I am finishing up my first semester of my sophomore year, and since I decided to start a semester late in total I’ve been in college a year. One of the only reasons I came to college was because I wanted to work with special needs kids possibly by pursuing a degree in special education. Through lots of research and several coming-to-reality meetings with myself, the prospects for me becoming a special ed teacher and actually staying a special ed teacher are not high. I also thought about speech pathology but I don’t even like going to school, and the demands for that program education-wise are very high (requiring a masters degree), as well as me not even being completely interested in the field. I had so much passion coming into college, which is what kept me going but I also think its important to come to reality with some things instead of going into a career you think will be amazing just to find out 10 years from now you can’t bear to do it anymore. I guess through the sudden smack in the face of college not being what I expected it to be has also made me realize that the work world as well is probably not going to be as I expected. Im trying to make smart decisions but you truly never know what you’re getting yourself into. This past Friday I came home and was talking to my mom over lunch and we started talking about how I used to want to do dental hygiene originally. At first I didn’t even realize dropping out of university to go back to a technical program was even allowed, but then I realized maybe thats what I should be doing. I understand the wisdom in finishing my bachelors to have more mobility with careers, but then I also understand the wisdom in getting a degree in a technical program and starting my job. Its a really hard decision of course, and I need to make it soon. I appreciate any kind of wisdom/perspective anyone may have on this subject. <3
My D earned a masters in special ed, taught for one year and THEN decided it wasn’t for her. Better to know it now, before you and your parents spend more money.
As for dental hygiene, it’s a good field. One of my friends went into it and worked as a floater while her kids were young. She would sub in different offices for staffers who were on vacation or off for some reason and, when her kids were in school, she had her choice of dental practices to work for. Ultimately, she worked her way up to running the entire practice. She had only a HS degree. Of course, she was able to work as a floater because her H had a good union job with health insurance benefits.
I would just caution you to look into whatever programs you are thinking about. Ask the hygienists at the dental office you go to where they got their training. Contact the programs and ask about their placement rates. My friend attended a local SUNY college that had a 2 year program.
Good luck.
A two year technical program like dental hygiene cold be a great option if you really like it. And it doesn’t lock you out of going from a bachelor’s degree sometime in the future if you find you want that later in life.
If you are positive that dental hygiene is the career for you then it is a fine choice. But be as sure as you can possibly be before making a switch. Try to talk to people in the field, get an idea about the salary/hours, learn about career options etc. Perhaps talk to your own dentist about it and see if you can talk to some hygienists in his/her office. Make an informed, educated decision.
Before you pursue dental hygiene, visit your dentist and observe the hygienists. Check into hygiene programs in your area and see what requirements exist before you can even apply to the hygiene program. In my area, admission is very competitive. Schools ask that all general ed requirements be finished, usually in a year, then you apply and currently there is another year on the waiting list. You can also look into universities that offer a BS in dental hygiene, a 4 year program. To become a hygienist, you must graduate with an associate’s degree (or BS), pass written and clinical boards, and be licensed.
If you are looking at technical programs, you might check out respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant, radiology technician, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy assistant.
Also ask about how competitive the dental hygiene program is. I am doing a different allied health program (well I am hoping to) and was surprised to find out how competitive it is to get into. Ask how many applicants they have and what the avg GPA is to get in to the program.
It may be different with dental hygiene but for the health programs in my state you have to get a certain grade for consideration for entry into the actual program and then many don’t get in.
Good luck!