Trying to decide between an AS or a Bachelor's degree (...

Connie12

Connie12

Cathlete
I'm hoping this educated crowd can help me decide what degree to pursue. I'm 33, single, no kids, and work for a company that will pay 90% of my tuiton if my classes relate to my job or potential positions with the company (I'm in hospitality). I, also, feel quite confident that I will qualify for some kind of federal aid.

My plan is to take classes at least half time, if not 3/4 time, and cut my hours at work down to 32 which will allow me to keep my benefits.

I adore college, and have done well in the past. I have an Associate's of General Studies so most of my gen ed requirements should be met if I go the Bachelor's degree route.

The problem is that I'm not really sure what I want to be if I grow up. I'd like to open my own healthy personal cook business here in SW FL one day, but I don't feel like I'm prepared to open and run my own business without furthering my education. I enjoy hospitality, but I'm not sure I want to major in it and then be stuck with it. I'm very interested in Environmental Studies, but am a little afraid of the course descriptions I've read. Science and math were my weaker subjects, but it's a BA not a BS so maybe I'm more afraid of the unknown. I care about the environment and would really like to do something productive in that vein.

Here are my degree options:
1. Assoc of Business- I could earn this degree in 3 semesters and the college is close to work and home.
2. BA Environmental Studies- this would take me at least 3 years to complete
3. BS is Resort and Hospitality Management, I could concentrate on Spa Management or Event Planning. It would take me a full 4 years to complete, and then I'm kinda stuck in hospitality. I'm not too excited about that...but down the road I could perhaps open my own spa and know what I'm doing.

I'm open to all opinions and perspectives...I really need some help with this big decision! :eek: :p

TIA,
Connie
 
Connie, off the top of my head my reply is to not get a degree in something you are not that exited about! Lots of time and money will be wasted, trust me. If you are passionate about the environment, I would go with that degree. If you love it the three years will fly by. Get established in that, and then you can always take night business classes in the years to come.

Good luck! How exciting for you!!

Sparrow

Even after all this time the earth never says to the sun, "you owe me." Look what happens with a love like that.

It lights the whole sky.

- Hafiz
 
> If you love it the three years will fly by. Get established
>in that, and then you can always take night business classes
>in the years to come.
>


Ditto to what sparrow said! Also, you are in such a great position in your life to take advantage of this. Good luck!!
 
I am going to say go for the hospitality degree. I think it has more potential for earning power and it won't necessarily pigeon hole you per se. I think if anything it will give you more options, like being equipped to own your own business. Also, a lot of companies just want to see a 4 year degree and it doesn't matter what the discipline is. Having the 4 year degree may open doors for you that aren't available with an AS.
 
Hi Connie,

Definitely do something that you're passionate about! Life is too short not to!

I teach at the college level, and each school I've taught at has had a wonderful career center, where students can go to take assessment tests that help them choose a career and major that they will love. Have you looked into doing something like that?

If you're not currently enrolled at a school, you could try taking a Career Search or Major Search class at your local community college. Most schools offer these as one- or two-unit flexible classes (meaning that you can go in to do the computer work on your own schedule), and all of the students I've had take them have had wonderful results.

Edited to say: You can also talk to a career counselor at local schools; he or she would probably be able to give you good advice as to which one of those degrees will help you get where you'd like to go in the future.

Hope this helps!
:)
 
I think going for the Bachelor's, if your company will pay a large portion and you have the time to allocate to it, would be a great advantage.

You mention opening your own business twice. I have an Accounting degree which of course includes many business courses. I am now in HR (my company needed someone to create the HR dept.) but many of the courses I took in college have helped me undertand business in general and definitely helped with the change in career direction. My boss is always telling me that I can "see the big picture" and that is directly related to my schooling and a little experience as an Accounting Supervisor.

I remember a number of friends who went the Hospitality route, (in fact one of my SIL's was Hospitality and now owns a successful business with her DH), and they took loads of business courses also. Getting a degree that has a well rounded course load that includes business will be beneficial no matter what you do, but especially if you want to own your own business.

Also, if you go the Hospitality route, all your courses would be related to your current job and your company would be footing more of the bill. Wish mine would do the same for me but they aren't into furthering education, very few of our 50+ managers are degreed.

Hope that helps a little.
 
When looking for a job, most places want at least a Bachelor's, and they sometimes don't care in what, just that you have one. If you can get the Bachelor's and your company pays for it, do it.
 
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