Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    172
    Thanks
    123
    Thanked 328 Times in 71 Posts

    Default Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

    Hello! First thread in the Dollar Den

    *obligatory bow to Melonie's wisdom*

    So, I am currently in school full time for a pre-med degree (concentrating in Neuroscience on a PhD/M.D. track). This will obviously take quite a few years (hopefully I'll graduate in the dawn of a better global economy!). I'm working as a erotic massuse/webmodel, looking to expand into escorting and pro adult modeling. All things are looking up, but its still the adult industry - which means tomorrow is never garunteed, and to make anything I have to constantly advertise and promote myself. No matter how good a day or week I have, the idea of relying solely on adult streams of income for the next few years makes me somewhat uneasy.

    I am strongly considering getting a certification in some medically related field in the meantime. The medical field is really expanding in my area, especially in cardiology and geriatrics. I'd be getting something that could be completed within a few months, health related, and in demand (but nothing very physically laborious such as geriatric transport or fitness instructor - enough of my income already relies on my body!)

    What causes me to hesitate is the fact that I only have so much time in the day: to take on a new degree program, even for just a couple months, takes away from time I have to work towards the undergraduate degree I'm already working on and the time I have to work and promote myself. On the upside though, if I get work experience this could look really fabulous on a medical school application.

    Oh yea, IF I get work experience....I'm not totally intending on actually pursuing employment with the certificate if my adult work is much more lucrative, unless I really feel like things are getting risky, business comes to a sudden halt for whatever reason, or I totally burnout. Even though, I'd still like having that option in my back pocket, whether or not I use it.

    I do plan to cut back/quit advertising/new clients for massage and escorting after I turn 25 (I'm 20 now), and modeling gigs will probably also slow down after I phase out the 18-25 age range so I'm thinking thats the point where I'd be pursuing a full or part time position with the certificate while I'm in graduate/medical school.

    I know that gives me 5 years to actually do this, but right now I'm in my freshman year so my classes are relatively easy compared to what I'll probably be facing closer to graduation. I don't think I would be able to take on a new degree program in the crux of my Junior year.

    Most of these certifications do have to be updated every so many years/months whether or not I actually use them, and that usually incurs some costs, so that's something else to factor in.

    I've also heard rumors that this "online _-month degree programs" is a boom & bust industry....headed towards bust. As the economy improves employers will return to favoring those with the most comprehensive degrees, not those with a certification that covered the basics - this worries me.

    Specifically, I'm looking at Medical Assistant, Billing & Coding, Radiology Technician, and Pharmacy Technician -- there are several others out there I know, I'm still researching. I know to avoid for-profit online schools, but I'd love to find a legitimate online program.

    So, my question is, if you were in my position, what would you do? Would you pursue a "solid" career-oriented degree until you get the one you really want (an endeavour that will take several years), or would you stick to relying on multiple streams on income in the adult industry?

    Also, I should note that I pay tuition in cash at a very inexpensive public school, and currently have no student debt (or, any debt) but also, no credit and no credit history.

    Big thank you's in advance!


  2. #2
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

    personally, I wouldn't invest time and money into any of these 'lesser' programs until the future direction of ObamaCare is better known. One aspect of ObamaCare's changes will be wide differentials in future Medicare / Medicaid / State health insurance exchange reimbursement rates to hospitals etc. depending on whether the health care professional providing the service has impeccable credentials ( i.e. an RN with a bachelor's degree ), versus minimal credentials ( i.e. an RN with a 2 year degree plus OJT ). This is turn is already motivating hospitals etc. to research the actual credentials of their employees, and to potentially 'readjust' personnel once ObamaCare takes effect to employ more people with impeccable credentials but fewer people with minimal credentials.

    Expanding your opportunities in the Adult Entertainment industry will definitely mean increased income. But, the risk exists that a bogus bust, 1099's from known adult industry 'employers' etc. could serve as an obstacle to obtaining the state professional license required to actually work as a radiology tech, pharmacy tech etc. after you graduate. Or it may not stand in the way of obtaining that state professional license, but could limit your available future job opportunities, given that every potential employer checking the status of your professional licence would be immediately informed of your past involvement in the adult industry ( which the state professional licensing agencies consider to be 'unprofessional conduct' and issue fines / citations for ). Having that happen might mean that you will be granted the professional license, and indeed receive job offers from state prisons, from inner city clinics, from a local drugstore chain etc. - but not receive job offers from large community hospitals, from religious affiliated hospitals, from national drugstore chains etc.

    This opinion doesn't come from 'wisdom' it comes from 'hard knocks'. Before getting started in exotic dancing, camming, featuring etc. I had already obtained a college degree and a professional license to work as a Respiratory Therapist ... and worked in big city hospitals for a few years. After contracting TB from a hospital patient, I was forced to quit working for many months ... and got into exotic dancing because disability checks weren't paying my bills. I kept my RT license though, and recently had to renew it. As a result of the renewal process, the state did a new background check and turned up IRS records that I had worked for some well known adult industry 'employers'. This resulted in an official 'unprofessional conduct' citation from the state professional licensing board, a fat fine, and a cover letter being added to my state professional license file which would immediately inform any prospective hospital or clinic of my 'unprofessional conduct' = adult industry background.
    Last edited by Melonie; 09-26-2012 at 11:06 AM.

  3. #3
    Veteran Member kikidejavu's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2008
    Location
    chi town!
    Posts
    697
    Thanks
    86
    Thanked 226 Times in 106 Posts

    Default Re: Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

    i did a cna program, it took 10 weeks. It was about 5 dollars higher per hour than minimum wage which is considered great money in my area. You will find a job, guaranteed because there will always be plenty of old folks and disabled people who need caregivers. However being a student, u will need every extra hour you can get to do homework. Adult work is a far better use of your limited time. I strip 3 days a week and make triple what i was making working 7 days as a cna. No brainer. The only reason I would suggest doing a lesser program is because it will look good on your resume. But I think its better to hurry up and finish your primary degree as quickly as possible without dragging it out.
    "We are the coolest mothafuckas on the planet....The sky is fallin ain't no need to panic"... -Outkast

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    172
    Thanks
    123
    Thanked 328 Times in 71 Posts

    Default Re: Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

    Thank you both so much, you two both helped really put things in perspective and Mel - holy shit! That is incredible...and very, very scary. Thank you so much for sharing that info.


  5. #5
    God/dess Zofia's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Durham, North Carolina
    Posts
    2,417
    Thanks
    2,964
    Thanked 2,370 Times in 934 Posts

    Default Re: Question About Cost/Time Effective Certification Programs

    None of the certifications you mention are bad choices for people who lack the brain power to make it through medical school. However, they do not pay what being an M.D. will pay. There is no reason to extend your education any longer to obtain a certificate that will not add to your earning power and none of those will. Now, an M.D. and J.D. might add to your earning power. Same with an M.B.A. But, extending your education by even one year just reduces your lifetime earnings by hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

    HTH
    Z

Similar Threads

  1. Pilates Certification
    By sactinydancersf in forum Body Business
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-26-2010, 04:56 PM
  2. getting my personal training certification
    By ediblecrayonz in forum Body Business
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 09-28-2008, 06:58 AM
  3. Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter
    By Chicagoeditor in forum Body Business
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 08-28-2008, 11:50 AM
  4. Question from a First Time Dancer
    By sexysapphire88 in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 09-11-2006, 12:59 PM
  5. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 07-20-2006, 09:51 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •