Masters degree for an English (professional writing) BA

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Arttillygirl, Sep 17, 2012.

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  1. Arttillygirl

    Arttillygirl New Member

    My son just graduated with the above degree from a brick/mortar school. Long story short, he doesn't think the degree is the right one. He's 21 and doesn't really care for tech writing. He's interviewing but no real luck. He is considering a masters mainly b/c he doesn't know what to do.
    Any good ideas out there for pairing this degree with a masters for a high paying career?
    He truly is wide open. Minor in Audio Engineering but realizing both don't pay too well.
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    What career is he looking for? Does he want to be Teacher? Or does he want to be a Technical Writer with Project Management area? I see lot of Project Manager with English major. How's about law school? If he could get into top law school, he'll have a bright future. But if he graduates from lower ranking school, the future is dull.
     
  3. Arttillygirl

    Arttillygirl New Member

    We cannot afford a top law school. ESP with his sister about to begin. He says no teaching but I always said that too and I am an art teacher, lol. Project manager seems interesting, is there a degreeforum that or just work your way up?
     
  4. Arttillygirl

    Arttillygirl New Member

    Meant to say is there a degree for that?
     
  5. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Maybe he'd benefit from some type of public service job (teacher, cop, military officer, peace corps and so forth) and then in a few years he might know what he'd like to study in grad school. If he goes forward now he might end up where is now with another degree in a field that doesn't interest him. So, even though he'd be more educated he'd actually have gotten farther behind with more debt and a more years without a work history. With public service you get something honorable on a resume, some life experience and wisdom and maybe even some financial aid with college expenses.
     
  6. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Since he does not want to be a teacher, I would recommend him from what TomyM's suggestion. Military life is not that bad, apply for the Marine Corps Office Candidate School (I had been there, and done that). Anyway, if those are not his interests; then he should consider career in Information Technology. Just start out as Help Desk, and move out on the ladder to System Engineer, Network Engineer, Information Security Engineer, and etc. At that point he should start a second Master degree. If a college degree without work history is tough.

    To share with you with my own experience. I was rejected for Senior Network Engineering Manager position because I am lacking with years in experiences. The position requires minimum 12 years of networking experiences, a Master degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Information Technology, or relates. I apparently, do not have 12 years experience in Network Engineering. I have only 12 years of work experience since I started to work full-time when I was 17. Besides, I am only 29 years old, and leading a team of 15 Engineers seems to be issues. Despite how many college degrees include my current journey to Doctorate, but still not qualified.
     
  7. Arttillygirl

    Arttillygirl New Member

    He'd consider the military but I know they won't accept him.
     
  8. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    Why?

    It doesn't seem worth it to me to get a Master's degree or Law degree unless 1) you are 90%+ sure that you know what you want to do with it and 2) you can go for free or an employer pays or you are independently wealthy.

    Aimlessly wandering around and getting a degree may be ok for undergrad but wasteful for post-BA, in my opinion. TonyM's post is right on.

    We had a thread that discussed some of this recently, which may be helpful. http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/42424-life-after-college.html

    He could pursue some certifications easily (Project Management or Microsoft Certs or other IT certs) that may spark some interests in him. They are relatively cheap and can be done part-time while working.

    The current job market is not the best but I think working at a PR firm or a tech firm or an engineering firm in an entry-level job is the way to go.

    I have one kid who just graduated from college with an English degree and one in college, so I know that most kids want to jump out of school into a professional, high-paying job but it usually doesn't happen that way unless the undergrad degree is accounting, computer science or engineering. I've seen recent articles about students who went on to master's degrees when the economy crashed in 2008 and 2009 and now have more debt but no real direction or profession and no substantive work experience, and are then competing for entry-level jobs with graduates with BAs.
     

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