Padding my Resume

[ExiledToGames]

I have a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science (Summa Cum Laude) from UMPI completed in 2024. 

The plan with this degree is to teach in High Schools and unfortunately it isn't really useful outside of that. I want to diversify my skills/resume so if I ever do want to career change out of education, I have a path to do so. Is it worth getting another Bachelors or should I look to get a Masters in something? I don't have a specific career in mind, I just want to have the backup plan in case I need it. 

I am looking for 100% online, I enjoyed the Competency Based Education and enjoyed the lack of exams at UMPI. I could do exams but proctored exams may be difficult to do with school hours and responsibilities. 

Age:28
Location:FL (US)
Finances: Not looking to go into debt.

Thank you for your thoughts.

[Ares]

Career change to what though?

[ss20ts]

I wouldn't go for a second bachelor's degree. I wouldn't even go for a master's degree until you figure out what you're doing for a career. If you're going to be a teacher then you need to follow your state's licensing requirements. If you want to change careers then you need to decide what field you want to go in and what education you need to get there. I wouldn't just keep collecting degrees without a purpose.

[Maltus]

I wouldn't go for a second bachelor's degree. I wouldn't even go for a master's degree until you figure out what you're doing for a career. If you're going to be a teacher then you need to follow your state's licensing requirements. If you want to change careers then you need to decide what field you want to go in and what education you need to get there. I wouldn't just keep collecting degrees without a purpose.

Well, not if you desire a career-change into another field. I agree so, that you should know what subject(s) you'd like to study, before making any further steps. If you're not sure, maybe you can do some cheap undergraduate credits at sophia or such, to find out if that subject is your cup of tea. or you pursue a certificate.

[Hotdogman1]

Isn't the bachelor's enough to be the backup? I don't understand why a BA wouldn't be useful outside of teaching. At the very least, the BA would meet the listed minimum education requirement for most job openings.

[davewill]

I have to agree that getting another degree as backup seems a bit much, especially without knowing what that backup career would be. However, I would note that teachers can often get pay bumps for graduate credits or a Master's degree.

[bjcheung77]

Interesting, you can ladder your current UMPI Bachelors to their UMPI MAOL or MSB with a concentration of your choice. Another option is to do HAU MBA or UofPeople MBA if you're wanting something business related. If you want to switch and want to focus on Advanced Teaching (IB), UofPeople has the MEd in that subject area, if you want something in IT, then the UofPeople MSIT would fit the bill.

Basically, just like your Bachelors degree, you need to know what subject matter you want to study in. Having a second bachelors in a different subject area will work, or you can get a Masters in that subject as long as you have the prerequisites for entry. Your previous thread for reference: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ol-Teacher

[Heartstrings]

I agree that it really depends on what you want as a second option. The only situation I can see where you might get a second bachelor's degree would be nursing or any other medical profession. Pretty much any online master's program in another field will accept you with what you have.