Hi, my name is Angela and I am here looking for some advice. I have an A.A. in Liberal Arts and a B.A. in Journalism. For the past 10 years I have worked in financial services because I could never get a job in journalism, PR or advertising. It is hard to break into these fields with all of the changes the internet is bringing, many newspapers for example are going bankrupt and laying off. Anyway, the only jobs I can seem to get in finance are customer service rep positions and assistant positions. I can't move up without a business related degree. I feel very confused at times and feel like getting the journalism degree was the worst mistake I ever made in my life. I am thinking about returning to school online for second bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or business admin so I can at least maybe move to an accounting position or something related to that. I don't really know what I want to do I just know I don't want to be a customer service rep or assistant anymore. I am hesitant about graduate school because of the cost and I don't really have a career plan that would justify spending that kind of money. The financial planning firm I work for is small and will not be helping with any of the costs of this degree. I am wondering if anyone has any advice? Am I making a mistake by pursing a second degree or should I try to just work with the one I have? I just don't know what to do with my education in the financial world. I'm not that great at sales so I'm not sure what other options would be.
I completely understand your dilemma. My wife was in a similar situation and ended up pursuing an MBA- which she loves. I think you need to ask yourself if you want to continue in the financial / accounting sector long term and make a career out of it. If not, then maybe a second degree (undergraduate or graduate) in business administration would not be a good choice for you. If you do, then an MBA with a concentration in finance or accounting might be a better choice than another bachelors degree. You should also consider professional certifications and licenses you might want to pursue (CPA, CFP, Series 6, etc) and what the best path to obtain them is. One suggestion that I would highly recommend is to try to find a mentor at your current firm that is willing to help and guide you. They know your situation better than any of us and definitely would know how to help you move up and succeed at your current firm. Lastly, since cost is a major concern for you, there are many reputable distance-based online programs available that are affordable. In addition to this forum, GetEducated.com is a great resource to locate online programs and their estimated costs.
My first thought was, if you are not tied down to a family or your geographic area, join the military! As an officer, you will have decent pay, and you may learn a skill that is transferable to either business or the "Military Industrial Complex." If you are interested in a more benevolent service, try the Coast Guard - they save lives (and chase drug runners). The Navy instills a great love in its people for the traditions and adventure that it brings, while the Marines are the toughest to get into and the most elite. The Army is a venerable organization with lots of opportunities, and the Air Force, its offspring, has even more possibilities. If you are not sure you want such a commitment, join the Guard or Reserves! You will get a taste of the military, and meet many people with outstanding jobs in civilian life (who may be able to help you). I speak from experience, having been an Active Duty Air Force Officer who retired from the Reserves. I have worked with the other branches of Service and have come to respect them for their own unique qualities. Every great employment opportunity that I had stemmed from my Air Force Reserve connections, either directly or indirectly. I almost forgot to tell you that the Military provides great educational benefits to its members and former members.:usa:
