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I'm a 24 year old junior liberal arts major at a mediocre state university with an above average, but not spectacular GPA. I have 30K in student loans already, and 4K in credit card debt. I work a job 30 hours a week making slightly above minimum wage in fast food. I feel like the epitome of a loser going nowhere fast. I couldn't land an internship; employers literally would not talk to liberal arts majors at my career fair on campus, and I've exhausted every online/in person resource available. Nobody wants anything to do with me.
I'm not wallowing in self pity as I did a lot of this to myself. I failed math in high school and have a non existent math background, thus limiting myself to a liberal arts major. I could have a 4.0ish gpa to offset this and try the law school thing, but I didn't pull it off. Frankly, I'm scared and without a clue. I think of nothing but my future all day to the point of obsession with no light at the end of the tunnel. I feel I have no future, no options. I get partial scholarships, yet I don't even know if I should go to school next fall. Tons more debt to finish this thing, and for what? So my parents can feel proud while I remain unemployable and without an employable skill or talent?
Should I spend another 15K (min) in student loans and finish off my bachelor degree in liberal studies, or should I start a trade at a a community college this summer? Something else?
Any thoughts or general ramblings are appreciated.
I would say it really depends on what you want to do. It is really tough for liberal arts majors in this economy however, chances are it will not always be that way. On the other hand if you do want to go into a trade and that would make you more happy you should do that. The debt for me would be the main concern. If you want a liberal arts degree then you should go for it, especially considering you seem to have a lot invested in it already. However, if you feel its the wrong direction that is your decision as well. My advice would be to meditate on this and not act out of fear or panic you should definitly weigh your options very carefully.
Additionally I would not write off law schools right away if that is indeed what you want to do. I do not know what your GPA is, but if it is anywhere near a 3.25 (you don't need a 4.0 for law school) contingent on your LSAT score you could probably get into a law school, perhaps not a top law school, but a legitimate accredited one. Now that would potentially mean more debt, and a lot more work, and I have heard rumors that attorneys in some areas may be hitting a rough patch, but in all honesty my belief is that is a temporary thing after all how many attorneys have you heard of that are unemployable.
However, law school is a lot of work and you should probably be committed to doing that if you attempt it, but seeing as how you mentioned it as potentially an avenue I figured I would touch upon it as I honestly do not have a clue as to how trade schools work and somebody else will have to lay out the potential pluses and minuses of that particular option.
I would say it really depends on what you want to do. It is really tough for liberal arts majors in this economy however, chances are it will not always be that way. On the other hand if you do want to go into a trade and that would make you more happy you should do that. The debt for me would be the main concern. If you want a liberal arts degree then you should go for it, especially considering you seem to have a lot invested in it already. However, if you feel its the wrong direction that is your decision as well. My advice would be to meditate on this and not act out of fear or panic you should definitly weigh your options very carefully.
Additionally I would not write off law schools right away if that is indeed what you want to do. I do not know what your GPA is, but if it is anywhere near a 3.25 (you don't need a 4.0 for law school) contingent on your LSAT score you could probably get into a law school, perhaps not a top law school, but a legitimate accredited one. Now that would potentially mean more debt, and a lot more work, and I have heard rumors that attorneys in some areas may be hitting a rough patch, but in all honesty my belief is that is a temporary thing after all how many attorneys have you heard of that are unemployable.
However, law school is a lot of work and you should probably be committed to doing that if you attempt it, but seeing as how you mentioned it as potentially an avenue I figured I would touch upon it as I honestly do not have a clue as to how trade schools work and somebody else will have to lay out the potential pluses and minuses of that particular option.
Thanks a lot for this. Very reasoned post. I'll clarify a couple things. First, law school probably isn't for me. My transcript is hideous(lots of W's, part time, random semesters off, etc) and my gpa is barely a 3.0. Provided I don't nail the LSAT out of the park, it's not looking good.
As to what I want to do: No clue. Honestly, I've somewhat moved past using this as a primary tool for career searching. As depressing and weak a move as that may seem, I think, given my limited resources and skills(all math/science careers out of the question as I literally have not even a high school alg background)I think survival is a more practical goal. I just want to make a livable wage and have a skill. Two year trade, MSW, etc. Whatever.
Andrew, What is your major? It's not as if you are actually majoring in liberal arts. You need to go to the career services department at your college and talk to someone there about career possibilities.
This is a rough time of year - everyone is having a hard time nailing an internships and/or summer jobs. Don't feel so alone, lots of juniors and seniors in College are having the same stresses and worries, but now is the time to reach out and get some help.
Don't be a FOOL- stay in SCHOOL. No one ever regretted getting too much education. My only regret is that I didn't go for a PhD when I was offered a program.
Take a look at this- you can get your loans forgiven. Do you think you could teach in Appalachia or somewhere for a awhile? By the time you've finished, you will have done some good and might also have a better idea of what you really want to do. If you major in ED your final year, some southern states will take you with a BA.
Andrew, What is your major? It's not as if you are actually majoring in liberal arts. You need to go to the career services department at your college and talk to someone there about career possibilities.
This is a rough time of year - everyone is having a hard time nailing an internships and/or summer jobs. Don't feel so alone, lots of juniors and seniors in College are having the same stresses and worries, but now is the time to reach out and get some help.
Liberal Arts can and probably is his actual major.
I would suggest finding something that interests you at a local community college. It will be VERY hard to find employment with a major like liberal arts.
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