Need opinions on going back to school

Im considering going back to school to finish up a degree. The problem is there is little to no demand in my field and quite frankly its not getting me anywhere. Im seriously considering switching majors into something completely different which means I would have to start over again. Should I just finish up the major Im in now since Im just a few classes shy of graduating, or take the plunge and start all over again?

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

A few classes- that would be one semester? I would finish, just for the sake of putting it on the resume. Then you could start the new one.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

Your best place to find this out would be a admissions counselor at the school, a lot of the core classes are pretty much the same and you can probably work on both degrees at the same time.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

I would be going part time. I have 43 credits right now, so it would take me approx 2 years to get an AD.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

I think the question you have to ask is "what do I want to do after I get the degree?" Even if you leave your current field, you may have transferable skills and be able to get a job in another field with the degree you would finish up. If the fields are drastically different and you must have a degree in that field, starting over might be the way to go.

I started over completely and got a second bachelors degree because I did not take the core courses required for the new field when I went to school the first time. It was tough, but for me, there wasn't really a feasible way around it.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

In some cases you can just go for your masters ontop of your first degree, even if it is another field.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

Do you want to go on for a 4 year degree? If so, I would say get the AD and transfer.

If not, and the new major under the AD is essential for a field you want to go into, then I would consider starting over.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

Posted by baghag

A few classes- that would be one semester? I would finish, just for the sake of putting it on the resume. Then you could start the new one.

Message edited 5/18/2006 3:38:16 PM.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

Im majoring in Criminal Justice right now. I also have 9 years experience in the loss prevention/corporate security field. Even if I finish with an AD, this field is getting me nowhere.
I love everything about graphic designing and would like to go to school for this. But this would mean I would have to start all over. As far as my college credits, I would only need to take the core graphic design classes since I have all ready gotten all the english, math, liberal arts and science requirements out of the way. But with 43 credits, Im more than half way done. I have no choice but to go back to school part time which means I could only take 6-7 credits max per semester. So this is the dilemma in a nutshell.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

ahh I see. It is a completely different degree. Well then in all truth I would speak with someone who works in the field and see what your options are post graduation. I do know quite a few GDs and they are having a hard time finding FT work. Many are freelance only.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

If graphic design is really what you want to do, I would take those core classes. Again, though, are you thinking of going on for a 4 year degree? You don't always have to have an associates degree to transfer to a 4 year school, you might just need the coursework.

If you are not sure you will do the graphic design, I would finish the current degree. Having a degree is better than not having one, and if the graphic design plan doesn't work out, you would at least have an associates degree. It is a tough decision

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

I also wanted to add that my AAS is in Fashion Buying and my BS is in Communication Arts. I did have to take 3 extra courses that I would have taken as a freshman during my AAS. I still graduated on time by taking summer classes between my AAS & the first semester of my BS.

Re: Need opinions on going back to school

You guys are right. I think my best bet is to talk to advisement counselor and see what they say. Thanks for the advice!!