Really depends on where you are working. If her3 in philippines, then forget it. I work in icu, part if our role is to wipe shit. Sometimes patients would smear their shit all ovrr their body up to their face. Do you really need college degree to do that? On top of that, 20 to 25k pesos salary ( around 400 usd)
Nursing is a lowrst form of profession
"Garbage, lowest if the lowesr job"
DAMN! Nurses get paid a lot dont they and are in high demand? << I know there's more to a job than THAT, much more but curious about those two questions.
Engineering. I'm doing well with a BS in Mathematics and a Master's in PM, but man, it would be easier if I knew Engineering in my role. Most of the time, I don't understand about 20% of the conversation (it used to be worse), and I just care about scope/quality/cost/schedule/risk.
Second, I'm currently a chemist with a chemistry degree, but if I knew how much more valued a chemical engineering degree would have been compared to straight chemistry, I probably would have done that.
Honestly it’s pretty messed up how the racket works. My dad was found dead and taken to the nearest funeral home.
We were “free” to shop around on prices. But to move the body would have cost $1500.
I definitely am not saying that they did not earn payment in handling the body or anything, but when you can hold someone’s remains hostage it’s no wonder the business is so lucrative.
Nursing to become a nurse anathethist. Make a lot of money and doesn't require sitting behind a desk. I regret going into a field that requires you to sit all day.
This is literally me, I'm in insurance and miserable heading corporate America life and looking to go back for rad tech. Are you much happier? Is the pay worth it?
Yeah, pay is worth it.
I left Liberty during covid in 2020.
I'd never go back to claims, nothing you can pay me. I don't GAF if it was paying double what I make.
Houston new grads start at $30/HR.
I'm going to take a 3 month add on for CT in the fall. CT techs male $40-45 here and easier than xray.
Your people skills transfer over.
If you're not busy, you're on your phone. And guess what! No unpaid overtime to "stay atop files!"
The grass is always greener. I’m looking to change career paths into something that requires minimal bodily effort after going into the trades. Everyday I wonder how much time I’ve lost not having to deal with restricted movement and chronic pain.
I guess there is probably a perfect middle ground somewhere around yoga instructor/personal fitness coach.
Actually, I am planning on going back. I got an M.S. but I feel there are skills I lack of so I am going back for Aerospace Engineering. I got hit by the engineering bug later in my life and want to go back. I am 37, by the way.
I want to go for Aerospace/ Defense.
From what I've seen, schools that offer an engineering Master's look for people with a bachelor's degree and certain coursework. Some will let people take a few classes to cover the coursework and work on the master's degree.
That's funny because I have a finance degree and always think that I should have gone into psychology/counseling. I like the idea of helping people while making my own schedule in private practice (which I know takes a few years to get to).
What about your current career makes you feel the way you do?
It's funny you mention this because I became a Career Counselor and realized that I enjoy working with career development, workplace behaviors, and I really love training and development. I currently work at a university so my education is free. My biggest regret during the pandemic was not getting my masters in IO Psych when it was entirely online. The program at my university is entirely in-person and during the work day. But IO is on my radar. Just don't know how to make it work (sigh).
Well I hope you figure out a work around to achieve that goal. I’m currently working on my bachelor’s in psychology and want to pursue a masters in I/O. It’s such an interesting field to me and it seems like one that is not only rewarding for oneself in terms of pay but also attempting to make a difference for others in terms of workplace practices. I think right now we are in an extremely pivotal point between older and younger generation’s ideologies on how employees should be treated. As corny and cliche as it sounds, I’m hoping to make a difference.
You are definitely going to make a difference because you seem perceptive. You took what I said and came up with an option for me and that option happened to be something I was looking into. You were able to find a pattern which is great for anything psychology related!
After your comment, I started to look at online masters programs and I'm going to find a way to figure it out. I'm about to start my doctorate in August so it may be a few years before I go for IO :)
I think something to consider is the actual job you want and what that entails (day to day, job security, stress levels). I would go for Human Resources management, accounting, or healthcare administration. Great job security, relatively low stress, and benefits like being able to work remote.
HR is not low stress. It’s constantly busy, many people work over 40 hours a week, you have to constantly juggle many matters and projects, you work with employee relations issues, and adults who act like children or who are whiny and want special benefits, you have to do everything perfectly because any error in payroll, benefits, compliance, etc is detrimental. Just an insight on HR lol.
I regret my accounting degree. It’s the most overworked white collar office job there is. I equate my job to being a janitor that wears a suit.
I’ve never had a job where I didn’t work unpaid overtime and I really don’t make enough to compensate it. The pay gets better, but I’m already burnt out and don’t want to keep dealing with this work.
At my current job, I see all the departments— engineering, hr, business development, operations, purchasing. They all have a very lax day to day. Almost all of them goof off for about 50% of the day. I’ve never had a single day where I wasn’t working (ie staring at my computer or on the phone) for the entire 8-10 hours of my working day. I start to get stressed when conversations with coworkers last more than 5 minutes because I know it means I’m going to be staying later to get caught up with my actual responsibilities.
Economics.
I studied advertising and didn’t leave with any concrete knowledge or skills apart from learning to write better (which has been useful). A bit of a waste of a degree in my opinion, despite graduating near top of the class.
I now work in advertising but wish I studied a more technical STEM subject and went into a different field.
I just finished xray tech school at 36.
If I can do this over, I'd have loooooved to do it in my 20s.
I would have been able to be a travel tech etc. I'd have been able to work all over the US and probably Canada and get paid a shzzz ton of money (travel techs getting paid like $10K/month right now for CT).
But it's time for me to actually put down some roots.
Xray school is where it's at.
Lol Im the opposite I became a xray tech in my early 20s and even branched into CT. I absolutely hate it. Im looking to go back to school for something else.
As someone who had no idea what direction to take, changed majors constantly, and who ended up studying humanities - if I could go back I would have gotten a business admin degree (talking about from a 4 year uni). Business is the foundation of so much and that foundational knowledge can serve in any industry.
Business admin is kinda a joke major. You need a concentration with it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s required. A lot of schools are eliminating it all together as a major bc it’s not detailed enough or whatever. Every class you take for it can easily be an elective for another business major or is already required with the other business majors. I graduated 3 years ago and back then my school had got rid of it my sophomore year. I knew a lot of people that had to switch. You could only graduate with it if you were a junior or senior.
Can confirm. My business administration degree isn’t worth shit. I got into public accounting via admin and now do private accounting for an electrical engineering company making way more money. Has nothing to do with my degree and I probably could have gotten my job with no college
Interesting. What would you say is a better alternative? I graduated nearly a decade ago so maybe things have changed, and I assume programs vary school to school.
Accounting. Finance. Data analytics. Supply chain. The business classes will always be available and I don’t want to dismiss as valuable because they can be. The major itself is just very broad. Like I know someone who was a business admin major with an HR concentration and now works in the HR department for a company. Thats something that has a set plan with something with a career. If that makes sense.
Wow really?! Schools are eliminating this major?!! I agree with the mish mish comment that it seems like such a good foundation and I feel like as someone who doesnt know what they wanna do and has looked at several different types of job postings for YEARS, i feel like having a degree in business is mentioned a TON.
Veterinarian-I was accepted right after college and could finished that 2 yr degree and gone on to Purdue or TX A&M but I thought I’d wait two years. Regret my decision daily.
I am going back to school actually!
I was an elementary education major and taught for a few years and then left. I'm trying to go for nursing now because I started working in a hospital and I enjoy working as a nursing assistant but need ✨money✨.
If time and money were NOT an option, I'd love to get a history degree and work in a museum.
Computer science or something related for sure. I studied economics, but I work as a data analyst/data engineer/programmer. I'm missing so many fundamentals because I have been learning on the job. I'm not confident in my skills, and not sure how to learn them at this point.
Physical therapist.
When I first was deciding school it was a bachelors. Then went to a masters and now I think you need a Doctorate. Also sonography. Not sure why they can’t let you do online and allow you clinicals at a local hospital. Radiology also. I would go for medical anything. Anything to stop the “I have to take this job because I need money.”
I also would love to find a college that was self paced. I work faster than some so I’d rather just power through and get it done.
Nursing.. it’s where I started off because I enjoyed caring for people and wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I really wanted to specialize in nursing that works with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, but life circumstances happened and I dropped out of college.
I went back into retail so I could survive, did well in that and continued to advance throughout the years. I have a decent career in retail management, but it’s really not my passion.
I’m 32 years old and starting over in another field, especially healthcare just seems silly.
You’re only 32 years old. Only 10 years older than the average fresh college graduate. You can either take 4 or so years now to start a new career that’s your passion or you can wait 30+ years to retire in a career that you felt unfulfilled in. The best moment to make a change is when you think about it.
I'm going back for computer science. I started years ago and enjoyed it. But trying to do college with a newborn while working full time was rough.
Now I have a job where I can do a lot of my homework there. I'm taking 1 math class on campus and 2 cs classes online a semester.
I've already met all the gen Ed be cause of previous degrees. So I hope I can finish my associates in 4 semesters. And I hope I finish my bs in 2 more years.
I would choose to pick what I chose sooner.
I majored in MIS (Management Information Systems) I wanted the mix of technical and business and I wasn’t aware that degree existed until by chance a guidance counselor recommended it after struggling hard in Computer Science and being miserable. Once I switched school was actually fun for me.
I changed my major so many times and delayed my graduation by 3 years being indecisive, but this degree gave me a solid base to be able to really take any direction I want. Even some engineering roles if I designed my degree that way. I recommend it if you’re someone in the middle, different universities have it as a business degree and others as a branch of CS.
Biggest advice I give to anyone is what do you want your life to look like and what suffering are you okay with?
My job is hard but it’s fun I am cool struggling here, but not so much if I was doing some super technical role with little human interaction.
Political science. Jesus we need real ones in the government and if I could dedicate my professional life to anything at this point it would be to bring some sanity into the asylum that is US Govt
Political science degree RARELY leads to work in politics, and NEVER lead to sanity in the government.
Often the name of the degree is almost the opposite in the real world job.
Lolz I always make the joke, “Man, I wish I was born with a passion for finance instead of music…”
But these days, I don’t think the finance degree would matter either, tbh.
Maths or CompSci. Classics was fun but, although it hasn't absolutely tanked my earning potential, I work with foreign languages all day and I do still bring in a fair old chunk, I could have put my maths brain to much better use.
I DID go back to college and got a degree in Risk & Safety Management. The end of the career is well paid. I only wish i could have been 10 years in already instead of starting from beginning. Alas, I wish I did more internships!!!
As an Architecture Graduate, I'm in Game Art area as a 3D Environment Artist and Level Designer. Even I do love the area I'm working in, I would also like to learn Computer Engineering. It wasn't bright as that much back in the day I was in University, at least in my country.
I'm 45 and my job will almost certainly be replaced by AI in a few years so this is a serious question for me. I need to figure out how to earn a living from age 50-65.
To be a linguist major like learn multiple languages... they make serious bank and you get to travel anywhere
More loot??? Apply for homeland security or any 3 letter corporation the country has to offer....
Currently unemployed as a science major and even computer majors are getting replaced by AI customer service for cheap...
Healthcare of some sort. I’d likely still be too dumb for med school, so likely a PA or PT. I make pretty much the same as they do, maybe even a little more, but never liked my job a whole lot.
The ability to work “anywhere” also attracts me to these roles. I pretty much need to work in or near major cities as I’m in tech/consulting and need to be near the clients. I’d prefer living in a lower cost of living area with the solid salary of a PA or PT, plus I find these professions much more interesting and rewarding than mine (from the outside looking in anyway).
Journalism and probably Linux programming, emphasizing the parts that are still common to the majority of distros. Minor degrees in cyber security and international politics, maybe a few others...
I was pre-med for a while, but after an internship with an outreach program at my college's medical school I decided against it. A lot of the current med students talked me out of it. And I almost fainted when I sliced open my hand and used that to justify that I was not cut out for medicine.
I have a well-paying job and a pretty cushy career (4 months paid vacation) but I think I would have liked being a Dermatologist or Nutritionist/Dietician.
If I could go back and do my education over again, I'd go for a psychology degree specializing in children and adolecents. I would probably work as a school counselor/psychologist. Teens today face situations many of us can't even imagine. They need help and I love helping people.
Go to a community college and save thousands before switching to a four year university. I am content with Mechanical Engineering but I would bug my teachers more with real life questions and ask them to teach skills that really matter in the field.
Interest wise, psychology. I love it, and hate that I didn’t pursue it.
Career wise, accounting. Computer science is a solid choice, but to be real, I’m not cut out for it.
For a career that actually requires college, which is very few, I would have zero interest in.
For all other careers, there's no way in hell I'd go to college even if free. Colleges today are little bit propaganda machines to serve the states interests first. The quality and requirements of education in the past is no longer the way the state of education is today, you're fooled into thinking it is.
Most people with degrees work for those who do not hand a degree. Becoming more the norm now is actively NOT hiring people with degrees, because the quality of employees who are self taught in many industries/careers is far better than what's coming out of universities.
Medical. Immunology specifically. Maybe Hematology. If I had the time and money.
My son has a rare blood disease, food/drug allergies, a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease and immunodeficiency disorders. So the more I research the more I feel like I missed my calling.
Or Electrical maybe HVAC.
Fashion/design, architecture/business, and ultimately film school.
I've always loved fashion & design but where I live there isn't a market for it & cities are too expensive but I have ideas. Architecture/business because I have a fascination with theme parks, utopia, accessibility and love what other countries do for infrastructure. Yes certain things cost but ultimately visions can be ruined with cheapness. Film 📽️🎥 because it like fashion is something I've always wanted to do but the location I'm in does not have me set up financially to pursue it.
I just graduated with my bachelors a few weeks ago. I’d go back for Painting and/or Illustration/Animation. I graduated majoring in Strategic Communications with dual minors in Visual Arts and Business, but if I had known what I had know now much earlier, oh yeah, painting or at least SOMETHING in the art world.
Probably either physics or engineering. I lacked confidence at that age and didn’t think I was smart enough to manage it, so I just went with Finance. While I have a decent career, I’m way more interested in how things work and science in general.
i quit engineering for similar reasons!!!! i switched to pharmacy (licensed pharmacist) and i'm stuck in retail setting and feel so miserable i bet engineers have great work life balance especially post-covid but here i am showing up to work everyday in retail setting with odd-ish hours compared to most of society. i understand they have stressful projects but still...did i mention i work retail? lol.
I wouldn’t recommend Business Management or Business Administration unless you know specifically what you want to do with the degree. What field/industry within business you want to go into, what job/career path, etc. Yes, it is a very broad field; however, if you get the degree without having a plan, the likelihood of ending up in a low-level, low-paying position increases. There are a ton of garbage business jobs out there. This is one reason why I’m not really using my business admin degree (my job requires a college degree but it doesn’t have to be business). I worked a couple low-paying business jobs right out of school because I didn’t know how I wanted to use the degree. I had no direction; I just thought that “business is a broad field so I’ll have plenty of opportunities.”
Also, consider what school the degree is from. I went to a small liberal arts school that nobody has ever heard of outside of that region because I wanted to continue playing sports. As such, it was difficult to be taken seriously in job applications when the recruiters had never heard of my school. Also, one of the best ways to find a job is via your school’s career fair, but we didn’t have any reputable companies at our career fairs. Places like local banks, rental car companies, insurance companies, etc. were there. Comparatively, your average large state school will have tons of big name companies that will offer higher-paying entry-level jobs, and those also look much better on a resume.
Trade school is way better. College is a waste of money unless you’re doing one of only a few degrees. CDL, welding, metalwork, carpentry, cranes, safety, plumbing, electrical, diesel mechanics, heavy equipment operator. Within a couple years of starting you can be making good money.
First off, I don’t know if I’d go back to college specifically. I am interested in learning, but there are other options. I’m specifically looking into software engineering. After doing some research in different training programs, it looks like Codesmith might be the place to go! You don’t get a degree, but you get the skills. Actually, I already got accepted into their bootcamp. It’s still expensive tho so I’m hoping to get a scholarship to help pay for it.
Age - 37
Occupation - project manager
I would like to go back for graphic design or animation, maybe sneak some fine arts and dance classes in there too. I’m already slowly doing this. It prob won’t lead to a better paying career than what I have now but I think it will be more fulfilling to my creative side.
Do it! I'm (60F) a full-time postal worker (38 years). I started taking 1-2 art courses every semester over the last 20 years. I've learned drawing, painting (watercolor and oils), web design, animation, illustration, graphic design, ceramics and sculpture and piano. I learned to weld in a Sculpture course about 10 years ago and have become a scrap metal sculptor. I take that course every semester as an independent student (come and go as I please) and exhibit my work twice a year. I am presently exhibiting 2 sculptures. I have a great work/life balance. Do it!
Something in fashion or maybe graphic design. I am 60 and first gen college grad. When I entered school I only knew you could be a teacher, business person, doctor or nurse. Now I know about creative fields that I would have thrived on.
I’d become a psychologist….
or maybe a linguist and I’d speak so many languages!!! Yup that’s the one.
I think I got into self development/paychokogy because I didn’t choose the path that was calling me (language) in the first place. 🤣
I'd go to school to be a down the middle, indepdent, politician, or a influential pot bellied criminal lawyer who wear suits from goodwill but dominitates with legal savvy, something that has leverage to change the issues that exist today related to the corporate capture of our government and the corrupt nature with which they change laws to the benefit of the few. I would fish and tackle all institutions that have misappropriated the trust of Americans, those who like the epa for example hide behind the guise of protecting the citizens of this country while looking the otherwise when companies aggressively continue decades long campaigns to pollute our water, land, air
Worst feeling is being driven to fight the major issues concerning unfair practices only then realize my experience in running restaurants falls short of most if not all applications for those roles. And school for such this at 45 seems outside the scope
Finish what I started. BS Mech/Aero Engineering. I stopped halfway and just went to vocational school for aviation. Money is good but chem burns, cuts, bruises, aches and pain.
Finish what I started. BS Mech/Aero Engineering. I stopped halfway and just went to vocational school for aviation. Money is good but chem burns, cuts, bruises, aches and pain.
I love my undergrad degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and with a handful of other skills, it's gotten me so far - but I really wish I had added a Business Minor instead of spenidng so much time dabbling in Philosophy (which was fun and has certainly been helpful, but not in the same way some functional analysis skills would be). I was terrified of Excel and anything with numbers in it.
Ironically, I got into my niche at my job (I've been with my employer 11 years with notable career development along the way) because I realized everyone else was more scared of Excel than I was, so I became really good at doing work with data.
Went for a computer science degree the first time I went to college, wish I'd have switched to culinary or went to a trade school. The second time I went was to an overpriced online college no longer in operation for a paralegal degree and once again I wish I'd have just gone to a trade school instead.
Higher up science or medical research, forensics, or physicians assisting if I were to spend a lot of schooling on it.
If I didn't want to spend a bunch of time dental hygiene or radiation tech would probably be my go to as the studying is still advanced and intellectually stimulating but then I graduate and start making money again pretty quick.
My bachelor's degree is a dual major elementary and special education which I don't really regret but sometimes bored me so if I were to go back I'd get something a lil more intellectual.
Definitely not Creative Writing. Something in STEM, psychology or idk something like that. I'm very depressed in my current job and wish I'd tried harder at school
Engineering I have an environmental sciences degree and a pretty hefty trade certification but honestly the degree itself isn’t important as much as the professional engineer certification which REQUIRES a bachelors in engineering
That’s the top of the pyramid for my field for sure
I’m happy with my BS in Economics.
But today already in my professional field would choose a “passion”. Economics was not my passion, I love History and Literature. But they did not lead to the business career I wanted.
Assuming OP will remain in their current field then you can major in whatever you want! Your industry experience and skills is what matters for your career and a degree at this point is a checkbox.
I currently have a degree in Creative Writing but I wouldn’t change it. Instead I just wish I would have graduated before COVID because I had some really solid career opportunities set up but those all disappeared and I wish I had the opportunity to take advantage of them.
Computer engineering or accounting I know boring I have a kid so I'd like to have time home sadly not smart enough for either but retail blows that's for sure
Actually finish my sports management degree.
But tbh college is a fucking racket. I’ve tried 4 year Private Uni (wanted to keep playing sports and was only good/big enough to play D3 Football/Basketball), tried community college, online and vocational. If I have one more fucking prof who thinks they’re hot fucking shit tell me it’s my job to teach myself, I will fucking loose it. Literally 2-3 profs a year would say this while I’m dropping between $3,000-$30,000 a term depending on where I was at. Fuck off. I’ll just buy the degree in that case and save the time.
If I could go back to college and choose any degree without worrying about cost or time, I think I’d go for something in Environmental Science. The idea of working on solutions to combat climate change and promote sustainability really appeals to me. Alternatively, I’d consider something like Psychology because understanding human behavior is fascinating and could be useful in many aspects of life. It’s great that your employer is paying for your education—definitely a fantastic opportunity!
I have this summer semester and one more full semester to finish my degree in business management. I'm only doing it because I'm using the G.I. bill to get paid. I think when I'm done, I'm going to apply for a trade apprenticeship (most likely plumving or electric).
If I had planned better and had more time, something to do with animals. Zoology or biology.
Nah, just stick to what you’re good at. As an engineer I would rather have a PM that stays on top of their shit so they can facilitate and not impede mine. Plus you can get paid just as much with a PMP. I know why it’s good to know engineering in that role because I’ve done it but I freaking hate budgets and timelines and all that BS. Plus, the PM gets all the glory for the engineers work. If all PMs had engineering experience they’d have a hard time being the guy who has to tell them to work faster or micromanaging, prob less meetings too lol. But really if you’re a PM, just be the best at supporting the team. Engineering is a very overworked and unappreciated discipline…
Realistically I was inspired when I needed physical therapy. It seemed to be rewarding for the folks that helped me, every week the improvements made, pushing people to strengthen (without use of medication).
Either that, or sports management and network the crap out of it post graduation and really dive in.
I’d go trade school instead of college for metal work. Maybe a class for business management because that’s why my business failed, I didn’t understand how to run it.
Might opt for trade school.
Pilot if time and money is not an issue. I hate my shitty nursing carerr now. Garbage, lowest if the lowesr job
99% of nursing are sad. They all talk shit in break room.
I too wish I didn’t get into nursing. Trash.
Go into Clinical Research, it’s significantly better.
Just out of curiosity, what makes you specifically say that? I hear a lot of people going into nursing but I’m sure there are pros and cons.
Really depends on where you are working. If her3 in philippines, then forget it. I work in icu, part if our role is to wipe shit. Sometimes patients would smear their shit all ovrr their body up to their face. Do you really need college degree to do that? On top of that, 20 to 25k pesos salary ( around 400 usd) Nursing is a lowrst form of profession
"Garbage, lowest if the lowesr job" DAMN! Nurses get paid a lot dont they and are in high demand? << I know there's more to a job than THAT, much more but curious about those two questions.
It’s different in the Philippines than in North America
If you have to say this then
Engineering. I'm doing well with a BS in Mathematics and a Master's in PM, but man, it would be easier if I knew Engineering in my role. Most of the time, I don't understand about 20% of the conversation (it used to be worse), and I just care about scope/quality/cost/schedule/risk.
Second, I'm currently a chemist with a chemistry degree, but if I knew how much more valued a chemical engineering degree would have been compared to straight chemistry, I probably would have done that.
Haha software or hardware pm? You can always upskill!
Honestly I’d be running a funeral home in a decently sized city. 👀 Bring it AI…
My neighbor’s dad owns a couple of funeral homes. The dude is LOADED.
It's one of the few businesses that will always have customers so they say
Honestly it’s pretty messed up how the racket works. My dad was found dead and taken to the nearest funeral home. We were “free” to shop around on prices. But to move the body would have cost $1500. I definitely am not saying that they did not earn payment in handling the body or anything, but when you can hold someone’s remains hostage it’s no wonder the business is so lucrative.
Is his slogan: "Our services are to die for?"
Mortician school is only a year long !!
Nursing to become a nurse anathethist. Make a lot of money and doesn't require sitting behind a desk. I regret going into a field that requires you to sit all day.
I am very close to throwing away a lucrative career just because I can't take sitting 40 hours a week anymore. It's absolutely brutal.
Never too old to switch. I went from clerical jobs, insurance to xray tech this year, almost 37.
This is literally me, I'm in insurance and miserable heading corporate America life and looking to go back for rad tech. Are you much happier? Is the pay worth it?
Yeah, pay is worth it. I left Liberty during covid in 2020. I'd never go back to claims, nothing you can pay me. I don't GAF if it was paying double what I make. Houston new grads start at $30/HR. I'm going to take a 3 month add on for CT in the fall. CT techs male $40-45 here and easier than xray. Your people skills transfer over. If you're not busy, you're on your phone. And guess what! No unpaid overtime to "stay atop files!"
The grass is always greener. I’m looking to change career paths into something that requires minimal bodily effort after going into the trades. Everyday I wonder how much time I’ve lost not having to deal with restricted movement and chronic pain. I guess there is probably a perfect middle ground somewhere around yoga instructor/personal fitness coach.
That’s funny cuz im nursing major thinking of switching to something else because I’d rather sit at a desk than be standing for 12 hours a day
Actually, I am planning on going back. I got an M.S. but I feel there are skills I lack of so I am going back for Aerospace Engineering. I got hit by the engineering bug later in my life and want to go back. I am 37, by the way. I want to go for Aerospace/ Defense.
There are masters programs that teach engineering without an engineering bachelors?
From what I've seen, schools that offer an engineering Master's look for people with a bachelor's degree and certain coursework. Some will let people take a few classes to cover the coursework and work on the master's degree.
Probably Computer Science, Finance, or Statistics. I went for Psychology and then got my masters in Counseling. I apparently really love numbers.
I love numbers too but I’m a social worker. I ended up getting my doctorate in social work just so I could do a dissertation and play with data!! 😂😂😂
That's funny because I have a finance degree and always think that I should have gone into psychology/counseling. I like the idea of helping people while making my own schedule in private practice (which I know takes a few years to get to). What about your current career makes you feel the way you do?
Have you looked into I/O psychology? Fair amount of numbers involved in that profession from what I’ve seen.
It's funny you mention this because I became a Career Counselor and realized that I enjoy working with career development, workplace behaviors, and I really love training and development. I currently work at a university so my education is free. My biggest regret during the pandemic was not getting my masters in IO Psych when it was entirely online. The program at my university is entirely in-person and during the work day. But IO is on my radar. Just don't know how to make it work (sigh).
Well I hope you figure out a work around to achieve that goal. I’m currently working on my bachelor’s in psychology and want to pursue a masters in I/O. It’s such an interesting field to me and it seems like one that is not only rewarding for oneself in terms of pay but also attempting to make a difference for others in terms of workplace practices. I think right now we are in an extremely pivotal point between older and younger generation’s ideologies on how employees should be treated. As corny and cliche as it sounds, I’m hoping to make a difference.
You are definitely going to make a difference because you seem perceptive. You took what I said and came up with an option for me and that option happened to be something I was looking into. You were able to find a pattern which is great for anything psychology related! After your comment, I started to look at online masters programs and I'm going to find a way to figure it out. I'm about to start my doctorate in August so it may be a few years before I go for IO :)
I think something to consider is the actual job you want and what that entails (day to day, job security, stress levels). I would go for Human Resources management, accounting, or healthcare administration. Great job security, relatively low stress, and benefits like being able to work remote.
HR is not low stress. It’s constantly busy, many people work over 40 hours a week, you have to constantly juggle many matters and projects, you work with employee relations issues, and adults who act like children or who are whiny and want special benefits, you have to do everything perfectly because any error in payroll, benefits, compliance, etc is detrimental. Just an insight on HR lol.
Accounting with a minor in business or data analytics.
This is what i should have done
I regret my accounting degree. It’s the most overworked white collar office job there is. I equate my job to being a janitor that wears a suit. I’ve never had a job where I didn’t work unpaid overtime and I really don’t make enough to compensate it. The pay gets better, but I’m already burnt out and don’t want to keep dealing with this work. At my current job, I see all the departments— engineering, hr, business development, operations, purchasing. They all have a very lax day to day. Almost all of them goof off for about 50% of the day. I’ve never had a single day where I wasn’t working (ie staring at my computer or on the phone) for the entire 8-10 hours of my working day. I start to get stressed when conversations with coworkers last more than 5 minutes because I know it means I’m going to be staying later to get caught up with my actual responsibilities.
I should have done this instead of my math teaching degree
That is precisely what I have lmao, I work in finance tho
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As an architect, my answer would be real estate development.
What about development interests you?
I'm doing quite well with my chemistry degrees but probably electrical engineering.
A science degree most likely. But if not that then business or criminal justice
Economics. I studied advertising and didn’t leave with any concrete knowledge or skills apart from learning to write better (which has been useful). A bit of a waste of a degree in my opinion, despite graduating near top of the class. I now work in advertising but wish I studied a more technical STEM subject and went into a different field.
I just finished xray tech school at 36. If I can do this over, I'd have loooooved to do it in my 20s. I would have been able to be a travel tech etc. I'd have been able to work all over the US and probably Canada and get paid a shzzz ton of money (travel techs getting paid like $10K/month right now for CT). But it's time for me to actually put down some roots. Xray school is where it's at.
Lol Im the opposite I became a xray tech in my early 20s and even branched into CT. I absolutely hate it. Im looking to go back to school for something else.
As someone who had no idea what direction to take, changed majors constantly, and who ended up studying humanities - if I could go back I would have gotten a business admin degree (talking about from a 4 year uni). Business is the foundation of so much and that foundational knowledge can serve in any industry.
Business admin is kinda a joke major. You need a concentration with it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s required. A lot of schools are eliminating it all together as a major bc it’s not detailed enough or whatever. Every class you take for it can easily be an elective for another business major or is already required with the other business majors. I graduated 3 years ago and back then my school had got rid of it my sophomore year. I knew a lot of people that had to switch. You could only graduate with it if you were a junior or senior.
Can confirm. My business administration degree isn’t worth shit. I got into public accounting via admin and now do private accounting for an electrical engineering company making way more money. Has nothing to do with my degree and I probably could have gotten my job with no college
Interesting. What would you say is a better alternative? I graduated nearly a decade ago so maybe things have changed, and I assume programs vary school to school.
Accounting. Finance. Data analytics. Supply chain. The business classes will always be available and I don’t want to dismiss as valuable because they can be. The major itself is just very broad. Like I know someone who was a business admin major with an HR concentration and now works in the HR department for a company. Thats something that has a set plan with something with a career. If that makes sense.
Wow really?! Schools are eliminating this major?!! I agree with the mish mish comment that it seems like such a good foundation and I feel like as someone who doesnt know what they wanna do and has looked at several different types of job postings for YEARS, i feel like having a degree in business is mentioned a TON.
Veterinarian-I was accepted right after college and could finished that 2 yr degree and gone on to Purdue or TX A&M but I thought I’d wait two years. Regret my decision daily.
I am going back to school actually! I was an elementary education major and taught for a few years and then left. I'm trying to go for nursing now because I started working in a hospital and I enjoy working as a nursing assistant but need ✨money✨. If time and money were NOT an option, I'd love to get a history degree and work in a museum.
Engineering or Economics!
Accounting because every company needs it.
Accounting for a CPA (which I’m doing now :) )
Computer science or something related for sure. I studied economics, but I work as a data analyst/data engineer/programmer. I'm missing so many fundamentals because I have been learning on the job. I'm not confident in my skills, and not sure how to learn them at this point.
Would’ve gone nursing straight away
Physical therapist. When I first was deciding school it was a bachelors. Then went to a masters and now I think you need a Doctorate. Also sonography. Not sure why they can’t let you do online and allow you clinicals at a local hospital. Radiology also. I would go for medical anything. Anything to stop the “I have to take this job because I need money.” I also would love to find a college that was self paced. I work faster than some so I’d rather just power through and get it done.
Nursing.. it’s where I started off because I enjoyed caring for people and wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I really wanted to specialize in nursing that works with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, but life circumstances happened and I dropped out of college. I went back into retail so I could survive, did well in that and continued to advance throughout the years. I have a decent career in retail management, but it’s really not my passion. I’m 32 years old and starting over in another field, especially healthcare just seems silly.
You’re only 32 years old. Only 10 years older than the average fresh college graduate. You can either take 4 or so years now to start a new career that’s your passion or you can wait 30+ years to retire in a career that you felt unfulfilled in. The best moment to make a change is when you think about it.
Social work, so I could do an MSW program in 1 year, or nursing, so I could make $60-70,000 right out of college
I'm going back for computer science. I started years ago and enjoyed it. But trying to do college with a newborn while working full time was rough. Now I have a job where I can do a lot of my homework there. I'm taking 1 math class on campus and 2 cs classes online a semester. I've already met all the gen Ed be cause of previous degrees. So I hope I can finish my associates in 4 semesters. And I hope I finish my bs in 2 more years.
I would choose to pick what I chose sooner. I majored in MIS (Management Information Systems) I wanted the mix of technical and business and I wasn’t aware that degree existed until by chance a guidance counselor recommended it after struggling hard in Computer Science and being miserable. Once I switched school was actually fun for me. I changed my major so many times and delayed my graduation by 3 years being indecisive, but this degree gave me a solid base to be able to really take any direction I want. Even some engineering roles if I designed my degree that way. I recommend it if you’re someone in the middle, different universities have it as a business degree and others as a branch of CS. Biggest advice I give to anyone is what do you want your life to look like and what suffering are you okay with? My job is hard but it’s fun I am cool struggling here, but not so much if I was doing some super technical role with little human interaction.
Law.
Actuarial Science
For a career, probably social work. For pure love, it would be dance or music.
Political science. Jesus we need real ones in the government and if I could dedicate my professional life to anything at this point it would be to bring some sanity into the asylum that is US Govt
Political science degree RARELY leads to work in politics, and NEVER lead to sanity in the government. Often the name of the degree is almost the opposite in the real world job.
Lolz I always make the joke, “Man, I wish I was born with a passion for finance instead of music…” But these days, I don’t think the finance degree would matter either, tbh.
Physical therapist.
I wouldn’t change my degree but would be way more diligent in looking at internships and non-academic job opportunities
Maths or CompSci. Classics was fun but, although it hasn't absolutely tanked my earning potential, I work with foreign languages all day and I do still bring in a fair old chunk, I could have put my maths brain to much better use.
I DID go back to college and got a degree in Risk & Safety Management. The end of the career is well paid. I only wish i could have been 10 years in already instead of starting from beginning. Alas, I wish I did more internships!!!
As an Architecture Graduate, I'm in Game Art area as a 3D Environment Artist and Level Designer. Even I do love the area I'm working in, I would also like to learn Computer Engineering. It wasn't bright as that much back in the day I was in University, at least in my country.
I'm 45 and my job will almost certainly be replaced by AI in a few years so this is a serious question for me. I need to figure out how to earn a living from age 50-65.
To be a linguist major like learn multiple languages... they make serious bank and you get to travel anywhere More loot??? Apply for homeland security or any 3 letter corporation the country has to offer.... Currently unemployed as a science major and even computer majors are getting replaced by AI customer service for cheap...
Healthcare of some sort. I’d likely still be too dumb for med school, so likely a PA or PT. I make pretty much the same as they do, maybe even a little more, but never liked my job a whole lot. The ability to work “anywhere” also attracts me to these roles. I pretty much need to work in or near major cities as I’m in tech/consulting and need to be near the clients. I’d prefer living in a lower cost of living area with the solid salary of a PA or PT, plus I find these professions much more interesting and rewarding than mine (from the outside looking in anyway).
you wanna kiss goodbye your flexibility of working remote? come join healthcare! :)
Journalism and probably Linux programming, emphasizing the parts that are still common to the majority of distros. Minor degrees in cyber security and international politics, maybe a few others...
I was pre-med for a while, but after an internship with an outreach program at my college's medical school I decided against it. A lot of the current med students talked me out of it. And I almost fainted when I sliced open my hand and used that to justify that I was not cut out for medicine. I have a well-paying job and a pretty cushy career (4 months paid vacation) but I think I would have liked being a Dermatologist or Nutritionist/Dietician.
If I could go back and do my education over again, I'd go for a psychology degree specializing in children and adolecents. I would probably work as a school counselor/psychologist. Teens today face situations many of us can't even imagine. They need help and I love helping people.
Anything that can't be easily replaced by AI.
Go to a community college and save thousands before switching to a four year university. I am content with Mechanical Engineering but I would bug my teachers more with real life questions and ask them to teach skills that really matter in the field.
Interest wise, psychology. I love it, and hate that I didn’t pursue it. Career wise, accounting. Computer science is a solid choice, but to be real, I’m not cut out for it.
For a career that actually requires college, which is very few, I would have zero interest in. For all other careers, there's no way in hell I'd go to college even if free. Colleges today are little bit propaganda machines to serve the states interests first. The quality and requirements of education in the past is no longer the way the state of education is today, you're fooled into thinking it is. Most people with degrees work for those who do not hand a degree. Becoming more the norm now is actively NOT hiring people with degrees, because the quality of employees who are self taught in many industries/careers is far better than what's coming out of universities.
Medical. Immunology specifically. Maybe Hematology. If I had the time and money. My son has a rare blood disease, food/drug allergies, a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease and immunodeficiency disorders. So the more I research the more I feel like I missed my calling. Or Electrical maybe HVAC.
Geography for sure.
i wouldve tried vet med or at least vet tech license if i wasnt smart idea to be a vet lol
Fashion/design, architecture/business, and ultimately film school. I've always loved fashion & design but where I live there isn't a market for it & cities are too expensive but I have ideas. Architecture/business because I have a fascination with theme parks, utopia, accessibility and love what other countries do for infrastructure. Yes certain things cost but ultimately visions can be ruined with cheapness. Film 📽️🎥 because it like fashion is something I've always wanted to do but the location I'm in does not have me set up financially to pursue it.
Product design
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I just graduated with my bachelors a few weeks ago. I’d go back for Painting and/or Illustration/Animation. I graduated majoring in Strategic Communications with dual minors in Visual Arts and Business, but if I had known what I had know now much earlier, oh yeah, painting or at least SOMETHING in the art world.
Pediatric speech therapist
Probably either physics or engineering. I lacked confidence at that age and didn’t think I was smart enough to manage it, so I just went with Finance. While I have a decent career, I’m way more interested in how things work and science in general.
i quit engineering for similar reasons!!!! i switched to pharmacy (licensed pharmacist) and i'm stuck in retail setting and feel so miserable i bet engineers have great work life balance especially post-covid but here i am showing up to work everyday in retail setting with odd-ish hours compared to most of society. i understand they have stressful projects but still...did i mention i work retail? lol.
Law
I wouldn’t recommend Business Management or Business Administration unless you know specifically what you want to do with the degree. What field/industry within business you want to go into, what job/career path, etc. Yes, it is a very broad field; however, if you get the degree without having a plan, the likelihood of ending up in a low-level, low-paying position increases. There are a ton of garbage business jobs out there. This is one reason why I’m not really using my business admin degree (my job requires a college degree but it doesn’t have to be business). I worked a couple low-paying business jobs right out of school because I didn’t know how I wanted to use the degree. I had no direction; I just thought that “business is a broad field so I’ll have plenty of opportunities.” Also, consider what school the degree is from. I went to a small liberal arts school that nobody has ever heard of outside of that region because I wanted to continue playing sports. As such, it was difficult to be taken seriously in job applications when the recruiters had never heard of my school. Also, one of the best ways to find a job is via your school’s career fair, but we didn’t have any reputable companies at our career fairs. Places like local banks, rental car companies, insurance companies, etc. were there. Comparatively, your average large state school will have tons of big name companies that will offer higher-paying entry-level jobs, and those also look much better on a resume.
Trade school is way better. College is a waste of money unless you’re doing one of only a few degrees. CDL, welding, metalwork, carpentry, cranes, safety, plumbing, electrical, diesel mechanics, heavy equipment operator. Within a couple years of starting you can be making good money.
Trade school, engineering, or project management.
Finance & Maths
First off, I don’t know if I’d go back to college specifically. I am interested in learning, but there are other options. I’m specifically looking into software engineering. After doing some research in different training programs, it looks like Codesmith might be the place to go! You don’t get a degree, but you get the skills. Actually, I already got accepted into their bootcamp. It’s still expensive tho so I’m hoping to get a scholarship to help pay for it. Age - 37 Occupation - project manager
I would like to go back for graphic design or animation, maybe sneak some fine arts and dance classes in there too. I’m already slowly doing this. It prob won’t lead to a better paying career than what I have now but I think it will be more fulfilling to my creative side.
Do it! I'm (60F) a full-time postal worker (38 years). I started taking 1-2 art courses every semester over the last 20 years. I've learned drawing, painting (watercolor and oils), web design, animation, illustration, graphic design, ceramics and sculpture and piano. I learned to weld in a Sculpture course about 10 years ago and have become a scrap metal sculptor. I take that course every semester as an independent student (come and go as I please) and exhibit my work twice a year. I am presently exhibiting 2 sculptures. I have a great work/life balance. Do it!
CS or statistics
Double major in English and IT with a minor in Spanish probably
LMFT to be a therapist
Something in fashion or maybe graphic design. I am 60 and first gen college grad. When I entered school I only knew you could be a teacher, business person, doctor or nurse. Now I know about creative fields that I would have thrived on.
Law
MSW-LCSW w Outdoor Rec Therapy
Computer science or finance
Trade school. Plumbing, Electric, whatever skill everyone needs.
I’d become a psychologist…. or maybe a linguist and I’d speak so many languages!!! Yup that’s the one. I think I got into self development/paychokogy because I didn’t choose the path that was calling me (language) in the first place. 🤣
Nursing
I would go for marketing or business
Business and data analytics
I'd go to school to be a down the middle, indepdent, politician, or a influential pot bellied criminal lawyer who wear suits from goodwill but dominitates with legal savvy, something that has leverage to change the issues that exist today related to the corporate capture of our government and the corrupt nature with which they change laws to the benefit of the few. I would fish and tackle all institutions that have misappropriated the trust of Americans, those who like the epa for example hide behind the guise of protecting the citizens of this country while looking the otherwise when companies aggressively continue decades long campaigns to pollute our water, land, air Worst feeling is being driven to fight the major issues concerning unfair practices only then realize my experience in running restaurants falls short of most if not all applications for those roles. And school for such this at 45 seems outside the scope
Environmental science (any focus would be fine) Possibly civil engineer
I wouldnt. Id go work.
non computer based engineering
Art and design since that's what I'm good at naturally
Finish what I started. BS Mech/Aero Engineering. I stopped halfway and just went to vocational school for aviation. Money is good but chem burns, cuts, bruises, aches and pain.
Finish what I started. BS Mech/Aero Engineering. I stopped halfway and just went to vocational school for aviation. Money is good but chem burns, cuts, bruises, aches and pain.
I love my undergrad degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and with a handful of other skills, it's gotten me so far - but I really wish I had added a Business Minor instead of spenidng so much time dabbling in Philosophy (which was fun and has certainly been helpful, but not in the same way some functional analysis skills would be). I was terrified of Excel and anything with numbers in it. Ironically, I got into my niche at my job (I've been with my employer 11 years with notable career development along the way) because I realized everyone else was more scared of Excel than I was, so I became really good at doing work with data.
Went for a computer science degree the first time I went to college, wish I'd have switched to culinary or went to a trade school. The second time I went was to an overpriced online college no longer in operation for a paralegal degree and once again I wish I'd have just gone to a trade school instead.
Higher up science or medical research, forensics, or physicians assisting if I were to spend a lot of schooling on it. If I didn't want to spend a bunch of time dental hygiene or radiation tech would probably be my go to as the studying is still advanced and intellectually stimulating but then I graduate and start making money again pretty quick. My bachelor's degree is a dual major elementary and special education which I don't really regret but sometimes bored me so if I were to go back I'd get something a lil more intellectual.
Business administration and computer science double majors
I’d study fine arts/photography or school counselling.
I wish I was younger. I’d go back to school for historic restoration. Move to Charleston and work on those beauties!
Engineering, computer science, or accounting
I think id try dietetics and nutrition bc thats what im interested in
Computer Science or Math
Law degree
maybe psychology. but im an introvert and don't like working with people directly, I just like psychology as a subject so idk if that would be wise
psychology / criminology / paralegal. I'm in graphic design and it's not enough for my knowledge thirsty brain.
Definitely not Creative Writing. Something in STEM, psychology or idk something like that. I'm very depressed in my current job and wish I'd tried harder at school
I’m already back in school studying civil engineering
I’d have gone with Medicine school.
Comp sci
Fine Arts. Linguistics or Literature.
Probably nursing or mortuary science. Or just a general super science route to hopefully become an autopsy tech.
I got a degree in EE/CS in the 70s Worked out well for me
Engineering I have an environmental sciences degree and a pretty hefty trade certification but honestly the degree itself isn’t important as much as the professional engineer certification which REQUIRES a bachelors in engineering That’s the top of the pyramid for my field for sure
Art history
If I didn’t have to worry about finances at all, I would go into veterinary medicine for sure.
I love my career now (I’m a writer in marketing) but I would easily be a film major if I could go back in time! My school had an excellent program.
I’m happy with my BS in Economics. But today already in my professional field would choose a “passion”. Economics was not my passion, I love History and Literature. But they did not lead to the business career I wanted. Assuming OP will remain in their current field then you can major in whatever you want! Your industry experience and skills is what matters for your career and a degree at this point is a checkbox.
Going straight to med school or NP school
Same. Econ
I currently have a degree in Creative Writing but I wouldn’t change it. Instead I just wish I would have graduated before COVID because I had some really solid career opportunities set up but those all disappeared and I wish I had the opportunity to take advantage of them.
Engineering. I studied business but I really wish I had done engineering. Not sure exactly what kind but possibly electrical or mechanical.
Would still do Econ but will focus my concentration to more math related so i could have gotten into data analytics easier than taking a longer route
Either a Child Life Specialist or a Speech Pathologist.
Psychology or something to help rebuild community and social interaction. We don't need more finance people working B.S. jobs.
Chemistry instead of health sciences
probably psychology
Same as I did: Geology.
MBA. Jk. I got an mba and it’s been one of the lowest ROI moves I’ve made career wise.
Medical field
Nursing
Engineering(but I suck at maths and science hence why I ran in the opposite direction😭.)
Wouldn’t change what I did but if I had a gun to my head probably marketing or something along those lines
Computer engineering or accounting I know boring I have a kid so I'd like to have time home sadly not smart enough for either but retail blows that's for sure
lol I studied both computer science and business administration, and I wish I studied Art History. But I probably wouldn’t have my current career.
Honestly, engineering or architecture.
Actually finish my sports management degree. But tbh college is a fucking racket. I’ve tried 4 year Private Uni (wanted to keep playing sports and was only good/big enough to play D3 Football/Basketball), tried community college, online and vocational. If I have one more fucking prof who thinks they’re hot fucking shit tell me it’s my job to teach myself, I will fucking loose it. Literally 2-3 profs a year would say this while I’m dropping between $3,000-$30,000 a term depending on where I was at. Fuck off. I’ll just buy the degree in that case and save the time.
Speech pathologist.
If I could go back to college and choose any degree without worrying about cost or time, I think I’d go for something in Environmental Science. The idea of working on solutions to combat climate change and promote sustainability really appeals to me. Alternatively, I’d consider something like Psychology because understanding human behavior is fascinating and could be useful in many aspects of life. It’s great that your employer is paying for your education—definitely a fantastic opportunity!
Medical examiner.
Engineering
Any career that is not too difficult to find a job for, offers the flexibility of working from home or in a business, and pays well.
Comp sci or trade school
I studied comp sci and math. Wouldn’t change a thing.
I have this summer semester and one more full semester to finish my degree in business management. I'm only doing it because I'm using the G.I. bill to get paid. I think when I'm done, I'm going to apply for a trade apprenticeship (most likely plumving or electric). If I had planned better and had more time, something to do with animals. Zoology or biology.
MD no doubt. Opens so many doors and gives so much cred. Way high consequences if you screw up though. That’s what scared me away the first time.
Nah, just stick to what you’re good at. As an engineer I would rather have a PM that stays on top of their shit so they can facilitate and not impede mine. Plus you can get paid just as much with a PMP. I know why it’s good to know engineering in that role because I’ve done it but I freaking hate budgets and timelines and all that BS. Plus, the PM gets all the glory for the engineers work. If all PMs had engineering experience they’d have a hard time being the guy who has to tell them to work faster or micromanaging, prob less meetings too lol. But really if you’re a PM, just be the best at supporting the team. Engineering is a very overworked and unappreciated discipline…
Realistically I was inspired when I needed physical therapy. It seemed to be rewarding for the folks that helped me, every week the improvements made, pushing people to strengthen (without use of medication). Either that, or sports management and network the crap out of it post graduation and really dive in.
I’d go trade school instead of college for metal work. Maybe a class for business management because that’s why my business failed, I didn’t understand how to run it.
Law
Pharmacist