<p>Aargh! A degree is of as much value as you place on it. (long reply- sorry)</p>
<p>Financially, a degree at all in the current financial climate coupled with rising tuition fees isn’t financially worth it. It simply doesn’t give the social mobility it used to. The poorer you are to begin with, you’re less likely to get the return on investment.</p>
<p>Think positively. Not without a criticism though. Just with more imagination and optimism. You’ve spent the money so its too late to mope now :)</p>
<p>Firstly, what do you want to do with your life? What would you do if money wasn’t a problem? Go into business? Help people? Do sports? Travel? What are your hobbies? You don’t need to pin down a career. Just an area to point you in one direction. Life happens and you will probably have a number of careers not always in the same field. Relax. See it as freeing. Not scary. </p>
<p>Re: the Spanish Lit. Your average Mexican immigrant (or any other central or south American newcomer) doesn’t have the knowledge of literature from a diverse range of countries with the historical and linguistic perspectives that you have. So many would love your level of education. You’ve learned more than just speaking a language. And Hispanic and Iberian culture doesn’t suddenly end at the Panama canal…</p>
<p>Re: the biology. By necessity, there’s a lot of rote learning as you simply need to have the knowledge in order to use it to solve problems and be inventive. You’re like a scientific toddler right now. The method is scientific. Have you applied this knowledge practically yourself? Have you done many lab classes? Have you taken as many lab classes and independent projects as you could if you want to get beyond the text books? Maybe get involved with local ecological projects and research as voluntary work. Who knows where it might lead. </p>
<p>The extra year of study won’t be worth it if you’re throwing money in the hope it’ll be an investment. You’d have to adore chemistry to make it even partially worthwhile. </p>
<p>Okay, so what can you do positively with the degree you’re about to get? </p>
<p>Firstly, for some jobs, a degree- any degree is a real help. Law Enforcement. Teaching- from K-12. Here’s a job where your combination would make you far more employable. Depending on your state, you might be able to learn while you earn. The insurance industry. Health care administration. Jobs in transportation. Or start your own business. Publishing or non-profit work are also options. Don’t be too ‘sniffy’ about certain areas. My sister works as a railway ticket person/guard after starting as an office temp. She didn’t go to college and earns as much as a teacher. She wants to become a train driver when she’ll earn more than a teacher. And she loves it…</p>
<p>More ‘off the wall’ ideas you could consider- peace corp, teaching English at home or abroad, doing something to improve the levels of education in Spanish speaking countries (perhaps with an emphasis on science). Ever visited Spain or Equatorial Guinea? Yes, these will require saving up for but could help give you motivation if you end up in Starbucks. Give yourself a shake down. Learn to love the subjects again. And it doesn’t matter if you don’t directly use them in your career at all.</p>