If you can make it through the novel and give me suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate it.

I graduated from college, with a BS in Biology. I got accepted into MS programs, but unfortunately there wasn’t enough funding for a TA position, so a Master’s degree is not an option without funding.

The jobs that I am qualified for pay around $1400/month. My student loans payments easily take up more than half of this pay, if not more, and I cannot afford much after the student loans. For example, health insurance, car insurance, etc and don’t want to choose between necessities. (I live very frugally)

Currently, I am examining whether to try and reapply for school in the following fall or look into the various armed forces?
I would just like some outside input, before going to talk to recruiters, colleges, again.

Option 1) Search for an entry level job and apply for graduate school in the fall of 2011.
CONS: No guarantee that I would be able to get funded, again
Student loans will be delayed 3 more years, adding interest
Be around younger, immature college crowd for 3 more years.
Many jobs in biology require a MS, so I will still be at "the bottom rung"
when I get out.
If I did get funding, I was told it is very little and most students take out loans for health care, etc. More debt.

Option 2) AF/Navy/Coast guard.

I am looking for a change in pace, purpose if you will. I don’t mind traveling, love meeting new people, etc. I am disciplined, enjoy structure, and thrive in a team setting, enjoy physical activity, don’t mind demanding hours, and can wake up at 5am I also don’t want to take things for granted, and think the military would help with that. Also, no criminal background, etc.

PROS
I can earn tuition assistance, and pursue a MS, most likely online. It would be different experience than just getting a master’s, and I would have real-life experience I couldn’t get while in school. Also, the Navy pays for college loans if I go enlisted, although I am more interested in the right job as opposed to money. (Also, benefits such as health care which I couldn’t afford other wise)

Questions…
How hard is it to pursue a higher degree (MS) while in each of these forces?
It is improbable to think I could earn a degree while I am on active duty?

I am interested in science/lab/research/conservation/protection etc. and was wondering the different opportunities offered?

(I looked into oceanography in the Navy, MST in CG, and AF scientist)

If I chose not to make a career out of Navy/CG/AF, how hard is transition back into the civilian world?

Will my military experience help me in finding a job/career after I am out?
(I have noticed during my job search, there is a lot of preference for veterans)

Any various pros/cons in military life?

How difficult is getting into the Coast Guard?

How difficult is being an Officer in the Coast Guard?

Is there a difference between being an E-3 in the CG as opposed to other branches?

I know it is the military, so danger is inevitable, but how dangerous is it, on average?
(I don’t have any children, but I do have family and they worry.)

Treatment of women in the military?

Basically, I am trying to look 5 to 6 years into the future.

If I go back to school, I will get out with more debt, and no job experience, just another degree. If I go to, say the CG, I can possibly get a degree and 4 years of experience or even come out debt free if I go into the Navy. I could also get experience that “corporate America” couldn’t offer in each of the forces, but they are a very big commitment.

Anyone in the same “boat”?

Whole bunch of questions here, but I’ll hit the highlights regarding your military ones. Yes, getting an MS while on active duty is very feasible, either on your own time or applying for a full time, funded slot once serving (the military services all have programs where they select officers to attend grad school full time, paying for your tuition, paying you while assigning you to grad school for your full time job).

In the Coast Guard anyway, almost all officers who stay around any length of time have at least one Masters (many have several) earned while on active duty.

If $1400/mo is the best you can do with your degree (I find that hard to believe, that’s less than $17K/yr, you can do better than that waiting tables, but you know better than I), I agree you need to do something else, whether it’s go back to school or join the military.

It is competitive to get into any branch of service right now, especially as an officer. Even enlisting is no sure thing. You sound like a good candidate though, so you should give it a shot. The Coast Guard does offer excellent opportunities for women.

Good luck!