In a field completely unrelated to your first BA/BS? Would anyone do this?

I've been considering ditching teaching in favor of a technical career. I'm concerned that I wouldn't be able to dive into masters-level technical courses, though.

Thoughts? Is there a better way to recover from a bad degree choice?

1/29/2007 7:47:35 PM

not a bad idea

you prob already have the general classes that everyone has to take

do yourself a favor and get as much experience as you can through internships and stuff so you're set to go when you're done

1/29/2007 7:51:13 PM

You can go to a masters program, but you will have to do a lot of prerequisite "catchup" classes before you start taking classes that count towards your masters. Of course, it all depends on what technical program you want to do. Computer science wouldn't require a lot. Aerospace would.


I hope you took a good amount of math with your teaching degree.


Finally figured out that getting paid for doing mindless work for no pay for people who don't give a shit wasn't worth it?

[Edited on January 29, 2007 at 7:54 PM. Reason : sadf]

1/29/2007 7:51:34 PM

Teaching isn't all bad, but there's no way I'm doing it for the next 30 years.

I figure I should get out while the gettin's good.

Plus, my experience after graduation has taught me a number of valuable lessons about work and education, and I'd freaking rock school if I were to come back.

[Edited on January 29, 2007 at 8:02 PM. Reason : .]

1/29/2007 7:58:32 PM

i got my first BS in meteorology
decided i didn't want to do it and got my 2nd BS in science ed... it only took me another 3 semesters...

you should go for it

[Edited on January 29, 2007 at 8:17 PM. Reason : yep]

1/29/2007 8:17:04 PM

I'm in a field completely unrelated to my degree, and doubt I'd go back to school for anything, really.

I've learned more in real world experience than a lot of people who have relevant degrees know.

Sounds crazy, but the best thing I learned in college was the ability to be able to wade through a lot of bullshit to get what you want at the finish line (i/e. the piece of paper)

1/29/2007 10:18:52 PM

i would do the prereqs and go the masters route. extra effort but way worth it in the long run.

that said, my wife got her first degree in Biology. then got a second BS in Nursing. it was a great move for her. But nursing is obviously different than many other fields. BSN nurses can make a lot of money if they play it right.

1/29/2007 10:21:57 PM

I'm kind of doing the same thing, I got my BS industrial Engineering in 02, went to work as a firefighter to follow a life long dream. I'm back in school to get my AAS Fire Protection Technology. In Aug of 08 I'll be starting at WCU to be a BS Emergency Management, it will only take 30 hours to get that BS due to my BS from State and my AAS from Durham Tech. Not too shabby really. If I want to persue a masters in public administration with concentration in EM it will be a short courseload as well.

There's nothing wrong with going back, why not?

1/29/2007 10:45:07 PM

I know people who did just that. Go for it.

I'm not sure if i would reccomend the masters though. Many programs will require just about as many courses as you would need to get a bachelors just to catch up. So just get the degree I say.

1/29/2007 10:47:31 PM

I have completely considered this
I have a BA in English (Psych minor) and I am considering going back to school of a BS in Athletic Training

I have also considered starting a Masters in Education, MBA, and JD

1/29/2007 10:49:28 PM

Well why don't you just get every degree in the world...

1/29/2007 10:54:21 PM

^ that was my exact thoguht. I would do it if I hadnt started to get my JD. I am done with school and I will just have to make some career I like out of my degrees.

1/30/2007 5:12:56 PM

So after you graduate, can you make your previous courses count towards a new BS?

I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but in semi-related fields... Have a major in stats, want one in accounting

[Edited on January 30, 2007 at 5:27 PM. Reason : .]

1/30/2007 5:27:10 PM

^yes... a lot of my courses for my first BS counted towards my 2nd BS.
it was like adding a 2nd major...just get the dean to sign off on it, if you have already graduated.

that way, you maintain your high number of credits...you can register for classes with seniors (first in line)

1/30/2007 5:45:22 PM

I think I'll get caught up on my math over the summer at a community college, then go for the BS.

Hopefully it'll only take two years give or take since I already have all the humanities out of the way.

Now I just need to decide what I want to do. So someone name a career that's enormously fulfilling, challenging, and earns gobs of money

1/30/2007 8:36:47 PM

i know someone doing this. he goes around telling everyone he're in grad school. whatever.

1/30/2007 8:38:22 PM

lol.

But he's totally doing post-graduate work.

1/30/2007 8:40:59 PM

do a master's if you can.

If you immediately start a second BS/BA you can generally count your existing credits so you can probably knock it out in a year and a half to two years.

But go the master's route if at all possible.

1/30/2007 9:10:22 PM

I'm in a similar position. I got my BS in Materials Engineering, but circumstances have led me back to school. I'm doing computer science now. Right now I'm undecided as to whether I want to go for another BS or get ready for the Master's program, but considering that I have to take all of the same core classes for each path anyway I think I've got some time to make a decision.

1/30/2007 9:41:42 PM

Quote :

"But go the master's route if at all possible"

Which brings me to another question. Is it true that a masters can make you slightly less marketable in certain technical fields? Would the Masters significantly improve my job outlook or hurt it?

1/30/2007 9:44:45 PM

It depends. Most of the time I think the higher degree is worth getting compared to another undergrad, but that's not always the case.

Realisically I should have gotten a second masters instead of starting a PhD, but that's a whole nuther story altogether.

1/31/2007 9:02:19 AM