<p>I am 40 yo man. I have a 2007 PhD in Mathematical Statistics – even though I hate math with passion. I am $40,000 in Student Loan debt. </p>
<p>I am interested in Sociology and related fields. Does anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>Chances and/or advice for what?</p>
<p>How to pay back your loans?</p>
<p>Career track?</p>
<p>Not sure this is the correct forum for any of these, but clarification would be helpful.</p>
<p>Going back to college and starting a normal life</p>
<p>How much longer do you have on your school loans? Is it from undergrad?</p>
<p>Hate seems an odd descriptor for a field that you pursued long enough to earn a Phd.</p>
<p>Id talk to a counselor/ career coach/ psychic (
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<p>I think you have already made your bed academically. Now you need to find a job that will give a chance to someone with a nontraditional education. Examine your skillset. Google (well youtube) hires people with undergrad sociology degrees. Even though you don’t have, you might find out what kinds of positions they get hired for and use your math background to get in the door. </p>
<p>There are sociology studies that require analysis you might be able to perform, to try to shift your focus. I don’t think the general outlook for people with sociology degrees is very promising. Better research that better than you did for why you wanted a math phd, lol.</p>
<p>Yea, you can pay your loans off a lot faster with a doctorate in math than with a social work degree.</p>
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<p>You can go back to school any time you want. The challenge is that you are going to have to pay out of pocket for it as you will not be eligible for aid. Even if you pursue a degree in sociology, you are most likely going to have to do yet another stint at grad school (and even more debt-if you can get loans).</p>
<p>What is the appeal of a sociology degree. If you explain your interests, maybe somebody can suggest a job the leverages your interest as well as your stats skill (at a more practical level than the phd math you hate).</p>
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Why did you go back to school to get a PhD in a math field, if you hate math with a passion?</p>
<p>maybe OP is a ■■■■■?</p>
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<p>I hated mathematics long ago, but it was not my choice. It may seem strange to Americans.</p>
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<p>Family tradition…</p>
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<p>I hope loans are available</p>
<p>Sociology is rather non-specific about job opportunities, so it would not likely be of any help in the general job market (assuming you would otherwise try to seek jobs that are not math-specific). It would not be a good idea to pile on more debt while you still have some.</p>
<p>But if you want to do sociology or other social studies research, you will need to apply statistics to it. Do you hate it so much that you would not want to go into any field where you may have to use it?</p>
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<p>I am really confused – I have even thought about living with my parents and not really working the rest of my life. I do not have life skills for a 40 year old and my parents are willing to support me as long as I “work” on my unpaid internship. My adviser can easily see that I am not interested and thus he does not offer me a paid position.</p>
<p>What type of jobs would you seek with a sociology degree?</p>
<p>What would prevent you from seeking those types of jobs now, without going into more student loan debt?</p>
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<p>I do not know – I just like Sociology as a hobby. I graduated five years ago.</p>
<p>I guess I can live with my parents and I do not need a job.</p>
<p>My life got quite boring. The worst aspect is that I am out of college and have lost all my friends. I wish to be a part of the community again.</p>
<p>I also have not seen my therapist for years and have no one to talk to in person about my problems.</p>
<p>I would suggest first and foremost finding a good therapist that you feel you can connect with and explain to them what you are dealing with and see if they can provide some guidance, in terms of the different aspects in your life that are troubling you, both emotionally and professionally.</p>
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<p>I have seen therapists in the past, but almost not since 2008. It is impossible now – so I hope to find help here.</p>