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Liberal Arts Degree

Nickatina

Nickatina

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Oct 3, 2007
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Okay, I am at a crossroads in my life. I graduated high school 2 years ago and since have racked up a DUI, and just recently driving without a license/open container underage/possession Class D. I am facing, possibly, a mandatory 60 day jail sentence. This has really caused me to consider where my life is going and where it is now. I have procrastinated enough, and it is time to go to the next step. Problem is, I'm not sure where that next step is.

I considered journalism as I have always been interested in it; however, I don't want to enter a world where I may be forced to write subjective stories that adhere to the agenda of what I consider evil entities. Also with the advent and rise of web blogs the journalism careers may be less fruitful in the future.

So, I am not sure what I want to do. But I need to do something, if not just for my long-term future but to persuade the judge that I am not a deadbeat. So I looked at Liberal Arts degrees but I am getting conflicting information. Some say it is a great jumping board into any career, others say it is almost worthless. What I would like is anyone knowledgeable in this subject to give me a good idea of what I can do with it and if it would be beneficial to me in this situation. If not, what other options should I take up?

I realize that I should maybe talk to a college adviser about this but seeing as this is the online community in which I am best installed in I feel that asking you guys would help me get a good objective idea of what this could do for me. Any comments are appreciated, and questions are welcome.
 
I'd definitely talk to an adviser. I've heard and seen both sides of the coin there. Some jobs (mostly government type, at least where I live) need a degree, any degree, as a prerequisite. Honestly, a bachelor's degree in nearly anything isn't worth as much as it was even 10 years ago. Unless you're planning to get at least a master's, don't expect to do work in the field that you picked, especially in arts. There are few jobs at the BA level for anthropologists or in English.

However, degrees like those are excellent springboards to other degrees. Again, where I'm from many people with a BA will then go back to get a condensed BEd. and teach. Or BNurs. and be a nurse. The key is to take a year or two, and find out what you want to do. You don't know until you try, so take all the courses that seem fun to you, and figure out what you like from there.

And talk to a real adviser. Seriously. YMMV.
 
Nursing is a great program if you enjoy that kind of work.

Both the pay and portability are excellent. You're looking at about 4 years (which includes clinical experience) followed by a licensure exam. The only hinderance would be any felony convictions you may have accumulated.

Those I know who have been the most successfull in University studied things they were really interested in. If you don't know what you want to do then don't waste your time or money.
 
Personally, I would talk to an advisor. Even if you aren't 100% positive on what you want your degree in, there are many pre-req and mandatory classes that both liberal arts and other programs need to take to fulfill other credits toward their degree.

When I went back to school, I wanted to work on a B.S. in chemistry. Then I took a different science class (geology), and I decided to change my major.

By taking other classes that are required, you may find yourself interested in a different area than what you were initially interested in. Though, I only suggest this if you are absolutely positive you want to go to school.
 
^only if you have to insist on following their rules tho. ppl who don't tend to make more $$, at least, ime. ;)
 
mulberryman said:
^only if you have to insist on following their rules tho. ppl who don't tend to make more $$, at least, ime. ;)
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It depends on what field you are in. I've been declined many jobs at different companies where I applied for a similar position that I was doing, and they wanted a degree.
 
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