Liberal Arts degrees

[marianne202]

I have to chime in and say that I honestly don't believe any job is all about the degree you hold, as much as it is about what you have to bring to the table, either in experience or education. Job ads are an employers grand wish list applicant and very few ever find that perfect person. I was teaching at a community college without any degree, just based on my experience and and I was making almost twice as much as my cousin who had a bachelor's degree majoring in archeology and a minor in French. So she should be much more qualified than me on paper, but she had very little work experience. The only job she could get was as a librarian at a public library. By completing my BSLS I was able to move from the Con Ed side of education to the curriculum side. I did my BSLS while also working on my BSHS just to move the process along a little faster. I also find that it gives a good basic background for education fields.

I have a friend who has a her law degree, passed the bar in 4 states, has her accounting degree and passed her accounting exam with the highest score ever in NC history. She also has her securities licenses in several states and she is working for a little over minimum wage as an administrative assistant. Examples of specific degrees that are making far less than me.

Bottom line is you can't plan your life and education based solely on salary or available jobs. You have to choose something that you enjoy and makes you feel fulfilled in some way. If you don't it doesn't matter because you won't be happy and you won't stay with the "job" that your specialized degree got you. You will be miserable. I think you have to do what makes you happy or you won't be able to do it long term. Bashing someone for doing what makes them happy or doing what they needed to do to check a box, doesn't do anything but make you look ignorant thinking money is the only thing that matters.

When I finish grad school I could make a lot more money in the private sector than I can teaching, but at this point in my life, teaching makes me very happy and I can't imagine any job in the private sector doing the same. So if I'm stupid for choosing liking my career choice over making more money, then call me stupid, but I bet I will do a much better than someone who is doing it only for the money!

I think we all go through phases in our lives and we can and do change our minds and directions. We just can't judge others decisions because we are not in their shoes. It is this variety of life skills and loves that makes our world special and interesting.

I applaud anyone taking steps to further their education regardless of the end goal. Education of any level or type always makes us a better person!