That 'Oops I picked the wrong degree' feeling...

[Leon]

CP,

I suppose the thread title captures my sentiment with this thread but I wanted to know how many others share the same feeling.

I recall reading a few times that members on here have changed careers multiple times and have gone back to school.

Personally, I'm graduating with a BSc Economics in April, and feel like I've wasted 4 years in a general, bland and dead end social science. I have pangs of regret that I didn't do something applied like Engineering and have considered going back and going that.

I suppose my biggest gripe and fear with going back is that the clock is ticking. I'm 24 and another degree will put me at 28 for my first entry level job (likely 30 if I do engineering).

I welcome the CP collective to share their own thoughts and experiences on this.

[MelBridgeman]

clock isn't ticking. If you grad at 28 or 30 at least you will live your life doing something you enjoy.

think of the next 50 years not the next 5

[Canada 02]

"clock is ticking. I'm 24"

[blankall]

I did a simlar thing. Got a science degree and realized that I didn't want to become a lab tech or a career academic.

I then went to law school. If I were you I'd look into what an MBA or a law degree can do for you. These are only two year programs, and have a lot more weight than your typical undergrad degree. You don't have to be a lawyer with a law degree.

Obviously, if your heart is set on engineering, only an engineering degree will get you where you want to go. You should ask yourself is it the engineering work that interests you or do you want to work in a more practical business environment. If the latter is the case, then there are a large variety of post-grad programs that will get you where you want to go without having to re-do a bachelor's degree.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

"clock is ticking. I'm 24"

Heh, I thought that might generate a little fuss. Perhaps I should have elaborated.

The reality of getting support from your parents to take a degree in another province is the overwhelming guilt you feel when you return with nothing tangible. It's expensive enough to take a degree let alone take it elsewhere.

When I say the clock is ticking I'm just referring to the time spent out of high school (6 years) and no career to show for it.

Let's face it, a degree is a very large opportunity cost let alone two.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by noel

CP,

I suppose the thread title captures my sentiment with this thread but I wanted to know how many others share the same feeling.

I recall reading a few times that members on here have changed careers multiple times and have gone back to school.

Personally, I'm graduating with a BSc Economics in April, and feel like I've wasted 4 years in a general, bland and dead end social science. I have pangs of regret that I didn't do something applied like Engineering and have considered going back and going that.

I suppose my biggest gripe and fear with going back is that the clock is ticking. I'm 24 and another degree will put me at 28 for my first entry level job (likely 30 if I do engineering).

I welcome the CP collective to share their own thoughts and experiences on this.

Welcome to the club!

If you can go back now, do it. Also keep in mind you may just have a little bit of angst over graduating. Give it some time and you might realize you did make a good degree choice.

I really can't because I'd have no way of making my mortgage payments every month if I only worked p/t again.

I'd love to go back but now just isn't the time. That being said I only graduated 1 year ago. It isn't like there is a strict timeline when getting jobs in your field expires, I just don't know if there are any jobs available that I'd even want in my field.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by blankall

I did a simlar thing. Got a science degree and realized that I didn't want to become a lab tech or a career academic.

I then went to law school. If I were you I'd look into what an MBA or a law degree can do for you. These are only two year programs, and have a lot more weight than your typical undergrad degree. You don't have to be a lawyer with a law degree.

Obviously, if your heart is set on engineering, only an engineering degree will get you where you want to go. You should ask yourself is it the engineering work that interests you or do you want to work in a more practical business environment. If the latter is the case, then there are a large variety of post-grad programs that will get you where you want to go without having to re-do a bachelor's degree.

Law school is 3 years, unless you went some sort of foreign route.

[moon]

I do know the feeling but will say that there are a lot of jobs out there that are more interested in the fact that you completed a degree than necessarily what it is in exactly.

I know my two career type jobs that I have had had nothing to do with my degree but the fact I had a University degree was enough for the Company to hire me knowing that I would be able to a. learn the position and new info they were providing me with b. manage my time and complete projects c. be able to work on my own without a manager standing over my shoulder.

Just because you have a degree in Economics doesn't mean that is the only career path available. It can be frustrating and a little more difficult to find work that interests you without the ease of searching for Lawyer needed, Engineer wanted or hiring Accountants, but it certainly is possible to move outside your degree area and find something that is of interest to you.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by valo403

Law school is 3 years, unless you went some sort of foreign route.

Or some fourth tier toilet in the U.S.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by valo403

Law school is 3 years, unless you went some sort of foreign route.

I stand corrected. I must have forgetten that last year. The last two were a bit of a haze. Either way, you feel much more productive doing a three year post-grad law degree, than redoing undergrad.

MBA programs are two years though.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by moon

I do know the feeling but will say that there are a lot of jobs out there that are more interested in the fact that you completed a degree than necessarily what it is in exactly.

I know my two career type jobs that I have had had nothing to do with my degree but the fact I had a University degree was enough for the Company to hire me knowing that I would be able to a. learn the position and new info they were providing me with b. manage my time and complete projects c. be able to work on my own without a manager standing over my shoulder.

Just because you have a degree in Economics doesn't mean that is the only career path available. It can be frustrating and a little more difficult to find work that interests you without the ease of searching for Lawyer needed, Engineer wanted or hiring Accountants, but it certainly is possible to move outside your degree area and find something that is of interest to you.

This, your degree doesn't necessarily determine what career you have to have. I'm only 26 and am not really in a career that relates to my schooling and I'm perfectly happy with it. Though if you are set on being an engineer obviously you will have to go back to school.

[Cowperson]

I was in college at 17 and surrounded by people 22 and 23 who'd started on one thing and ended up doing another. You are likely pretty average with your sinking feeling.

On average, people have three careers in their lifetimes. I was eight years in the first, I'm starting the 25th year of the second and there will probably be a third, like pumping gas part-time or something.

Enjoy your life. Unless you're Shirley MacLaine, you only get one.

Cowperson

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by noel

Heh, I thought that might generate a little fuss. Perhaps I should have elaborated.

The reality of getting support from your parents to take a degree in another province is the overwhelming guilt you feel when you return with nothing tangible. It's expensive enough to take a degree let alone take it elsewhere.

When I say the clock is ticking I'm just referring to the time spent out of high school (6 years) and no career to show for it.

Let's face it, a degree is a very large opportunity cost let alone two.

Getting help from your parents to go to school, must be nice. Many of us get a map and a set of luggage. I'm glad you do appreciate the support though.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Getting help from your parents to go to school, must be nice. Many of us get a map and a set of luggage. I'm glad you do appreciate the support though.

A map? Do those still exist?

[Hanni]

Also, look on the bright side, at least it's not a philosophy degree.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I was in college at 17 and surrounded by people 22 and 23 who'd started on one thing and ended up doing another.

I was in college at 14. Beat that.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by valo403

A map? Do those still exist?

Ummm what do you think your GPS uses, or what do you think that icon on your iPhone is that says 'map'...

[cDnStealth]

Dude, I am 26. I spent 5 years in uni getting my BA in Social Sciences. I knew I wasn't going to get a job with it so a year after I graduated I went back to school for a 7 month program at SAIT and now I have a really good job. Do I consider my time in university a waste? Absolutely not. I learned some very important things in my time there. My parents also paid for my degree (aside from text books) so I get where you're coming from. But it is never a waste if you can take something positive from it. More to the point, I've been trying to go back to school for a masters in architecture. I'd need that BA to go back. Even though I have a great job, I am not sure its what I want to do for the rest of my life. You have tons of time. Take a break from school. Work and figure out what you'd like to try next.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by moon

I do know the feeling but will say that there are a lot of jobs out there that are more interested in the fact that you completed a degree than necessarily what it is in exactly.

This.

I'm in my 40's and have no degree. You're ahead of me. And at 24, tons of time to go back and take something else if that is what you wish to do.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ace

Ummm what do you think your GPS uses, or what do you think that icon on your iPhone is that says 'map'...

Ffs, did that really need green text?