Which degree???

[Aubs]

I am just about to apply at Excelsior. Originally, the plan was that I'd go for an AA in Liberal Arts ('cause I'm ready to be done with college, like, yesterday) but my mom has been very vocal, from day one, that it is not enough to secure a job.

So, now I'm thinking about changing my degree plan. I thought nursing would be a good choice because there will always be a job for a nurse (although getting through the classes would be hell on earth). Mom says get a BA in Humanities because I'd have fun studying literature, art, etc. She says employers don't care what your degree is as long as you have a bachelor's. She hasn't worked for almost twenty five years though. What I hear from people in the job market now is that bachelor's are so common that only those who have specialized degrees get jobs.

I've tried searching the internet but it's all a jumble. Some say humanities is broad and great for analytical skills that are marketable for a wide range of jobs. Others say that they have a BA in humanities, can't get a job because their degree is too vague, nobody wants to hire them because, "What do you do with THAT?"

I've seen a number of people on here who already have degrees and they've come back to CLEP a degree that fits their desired field of work. How on earth do you know what degree to pursue?

[sanantone]

The major does matter for most jobs these days. Insurance companies generally don't care about the major for entry-level jobs, however. Go through job ads and see how many just ask for a bachelor's. I bet you will find that most will ask for a specific list of majors or closely-related majors. Don't go into nursing unless you have a passion for it.

[clep3705]

I agree that nursing is for those with a passion for it. Everything is relative. Many people think that nursing pays well. Relative to what? Compared to public sector jobs such as being a police officer, firefighter, or school teacher, nursing pays well. Compared to what engineers or computer science graduates typically make, nursing doesn't pay well.

Some people are quick to point out the high earnings of nurse anesthetists. Getting admitted to a nurse anesthetist program is very difficult.

There's always a bad job for a nurse, but not always a good job. Except for the bigger hospitals hiring new grads, most nursing jobs have very specific experience requirements.

[cookderosa]

I say you have a big decision to make! There is truth in everything you've said, which is why there is no "one best degree" or "one best major" for anyone.
Typically, liberal arts degrees (humanities would be included in that category) are enrichment degrees; meaning they develop softer/more vague skills. Analytical skills would likely be better developed in a science program, but then there is no "one best skill" either; appreciation for art and culture may be overlooked in a science degree.....Everyone will get some skill, none really trump others.

While some of the people here are starting their career, you'll find the majority of people pursuing liberal arts as a "check the box" for a degree in a field they are already in, or as a way of meeting admissions requirements for a master's degree, etc. In other words, the limitations that might come from a liberal arts degree are LESS when the person already has a solid understanding of how that degree will SERVE THEM.

The second type of degree is specifically for job training. Examples are nursing, computers, elementary school teaching, automotive, etc. When you graduate with a degree "in" one of these areas, the goal is to then take that degree and go directly to work.

I think that the #1 degree in the USA is still psychology, which would be in the liberal arts group- so what you get are large pools of degree holders who are not specifically qualified for anything. (Psychology requires education beyond the traditional bachelor's degree in order to be a psychologist or such). That's not to say that they wasted their time/money, that is unless they didn't KNOW that what they were doing wouldn't prepare them for a job. Again, any degree helps you develop skills- and those skills will help you in life, and whatever job that is, but if your goal is a specific career, you need to find out how to best meet the training requirements of that job and then find the right degree to do that.

So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Work back from there.

[sanantone]

There are a lot of jobs that ask for an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field (criminal justice casework, public sector jobs in social service agencies, and non-profits), but there just aren't enough. Psychology is one of the most popular majors (usually 2nd place), but business administration has been the most popular major for at least a few years. As a result, business administration/management majors are the most underemployed. Psychology is the 7th most underemployed major.

One of my pet peeves is the oversimplification of the acronym STEM. I read an article about how the "S" should be taken out, and I agree. It's not that easy to find a good paying job with just an undergraduate degree in a natural science. Biology majors are some of the most underemployed majors right behind psychology. I've seen a lot of job ads in my region asking for bachelor's degrees in chemistry that pay less than $15 an hour. While physics and chemistry teachers are in high demand, biology teachers aren't. So, saying that we need more science teachers is also oversimplification. Another one of my pet peeves is when people don't know that the natural sciences ARE liberal arts majors. They also don't know that the behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, and anthropology) fall in the "S" category of STEM.

[KayV]

OP, you really aren't that far from getting an Associate of Arts in General Studies from TESC. You would need the English Composition General CLEP for 6 hours, at least 3 hours of math (ALEKS Intermediate Algebra?), the Ethics in America DSST, and any 6-hour CLEP general test (like A &I Lit). You would also need 6 hours of IPS electives, which could be completed by more ALEKS classes, DSST Intro to Computers, DSST Public Speaking, etc.

General Education Requirements
A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15)
1. College Comp/ Writing Intensive 6- NEED CLEP English Composition General Exam 6
2. Math 3- NEED ALEKS Intermediate Algebra 3
3. IPS Electives 6- NEED DSST Intro to Computers 3, DSST Technical Writing 3 or 6 more hours of ALEKS math classes
B. Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World (18)
1. Social Science 3- CLEP Intro to Psychology 3
2. Natural Science 3- DSST Astronomy 3
3. Humanities 3- CLEP American Lit I 3
4. HCPNW Electives 9- CLEP American Lit II 3, Western Civ I and II 6
C. Personal and Social Responsibility (9)
1. Diversity and Global Literacy 3- DSST Intro to World Religions 3
2. Responsible Ethical Leadership 3- NEED DSST Ethics in America 3
3. PSR Electives 3- CLEP Intro to Sociology 3
D. General Education Electives (18)
1. CLEP US History I 3
2. CLEP US History II 3
3. CLEP Ed Psych 3
4. CLEP Human Growth and Development 3
5. NEED CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Lit 6

[Aubs]

Thank you all so, so much for the replies. It's been so nice to come here and talk this out. I've cycled through so many different degree plans lately. It's changed more over the past two weeks than it has when I started testing out two or three years ago!

I had been considering graphic design but after talking to graphic designers and hearing that the stress isn't worth the meager paycheck, I decided I didn't want to go that route. I was also looking into illustration because I love art but parents don't like that idea, won't help with FAFSA, etc. so can't do that.
Nursing, though not a passion, I thought I could do. I've grown up on a farm, had to administer shots, clean up puke, blood, etc. While the classes would be difficult to get through (welcome back, nightmares of science in high school), it seemed the next logical option.

So, still have a lot of research ahead it seems. I missed Excelsior's January semester so I'm hoping to have a decision made in time for their March sign ups.

[ejcompere]

I'm not majoring in Graphic Design, but I took several classes about Design and am hoping to find work in this field later. I think GD can be like any other job, taxing, but rewarding if you enjoy doing it. Like anyone, you've got to work up from being a nobody, doing boring designs, getting minimal pay and work your way up. But from what I've seen in GD work, it's not going to be much different than other jobs. Let me qualify that with saying that jobs where you have set hours (like start at a certain time, finish at a certain time, don't do any work once you get home) would be easier. But jobs like GD that rely on personal effort, creativity, and determination, the first few years are going to be grueling if you want to make a place for yourself in it.
Not saying you should be a GD just my thoughts on the job. Hope you figure out what's best for you!

[UptonSinclair]

You say you have worked on a farm and are comfortable with bodily fluids. Have you considered veterinary technician as an alternative to nursing? In my opinion, finding a job that you are not going to hate is the most important issue when deciding on a career. I make decent money, but I have been stuck in a career I hate for over 20 years. If you can balance doing something you enjoy (or at least don't hate) with making a decent wage is the holy grail of employment.

[Getiton1]

Thank you all so, so much for the replies. It's been so nice to come here and talk this out. I've cycled through so many different degree plans lately. It's changed more over the past two weeks than it has when I started testing out two or three years ago!

I had been considering graphic design but after talking to graphic designers and hearing that the stress isn't worth the meager paycheck, I decided I didn't want to go that route. I was also looking into illustration because I love art but parents don't like that idea, won't help with FAFSA, etc. so can't do that.
Nursing, though not a passion, I thought I could do. I've grown up on a farm, had to administer shots, clean up puke, blood, etc. While the classes would be difficult to get through (welcome back, nightmares of science in high school), it seemed the next logical option.

So, still have a lot of research ahead it seems. I missed Excelsior's January semester so I'm hoping to have a decision made in time for their March sign ups.

Hi Aubs,

I am an RN, and I went to Excelsiors RN program and am just 2 courses shy of graduating from TESC's BSN program. Here are my thoughts and insights.

Just like you, at the age of 17, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. Just like you I was okay with blood and guts (My mom is a Medic and my 80% family is in medicine the rest in the arts (Graphic Artists of Architects). My best advice about what degree to pick is to follow these thoughts:

1. What are you naturally good at?
2. What would your Mom and Dad say you were a natural at?
3. What could you see yourself doing for 12 hours a day and not hating every minute of it?
4. Where do you live/where COULD you live...and what kind of jobs are in those geographic areas
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 15 years? 30 years? If you had a time machine, what would you tell your "old" self to choose?

Okay, now suppose you want to be an RN or BSN. I would NOT take this decision lightly. Being an RN is no joke. You hold peoples lives in your hand and your days (and night shifts) can be very long and demanding. Also, most hospitals (at least by me) are moving toward something called MAGNET status which means they don't hire RN's just BSN's and if they hire RN's it's usually those with loads of experience.

Still interested? Okay, here's the deal.

Excelsior will only take you into their RN program as an LPN, or a Paramedic. Depending on how many credits they let you transfer in the rest of the credits you will need to earn at a community college or via CLEP. CLEP is cheaper and faster. If you don't have your LPN or Paramedic license/Certification, I don't think you can get into Excelsiors RN program, unless they changed something? Anyway, so going through a Paramedic Program might be faster and more interesting if you want to get your feet wet. LPN school takes at least a year, the wait list can be long, and for me anyway, it was very VERY demanding.

Okay, so you pass the LPN courses and also your NCLEX-LPN exam...or you pass your Paramedic school and your Exam...and you still want to go for your BSN. I looked at going to Excelsior and TESC, and I am SOOOO glad I went with TESC. TESC is much easier to work with than Excelsior. My only complain with TESC is the length if time it takes for an evaluation to show up on your transcript. Other than that, I have loved the ease of my online classes and I have found it a really do-able program WHILE working. So there you have it! If you have zero nursing experience and no other Bachelors degree, any kind of 2 year nursing degree will take you...well 2 years! On the other hand, taking a degree in some of the other majors suggested, will likely be faster. Keep in mind, that nursing courses are not always available all the time. For example, I JUST learned that the second to last class I need will only be offered now (January) and today (Thursday, 19-Dec-2013) is the last day of registration for late enrollment at TESC...or OCTOBER 2014! So if I don't get in by tomorrow, I can't even complete my required classes due to the schools policy of how to take classes and in what order. So, this happens quite often in nursing. No matter what major you choose, take a load of CLEP's that are required for every degree and get a feel for which CLEP classes you gravitate towards. You know you are going to need. English, psych (Developmental is pretty easy), Take a Business course (management is easy), Math (note, ALEK's is still not ACE approved, but they expect to hear if it is, or is not at the end of this month), and if you Mom think you would be good at Humanities why not take a Humanities CLEP? It's 6 credits! YAY! You won't be wasting time taking CLEP's if you are set on applying to one of the Big 3 (TESC, EC or WGU). Follow your heart, but check out on Monster what jobs are requiring if you expect to find work easily after graduation.

Best of Luck!
T