A career to fall back on?

[Dmzg0310]

<div class="bbWrapper">I want to start my jewelry business and ideally launch it by June 2026.<br /> <br /> I currently don’t have much work experience since I’ve been in and out of jobs since graduating with a psychology degree (personal training, marketing, admin, teaching). I’m looking for jobs right now, ideally in a corporate setting like marketing, sales, management, etc. <br /> <br /> I’m wondering if it would be good to go back to school and get a diploma for new media &amp; web design so that if my business does not work, I can fall back on this degree. <br /> <br /> It’s an 18 month program and $18,500, 9 months of school plus a 6 month internship. <br /> <br /> It would be nice to have that under my belt so that I can for example work as a UX designer and if the business doesn’t work out or it takes a long time to develop, at least I will have a UX job. <br /> <br /> What do you think? Thanks in advance!</div>

 

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[Lex DeVille]

<div class="bbWrapper">If you want to launch a jewelry business and you&#039;ve got $18,500 to blow, launch it now and work on it for the next 18 months.<br /> <br /> That way in 18 months you&#039;ll have business experience instead of two useless degrees and no job.</div>

 

[Devilery]

<div class="bbWrapper">Why do you want to launch only after a year?<br /> <br /> Step 1: Research what jewelry brands are crushing it and decide on your first product line.<br /> <br /> Step 2: Source/make products, or if you want to do a test run first, get images for products without actually having any physical products in stock.<br /> <br /> Step 3: Build your Shopify store, set up social media accounts, etc.<br /> <br /> Step 4: Get sales (the &quot;fun&quot; part that might take you months or years to figure out).</div>

 

[Dmzg0310]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 64688" data-quote="Devilery" data-source="post: 1171420" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171420" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171420">Devilery said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Why do you want to launch only after a year?<br /> <br /> Step 1: Research what jewelry brands are crushing it and decide on your first product line.<br /> <br /> Step 2: Source/make products, or if you want to do a test run first, get images for products without actually having any physical products in stock.<br /> <br /> Step 3: Build your Shopify store, set up social media accounts, etc.<br /> <br /> Step 4: Get sales (the &quot;fun&quot; part that might take you months or years to figure out). </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>I want to do my idea before someone else does and to make profit sooner than later! <br /> <br /> If I go back to school that’s less money and time towards the brand. But at least I have a job I don’t hate and can do it in the meantime? (There’s no guarantee I won’t hate whatever job tho!)</div>

 

[Jobless]

<div class="bbWrapper">You made a thread on the diploma and we said to not do it.<br /> <br /> Jewelry is not an easy business to get into, some reasons are: 1. Many hobbyists / passionate competitors (it&#039;s hard to compete if you have competitors workign for free or even at a loss) 2. Product lasts a long time leading to less repeat purchases 3. It&#039;s not a basic need, but something some people buy when times are good and they have spare cash. 4. It&#039;s often based on personal reputation, trust and building a network of customers, and this can take time to establish. 5. There are fakes or cheap alternatives.<br /> <br /> Do you see an unfulfilled need in jewellry, or is it mostly a personal interest?</div>

 

[Kevin88660]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 150109" data-quote="Dmzg0310" data-source="post: 1171403" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171403" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171403">Dmzg0310 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I want to start my jewelry business and ideally launch it by June 2026.<br /> <br /> I currently don’t have much work experience since I’ve been in and out of jobs since graduating with a psychology degree (personal training, marketing, admin, teaching). I’m looking for jobs right now, ideally in a corporate setting like marketing, sales, management, etc. <br /> <br /> I’m wondering if it would be good to go back to school and get a diploma for new media &amp; web design so that if my business does not work, I can fall back on this degree. <br /> <br /> It’s an 18 month program and $18,500, 9 months of school plus a 6 month internship. <br /> <br /> It would be nice to have that under my belt so that I can for example work as a UX designer and if the business doesn’t work out or it takes a long time to develop, at least I will have a UX job. <br /> <br /> What do you think? Thanks in advance! </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Microsoft is firing experienced software engineers with computer science degrees, and I am sure they had top grades in schools to get themselves into big tech. <br /> <br /> So I am struggling to think what kind of assurance you can get with a diploma in media and web design.<br /> <br /> If you like structured training go learn a blue-collar trade skills that is a better assurance in an AI-engulfing-everything world.</div>

 

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[Dmzg0310]

<div class="bbWrapper">Honestly, I think I have a very good idea with a strong brand identity and story that would market well. <br /> <br /> However, I don’t have anything to fall back on that would either be fulfilling or financially fulfilling. <br /> <br /> Lots of anxiety around starting both and the risks are high. I don’t want to have to be a waitress to make ends meet! <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 48612" data-quote="Jobless" data-source="post: 1171445" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171445" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171445">Jobless said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> You made a thread on the diploma and we said to not do it.<br /> <br /> Jewelry is not an easy business to get into, some reasons are: 1. Many hobbyists / passionate competitors (it&#039;s hard to compete if you have competitors workign for free or even at a loss) 2. Product lasts a long time leading to less repeat purchases 3. It&#039;s not a basic need, but something some people buy when times are good and they have spare cash. 4. It&#039;s often based on personal reputation, trust and building a network of customers, and this can take time to establish. 5. There are fakes or cheap alternatives.<br /> <br /> Do you see an unfulfilled need in jewellry, or is it mostly a personal interest? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote></div>

 

[TheWiseGuy]

<div class="bbWrapper">No. Like I said in the last post, why would you get yourself in debt like this? <br /> <br /> This is fear speaking. <br /> <br /> You&#039;re still latched into thinking &quot;degree=security&quot;. In that case, why would you be considering going back to school, despite the fact you ALREADY have a degree in psychology? <br /> <br /> (Not financial advice) I&#039;d Diversify the 18k into some solid cryptos or stocks, a business and some emergency money.</div>

 

[Lex DeVille]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 150109" data-quote="Dmzg0310" data-source="post: 1171476" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171476" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171476">Dmzg0310 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I don’t want to have to be a waitress to make ends meet! </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Change your gender. Then you&#039;ll be a waiter. <img src="/community/imgs/emoticons/em-smile2.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-shortname=":)" /></div>

 

[Jobless]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 150109" data-quote="Dmzg0310" data-source="post: 1171476" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171476" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171476">Dmzg0310 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Lots of anxiety around starting both and the risks are high. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>I get it. But if you feel anxiety and risk you may not be so sure about if it will work out, and there&#039;s reasons for that.<br /> <br /> Think about how to test the idea with less risk. For example try to market to the audience with an offer, before you have a real product or brand, just to gauge interest. To understand the unit economics of what you want to sell.<br /> <br /> Make a list of what you think you need to start, so you see what you THINK you are risking, and figure out a way to test the idea in a much cheaper, faster and simpler way first.<br /> <br /> You probably don&#039;t need 90% of what you think you need to start testing the business idea you have in mind. And it&#039;s worth testing to be more sure, so you can actually invest money/time into building something long-term. You need to conduct experiments until you find a business model that gives you good feedback and you can go all-in on with more confidence.</div>

 

[Dmzg0310]

<div class="bbWrapper">Definitely fear speaking. We will see how it goes then! Gonna stop asking this question (mostly for my own sanity) and go for the kill <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 145823" data-quote="TheWiseGuy" data-source="post: 1171479" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1171479" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1171479">TheWiseGuy said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> No. Like I said in the last post, why would you get yourself in debt like this?<br /> <br /> This is fear speaking.<br /> <br /> You&#039;re still latched into thinking &quot;degree=security&quot;. In that case, why would you be considering going back to school, despite the fact you ALREADY have a degree in psychology?<br /> <br /> (Not financial advice) I&#039;d Diversify the 18k into some solid cryptos or stocks, a business and some emergency money </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote></div>

 

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[ZackerySprague]

<div class="bbWrapper">I have a friend whose been trying to get into Web Design for over a year since we met. We hasn&#039;t been able to land a FTE position.<br /> <br /> You know. QT is hiring people flat out for $18.50/hr or $60k per year for assistant managers. That&#039;s actually pretty decent hear in Texas, considering if you have no debt, no student loans, credit cards, or car payments.<br /> <br /> You can get yourself a decent sized 1 bedroom apartment. While working the job, you can work on Fastlane stuff on the side, until it takes off.</div>