Hello everyone. I am trying to think how to put this correctly.
but for about 15 years I worked in power plants. I started going back to school when I was 30 for mechancial engineering. After another internship this summer at a local power company. I feel like nothing has changed.
I have a lot of emotional baggage from having a father that worked in the power industry.
Basically everyone that my father worked with, him included, are all either alcoholics or divorced alcoholics. They all work 7/12;'s to get away from their wives and families.
I realized that I’ve become extremely unhappy in this enviroment. I am only 10 classes away from a Mecahnical Engineering degree, but Also about 14 classes away from a CS degree. I need something new. When I first went back I thought that I could work towards being like a pharmacist or physcial therapist. Until I saw the kind of people that go to those programs and how superior they are to me.
Its gotten to the point where I’ve got serious depression and self destruction issues.
Because my mom is relying on me to be able to help with money. Also, I did not want to drag this out until I am 37. I have been in school since I was 23. I also do not want to miss my opertunitites to become wed and have a family.
I pray about things, but everytime I do, they get worst for me. Has anyone been in a similiar situation about changing majors. I am tired of my body hurting from stress, thinking about going back to power plants. Amongst alcoholics and meth users, who share their wives. This is what it was like at my previous two plants. ( Sister companies)
Has anyone this similiar situation before ?
Thanks,
Friendly greetings!
When i was studying in college, there was this particular guy in his 36 who decided to get a degree in graphic design (he’s my classmate) after having studied medical for more than 10 years and worked at a hospital (as a male nurse…what is a male nurse called?). When i asked him why this sudden change, he told me that he felt that graphic design is his true interest. My next question was: “how do you know?” He said that he’s been learning photoshop for a while and he became interested and is kind of addicted. Amongst my friends i was known to be a blatant girl, my opinions have always been straight to the point, which can be very rude to some people. I told him,“look, this is not only about photoshop. The students at this art and design college have been creative since childhood. I dont mean to be rude to you, but consider this as a reminder.” I told him like this because he’s a burned out man, everything can make him feel down e.g. when i and other friends got higher marks, he kept pitying himself, etc. i always told him to not giving up, but nothing cheered him up. During the study, he realized that it took him one whole day to even think of a design he would be creating while it took us (me and our friends/classmates) for about 1-2 hours for a thematical design and a few minutes for a free creation (a simple example: teacher wants us to create a cat in adobe illustrator. We make it in a few minutes, while, in these same minutes he still has his file blank because he is still thinking).
To make the story short, in today’s life when i last asked him what occupation he’s doing, he answered,“still at hospital. Same job. I design only in my free time.”
While it’s nice to encourage someone to pursue the degree he wants, it is also good to think more logical and skeptical. One must be very certain about the decision he makes and must think of the consequences (like financial needs, etc). Not only it will take more time to study, but one may feel like he’s competing against another students who actually have been doing for years. For an example: someone with a skill to play violin while starting in his 20 tries to get into a conservatorium and he passed the entrance examination. Okay, congratulation! But then he will be sitting in the class together with another students who have been playing violin since they were 4. Feel the feeling of competing? Obvious. Nevertheless, with a very optimist thoughts, motivation, diligence, he still has chance to be a pro violinist. About the obstacles of getting a seat in a professional orchestra is another story.
The moral of this story, while we do encourage you to pursue your dream, my advice is based from the experience my closed friend has. Or another option: you still can be a mechanical engineer without being alcoholic, you can be a mechanical engineer without divorcing your wife

and…a mechanical engineer + a good, faithful Catholic! That you have seen them around you being alcoholic and divorced, it does not mean you have to follow them! (Of course you dont have to!) make a difference! Love your job. “Hello, i am a mechanical engineer, i am not an alcoholic, i am Catholic and have a lovely wife that i love.” With our good attitude, love, and faith, we can inspire people to confess their sins, take up a cross and follow Jesus.
Sorry for my long rant,…
Remember: you need to pray and ask Jesus whether or not changing major is right for you. He will answer! Whether it’s yes or no. But often, if the answer is a no, we tempt to think He doesn’t even hear our prayer and eventually feel down. If the answer is a no, means He has a greater plan for us. For you.
May God bless you! I pray for you.
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom comes,
Thy will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace!
The Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us sinner!
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.