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Should I go back to school for a second bachelors?

I am currently in engineering and I don't really think its for me. I wanted to try to get into a more creative career that has to do with writing, possibly journalism. I am wondering if it is worth it to go back to school for a second bachelor's, since I'm kind of switching drastically between fields.

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Doc’s Answer

Justin check the educational requirements of journalism as a master's, it may get you to your goal more quickly than a second Bachelor's degree would.

A master's will be better and advance your career, such as by earning a promotion or qualifying for more positions. A master's degree can also help you develop leadership and management skills to move into a senior-level role. Your master's degree will help you focus the specific specialization in journalism, which may be necessary to progress in the job market.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a master's degree you have the potential of earn about 16.3% more than those with only a bachelor's degree. A master's degree may also help you pay back student loans faster with the projected pay raise. Another thing yous should consider is college is expensive, and a double undergraduate major can leave you greater debt than earning a master's degree, which takes about the same amount of time or less.
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Martha’s Answer

Good for you, Justin, for looking for a better fit for yourself. To add / reiterate the good advice you have already received:
- People with technical knowledge who can also write are rare and valuable. So first see if you could do some kind of writing involving engineering, perhaps for your current employer. Product documentation may be too dry for you, but you could do marketing, write technical courses, or do internal communications. This approach would extend your tenure at your current employer (potentially more vacation time and contributions to savings) while giving you a chance to try out different writing roles. I have done several of these roles and was pleasantly surprised at how fun they could be.
- See if there are some online or local community college journalism courses you could take to test out your interest, build your background, and begin a portfolio. If you go local, your professor may have helpful connections.
- If you volunteer for any organizations, see if you could write promotional material or articles / social media for them. This would give you experience as well as perhaps samples for a portfolio.
- I agree with Kevin that, if anything, you would need a master's, not another bachelor's. But, as he said, better to get advice from people currently in the field.
Good luck!
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Jerome’s Answer

This can be a tough one. Switching fields and potentially adding to your debt can be a lot. I'd highly recommend maybe looking at a certificate program or looking for an internship opportunity. While a degree will help, it's the combination of a degree and experience that will truly benefit you. Be cautious as many are entering a workforce right now that is very difficult to find work in.
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Kevin P’s Answer

Hey Justin, first and foremost, hang in there. Engineering is an incredibly difficult degree and subsequently career to get into. It sounds like you’ve done pretty well so far.

Your current degree is the bedrock of so many sought after fields and masters degrees, have you thought about that?

All too often I see jobs in finance for example that list engineering degrees as a preferred undergrad.

A good friend of mine is a General Manager of a national newspaper and has a degree in journalism. During college we would discuss various paths and how to get there. He did not hire journalists based on their journalism degree. He hired them based on the interview, resume, and writing samples.

My suggestion, just so you have all the answers, find a school or two you’d like and then inquire about their masters program in journalism.

This could set you even further apart and start collecting your writing samples.

You are in a good field now, take your time.
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Clay’s Answer

In today’s competitive job market, continuous learning is key. Look for employers that offer tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits. This demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and can open doors to career advancement.
Supportive employers often provide flexible working arrangements, allowing you to balance work and studies. Additionally, companies with a strong culture of professional development offer resources like workshops, seminars, and mentorship, enhancing your educational journey.
If your current employer doesn't offer educational support, consider exploring opportunities with companies that do. Prioritize employers who value and invest in your growth, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.
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Kirsten’s Answer

To get another Bachelor's degree is a pricey endeavor; if money is no object, I say go for it! However, our existence is plagued with the expensive habit of having to pay rent and other bills. You should totally look into technical writing before returning back to school; there's a lot of money in it, and your knowledge is quite valuable having been an engineering student!
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