Should I do a second bachelors degree?

[robaday]

I can empathise, am also looking at doing another degree (this time vocational) after working the last ten years full time since I graduated with an arts degree. I can't tell you what to do but I can offer some of my own experiences:

 

I wanted to be a journalist. But no one wanted to hire me, I had no experience and I couldnt afford the journalism course on top of my degree. I got a horrible job in data entry for a big bank and wrote articles for free in my spare time. Did that for two years and it paid off, I got a job as a trainee editor.

 

Thing is though that career is really poorly paid, just like most really popular careers. And I was working for multinationals I didnt like. I then started volunteering with the homeless (perhaps to wash off my dislike for corporate shmoozing). I loved it and did it two years while working full time. I then got a good job in the charity sector somewhere I still work and want to remain.

 

Truth is being willing to volunteer on top of full time work got me where I wanted to be. Its tiring and exhausting working over 55 hrs a week but I never really complained about it because I loved what I was doing on the side. Volunteering is an amazing thing and you can do it any sector whilst working to pay the bills the rest of the time. Employers see your dedicated and see the work experience you have. With just an arts degree I would have got no where.

 

Im actually looking at counselling too. But part time and with a placement at my current employer. I cant afford to study full time and I will have to work on it in my spare time. Is that an option for you?

[MisUnderstood1]

I can empathise, am also looking at doing another degree (this time vocational) after working the last ten years full time since I graduated with an arts degree. I can't tell you what to do but I can offer some of my own experiences:

 

I wanted to be a journalist. But no one wanted to hire me, I had no experience and I couldnt afford the journalism course on top of my degree. I got a horrible job in data entry for a big bank and wrote articles for free in my spare time. Did that for two years and it paid off, I got a job as a trainee editor.

 

Thing is though that career is really poorly paid, just like most really popular careers. And I was working for multinationals I didnt like. I then started volunteering with the homeless (perhaps to wash off my dislike for corporate shmoozing). I loved it and did it two years while working full time. I then got a good job in the charity sector somewhere I still work and want to remain.

 

Truth is being willing to volunteer on top of full time work got me where I wanted to be. Its tiring and exhausting working over 55 hrs a week but I never really complained about it because I loved what I was doing on the side. Volunteering is an amazing thing and you can do it any sector whilst working to pay the bills the rest of the time. Employers see your dedicated and see the work experience you have. With just an arts degree I would have got no where.

 

Im actually looking at counselling too. But part time and with a placement at my current employer. I cant afford to study full time and I will have to work on it in my spare time. Is that an option for you?

 

 

I emailed a couple of volunteer positions two weeks ago as it's something I wanted to do when I got here. Well, now that I've decided to leave, that would be unnecessary. I can always volunteer wherever I go. The issue now is that my parents actually think I'm doing a good thing. They're now convinced that this is a good step I'm taking and I will get a job when I finish because I'm now studying a degree in the "Health Care field". It's my fault, really, I'm the one who told them all of those things from the start (because I thought so myself) and now they actually think it's a good idea. They think I would be making a huge mistake by leaving and they're worried now b/c they also think I would be taking a step backwards. If I do a certificate program I will finish by next year May, so it's still faster. Apart from my age and just wanting to get on with my life now, other reasons why I don't want to continue with this second degree is that it kinda defeats the purpose of my first degree (I do love my Philosophy degree and don't want to render it useless) and it would look bad on my resume. The other thing is, before I left, I had second thoughts about coming, like twice; I just had this feeling, but was scared to tell them seeing how they had been happy for me thinking I was about to do something better with my life. My ticket had already been bought by my brother (I'm sure he'll be upset when he finds out I've moved back home) and I had already packed my things, so I just thought "no turning back now". I've already told my landlord here that I'm leaving, she tried to tell me maybe I'm here for a reason or I could apply for a job here. I have looked but it's such a tiny city, I doubt I would be able to find one. I've stopped comparing myself to people, I know I have been thinking about an old classmate who's finishing her MN this year and will be working as a Nurse Practitioner or other people who're doing better than me but I don't care about any of that anymore. I just want to be happy and help people in my own way. I didn't want to tell my parents I want to leave and I don't particularly want to move back home. My plan was to not tell anyone, just move to another city not too far from my hometown, get a job there and work till September, but I thought it would be better to go back to my parents's house as it would allow me to save more money while working till I'm finally ready to leave. I just got this freelance writing job, and hope I can find another job as well when I leave. My Dad tried to talk me into staying the other day and I told him "okay" but my mind is already made. It sucks that it had to take me coming all the way here to realize I didn't want to but I kinda felt it before I left and should've listened to my intuition. My family will not be happy with me leaving but oh well.

Edited January 22, 2015 by MisUnderstood1