Second Bachelors

i had said the cost would be about $14k, though. that is the cost of tuition without living expenses. this was said to be too much, i thought, from the prior posts people had made.
($10k from university 1 + $14k for second bachelors = $24k)

i’m sorry, but i’ve been asking so many people about this on different websites, and it is stressing me out so much, i’m really struggling to make an intelligent and informed decision. i’m not trying to start any arguments.

i greatly appreciated your advice! please keep the comments coming.

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just because i will be living at home, you change your opinion?

this school has a BS in CS and a masters in CS and one in software engineering that i had been considering until people convinced me that i would not be prepared for the masters.

i have medicaid for insurance.


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Yes and no. I changed my opinion because I thought that you had considered the masters at your local school because it didn’t have a bachelors. So, I was thinking that you’d have to “go away” to school to do a 2nd bachelors. So, I was suggesting that you get the basics (math and CS) at a local CC and THEN do the masters.

But…now that I understand that your local school ALSO has a bachelors CS program, and you can live at home, it’s more affordable.

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as far as getting a job, i have applied a bunch of places with no luck. it must be either due to my degree, or my criminal record. i don’t know if the perform background checks at the first stages of applying, but if so, i guess that must be what it is; because, other than that, i don’t know why i can’t find a job unless like i said they just don’t like my major


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Wait!!! What?? CRIMINAL RECORD? Are you joking or serious??? What criminal record? What crime(s)?

If you do have a criminal record, that can change a LOT in regards to your plan of earning $70k per year upon graduation. There’s a whole bunch of tech companies that will not hire someone with a criminal record.

Are you joking or serious? If serious, what was the crime? Or crimes?

—>it took my almost 5 years (took some time off) to finish my associates at the cc. i’m turning 26 in a —>few weeks… that means i’m almost 30. i’m not going back to the community college!

Do you turn into a pumpkin at 30? For the record, I have a BS and I’m going back to CC for essentially an AA because I can get a good job with that AA but not my BS. Oh and I’m 45.

Everyone is giving you solid advice based on the amount of information you had provided at the time they replied.

—> i have three associates. not to mention, i know everything they would teach me already.

You’ve completed the CS classes that BS in CS students would normally have taken in their first 2 years? Or you just know that info?

First I think some of us would like to know if the “criminal record” remark is REAL or a JOKE.

Not asking to be judgmental. Asking because if you have a “criminal record,” then that will affect your job prospects…even with a CS degree.

If you think that no one is hiring you now for the most basic jobs because of a criminal record…you will really freak out once you’ve put in at least 2 more years and you can’t get hired at all, or you can only get hired at a much lower salary than you’re expecting.

Please clarify, because our advice will change (again) if you have a serious criminal record.

that said… @flatkansas is right…you haven’t taken all of the lower division CS and math classes yet, so how can you say that a CC has nothing left to teach you. You’ve said that the only CS class you’ve taken is some Intro to Java class. Surely, the CC has OTHER CS classes…right?

But, please answer the criminal record question first.

My dd is a software engineer.

She had to go through a security clearance to be allowed and able to work on contracts. She did not start at $70K. (They can’t pay you at that rate if you haven’t received your clearance.)
If you do have a criminal record, this will significantly impact your employment in most corporate firms.

My DH is an engineer. Many of his jobs are with government agencies (e.g. The VA). He has to go through an annual security check. Finger prints, and background check. Very year…to update his credential for these jobs.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-confidential-cafe/1817272-second-bachelors.html#latest

This thread OP explains the OPs previous college situation better.

You are a graduate of UNC-CH. have you used their career placement office at all to gain if rotation about potential jobs?

You live in Greenville, where there are tons of companies. What kinds of jobs are you seeking? Maybe you need to look at more entry level jobs than what you have been applying for.

Ok…I think I understand more of what’s going on.

You don’t feel like you’ve achieved what you believe that you should have achieved. You’re having a LOT of trouble finding employment with your current degree. And, if you’re not joking about the criminal issue, then maybe a CS degree is the answer, if that interests you.

However, if you do have a criminal record, I don’t know what type of record would still be “ok” for some tech employers. Anyone know?

I’m guessing that any sort of theft or assault records would be an issue. What about minor drug charges?

“However, if you do have a criminal record, I don’t know what type of record would still be “ok” for some tech employers. Anyone know?”

Minor drug offenses (pot). But not at any defense contractor or ITAR-restricted workplace.

“Maybe you need to look at more entry level jobs than what you have been applying for.”

all the jobs i find require experience in the field.

Then you are looking in the wrong places. Every company has entry level positions.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/eligibility/criminal-convictions#drug-convictions

I would suggest you read the above link. A criminal conviction might affect your ability to get any federally funded aid.

@hcharrington You came back and posted, but didn’t answer the most important issue that has popped up in this thread.

Uptread, you dropped a bombshell. For the past couple days, you’ve complained that your choice of degree is the reason why you’re unemployed.

THEN, a couple days later, you write:


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as far as getting a job, i have applied a bunch of places with no luck. it must be either due to my degree, or my criminal record. i don't know if the perform background checks at the first stages of applying, but if so, i guess that must be what it is; because, other than that, i don't know why i can't find a job unless like i said they just don't like my major.

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Why have you been blaming your degree when it’s almost certainly your “criminal record” that is keeping you from getting interviews or job offers???

What is the level of your criminal record?

I’m not “being nosy.” This is important info. If the crime is so serious that virtually no company would hire you, even with a CS degree, then it’s silly to borrow more and have that debt hanging over you.

Please explain how serious your criminal record is.

i don’t think i have access to UNC’s career services anymore. i think they only provide those for up to 6 months after graduation.

Where would you suggest looking for entry level jobs? I’ve tried monster.com, and some local sites.

i don’t care to share about my criminal record. at this point, i don’t care about debt, i just want to be educated.

so say what you want.

what am i suppose to just give up and go live on the streets?

how do you know its my record that preventing me from getting jobs? they don’t run your background as soon as you submit an application, right? isn’t it further down the process before they do that?

Ok, well at least you’ve clarified that you weren’t kidding.

You ARE educated. You got an education from one of the top univs in the US…UNC Chapel Hill. I suspect that your criminal record has interfered with your ability to get a job.

You have student loans from undergrad. Were any of those loans approved AFTER your conviction? If not, then it’s unknown whether you will be awarded any more student loans.

No, you shouldn’t give up and live on the streets.

If you can get a student loan, then maybe your record is low-level and future employers will over-look. We don’t know since we don’t know what the issue was.

If you’re determined to get a CS degree, then good luck…but consider spending at least one more semester at a CC so that you can take a few more 200 level courses (Discrete math, Stats, etc) at a low cost.

While they may not run your background check as soon as you submit your app, i can’t think of any employer that doesn’t ask if you have a record or any pending charges on the application itself…which unfortunately could deter you from getting a job…

^ yes, the question itself can put your app at the bottom of the pile…you’d have to specifically look for jobs that are known to be more lenient in that aspect

Try applying to McDonald’s. Many of the employees my son worked with at our local McDonald’s had recently done time in prison.

Don’t you live with your parents?