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!



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