This Degree VS. That Degree, With a Longish Intro

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Nov 3, 2010.

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  1. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    :aargh4:

    Sometimes, life would be easier if there were less choices to make. I've been considering my choice of degree (yes, again :eek5:) and wondering if there may be yet still another option. For my choice of employment, it literally doesn't matter what my degree is in, but I really do want it to be a versatile one that has the potential to help me score employment outside of interpreting.

    So, here is my question: Social Science or Psych/Soc double major VS. Business VS. English/Mathematics, which is a more practical degree?

    I really enjoy my Sociology and Psychology studies, but I know that a Social Science degree is not much different from a general studies degree in terms of usefulness in the general job market. Although business seems to make a lot of practical sense to me- and is very applicable to the world of interpreting- I have been reading on this very site that there is an overflow of general business degree holders.

    It was recently brought to my attention that Mathematics majors are always in demand, so thank you very much to whoever just fueled my analysis paralysis with another intriguing option. If I were to do Mathematics, I would like another major, and English was the first thing that popped in my head. I would enjoy both, and I like the balance that English as a major would give to Math. Oh, and heck, it could open the door to being a teacher later, if I ever went down that route.

    If I went with Business, I would simply have to make ABS as quickly as convenient with UWyo and switch programs. If I went with Math/English, I would need to find another school with low tuition and a decent CLEP acceptance policy, or re-enroll with Excelsior. If I stuck with Social Science, I just might be able to finish the degree a full semester more quickly, and I would be in a position to beg the school to allow me to do a Psych/Soc double major (one of my dream degrees).

    Although, if there ever were to be a DL degree that was a double major in Sociology and Linguistics, I might drop everything just to do that!

    Just in case anyone is worried, while I am considering other options, I am not at all slowing down in my pursuit of the degree that I have applied for. I have not yet reached the point where I would have to backtrack with my credits if I were to change my mind, so I would like to at least keep a few more ideas in mind.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2010
  2. TMW2009

    TMW2009 New Member

    For many areas (but definitely not all of them), an undergrad degree is simply a check the box degree. What I mean by this is that you often can't do squat in the field with just the undergrad... (Exceptions to this are fields like Architecture, Engineering, things like that). For example, if you look at the job opportunities for an undergrad Psych or Social Sciences degree, you'll find you can... get jobs like administrative assistant, small business owner, or multiple other jobs that you traditionally don't need a degree for...

    The advanced degrees is where it's at for these types of fields.
     
  3. muaranah

    muaranah New Member

    Dude, get a business degree if you want the most practical one for your career as an interpreter. Get a math degree if you want to do financial modelling or become an actuary or a statistician.
     
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    __________
    :puke:
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    :iagree:
    Here is a paradox for you to think about (which keeps me up at night, though less so)...
    If you get a generic degree which doesn't prepare you specifically for any career, then you are not prepared for any specific career- and you'll question the utility of the degree. Conversely, if you get a specific degree which prepares you for a specific career, then you worry that you are not prepared for any other career besides that one and you'll question the utility of the degree. :aargh4:

    Maybe this will help you. For me, there were barriers to making my ultimate decision, but really the barrier was me. On day 1, before I took my first CLEP test in 2006, I knew what my REAL dreams were. I just chose to rationalize them away. Well, in my case that didn't work. Maybe you can do it- maybe you can say "I'm happy with plan B" and that's good. But, if you can't, then quit farting around with plans B-Z and get your act together to do what you have always REALLY wanted to do with your life. Say it out loud and get going.

    FWIW, It took me MONTHS before I could even accept that I dared to consider medicine - and months before I wrote/talked about it with anyone else. Even though I knew it was a real dream, I had a little voice in my head talking me out of it. :smileeek: You have a little voice too. You know what you *really want. So here is my question for you:

    If you didn't have the barrier of time, the barrier of money, or the barrier of skill....
    and you didn't have to write it here...
    you didn't have to justify it to us or anyone else....
    then what? What would you REALLY do?

    That's the answer.
     
  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    A job is just a job. I don't consider it to be "what I do with my life." I have no voice inside my head telling me what I should do to make money. I'm just thinking in terms of practicality. I like interpreting, and forsee myself sticking with it until my voicebox wears out and my arms fall off, or I save enough money to retire, whichever comes first :banana: I simply would like if my degree was versatile enough for me to have other options, for if I were to move, or if drastic changes in the field make it necessary for me to move on, or any of a number of other scenarios.
     
  7. MISin08

    MISin08 New Member

    Then IMHO it makes little difference which undergrad you get and getting it done should be your priority. Explore passions/differentiate yourself in grad school (where you can go through this exercise again:saevilw:).

    You may want to consider whether you are better than lukewarm on getting a MBA. If a MBA sounds good to you, get the Psych/Soc degree with MBA prereqs in your electives. If not, get the business degree because it's fast. Choose a concentration, not general business.

    Phillip
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2010
  8. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

    get the social/psych degree because that's what you enjoy and you don't like math careers

    after the social/psych degree get a masters degree in whatever interests you that is somewhat related to "social studies": public health, sociology, psychology, history

    then get a job with the FBI or CIA; they need translators
    or go spend a year in China, learn chinese and work with american business doing work over there
     
  9. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I have this exact plan on my mind. If it turns out that I don't need a Master's degree, then I wouldn't even bother with the MBA. If so, I'd likely go for the cheapest option (afaik, that would be ENMU).
     
  10. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I once turned down the opportunity to work for the UN. I'm not sure if that is my kind of thing.
     
  11. MISin08

    MISin08 New Member

    Of course, it could be said that a MBA is ideal for those who don't need a master's degree... :banana:

    Phillip
     
  12. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I'm starting to think the same thing. I myself plan on focusing on SEO/Web Analytics in the future and will get my training through UC Irvine extension. I just need to get a degree done and not worry about a major. I will pickup classes that will help me in those areas, but my focus is getting done and moving on to my true passion.
     
  13. ChiSquare

    ChiSquare New Member

    It also depends on languages you speak as an interpreter. If you speak for example chinese or arabic then you have a great potential for business or government type of career.
     
  14. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    How about earning an Excelsior BSLS - that way you could have 77 semester units spread over psych/soc, math, and business.
     
  15. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I concur. Not a bad idea.
     
  16. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    NNNNNNNNnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not an MBA! Not when you have so many other (much cooler/nerdier interests!). :doh:
     
  17. MISin08

    MISin08 New Member

    But Aspen wants to make sure everyone has a MBA! It'll be like Daleks! [​IMG]
     
  18. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    Are you planning on getting a Masters? If you are than your undergrad really doesnt matter (unless of course you want to be an M.D or something) so I say go with what you will enjoy but will get done faster. If no Masters plan I still say go with what you think you will enjoy the most but even I know that can be hard as I am still tossing around 3 or 4 options for my Masters and I have about 2 months to figure it out...

    Just go with it... it hopefully will work out in the end.. oh and stay away from MATH! YUCK YUCK!
     
  19. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hey eilla05, where ya been? Glad you are posting again.
     
  20. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Dr Who would not approve.
     

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