Hi,
I was in similar situation not too long ago; I am your age, same UCLA background, different major but also non-engineering degree. UCLA BA degree is not very useful in the job market without technical background
so as I thought. But once I came to realize the importance of planning my post- undergrad. education on the aiming of a career focus, the name of UCLA really helped in the job market.
I think it is important you figure out what you want to do for career. At 28 (me too), we still have one more shot to change our career path, but beyond this point would not be pretty unless you are willing to be in school in your 40s. As you concerning future marketability after your 2nd degree in technical field, do you really want to be an engineer for career? What type of Engineering? Do you know what they do on daily basis? Are you familiar with the career developments in the engineering filed?
I am here to share with you my experience for you to take into consideration (as a FallenBruin that UCLA did not prepare us to work in todays economy other than Tech-major ppl). I have a degree in International Relations with Political Economics focus and some Accounting background from UCLA with the thoughts of going into Foreign Service after school, but changed my mind and couldnt find a job I wanted after UCLA. I worked at a small CPA firm after college and took a few courses in Accounting from CSULA to be able to sit for the CPA Exam. The network from CSULA landed me an opportunity working for a Fortune 500 companys Internal Auditing for a while, but currently between jobs.
I have done a lot of thinking, research, networking, and here is my conclusion:<br>
In the current and future economy, most people would not be able to be financially sound without some types of Technical background; but unless you only want to be a TECHNICIAN for the rest of your life, it may not be necessary to have a hard-core Engineering degree to get the job and life you want!!
Two types of people:
- Learning from those who are now rich and happy, they are mostly business people with solid understanding in the capability of current technology but not necessary people with tech. academic background, who are always looking for opportunities to apply what they know into business to make very good profit (multimillionaires or VP of Finance at Fortune 500 company as age of 29).
- As for friends of mine who are engineers with over $100,000/yr salary, they are mostly burdened with near half million housing loans, working more than 60 hrs/week and every weekend, good pay and great experience (working directly under NASA project), but dreaming to become a business person one day while clearly lacking management, communication, or people skills.
Which type of people do you rather be? Remember, that Engineer friend of mine started his career 10 years ago and is considered very successful in the field at his age (30 yrs. Old), are you confident to be as good as he to begin at age of 30 or 32 in 2013 economy? (We can pray that the market picks up quick, but what are the odds?)
I rather be the first type of people, so I am currently using my between jobs period to prepare for the CPA exam and likely will secure a job once get my license in the next four months. Once able to secure a job, I am planning to take courses from local universities either via extension or a part-time grad. program to ONLY take the courses I need to learn about IT Auditing (about two years), then get my license in CISA, CISSP, and CFF with that technical knowledge (but not necessarily degree program or background b/c they make you take useless courses to earn your tuition for two years more than what we need to know to pass the professional certifications). At that time, I would be 30 yrs old with solid background in both Financial/Accounting and IT Auditing/Security to be able to look into different industries and fields to accumulate experience to one day apply into my own business adventure.
The name of UCLA is only big if you make that looks nice on your resume; you can be satisfied with your career and life only if you try to look at things from different point of views. A degree is only a degree, having the tech. background can only make you a technician making money for others if you cannot apply that to create your own wealth. UCLA did not teach me how to get a job and have a financially sound career/life, but it taught us how to think and research, and to learn to be who we want to be. I would have double major in IR and Computer Science if I knew what I know now, but the moment has passed, I can only try getting the best out of what I can do now because everything happens for a reason.
Truly yours,
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