Thinking about getting a second Bachelors degree... need advice.

In May I graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (emphasis in social science). Since graduation I have had a tough time finding a job. The few interviews I was invited to I turned down because they were positions I didn't really want and honestly felt like I was a poor fit for (sales, insurance claims, accounts receivable). I applied to these position because they either required a Bachelors degree in anything or just preferred a Bachelors degree holder. But I realized that I really don't want to do office administration, insurance, or sales and have been really depressed by my lack of options.

Many jobs that I have been interested are in the social services (hence the emphasis of my degree) but many job ads clearly state "a degree in sociology, psychology, social work, or a related field is required" and they also usually require experience as well. I applied to some of these jobs thinking that maybe my degree is considered "related" but have not gotten any responses.

I have moved away from the university where I earned my IDS degree but have noticed that the sociology program is offered online. It would only take me one year to complete a sociology degree there since I took so many sociology classes as part of my IDS program.

However, this would add 6-8k to my student loan debt and of course require another year of coursework so I need reassurance that it would be worth it. My worst fear is to graduate with a sociology degree and have more debt but still not be able to find a good job.

So I am asking this forum... do you think it is worth the investment?

 

I see no reason to get a second bachelor's degree in sociology.

I also see no reason to turn down a job in the current job market. Take the job and continue looking for a better one if it isn't exactly what you want.

 

I agree with airtorn on both points.

1) RE: Getting a second bachelors. You would be VASTLY better off pursuing a masters degree from one of the low cost state programs than pursuing a second bachelors degree. Second bachelors degrees are rarely good ideas.

2) RE: Getting a job in social services. One thing to be careful about is figuring out how good the social services job market actually is. From observations of several friends, these jobs seem to be vary difficult to get simply because of the shear number of people with BAs in sociology and/or psychology who want to work in that position, rather than in some mundane office/administrative position.

If you do decide to pursue this field, IMHO a graduate degree is even more important. You are going to have to do something that sets you apart from the rest of the pack. A lot of those jobs are actually restricted by law to people who hold graduate professional degrees.

 

I agree with both airtorn and mcjon. A Bachelors in Sociology will not advance your position because it still will not put you on a clear career track. The only other Bachelors that might advance your position is a BSW because this will put you on a career track. However, you're probably eligible to apply for an MSW program right now. I'd say that's your best bet. Don't make lateral moves. Move up. We have a number of threads here regarding online MSW programs. Read through them, look at the programs and especially the admission standards.

 

I would always jump up a level if getting another degree.

 

I agree with others here that it would be better to earn a masters degree than to finish another bachelors. If you are young and lack much job experience, which is what it sounds like from your post, that could be holding you back more than anything else. With the economy and job market the way the are right now those with better credentials and more experience are taking jobs they normally might not or staying put where they are. If social cork is what you want to do and you can't find a job in this field than why not look for something similar that would give you something related on your resume that could benefit you later on? You say you want to avoid debt for another degree, which is a god idea, so go slowly and use scholarships or pay for each course over a couple of years. Here's a suggestion: get a job teaching and work on your masters while doing that. There are programs that can help you get licensed, pay off loans, etc. Teaching may not be what you want to do but as a temporary job, say for 5 years or so, may help you get into social work once your masters is completed. Most states need more teachers so there shouldn't be a problem finding a job in that field. You may even be able to get a guidance counselor job instead, or in addition to teaching. Whatever you decide to do getting creative like this in achieving your goals is what's called for today from all of us.

 

Does anyone know if pursuing a Master degree will defer the student loan re-payments?

Take a look at Fort Hays
Master's Degrees - Fort Hays State University

 

If you start a new program within 6 months of finishing the previous one, yes. You're considered to be still in school within the window, so the payments don't come due.

 

Thank you all for your insights! There are a lot of great points made here!

I have thought about graduate school but I am worried about obtaining letters of recommendation. I didn't talk to my instructors a lot but I did have some classes were I participated heavily in classroom discussion. I am unsure if that would be enough to get a letter. Also, some of the classes I felt like I produced some of my best work (such as a great term paper) in I got Bs in instead of As. Mostly because these classes were far more challenging. Basically, there is no guarantee that I will be able to get the letters. I do have to at least try to get them though and not be afraid to ask.

My other worry with graduate school is financial. I estimate that it would add 15k-20k on to my debt. I have looked at some graduate certificates but I am not sure if they would help me much. Also, maybe I am ignorant but it seems like you can't get a graduate assistantship if you're a distance learning student. If there are any schools that do this then I would like to know.

 

Ugh! I just typed out a big reply and hit "Post Quick Reply" and was asked to log in and now I have lost my post. Sigh. Well, here I go again.

I just want to say thank you all for your insights. There are a lot of really good ones. I have thought about graduate school but will admit that I am unsure if I will be able to secure letters of recommendation. However, I know that I have to at least try to get the letters. I am also worried about the amount of student loan debt that I would take on if I pursued a graduate degree. Finally, graduate school is a very big commitment and I am not 100% sure if I am ready to make that commitment.

One of the main reasons I thought about going back for the sociology degree is that I am only four classes away from meeting the requirements for the degree. I still have to go back for a year because of the second degree requirements for my school and that is why I have also planned to finish a minor in psychology as well. I feel frustrated being stuck with an "interdisciplinary studies" degree. I am also afraid that there is a stigma against it in the market. Sociology may not lead to a direct career path but I don't think it carries the same stigma as IDS. Of course, the only proof I have of this stigma is other bachelor degree holders laughing at me when I tell them what I got my degree in. I will admit that many of my IDS classmates have good jobs but many of them were already managers and supervisors and were just looking for any degree to move up in the company where they worked. I know two women who are similar to me in experience and age and they took on sales and office administration positions. However, their concentrations were in communications and business and those positions will likely help them reach their career goals. I haven't been able to find out what other IDS social science grads are doing.

Another problem is that most MSW programs require statistics. I didn't take it. I know I should have... It's the same for MPA programs which I would also be interested in. So I would need to take stats at the undergrad level most likely to get into a good graduate program.

It sounds like though that going back for sociology wouldn't be worth it and I need to try to either go to grad school and make something of myself. I'm still worried that my IDS degree is weighing me down like an anchor. People say it doesn't matter what you have a degree in but I am wondering if IDS is the exception...

 

I only know of two schools that do distance graduate assistantships, but they are for doctoral programs in education technology and technical communication and rhetoric.

 

Any reasonable instructor will give you a letter of recommendation. When approaching them, remind them of what you enjoyed about the course, why it brought out the best in you, what you learned and how it applies to your further studies. Flattery goes a long way; drafting the letter for them to edit and sign goes an even longer way.