My name is Andrew. I have a Bachelor’s degree in General Business Administration. When I graduated I did not have a minor or a concentration. I started off at LSUE then transferred to McNeese. While I was at LSUE I was in a year long remedial program which causes you to stay in school longer. Not only that I changed my major from Healthcare Management to Business Administration. When I transferred I could not use all of my credits. In 2019 I returned to LSUE and got a Certificate of Technical Studies in Human Resource Management because I was one class off. The certificate would act as my focus because business administration is a broad field. I was wondering if I did the right thing? I was thinking about going back to school for a 6 month welding program. While I am in there I was going to see if I could use those extra classes I have to earn another credential if I am only a few classes off. What do you think? Did I mess up by not getting a minor. I would have had to prolong my graduation.
Congrats on your degree.
What is your goal in life ? If it’s to be a welder, then great to get a welding certificate.
Otherwise you need to find employment. What is your goal - HR?
Have you had a job before or internship ?
Getting a degree is not enough. One needed internship or other work experience as well. A minor would not impact that statement.
Perhaps you can find an internship now or entry job in HR or another field. Use the job search engine indeed for listings. Are you open to relocate, etc?
Go to your school’s career center. Ask them to assist you to ensure your resume is complete. They may be able to connect you with alums in areas of interest. Or local organizations that are hiring or seeking students. Or get into an organization that is rapidly hiring….retail for example. You may be able to grow into corporate jobs, by for example, starting at Wal Mart. Or target local non profits, who don’t necessarily pay exceptionally well but they provide wonderful experience. My nephew got an accounting degree but did nothing outside of class so no one hired him. He ended by working for a local Lutheran organization and gained great experience and a paycheck.
The job market is exceptional now. But you need a plan. To me that starts with…what am I looking for ?
If it’s to weld than great. Pursue that. If you’re just running away from what your goals because you feel your degree is useless…then attack the issue. Your degree is not useless. But rather you possibly didn’t complete the steps needed beyond your degree and you need a plan to do so now.
Good luck.
I think there are several things at play here.
It sounds like you went in as a freshman not really knowing what you wanted to major in, just like a lot of freshmen. You switched schools, changed majors, switched again, and graduated. Business Administration is a broad unfocused degree, and without internships and career guidance from a university’s career advisors it could leave a graduate floundering in the job market.
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If you live near Eunice LA, that job market is probably not the greatest for a new Business Admin graduate with no internships, no connections, and no idea for how to get his first meaningful job.
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It sounds like you received your bachelor’s degree a few years ago. Maybe 2018? Then returned to LSUE for a certificate. It appears the certificate didn’t help you land a job in BusAdmin?
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Right now, you’re probably working a job you’re unhappy with, repaying student loans, and looking for a better paying job that could become a career. You’d be happy if that could be a starting job in a true Business atmosphere, or as a welder - welding is a good-paying job and a good match for people who enjoy the work. You think it could be a match for you.
If all of that is sort of correct, my ideas/comments are…
A) DO NOT GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR ANOTHER CERTIFICATE. The first certificate cost money and time, yet apparently did nothing for your employment options. If you want to go back, enroll in a Master’s degree program that you’re certain will end up with a job offer. You need to investigate the schools you might attend, research the outcomes of their graduates, and ensure the school has adequate career advising for your subject. Also, you’ll have to ensure you can afford to return to school for a couple more years, and in a perfect world you wouldn’t attempt this while also working a full time job.
B) If attempting a Master’s Degree as a full-time student is unrealistic/unlikely for you right now, there is merit in pursuing the welding opportunity. There is great demand for that job, you’ll earn good pay, and the job market for that skill will allow you some mobility if you decide to move around from state to state. But fit is key for a job like this - make sure you enjoy the work before you pursue the career. After a few years, you might eventually combine your welding career with your Business degree, and either move up into management or open your own welding business.
C) If you really want to make a full gusto attempt in the Business Administration job market but going back for a Master’s is not going to happen, you need to approach this will all your wits, energy and focus. If you live in a small(er) town, move to a bigger city. Polish your resume, then ask others you trust to review it and make sure everything is right - hopefully, you have something to list for taking up your time since you received your degree. Use every resource you can find to apply for entry-level jobs. You should apply to dozens every day, in every city within 3-4 hour’s drive.
D) Continue to do what you’ve been doing the past couple of years.
I did have a 3 month HR internship. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in 2012.
What have you done the last ten years ?
Was that internship during your 2019 certificate class time, or prior to your 2012 graduation? If during your 2019 class time, did the internship go well and end well? Did you apply to that company for a job after you attained your certification? If not, were the jobs you had since that time related to the sort of work you did at the internship?
If you have never worked in a job related to your major/certification (except for the brief internship) and several years have passed since your graduation, jobs (hiring managers) may rely more on your work history than your degree.
If you haven’t worked in the field of your degree/internship, it sounds like that welding class might be a good option. I wouldn’t bother with taking non-welding classes to try to get another certification. If you enroll with the intent to get a welding job, focus on welding classes.
I worked various jobs. I worked as a substitute teacher, auto parts specialist, manager trainee at a loan company, teller at a credit union, assistant manager at a rim and tire shop, counselor, stocker/ truck unloader support manager with Walmart.
What’s been the issue in regards to tenure. Is it pay, disinterest or otherwise ? If you’ve been out ten years then perhaps a retraining of skills is in order. But not necessarily an add on to a degree.
You need to have a path b4 simply taking on more school. If you can see the path of welder, it’s assured, it interests you abd you can earn the living you need, that’s fine.
If it doesn’t interest you what does, etc. coding, software ? The local CCs may have different job retraining categories.
Is the issue location ? Are you moveable. The job market is fantastic so there are definitely opportunities but maybe not exactly where you are …which is New Orleans.
I did my HR internship last year. My friend has a credit repair company so he let me do a private internship with him. He wanted to keep me on full time, but his company is an independent contractor company no benefits. Besides I wanted to go back to school and retain my job at Walmart to keep my benefits. Plus I am always busy in the mornings before work and on my off days helping out friends and family. I did not like most of my previous jobs. My internship was great and it ended on a good note.