed holistic practitioner/coach is what you want to do for sure? (It sounded like it was better than what you're doing now - I may be wrong... just sensing between the lines?!)

Have you talked to others who do this? (They'd be easy to find on google or via holisitc health coach schools.) They can tell you what their typical day looks like, the ups and downs, what they'd do differently etc. You could take course online and start a p/t business at night or on the weekends to really see if this is the right career for you before investing tons of money and time.

These are just suggestions. Try them on and if they resonate - investigate futher.

10-27-2010, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
scorpio1980 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC-USA Posts: 660	Online school or on campus? I have decided to go back to school to get a degree in holistic nutrition. I plan on using this to open my own holistic health practice, so I plan on working for myself in other words. I thought online would be the better bet, seeing as how I work full time, and all, but I want the degree to count so that at a later date I could go back, and become a naturopathic doctor. What would you do in this situation? Thanks. P.S. The schools around here may not have the exact degree i'm looking for, but it would give me the basis I need, but I may have to do some holistic courses later on if I persue the on campus version.

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10-27-2010, 09:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
WarrenG Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 595	Campus gives you better access to people and resources and helps you network and get closer to more people who might be useful to you (or if that sounds selfish, rephrase as "build fulfilling relationships with!"). Also, the social aspect is a big plus - people on the same course are likely to be the same type of people as you, so you might meet good friends and have a good after-hours social life. Plus, there's the benefit of class discussions which you don't get (or as much, depending on the technology used) online. And it's a new experience, while sitting at home working isn't. Unless it's going to make a big impact on your work or other parts of your life, it's campus all the way as far as I'm concerned.

10-28-2010, 04:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
scorpio1980 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC-USA Posts: 660	Thanks Warren, I'm leaning that direction, but it will cost more obviously, both in time, and money. Sometimes I think since my real goal is to be a holistic health coach of some sort, in my own practice from home, then maybe I should just persue an online certification. Then open a practice at home, making my own hours, and be able to then handle a college better. I just don't know I'm so confused. I will be 30 next month, and after working all my life in jobs that are meaningless to me, I have finally for the first time realized what it is that I ultimatley want from a career, and it excites me. I just don't know what vehicle to use, how to afford it without full time work, or how to work full time, and have the time. I just wish I could somehow come into enough money to quit work, and go to school full time, but I don't see that happening at the moment. Part of this is asking the advice of others, and part I think is just me wanting to release this into the universe. What to do, what to do, sigh.

10-28-2010, 06:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sue_B Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 76	Two trains of thoughts.... Do any of the schools where you'd train to be a naturpathic doctor, have online courses? If being a naturopathic doctor is your long-term goal, I would check in with those schools and ask them what preparatory certificates or degrees they accept. (I may be using the wrong language as I don't know if you need a degree before you can become a ND.) As per your second post - do you still have to do any research to find out whether being a self-employed holistic practitioner/coach is what you want to do for sure? (It sounded like it was better than what you're doing now - I may be wrong... just sensing between the lines?!) Have you talked to others who do this? (They'd be easy to find on google or via holisitc health coach schools.) They can tell you what their typical day looks like, the ups and downs, what they'd do differently etc. You could take course online and start a p/t business at night or on the weekends to really see if this is the right career for you before investing tons of money and time. These are just suggestions. Try them on and if they resonate - investigate futher.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums