Is 2nd Bachelor's dumb idea?

[Q]

I just recently graduated a few months ago from a good university with a B.S. in a business degree. Like most graduates these days, I'm having trouble finding a job in the field I want (pretty much anything not sales). There are positions, but all require various degrees of experience that a 22 year old doesn't have. I apply regardless, but have been thinking about my future.

I do have a job, but it requires no degree and is frankly an embarrassing pay for a college graduate.

Regardless, I've always wanted a CS degree and have been heavily considering going back to attain a 2nd Bachelor's in either CS or CIS. Either would be a B.A so that I can graduate in 2 years (I have almost all gen eds / prereqs done).

I also have been thinking about an MBA, but for the same money and time (unless I go to a 1 year program), I could get my CS degree.

I personally want the CS degree more, but a weird part of me feels like an idiot going back since I should have just majored in it when I was in school --- in other words I feel like I wasted my time and money getting the business degree.

What do you all suggest? I keep going back and forth on the issue and I need some thoughts from others.

Update:
First off, thanks everyone for your individual inputs. I greatly appreciate the answers and really took the time to think things over.

I do agree now that going back is probably not the best idea. I DO have an interest in CS, and am not just looking for a well paying job. What some have suggested is to study/learn some software/'languages' to eventually become a business analyst, which is something that sounds what I'd like to do -- SQL, SAP, etc.

Now I just have to find some good resources to study in my free time. I will eventually have to be certified, but I'll come to that crossroad later. Any suggestions on the best way to get started on the learning process, say with SQL?

 

[sjwaste]

If you have a business degree, you're as marketable as anyone out there on paper. There are very few degrees that could pad up your resume without any experience, but CS, Math, or Engineering would be those that could be helpful.

The real question is, what do you want to do? For instance, I know of a position that may be opening up that is business-focused but requires some technical skills (data analysis and SAS). If you can give me an idea of what you want to do and whether you would like to live in Northern New England, drop me a pm.

 

[zinfamous]

business degree...so you sound like 90% of the other grads of the last decade that went to school for the purpose of not learning anything.

but yeah, definitely go for a second degree in something more specific, whatever it is you look to do or seriously see yourself doing. And if you're already preparing yourself for 2 more years, why not take some undergrad req classes and look into a good Masters program or opt for a professional degree of some sort?

I like the idea of going back to school, of course, but it seems to me that spending a few more years to get another bachelor's is a bit of a waste when you could just as easily get a Masters or equivalent for roughly the same time investment.


Also, what is "embarrassing pay for a college graduate?" If you're one of those recent grads that feels entitled to $40k+ simply for the honor of graduating college...then you have a lot to learn.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Does a CS degree really help much more than being able to state competency in some programming languages on your resume and having some certs?

 

[HAL9000]

I think you'd probably be better getting your MA

 

[96Firebird]

So what were you originally going to college to study for? Half of my engineering class switched to business because engineering was too hard, I assume it was the same for you?

In your shoes, I would go for the MBA.

 

[bhanson]

I haven't applied to grad school so I'm not sure of all the details, but I know some people get a masters degree in a field that had nothing to do with their bachelors. Perhaps this might be an option?

 

[sjwaste]

business degree...so you sound like 90% of the other grads of the last decade that went to school for the purpose of not learning anything.

The business curriculum at a good school can provide you with a really marketable set of skills. Yes, it's possible to skate by, but like any other degree, the educational opportunity is what you make of it.

I have a bachelor of business admin in economics, and the degree has always kept me very marketable. I also have a law degree and am admitted in two states, but that is a much slower job market. I'd be screwed if it weren't for my business degree right now.

 

[*kjm]

I've always told everyone if you have 2 associates degrees, two BS degrees ect.you only have one go for the next. The only thing to remember the higher you go the harder to find the job.

 

[Gibson486]

If you got a business degree, chances are that you did not want to sit in a seat all day and code. I think a math degree would suit much better (although, it will not open that much more doors unless you are in finance)....but I think a masters in finance or accounting would look even better.

 

[Gibson486]

I've always told everyone if you have 2 associates degrees, two BS degrees ect.you only have one go for the next. The only thing to remember the higher you go the harder to find the job.

I have no idea what you just said....but having a 1 BS opens more jobs than an 2 associates degrees.

 

[sjwaste]

Does a CS degree really help much more than being able to state competency in some programming languages on your resume and having some certs?

Yep. CS is not a degree in programming. It's a degree in analytic thought and problem solving. A lot like a business degree if you majorin economics, finance, QFIN, etc. I'd recommend the CS for someone majoring in a soft business major like management or marketing to show employers that you can also do some math or hard analysis.

 

[nanette1985]

My original degrees were in music. My second BS/MS was in CS. I got them because my then-employer paid for them, and it was a hefty pay increase. Nobody else has ever cared about those degrees - all my jobs cared about was programming experience. Then again, it was a while ago; I'm not looking for an entry level job these days

Just my opinion - In today's market I think you're better off finding a job, any job, and working the heck out of it. Job experience matters. As you've discovered, degrees don't always matter as much.

 

[*kjm]

I have no idea what you just said....but having a 1 BS opens more jobs than an 2 associates degrees.

Ah yep thats what I was saying..... take your time and read it. Two of a lower is not better than a higher just know if you go to high job hunting gets hard.

 

[dank69]

Came in expecting tales of hookers and blow.
Leaving dissappointed.

 

[Skillet49]

You should think about what you want to do and get the appropriate degree. I personally would recommend taking some prerequisites and then going for your Master's instead of a 2nd Bachelor's. The only time getting a 2nd Bachelor's makes sense IMO is if you are going into a field where you are screwed if you have no experience and a Master's (like teaching at a high school or something).

Edit: Although if you just graduated in May, I would maybe consider waiting until the fall to go back to school if you don't find something. It's a tough job market so I don't think new grads should expect that they will get a new job quickly. I graduated with my master's in 2010 and got a job a few weeks after graduation (very lucky - most of my classmates didn't). It took some of my classmates 8 months to find a job. I had to quit my job because my fiance got a job offer 1000 miles from where we lived and I have been looking for the past 2 1/2 months for work. I have only found an on-call job so far (I'm not in business btw) and while I would prefer to get a full-time job in my field, I realize that it might be a little unrealistic with 1 year post-grad experience and if I have to work at the grocery store and volunteer somewhere to stay in my field, so be it.

In the meantime while you are waiting for positions, I would recommend trying to network with people in your field.

 

[gophins72]

If you can get into a top school, go for the MBA. Otherwise, i'm not sure what to do other than to keep looking for a job. If you like CS, then get a CS degree and forget business for now, but it seems like a career change. Skillet49 seems to hit the nail on the head w/his advice.

 

[Slew Foot]

A second bachelors party is a great idea, a second degree makes it seem like you dont know what youre doing.

 

[Farang]

There are plenty of software engineers with backgrounds outside of CS. If you are interested in becoming a developer, I would start becoming one first and go back to school later. Take continuing education courses but hold off on the second B.S. until you find you really need it.

In terms of getting a job, education is a distant second to experience. You can get the experience yourself, especially when it comes to software. Just start doing it.

If you'd like some continuity from your education to your career, get involved in business intelligence. Study SQL development, get certified, and get an entry level job in that area.

feel free to PM me for more info, I am a recruiter in the software industry

 

[edro]

If you are competent in CS, just list it on your resume.
I would not get a CS degree if you already have a bachelors in business.
Having a CS degree is not going to magically make companies hire you.

 

[Numenorean]

If CS/CIS degree at your school is a BA and not a BS they are doing something wrong.

Are you sure it wouldn't be a B.S.B.A with a concentration?

 

[Bignate603]

My original degrees were in music. My second BS/MS was in CS. I got them because my then-employer paid for them, and it was a hefty pay increase. Nobody else has ever cared about those degrees - all my jobs cared about was programming experience. Then again, it was a while ago; I'm not looking for an entry level job these days

For the entry level stuff they know you don't have experience so they want to see that degree. It's sort of a catch 22, once you have the experience no one cares about the degree but you can't usually get into a job to get the experience without a degree.

 

[TalonStrike]

Wow dude, you sound exactly like me after I finished my useless bachelors degree. You should go for a degree in CS.

 

[TalonStrike]

Does a CS degree really help much more than being able to state competency in some programming languages on your resume and having some certs?

Yes. A lot of places want that degree, and will list it as a requirement.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's the hard part about trying to find a job out of college. Everyone wants like 5-10 years of experience. How do they expect people to even get experience if they all require this? I kinda got lucky with my job, as I had worked there during the summer as student so I got some experience.

I'd say, just keep trying to apply to different places and you may get lucky. More school is only going to cost you more money and time. With your spare time while you wait for call backs, you could try to make money on the side too. Some kind of web based service or something.