u/Old_Drummer_3536

Hi everyone,

I'm currently trying to gauge my odds of getting accepted to Civil Engineering at Grove. My undergrad (Psych) GPA is 3.0 and grad (unfinished) 3.5, never really failed any science courses but did get C- in Bio 12 years ago. My question is, does that C- disqualify me no matter how well I do in my pre reqs?
I still need to take calculus, chemistry and physics as pre reqs.

Was anyone in similar situation and still managed to get in?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit late to the game, but I'm considering a career in civil engineering — it'd be my second bachelor's. My background is in admin work and some software. I've struggled for a long time to find something I'm actually passionate about, but after a lot of career testing and research, civil engineering kept coming up and just made sense.

A few questions for those already in the field:

• Once I finish my bachelor's, how hard is it to land a first job?
• Are career switchers looked down on?
• I'm also a woman — is that a factor worth thinking about going in?

To be clear, I'm not job-hunting right now, just gathering info to position myself well for the future.

I'm based in NY if that helps.

Thanks in advance — can't wait to officially join the profession!

Hi y'all,

Those of you that have bookkeeping clients as a side thing, how did you land those? I tried upwork but keep on getting outbid by ppl overseas. I'm located in the US looking for US based work.

Background :

Have 7 years of experience in the industry - AP > AR > Controller. Working towards a degree in the interim to demonstrate commitment.

Thank you all in advance for any suggestions.

New here, and reading this sub feels like finally being seen.

Curious if anyone left after going through kiruv specifically — "in the system" for ~20 years, rather than born into it.

Short version: mom's Jewish, dad's not, born in Eastern Europe, no real stability at home. Mom put me in a Jewish after-school program while she worked, which led to camps, then Israel at 12 — my parents had no idea it'd be ultra-religious. They told me my clothes needed to go for tznius reasons before I could start school. I rebelled enough to get sent home after 4 months.

That gap put me behind a grade, so I landed in a Jewish school back in Eastern Europe — stayed 2 years, became religious. In hindsight, it was less belief and more that I was drawn to the stability those kiruv families had.

Then Bais Yaakov in Canada for 9th grade, living with a host family, again with zero warning about how insular it'd be. At 15, my parents sent money for a laptop so I could call home — this triggered a full meeting with the host family, the rav, and the program head, because apparently I'd just use it for porn. My host eventually bought it with me, then showed up at my door in tears saying I'd be sent home if I ever touched a neighbor's wifi. For a while I walked 40 minutes each way to the library just to Skype my parents. Never got a diploma — the program decided a "bas Yisroel" didn't need one.

Made it to college in the US (iykyk), lived with another host family for 4 years. Started dating in the community, and that's when it really unraveled — told repeatedly I was "less than" for my background, family, looks, weight, and especially my thoughts. I tried more modern ways of dating within the "system". My now ex bf (raised in Monroe) took me to couples counseling, where I was informed I have "raging undiagnosed BPD." It's been a couple years, a few therapists and 2 psychiatrists since — still no official BPD diagnosis. All anyone's actually found is depression (duh lol). I am deeply skeptical of therapists after this tbh.

It's weird looking back — there were genuinely good moments and people in there too, and it feels strange only narrating the bad parts when it wasn't all bad all of the time.

A lot more has happened since. Enough that therapists have gotten visibly emotional hearing it, which doesn't actually help me. If it's too much for them, what am I supposed to do with that?

I don't want to be treated like a victim — I want practical help leaving and building a life outside this. No family or support system here in the US outside of this community; if anything, my family abroad leans on me. Guilt, shame, and feeling inadequate are the real roadblocks now. Turns out it's not as simple as putting on pants and going with it.

How did you build your support system? Where do I even start?

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping for some honest advice from those who’ve been through a career pivot. I have a non-traditional background: BA in Psychology, nearly finished a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and supported myself by working in accounting (worked up to Controller). A few years ago I fell into Product Management, then QA. My first company went bankrupt and the second was acquired, which led to a layoff.

I’m now all-in on tech and currently working on a BS in Software Engineering through WGU. I’m also considering a Master’s (possibly Georgia Tech OMSCS) later because I want to go after strong, high-paying roles. I know a degree isn’t strictly required, but I think it will help me compete.

My main worry is age and timing. I’m 32 now, and while WGU is accelerated, I’ll likely be 33–34 by the time I finish the bachelor’s (and older if I add the master’s). I’ve seen conflicting info about age bias in tech hiring, especially for career switchers and bootcamp/new-grad style applicants. In my previous roles (more local/community-based), age wasn’t an issue and I saw all kinds of ages, but I’m concerned corporate tech might be different.

For those of you who switched into tech in your early/mid-30s, how did age affect your job search? Did the degree help signal seriousness? Any tips for making this transition smoother?

Thank you — this community has been so supportive!

Hello everyone!

I was recently recommended to join spark to help me save up for my move. I'm sorry in advance if the question comes off stupid but I can't seem to get the hang of the app.

I selected a zone once and now I'm completely unable to change it. And also, for some reason the app didn't request any sort of verification from me.

Did anyone experience this?

I would appreciate any guidance. Thank you everyone in advance!