There was a lady where I work, she was the shipping/receiving clerk. Convinced that her job sucked and that she would be a primo social worker, she went to school at night. It took her 12 years to get a bachelors degree from a private college. She did get some grants but also took out some student loans.
So finally she graduated and a few months later gave notice because she had an offer from the state of NJ. This was about 5 years ago and she is now on her 3rd job. This job is working at a fairly large home for troubled teens, she could have got this job with just a high school education. Five years into it she is still considered entry level. And she still isn't making the money she made as a shipping clerk.
Do not misunderstand me, first I think it's impressive for anyone to go back to school and get a degree. And second, a person should do what they want to do not what they have to do. Happiness is the main thing. But I know that this individual is not happy at all and too proud to admit it.
Getting a degree isn't the thing, it's getting a useful degree that matters. My degree from 1981 isn't really needed for the job I have. But it did help me get the job in the first place, 32 years ago. 5 years ago I decided to take a math class for personal enrichment at my local community college. One thing led to another and in two weeks I start my 11th semester at night, this semester taking Organic Chemistry II. Once through that all I need is college trig and I get awarded a biology A.S. degree. This particular degree by itself is basically useless but it's been fun and challenging and I have zero debt.
Of course this has nothing to do with the OP but being on a college campus these days is very interesting. Most of the classes, all except one, an English comp class were science and math. So the young students I have as classmates are generally more motivated and academic compared to the liberal arts students. It is fun to see the general education students sweating for finals at the end of the semester. They make the deans list but still have nothing that is going to get them a good job. My daughter will get her B.S. in medical lab technology (Medical Lab Scientist) in June. Always an A student, 3rd in her HS class, she has struggled with some of the math and science classes in college. A "C" student in a STEM program works much, much harder than an "A" student in history. Some of the kids at her college call the art majors STEAM students as a joke.
My brother sent his daughter to SUNY Albany for a bachelors (MCL) then a masters in social work. My brother works at SUNY Plattsburgh and she could have gone there tuition free and lived at home but no. Anyway, a masters in social work and no job but it's only been about 6 months. Still I believe my daughter will make 2-3 times her salary at the start.
Again nothing against art and/or liberal arts majors, we do what we want to do with our lives. But I see some students kidding themselves at the college thinking a degree in anything will get them a good job. There are some hard science and math majors that struggle with employment but biotechnology, chemical technology and engineering majors generally do well around here once they graduate. In my opinion, a student with an associates degree in math stands a much better chance finding a good paying job than a student with a BA in any of the humanities or arts.
If someone really wants to make money in the medical field without going for a MD or PA, get a B.S. RN degree.
