My degree is worthless, what now? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

IllinoisTVFan · 09-15-2018, 02:59 PM

Some of you are familiar with my story but I went back to become an addictions counselor and later found out the money was bad, but I managed to get an internship in a good place. However, this place is cutting down to part time due to budgets. So I'm trying to figure out my next move. I already have another master's, in communications, and am also working on an online teaching certificate that fits with my degree. However, I am thinking of going for another degree because the jobs that I could get with my new masters are garbage. I wanted into the advanced program but was rejected because they didn't like that I refuse to go into the bad areas (areas where people are killed everyday).

Anyway, here are a couple of ideas. Keep in mind I received a full scholarship so this is all dependent on scholarships.

1. The other counseling program. This one will get me the LPC I may need in the future, but the con is I would receive a THIRD master's and not sure about that.

2. Social work. I will then be licensed but once again a third master's.

3. A doctorate. I was leaning towards this but the problem is lots of time devoted to it. If I could do it part time I would but don't see a lot of part time programs. However, what would I get a Ph.D in? I could get one in instructional design or communications but would that be profitable? If I get one in counseling is this a good idea? If I went for the counseling masters I could then go for the doctorate one at the same school nearby but it's a Ed.D which I hear isn't as good.

4. Go back to my former fields such as marketing an instructional design. It's partly why I am doing the online teaching program to make me more profitable in that but there are more people than jobs.

JSP · 11-08-2018, 02:17 AM

What is instructional design?

IllinoisTVFan · 11-08-2018, 02:26 AM

Instructional design basically deals with developing training programs, whether it's for a class or a training program at a job or something like that. At my former employer I created an accounting program and a software skills program.

JSP · 11-08-2018, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

Instructional design basically deals with developing training programs, whether it's for a class or a training program at a job or something like that. At my former employer I created an accounting program and a software skills program.

That does not sound like steady long-term employment. Do something with communications instead.

IllinoisTVFan · 11-08-2018, 02:36 AM

Believe it or not, it can be very stable, especially if I can get a job teaching. I'm doing the online teaching which will help me with a job I think. I'm also going to apply to several doctorate counseling programs (I found several online ones).

baumten · 11-08-2018, 08:07 AM

I graduated with a worthless degree too (English) and it's either a teacher or Lawyer. But now I'm a digital marketer. Just took a few short courses and now it's making me more money than a teacher ever will.

IllinoisTVFan · 11-08-2018, 03:10 PM

Yeah that's why I'm doing the online teaching degree, it can make a difference. I'm thinking of something like an addictions educator.

James28 · 12-31-2018, 11:50 PM

Fear of a degree being worthless. This is the same reason I never bothered going to college (aside from forgetting to take the SAT/ACT exam).

The truth is, I couldn't decide on a college major, nor could I decide on a career.

Steve_uk · 01-01-2019, 12:03 AM

I don't think any degree per se is worthless, though some are more lucrative than others. We can't all be spivs or speculators who caused the crash of 2008. My only gripe with you here is rejecting working in the bad neighbourhoods when it might get you a foot in the door of the career you want.

IllinoisTVFan · 01-01-2019, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_uk

I don't think any degree per se is worthless, though some are more lucrative than others. We can't all be spivs or speculators who caused the crash of 2008. My only gripe with you here is rejecting working in the bad neighbourhoods when it might get you a foot in the door of the career you want.

First off, these bad areas are VERY dangerous and people are constantly getting shot. Second, the money to risk getting shot or worse is worse than many low level job. Third, I don't want a job making minimum or slightly above and risking my life for ungrateful trash. This is why I am doing teaching, I prefer that.

Steve_uk · 01-01-2019, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

First off, these bad areas are VERY dangerous and people are constantly getting shot. Second, the money to risk getting shot or worse is worse than many low level job. Third, I don't want a job making minimum or slightly above and risking my life for ungrateful trash. This is why I am doing teaching, I prefer that.

You know one shocking indictment of the Obama Presidency was his legacy with these neighbourhoods, which was part of his attraction as a candidate in the first place as he sold himself as a community worker in Chicago, when in fact nothing has been done to help the people involved and those caught in the crossfire of crime.

IllinoisTVFan · 01-01-2019, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_uk

You know one shocking indictment of the Obama Presidency was his legacy with these neighbourhoods, which was part of his attraction as a candidate in the first place as he sold himself as a community worker in Chicago, when in fact nothing has been done to help the people involved and those caught in the crossfire of crime.

Not sure what that has to do with me. Obama lived in Hyde Park, which is a nicer area. Honestly, I don't care about the people in these areas, most refuse to better themselves and want others to support them.

Steve_uk · 01-01-2019, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

Not sure what that has to do with me. Obama lived in Hyde Park, which is a nicer area. Honestly, I don't care about the people in these areas, most refuse to better themselves and want others to support them.

Well as a Christian I should care about everyone. I don't know whether people have compartmentalized these areas and abandoned the black neighbourhoods, or whether this is not primarily a race issue. We have the same problem in London now with black on black drug crime, which is fast emcroaching on the multi-million pound housing areas. Maybe there is a role for strengthening the churches? I don't see Trump fulfilling any of his promises yet in dealing with this.

IllinoisTVFan · 01-01-2019, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_uk

Well as a Christian I should care about everyone. I don't know whether people have compartmentalized these areas and abandoned the black neighbourhoods, or whether this is not primarily a race issue. We have the same problem in London now with black on black drug crime, which is fast emcroaching on the multi-million pound housing areas. Maybe there is a role for strengthening the churches? I don't see Trump fulfilling any of his promises yet in dealing with this.

Can't care for people who don't care for themselves. I'm not sure if you have heard of Chicago's south side but depending on the area it's very bad and people are shot everyday. When I started this program I never had any intention of working in these areas, just for groups like veterans.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-01-2019, 04:51 PM

It doesn't seem as though the degree is worthless. You've been offered jobs, but say you've turned them down because they would be in bad neighborhoods, or would have to work weekends. I can't imagine doing social work only in good neighborhoods (what's the point?), and most people starting their careers are going to have to start at the bottom: nights, weekends, holidays, whatever.

09-15-2018, 02:59 PM	#1
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	My degree is worthless, what now? Some of you are familiar with my story but I went back to become an addictions counselor and later found out the money was bad, but I managed to get an internship in a good place. However, this place is cutting down to part time due to budgets. So I'm trying to figure out my next move. I already have another master's, in communications, and am also working on an online teaching certificate that fits with my degree. However, I am thinking of going for another degree because the jobs that I could get with my new masters are garbage. I wanted into the advanced program but was rejected because they didn't like that I refuse to go into the bad areas (areas where people are killed everyday). Anyway, here are a couple of ideas. Keep in mind I received a full scholarship so this is all dependent on scholarships. 1. The other counseling program. This one will get me the LPC I may need in the future, but the con is I would receive a THIRD master's and not sure about that. 2. Social work. I will then be licensed but once again a third master's. 3. A doctorate. I was leaning towards this but the problem is lots of time devoted to it. If I could do it part time I would but don't see a lot of part time programs. However, what would I get a Ph.D in? I could get one in instructional design or communications but would that be profitable? If I get one in counseling is this a good idea? If I went for the counseling masters I could then go for the doctorate one at the same school nearby but it's a Ed.D which I hear isn't as good. 4. Go back to my former fields such as marketing an instructional design. It's partly why I am doing the online teaching program to make me more profitable in that but there are more people than jobs.

12-31-2018, 11:50 PM	#8
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	Fear of a degree being worthless. This is the same reason I never bothered going to college (aside from forgetting to take the SAT/ACT exam). The truth is, I couldn't decide on a college major, nor could I decide on a career.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

01-01-2019, 04:51 PM	#15
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	It doesn't seem as though the degree is worthless. You've been offered jobs, but say you've turned them down because they would be in bad neighborhoods, or would have to work weekends. I can't imagine doing social work only in good neighborhoods (what's the point?), and most people starting their careers are going to have to start at the bottom: nights, weekends, holidays, whatever.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

11-08-2018, 02:17 AM	#2
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	What is instructional design?

11-08-2018, 02:26 AM	#3
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	Instructional design basically deals with developing training programs, whether it's for a class or a training program at a job or something like that. At my former employer I created an accounting program and a software skills program.

11-08-2018, 02:36 AM	#5
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	Believe it or not, it can be very stable, especially if I can get a job teaching. I'm doing the online teaching which will help me with a job I think. I'm also going to apply to several doctorate counseling programs (I found several online ones).

11-08-2018, 08:07 AM	#6
baumten Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 11, 2018 Location: Manila Posts: 9	I graduated with a worthless degree too (English) and it's either a teacher or Lawyer. But now I'm a digital marketer. Just took a few short courses and now it's making me more money than a teacher ever will.

11-08-2018, 03:10 PM	#7
IllinoisTVFan Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 22, 2011 Location: South of Chicago Posts: 4,072	Yeah that's why I'm doing the online teaching degree, it can make a difference. I'm thinking of something like an addictions educator.

01-01-2019, 12:03 AM	#9
Steve_uk Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 29, 2012 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 5,803	I don't think any degree per se is worthless, though some are more lucrative than others. We can't all be spivs or speculators who caused the crash of 2008. My only gripe with you here is rejecting working in the bad neighbourhoods when it might get you a foot in the door of the career you want.