<p>I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I need some advice because I'm unsure if my degree is even worth pursing anymore at the point. </p>
<p>Some background: I've always been a very strong student... I kept a 4.0 GPA for the first 3 semesters of college. Originally, I started at a US top 20 university, but then I realized that 42k a year for a sociology degree was not worth it and transferred to a state school instead. Now I have 2 semesters left before I graduate, but I'm having second thoughts about putting in another year for this degree...</p>
<p>The majority of students who invest in higher education view it as worthwhile because they believe that once they graduate they will be able to earn a significantly higher income with their degree or be able to qualify for a wider range of jobs. But, in my case, I feel that a BA in Sociology I doesn't offer me those same opportunities. Sociology, for one, is not a very lucrative field... Most social work or human resource jobs consists of long hours and maybe a 30-40k salary. I've considered teaching, which would pay better, but that also requires a PhD and a lot more school. My friends always tell me that sociology majors often go into law, but I took a couple intro law classes and did not enjoy them. Finally, I've even entertained the idea of changing majors... but there's honestly no other subject that I would want to pursue. I've explored psych, polysci, anthro... but none of these majors catch my interest like sociology. </p>
<p>So my dilemma is this... for the past 2 years I have worked part-time at a very busy bar (3 shifts) and earn 40k+ a year. If I were to forgo my degree and commit to work full time, I could easily make 70-80k a year... which is already twice what I would expect to earn at an entry level job with my degree. My plan, if I were to drop out, would be to work for a couple years and save up enough money to open up a bar of my own. I feel like if this is my goal, then my degree would serve no purpose, and spending another year in school would be costing me $80k that I could be potentially earning if I were not enrolled. But at the same time, I only have a year left? What do you guys think I should do? </p>
<p>I have a friend who got his BA and MA in sociology from Brown, and ended up opening a restaurant... so I feel like that's more proof that this degree would do me little good. Please! I need advice. The last day to drop classes is this Friday, so I need to make a decision soon. Thank you in advance for any input!</p>
<p>My first piece of advice to you is to finish your sociology degree. Keep your job at the bar, and after you graduate, work full-time while you figure things out. Your work experience clearly points to a possible career in the hospitality industry, so I would encourage you to explore options in that field. DON’T embark on any entrepreneurial pursuits until you’re absolutely sure that you have enough money to pay for the basic necessities for a few years, as these ventures often fail. As for the Brown friend, if his restaurant is thriving, it is probably because he has a trail of business-related experience and several contacts- if this is true, then he is the exception and not the rule.</p>
<p>I’m also curious as to what your ultimate life goals are.</p>
<p>Well I know for certain if I drop out I can and will be able to earn a steady income. 80-90k a year is considered well off for where I live. I’d want to travel, explore the arts, pursue all the things that I used to love and gave up on for my education and this miserable one-way ticket down academia. I am so unhappy with school and classes, even though I am doing very well in all of them this semester. The only reason I feel like I’m even in schools now is because I’ve come this far and to just give up on my degree seems like a shame… but at the same time, the idea of enduring even one more semester of school makes me feel like punching myself in the face for wasting my life and time that I will never get back on a degree that I dont feel like I even need.</p>
<p>Money isn’t everything. That’s why I want to get my degree at the age of 42 - I’ve spent my life doing unfulfilling, unsatisfying jobs. The paycheck is not enough to justify throwing that many hours of my life away every day of every year.</p>
<p>Get your degree. The degree alone, regardless of major, gives you more options. You can always go for a Masters later when you decide what you want to do. Or talk to the guidance counselor about changing majors. You sound like you want to start a business - have you thought about a Business Masters or major?</p>
<p>Hang in there. Don’t throw away the hard work you’ve already put in to this. Any degree is better than no degree and you can continue your education when you know what you want.</p>
<p>Question: “Now I have 2 semesters left before I graduate, but I’m having second thoughts about putting in another year for this degree…”</p>
<p>I would like to chime in: For another year, you would get a basic education, college degree. It may seem not necessary for you since you are tending the bar, nite life, etc. But, what happens if the bar is closed?..would you like to flip burgers?..</p>
<p>I would suggest that you finish your college by going part-time (2 classes per semester) while tending the bar, etc.</p>
<p>Also, perhaps you may think about doing computer stuff like networking, programming?..I dont know if you like it, but give it a try. Start with A+, N+, Cisco Certification or Microsoft Certification, etc.</p>
<p>Well, I am doing Physics/Mechanical Eng, dual degree and for spare time like hobby, I started tinkering with computer and learning A+ for personal growth or fall back just in case the money is not good with my ME/Physics degrees.</p>
<p>Just my two cents and hopefully will help you to sort things out of your confusion.</p>
<p>Finish the degree. You can go work at the bar full time afterwords, but I would suggest you finish the degree first. After college, you may find the perfect job for you fall into your arms. If you were in college for the money though, why did you choose Sociology?</p>
<p>I can’t speak for OP, but I myself would feel a bit discouraged if the dream job that requires a Bachelors (or more likely, a Masters) had a starting salary that was (a) less than half the salary of a job I currently hold, and (b) was less than the college tuition it took to pay for said degree.</p>
<p>However, that being said, getting a degree is almost expected to land even high school level jobs nowadays. My parents are told me of a cleaning company they worked for that now requires applicants to have some college education to apply for custodial work. It’s degree inflation. More people got to college to obtain the benefits (higher wages, economic security…) However, there are clearly not enough jobs to warrant the number of college graduates. Menial/ entry level jobs, therefore, can be more choosy and have a college degree requirement. The bar dawgluvr works for may not have said policy. But they can always implement it in the future. Guess which employees would get canned first in that case? Plus bars can lose business, eventually close etc. In which case having ANY degree would help in finding some job, even if it’s minimum wage.</p>
<p>Long story short: it really sucks if you don’t get your dream job and have to stay at the bar or something similar, but you’re much better off with one than without. Think of it like this: you can get your BA, save some money while working at the bar, and eventually get your Master’s, if that is your passion in life.</p>
<p>Suck it up and get the degree. I know few people who are doing anything related to their undergraduate major 30 years later. A wise person once told me that undergraduate school is where you learn how to think, and nothing more than that. Graduate school and/or real work experience is where you actually learn to do anything. </p>
<p>Yes, you could perhaps earn more money in the short run but I guarantee you will regret not finishing.</p>
<p>1 Year to get a degree in a subject that genuinely interests you is not a bad investment at all. You may never use it or you may eventually choose to go back to it, but no matter what, at least you’ll have the option and security in knowing its there for you.</p>
<p>And not to be pessimistic, but I wouldn’t count on definitely opening a successful bar. And I personally wouldn’t want to work in a bar all my life anyway.</p>
<p>Omg get the degree! Of course. I could see if you were in your first year of college, were a lousy students and were making good money. But you are a good student who is almost done. Just finish. It is one year of your life. If you want to be done with education forever, then in one year you are done. You know, you don’t have to pursue a masters in the same field you earned a bachelors in. You can earn a BA in Sociology and pursue an MBA. Hell, even a law degree doesn’t ask that you earn a specific bachelors. My point being is that you are not stuck. But you could be later in life, you might regret it later. I dropped out when I was 21 I am now 33 and finishing my second year…again. In between, I was the national sales administrator for a multi-million dollar corporation making very good money. The VP would always say, " go get a degree. I don’t care if its in women’s studies, just go get a degree". When I was laid off and couldn’t find work I opted to get the degree. The degree will give you something to fallback on. Finish.</p>