Need your guys help/advice

[FoxGT]

So yeah. Seems like once a year, every year since going to college I seem to have this period of WTF am I doing with my life?

Well it seems to be back again this year, only worse. I have constantly been contemplating what I'm doing at school is something that I actually want to do. And although I enjoy what Im studying now, I seriously doubt it is something that I want as a career, I just don't have the interest or dedication that a career in this field would require.

I guess it would help to elaborate on what Im actually doing in school right now. I am currently in the middle of my third year towards recieving a BA in Art with a concentration in Animation. The focus of this program is primarily 3D modelling for movies/video games and is something that I am interested in (Im a videogame addict). However, I just don't have the interest to really pursue a career, and my greatest fear is graduating and not using my degree ever. Thus wasting all the money my parents put into my education.

It has always been my dream to eventually own my own business, and my main area of interest would be in the car business, starting with car audio and expanding that based on success/interest. Obviously my best option to pursue something like this would be a degree in small business management / entrepreneurial management and getting certified as an MECP installer.

So my debate currently is this....transfer to a state university close to home, pray that I get most of my credits minus whatever business credits that I need, and get a degree in business management. Find time either over the summer or part time to get certified (there is a school in boston) and spend most of my extra time working to help pay off my car (and finance my mod bug). Either that or suck it up, and finish my degree here knowing that most likely I will never use it.

The only thing stopping me from transferring is the guilt of losing all the progress I have made at northeastern, and wasting 3+ years of a $45k school. I think my first step is to contact my local college and see how many credits I can get to transfer, and take steps from there.

What do you guys think? Am I crazy? haha...let me know if this makes any sense, Im horrible at explaining stuff that is bugging me.

Thanks in advance

[Bu11dogg2]

I have 3 college degrees and all 3 of them have nothing to do with my career choice.

I know people who are 40 and have no clue what they want to do with there lives.

I say stick with what you got. Most places only require a 4 year degree and and dont car what it's in.

[FoxGT]

I have 3 college degrees and all 3 of them have nothing to do with my career choice.

I know people who are 40 and have no clue what they want to do with there lives.

I say stick with what you got. Most places only require a 4 year degree and and dont car what it's in.

true....but I feel like id just be wasting tons more money on something I dont care for.

My dad will prob be able to relate since he has yet to use his degree as well and has since gone back to school.

I just figure, I might try and transfer while most of my credits would be useable into a much more general degree that would cover almost anything that I plan to do in the future.

[TrickyDik]

I know this may sound odd but what you have to do is not care about getting a 4 year and then not using it, thus wasting the money and time spent on getting that degree. The field you get your degree in is not so much the focus, rather the focus is on that you put in the commitment to go out and further your education. That is what employers are looking at.

I know that inside you have this urge to work in a different field then what you're currently studying but I say stick with what you have so far. You only have a year and a half left to finish it so I say go for it and finish that degree.

Then when you are done with those 4 years you can go find a steady job some where, and if you feel like doing so, go back to school to get certifications for audio install, and take some business classes as well (contrary to popular belief, you do not need a business degree to start a business. All you really need is the drive and some basic classes to get you going and not make simple first mistakes that some first time business owners make).

Seriously, if I were you I'd focus on finishing the degree on hand, then get out and start earning some income and also try to go back in my off time to get the certifications for audio installation, and also take some basic courses here and there for business. No need to actually get the business degree but rather look for classes that you think are going to most help you in the business that you are looking to begin (i.e. audio installation).

The other good reason for doing this is that you'll always have something else to back up in case one path you chose to walk fails after a couple years.

Take me for instance. I have a 2 year degree in Criminal Justice. I'm currently 1.5 years left from finishing my enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard. I'm going back to school on-line to finish my degree. Then I plan to take the rest of what's left of my college money from the military and start work on another degree in another field that has some interest to me. Why would I do another degree? Well what happens if I get injured on the job (as a Police Officer which is what I plan to do) and I can't be on the street any more? Now all I have is 4 years military, a 4 year Criminal Justice degree and a butt load of bills with no way to pay them.

Diversify yourself just like you would do with investment money.

[Bu11dogg2]

I know this may sound odd but what you have to do is not care about getting a 4 year and then not using it, thus wasting the money and time spent on getting that degree. The field you get your degree in is not so much the focus, rather the focus is on that you put in the commitment to go out and further your education. That is what employers are looking at.

.


basically what I was getting at too~ok~

[GrassyKnoll]

over 75% of people working for big companies are in change of doing something unrelated to their college degree.

That being said, I started my college career as a CS major at Northeastern in Boston. I felt very much the same way that you did in that I didn't want to spend my career working with computers. I felt that Northeastern was very rigid in terms of what I was able to do with degree programs. They are very focused on a career-based education rather than focusing on the education aspect of it. I made the decision to transfer schools and I will be attending Connecticut College next year, a much smaller liberal arts / sciences-based college that I think is more focused on education than career-planning.

You are not alone :)

[FoxGT]

over 75% of people working for big companies are in change of doing something unrelated to their college degree.

That being said, I started my college career as a CS major at Northeastern in Boston. I felt very much the same way that you did in that I didn't want to spend my career working with computers. I felt that Northeastern was very rigid in terms of what I was able to do with degree programs. They are very focused on a career-based education rather than focusing on the education aspect of it. I made the decision to transfer schools and I will be attending Connecticut College next year, a much smaller liberal arts / sciences-based college that I think is more focused on education than career-planning.

You are not alone :)

yes, NU is a PIA when it comes to anything. Not only are they rigid in their form of education, but getting/finding help is damn near impossible. The points that you guys are making are valid, and I do appreciate them.

[muddy02]

finish what you got and get an MBA after. then go do whatever you want.

[lvethesnow]

im working on my degree. and i love my job. i get to jump out of planes, shoot all kinds of guns, rockets and missles theres more to it but its kinda hard to explain. and play video games~soldier~
my job is only like 2% of army jobs. pay is good, free medical and dental, they pay my rent, and food, cable and electric. been in 8 years june 1st.