Help me to choose a Masters Degree? Serious advice needed.

1. 65

   cfinposted 9 years ago

   I am working in an accounting position, but I'm not an accountant. I hate working with numbers. Going to work doesn't need to be so drab. I have experience in Human resources, Payroll and business management including personnel management and department administration.
   My Primary Degree is in Law and Business. I am 27 years old, with a flexible schedule that can accommodate a masters degree.
   
   I enjoy History, philosophy and English, but I am not sure if any of the above could provide enough of a career to support my family, should I pursue any of them to masters level. Also, history may be out of reach if I were to apply. I am a history Nerd, love history and am good at it, but seriously, what do people who study history even do? Is the industry specific to teaching?
   
   I need some good advice, otherwise I will stay in Law which is decent, but an over saturated, under payed market right now and will only get worse in the years to come.
   
   Please help!

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You didn't state how old you were, or how much longer you'll need to work until retirement.  If you enjoy history and English, you can always pursue these during your off time.  Be careful about getting a Master's degree you can't use, though.  My best friend did that, and now she's stuck with an enormous student loan debt.  She and her husband recently sold a house; they were going to retire off the proceeds, but the student loan department may seize her share.

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         cfinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I am 27 years old. I don;t need to worry about student loans as I am blessed with Irish citizenship and the Masters will cost a maximum of $5,000 a year. There are also grants and aid available to pay for that. I just need assistance with picking a course.

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            Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            If you can get a good job teaching at a university, perhaps it's worth pursuing.  Good luck!

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      psycheskinnerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So you don't like your current job, but what job do you want to be in? Specifically what kind of job that a masters will help you get?

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   Marcy Goodfleischposted 9 years ago

   MBA degrees, or some variation of them are always marketable.  One area that appears to be growing is International or Global Business.  There's a slight variation, I think.
   
   Another field that appears to be hot now (based on info from the university where I teach) is a graduate degree in Adult Education.  Apparently, there's a good market for people who can go into training. 
   
   My Masters is in Liberal Studies - I picked that one because it appealed to me. It's not hugely marketable on its own, however, many universities are now requiring interdisciplinary courses for all students, so advanced degrees in Liberal Studies or Interdisciplinary Studies are becoming very marketable. This may differ where you are, but possibly not.  Accreditation bodies are recognizing the need to emphasize critical thinking and the ability to integrate multiple disciplines.
   
   As for teaching at the college/university level - it's difficult to get on without a PhD (especially full-time). Adjuncts are used more and more often, but they're only part-time gigs and of course don't come with health benefits.  For me, it's the perfect job - I did not want to work full-time, and I already have good healthcare.  My school does give us a tuition benefit, thought, and I'm in another graduate program now - just for fun. 
   
   Best of luck!

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      cfinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Marcy. I am working at the University of Wisconsin currently. It makes more sense for me though, to study through a University in Ireland, while abroad due to the difference in tuition and fees. I would be looking at completing my research at the facilities here and meeting my adviser in Ireland. I also have access to the facilities at UW including the libraries. My overall goal is to land a job in the University back home when I can. My whole family miss Ireland, but moving back seems out of reach. I'm hoping the masters will open that door.
      
      Your advice is to pursue a masters in international business may be a wise one. The topic could potentially lead to something i am passionate for. I love working at the University, and would make a very good professor, but the commitment needed seems massive. I do have a question for you regarding how you landed your teaching job? Universities are so tight with hiring it almost seems like a lottery sometimes. I am chairing a search and screen committee and it really can be "who you know" sometimes.
      
      My mind is full of fear and all my passions seem like dead ends
      
      Note: I just read you bio and you have magnificent experience. You have literally covered all of the industries I have worked in, but your experience eclipsing mine in all respects. I have a lot of respect for you.

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         Marcy Goodfleischposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Hi, cfin - thanks for your kind words.  I may have more experience, but I am also at a different stage in life (translate that to mean 'a bit older than you' - LOL!).
         
         First - have you considered getting your masters through an online program? I teach at Park University & we have an all online MBA program, and also have a new 'Global MBA' program that takes only one year -  I am not sure if that one is online yet or not, but I can check. We have an MPA program, too, and several others. I can give you more details on what I've heard about them if you send me a message.
         
         You can definitely complete the entire degree, no matter where you live in the world - we're one of the universities that works closely with the military. There's no out-of-state tuition or any other financial issue if you're in another country, etc. other than online courses cost a bit more than live ones (due to the courseware we have to pay to use), but that's the only difference.  I've had students all across the USA and in many other countries.  Since the courses are asynchronous, everyone still gets to participate well, but you don't have to show up at a certain time.
         
         Many major universities (the huge brick & mortar state universities, for example) do not have a good online presence yet. I worked at the U of Texas for a while, and they're way behind in that area & trying to catch up. Texas A&M is also behind. The reason is that those universities have historically had a resistance to distance education. But the Internet has changed that, so institutions that embraced distance learning are way ahead of the curve. My graduate program was through another distance program, and I teach live as well as online.
         
         From what you said, though, I don't think any USA distance-learning program can compete with your excellent tuition benefits in Ireland!
         
         Yes, adjunct teaching can be a 'who you know' thing - I was very lucky - my main thesis reader/advisor worked at Park & although she didn't say anything until the thesis was approved, she recruited me to teach there. I was floored - I had always thought it would be neat to teach at that level, but figured it was tough to get on. Park has a great history & is recognized nationally, but many haven't heard of it.
         
         It turns out that many universities don't advertise that much for adjuncts, so you can get in through referrals or just cold calling. I referred a writer colleague (we both wrote for the daily paper here) and she now teaches at the local campus. A friend of mine (with an MBA) sent her resume to all the local colleges & universities and got hired to teach one term at one of them.  I've taught regularly for several years now, and also got to develop a course, and I love it.  I won't get rich from it, but it's been a joy and it is fulfilling.
         
         If you send me a message, I'll be happy to share more information - you can tell I am a bit evangelistic about it, so I will not bore you any further here!

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   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   I also have an MBA , which I think is marketable, especially if you specialize in something. We have to take accounting and statistics, but most of the classes don't have to do with numbers.
   
   Another option for you is to get a Bachelor's in Accounting or to take whatever you need to get certified in that field.
   
   Edited - oops, you said you hate numbers.  Marketing, human resources, organizational management - behavior, economics, there are many offshoots in business.

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4. 75

   LeanManposted 9 years ago

   The MBA is the most marketable of the masters that you will be able to do that will actually aid your career. It can make a huge difference in your employability (if that is a word). It certainly made a huge difference in mine!

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   goutammagposted 9 years ago

   You got a degree in law & business and you work as an accountant and you wish to become a professor. This derivation ends in confusion and it shows your depression and frustration.
   First thing you need to do is to clear out the fog in your head and try to think clearly, not emotionally.
   You are 27, for you it is not feasible to enter a different field because this the age when you make money and start securing your and your family's future. So, do not even think about to jeopardize it. 
   To start something new and establish oneself in your age bracket with liabilities, is not possible. You can do that if you can sacrifice your family's future.
   It will not even help you to do a masters or PhD for entering academics. So forget about getting into that. However you do not even have the required experience to show your potential as a professor. Try to forget the professor position and focus on elevate your current position. To elevate your current position do whatever it requires to do. If you need to do a masters then surely go for it, but your future education should be focused on your current job profile. Do not wander from this department to that department. It will not help you. Focus on becoming master of the trade or alike trade with slight diversion, but not something like History or Philosophy. One thing you can add up is your foreign language skills, it 'll help you in long term.     
   You know your scopes better than anyone here. You need relax your mind and think practically and precisely.

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6. 0

   ahorsebackposted 9 years ago

   One of the biggest problems with the cost of education today in America ? Kids that don't know what they want  beginning higher education without majors , without a  well defined plan , without  a drive !   I would ask you this alone , What is you're passion ?  If you don't have one , you are simply wasting time , money and   so , a life . 
   I have met or known dozens  of young with whom  college education, which I could not afford ,  seems a game ,"Ohh , I don't know what I want to do  in life , I'm gonna take a year or two to  like ,see , you know ?"     So many people I went to high school with are nowhere near what they chose for a major ,  Find your passion , beg borrow or steal one , life is passing by !

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   1. 65

      cfinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I find your comment not only offensive but totally outside of the scope of my question. I am not American, I did not go to college in America. I have a passion for management, probably for academic department management, but also like to teach, as I already stated. In order to further my career, I need a masters so that the rich overlords can approve of me. I asked for assistance in what to do. I would also, on the side, like to be able to teach with that.
      
      I understand your perspective, but I disagree with it. Education is a lifelong process and I CAN work while earning a masters. The cost of education in America is also irrelevant as I would be studying at an Irish University online. Some of us do gain satisfaction from educating ourselves. It might be important for you to understand that before chiming in next time to run someone down.
      
      No, I am not a kid.
      No, I am not American,
      No, I did not enter higher education without a plan. It's called lack of opportunity and after a few years, the degree becomes worthless in it's field. Have you heard of the global financial crisis?
      No, I don't lack passion.
      No, College is not just for the young.
      No, I will not beg, borrow or steal as THAT is the problem with America.
      
      I work hard, I wish to educate myself further, and your comment couldn't be further from my truth.

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