Degree?

Sensoria17 · Sep 12, 2007

I have a degree in sociology. I actually had a very difficult time figuring out what I really wanted to do and it took me a long time to finish school. Basically, I majored in sociology because I loved the subject material. The problem with sociology is that it doesn't specifically train you for anything other than to critically think. I had planned on going for my master's in social work but after looking hard at what was really important to me (financial security) I decided to go into nursing. My sister is an RN and she had a lot to do with encouraging me to go this route. A social worker with a master's (which is what you need if you want anything above $16) still only makes $50-60,000 a year here in the Bay Area and that's if you are a medical social worker (which tends to pay more). By the way, my prior experience was in collections and billing. I sucked at it.

I'll be 33 when I finish LVN school. At that point I will have been in school for all but the first 5 years of my life. I think that might make me certifiably insane!

Lovely_RN, MSN · Sep 12, 2007

My story is almost identical to Sensoria17's but I majored in communications instead of sociology.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2007

I don't have a college degree (yet), but my friend has a B.S. degree in public health that she earned in 2001 at a private university. With this particular degree, the only jobs she could land were lower-paying case management and social services positions. She never earned more than $25,000 per year from her public health degree.

This person earned her LPN licensure about 2 years ago, and now earns $40,000 yearly. In many cases, a license possesses more earning power than a degree, especially those lower-paying liberal arts majors (creative writing, fine arts, classics, human ecology, philosophy, sociology, literature, sculpture, etc).

sassiebaz · Sep 12, 2007

I don't have a college degree (yet), but my friend has a B.S. degree in public health that she earned in 2001 at a private university. With this particular degree, the only jobs she could land were lower-paying case management and social services positions. She never earned more than $25,000 per year from her public health degree.
This person earned her LPN licensure about 2 years ago, and now earns $40,000 yearly. In many cases, a license possesses more earning power than a degree, especially those lower-paying liberal arts majors (creative writing, fine arts, classics, human ecology, philosophy, sociology, literature, sculpture, etc).

Makes sense!

jmking · Sep 12, 2007

Aw...yes, I am an individual who has a useless college degree. It's a really expensive paper fluffer. I graduated in 2001 with a BA in art history. Bascially, I can give my prospective of Jackson Pollack and do a dressing change at the same time.

Jennifer LPN