Choosing a career to go to school for at 23... what should I do?

Apply to a few colleges and talk to admissions counselors and see what they think might be interesting. There are many programs that can be done majority on-line or on Tues and Thurs only. I would suggest your wife go outside the house and pick up a paying job so you can pursue opportunities that will better your family life.

Where there is a will there is a way.

When my husband got out of the Marines (he was not shot at...) we both began attending school. He went to school FT and worked PT 2 days a week. I worked FT and took classes at home PT. Granted we do not have children, but we also enjoy staying warm, having lights and eating. I graduated in Dec '07 and he graduated in May '08. Was it rough? yes. Was it worth it? yes.

There are night courses at colleges where you could go. Classes aren't every day, perhaps one course would be held on two different days a week, or one long session. You could be a part time student and take only two or three courses per semester.

I think you should give school a shot. However, pick your major wisely. For example, I doubt you will get far in life if you study music. If you study something like nursing, social work, accounting, then it will be worth while as you will likely gain employment after getting your degree. If you want to go to a community college then you could also have good careers, eg dental hygiene is a good job.

Can you take an apprenticeship for a trade instead of going to school? Plumbers, welders, etc make a pretty good living, plus, you're already got manual work experience.

Regarding your financial situation, I'm not sure what to tell you. I'm sure the solution involves taking on debt.

If you do find a way to swing the finances so that you can go to college, you should probably look into digital arts, like graphic design. It's not music, but it's visually creative and it's also a viable career. If you're good at physics/math, then perhaps Architecture is worth looking into. If all else fails, a Business degree is the best generally-applicable degree because it opens so many doors. It may not be your passion, but at least you'll know that there will always be a job for you somewhere since every single segment of the economy involves business at some level.

If you are wanting to go for a 4 year degree then it might take you awhile but it could be done. You could go part-time (1 or 2 classes) the first semester or two and then go full-time but at the minimum to be considered full-time, which is 12 semester hours at most schools (4 classes). Then you could take a class during the summer school sessions. If the school you decide to go to has courses online, you could consider taking one class online. This way, if you wanted to go full-time you could take 3 courses at school and one online. That might give you an opportunity to be at home and see your family and still get the credits you need. Of course, taking an online course is very different from sitting in a classroom. After taking one class online, you could consider taking more online.

You say that you are interested in music. Have you considered music education? If you feel confident enough in your skills you could get a bachelors degree in music education. If you don't feel confident enough in your music skills what about teaching in general. Is there another subject that interests you - history, English, math, etc. If so, you could always go into teaching.

What about getting a degree that would allow you to become a full-time employee with your company or similar company? Sometimes, companies will help you with your education if it is directly related to the job you are already doing. Or maybe you could major in business management or human resources. I think that there are a lot of colleges and universities where you could take most of your classes online.

Warren, Great question. Being old and retied all I can do is dream. I worked all my life as a computer programmer, main frame, which was a great career. Granted some of the ones listed are big bucks careers but that is not all there is to life. Your listing Park Ranger hit me. I would love to go back and be a National Park Ranger at Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. Other choices would be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. My favorite parks. I back packed down into the Grand Canyon a number of years ago. Sadly Arthritis has stopped all that.

You write well. My guess is you could make it through some useful degree program.

You need to study something with good career/earning potential. That usually means something technical. How's your math? Engineering is probably out of reach, but Engineering Technology (BSET) is possible if you can handle a bit of calculus. If you can't, there are "Industrial technology" (BSIT/BSTM) degrees sort of half-way between Technology and Business. Half your courses are Business oriented. The other half consist of course in some technical field of your choice.

Most BSET and BSIT/BSTM degrees are available 2+2 — meaning you spend two years in Community College (cheap), and the last two years in University.

The other option is to take an apprenticeship in one of the manual trades. Most apprenticeships take four years, and they are paid, though the first year's pay is low because you will not be productive.

Not every MOS in the Army puts you in danger of being shot. You could join as 14e or 14t and have less likely chance of ever being deployed.