2nd Bachelor's or Master's?

Applying to College
1

I am hoping to receive some advice and insight for a unique and difficult situation. I am trying to decide whether to go back to school to get a second bachelor’s degree or a master’s in English.

I received my degree in women’s studies at UCLA a few years ago. However, post-graduate life has been an unpleasant combination of low wage, unskilled jobs and unemployment unfortunately. For these reasons, I’m hoping to go back to school to change my circumstances.

I’ve done some research and I already get the sense that it is an uphill battle for a second bachelor’s. I understand my choices are limited as many institutions (UCLA for example) do not accept students returning for a second degree. But I’m more than up for it as I’m looking to radically change my field of study. Or should I instead decide to pursue a masters in English without undergraduate preparation? A few schools I’ve looked into allow persons to apply, even without a BA in English, given that I take prerequisite courses. But I’m worried that I will not be sufficiently prepared to take courses at a masters level without an English degree. I’m also concerned about having a BA and MA in different fields and if this may actually be a hindrance in regards to employment.

Please post away. I’ve really no sources of support or knowledge for my situation. Is a BA or MA the smarter move?

2

English majors, even at graduate level, don’t fare any better in the job market than women’s studies majors. That just isn’t “radically different.” You need practical skills and certifications, depending on what you want to do. If you want to teach, look up requirements for teacher certification in your state. If you want to write, start writing and getting published and create an online portfolio. If you want to offer social media skills (sought after in many job ads) then build uo your social media following and skills. Take some free courses online to try out other areas of study that possibly are radically different to get more ideas. If you want to teach English as a foreign language, take a short program of a few weeks or months and get certified, and go in that direction. Some programs that offer that type of training have courses in other countries often with guaranteed employment upon completion. Don’t waste your time on another bachelor’s or master’s in liberal arts without a clear direction, when there are so many faster, cheaper, more reliable ways to prepare for the job market. Go read a bunch of job ads to see what employers are really looking for. If you come up with a degree program that fits the job market, then that would make more sense.