Question:
Should i get a second bachelors degree or try to pull up my GPA and get a masters?
shauna b
2009-07-24 17:22:37 UTC
I need help! I graduated two years ago with a bachelor degree in general studies, the biggest mistake of my life! Im not sure what to do now as i find my self on a career elevator going straight to hell! i worked as a teacher assistant for the past two years, hate it. i dont want to teach, i have always been drawn to helping people. social work is something i would l like to pursue. i would get a master but my gpa is to low to be accepted into the program! should i re- take a few courses to pick up my gpa and try for masters or would a 2nd bachelors degree be beneficial in helping get the skills i need for my new career path?
Eleven answers:
Paul
2009-07-24 17:32:21 UTC
Shauna, I would like to congratulate you for attaining a bachelors degree and for discovering what you do NOT want to do (teaching). If you are have always been interested in helping people, social work does seem like a good option, but - like with teaching- you really should get some practical experience in the area (maybe do some community work), to get a feel for the work and whether or not you could do it for the rest of your life. If you think it is for you I recommend you invest the 4/5 years of your life to qualify as a social worker. If you dont take accepted into the masters programme this may require that you start from the bottom again and attain a new bachelors.

Hope this helps
?
2009-07-24 17:44:03 UTC
I see you learned too late that a degree in general studies qualified you for exactly nothing. It might get you into law school but that is about it. It amazes me how many kids are not interested in anything by the time they turn 18 that they go to college and never declare a major.



Generally a second bachelors is worth little. But in your case if you get a BS degree, you may find it worthwhile. However a BS degree is a lot harder than a BA degree. Most BA degrees are quite useless in getting meaningful work.



While you could go for a masters, you have to very careful about what you pick. One that my daughter is taking that is working out very well is in Technology Management. And she is specializing in Transportation. She gets a job offer every couple months and she won a GA while in the program that means after the first semester, her tuition is free of cash cost. She has to teach two undergrad courses.



And you can get into Technology Management with a BA in anything, as long as you have a BA and pulled yourself up to a 3.0 GPA.



Otherwise, take a degree in nursing as there is always demand for nurses.



To be a social worker, you need a masters in social work. There are way too many people with a bachelor's in social work so now the employers, which are always government agencies, insist on a masters. As well, the state and local governments that are hiring social workers are broke and not hiring but laying off. Even when things pick up there will be tens of thousands of people who already have social work degrees, looking for what may be only a thousand or so openings each year. Also bear in mind that while social workers do help out needy people you will shortly find out that you also have to deal with the scum of the earth as well.



Good luck. Hopefully you can become interested enough in something useful to do well.
iSpeakTheTruth
2009-07-24 17:46:12 UTC
How low is your GPA? If it's a borderline case they will entertain it. Social work master programs at state schools aren't exactly highly competitive to get into. If your GPA is a lost cause (i.e. 2.1 or something) then I'd suggest you do a second bachelor's in social work.



Do NOT just take random courses to "build up" your GPA.. it doesn't work that way (your undergrad record is sealed and so your GPA cannot be changed). To have any weight, the courses need to be relevant and upper division for them to count, else you're wasting time and money because admissions committees wont care. Do not make a second mistake with your educational planning.
anonymous
2009-07-24 17:28:33 UTC
I'll break it down for ya: another bachelor degree is not going to help you. You need a Master's to be considered for many jobs, especially right now. It's something that will set you apart from the other 600,000 people fighting for the same job.



Take the courses to get your grades up and apply for a Master's in Social Work program. Good luck.
anonymous
2016-04-09 08:16:40 UTC
"Additionally, it seems like there are far more online master's programs than bachelor's" It's not clear, but it appears you may be thinking of an online Master's in Computer Science. Be aware a large percentage of such degrees are bogus and not recognized by employers, especially those from for-profit schools. ADDED Make sure the schools you consider are CAC/ABET-accredited for Computer Science. Most such schools require CS or something "closely related" such as Engineering, for a Master's in Computer Science.
anonymous
2009-07-24 17:40:17 UTC
I say pull up your GPA and get a master's. I would also contact the programs you're interested in and see what they say. They might be looking for certain classes in your undergrad work that you might not have right now and should take before applying.
kb
2009-07-24 17:26:38 UTC
Definitely re-take the classes and keep trying to get into the program for your master's degree. You will thank yourself once you get it :)
Elvia
2016-11-10 00:10:10 UTC
853
anonymous
2009-07-24 17:27:04 UTC
Masters degree in many subjects aren't worth much more in earnings. (Especially if you can only get into a poor program). Get a degree in something practical, like nursing instead.
anonymous
2009-07-24 17:25:22 UTC
masters
anonymous
2009-07-24 17:24:45 UTC
I would follow my heart.


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