Two Bachelor degrees or one Master’s degree?

[SantaClarita1]

Since this is largely anonymous, I’m sharing the name of the university I attend.

I have a Bachelor’s of Accounting from University of Houston-Downtown with a 3.4GPA. I have 10 total years of relevant work experience. Recruiters dismiss my degree, I’ve gotten no call backs. I am facing bankruptcy by 2025 if I’m unable to bring my income up. 2025 is simply a deadline to break out of my current income-debt ratio, if I’m unable to I’ll simply throw in the towel. (89k debt, 55k income, not including the upcoming student loan payments for a balance of 22k. Previously I made 82k and was laid off without warning/priors/or performance issues.)

I have noticed my counterparts with a Master’s in MIS or a few still enrolled with an AA in Computer Technology have had recruiters reach out to them. They have 2/3 years to no work experience.

I have done my classmates work before and understand the concepts. I would be interested in a Bachelor’s in MIS. I no longer have an interest in Accounting, the passion is gone. I can attempt a Master’s in Accounting or get my CPA but I would struggle through it as it is difficult to pay attention to something that has caused so much dissatisfaction.

Would it be worth it to return to school to obtain a Bachelor’s in MIS?
Would my job prospects improve with a MIS degree or is the job market shifting in poor favor?
Is MIS still considered a STEM degree?

[JupiterGreen]

I don't have experience with these degrees, but a masters is better than 2 bachelors in most situations. Hopefully people in STEM will chime in.

[newco]

I'm in the camp of if the employer is paying for it, a master degree is worth it, but not so much if you're paying out of pocket for it.   With a bachelors in accounting, you can find an IT type job that isn't strict accounting.  You could go into IT audit at an accounting firm and easily make 6 figures.  A MIS isn't going to get you an IT job, experience will. 

Likewise, you are carrying $89,000 in debt, why do you think going into more debt would be worth it?  It sounds like you made a mistake taking a $55,000 a year job when you preiously made $82,000.  Why the big cut in salary?  Maybe finding a different job in your industry would help.  But it sounds like you are stressed, therefore taking on more debt for a degree you've never worked in sounds like a horrible idea.  Figure out an avenue that you want to pursue, data analytics, front end development, Devops, etc. and see what is required in terms of experience and education.   

[clarkfan1979]

I'm in the camp of if the employer is paying for it, a master degree is worth it, but not so much if you're paying out of pocket for it.   With a bachelors in accounting, you can find an IT type job that isn't strict accounting.  You could go into IT audit at an accounting firm and easily make 6 figures.  A MIS isn't going to get you an IT job, experience will. 

Likewise, you are carrying $89,000 in debt, why do you think going into more debt would be worth it?  It sounds like you made a mistake taking a $55,000 a year job when you preiously made $82,000.  Why the big cut in salary?  Maybe finding a different job in your industry would help.  But it sounds like you are stressed, therefore taking on more debt for a degree you've never worked in sounds like a horrible idea.  Figure out an avenue that you want to pursue, data analytics, front end development, Devops, etc. and see what is required in terms of experience and education.

Short-Term: frugal down your spending and maybe get a 2nd job to pay off your debt

Long-Term: In this current labor market, it's super weird to make 82K/year and then take a job making 55K/year. I'm guessing you were short on cash and had to take the first offer. Make sure to have a larger emergency fund next time, so you don't repeat this mistake. Houston should be a large enough place that you don't have to relocate. However, have you considered applying for jobs outside of your immediate area? It might not be ideal to move, but for me it would be way better than bankruptcy.

[GhostSaver]

Gussy up your LinkedIn and change the settings to available. With 10 years experience, you ought to hear from recruiters on there.

If you want to work more on the IT side of things, I would leverage the accounting degree to get into an ERP system administration or implementation role. If you know how a database works and can keep your debits and credits straight, big companies would like to have you in that kind of role.

You've got enough experience that another bachelor's degree definitely isn't worth it. Maybe a master's would be if you can get the company to pay for a chunk of it. Don't take on more debt.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[Turtle]

Another avenue to explore would be Information Security.  I know several people who started in Accounting and are now making more money in Info Sec.

[SantaClarita1]

newco, My employer would not pay for it. Its a low skill, low level job. The type where they promise growth to entice unskilled employees to remain comfortable in their roles. IT audit sounds interesting. From some brief research its similar to what I currently do.

Once you get used to spending money, the idea of additional debt doesn't really scare me. I'm numb to it. The cut in salary was due to grabbing the first available oppertunity for a time sensitive venture I was unable to save regardless. The debt is a result of that venture.

clarkfan1979, I wouldn't mind moving.

GhostSaver, LinkedIn is intimidating honestly, not a huge fan about attaching my photo to job applications. Thanks for the tip to look into ERP system administration or implementation roles.

Turtle, Information Security requires a few certifications?

[NorthernIkigai]

GhostSaver, LinkedIn is intimidating honestly, not a huge fan about attaching my photo to job applications. Thanks for the tip to look into ERP system administration or implementation roles.

You can choose who sees your photo (if you even set one) in LinkedIn’s settings, for example to only your own contacts or only they and their contacts. This should not be holding anyone back from using LinkedIn (there may of course be other things doing that).

[MayDay]

It's not impossible to overcome but it's a pretty big ding to not be on LinkedIn. That's how/where recruiting happens these days. I strongly suggest getting in LinkedIn.

[TomTX]

GhostSaver, LinkedIn is intimidating honestly, not a huge fan about attaching my photo to job applications. Thanks for the tip to look into ERP system administration or implementation roles.

So put up a photo of something else. Or a cartoon version of yourself. Whatever. I have a landscape photo on mine, and I still get recruiters.

Like it or not, you are cutting out a lot of potential recruiters/employers reaching out if you're not on LinkedIn.

[Metalcat]

Refusing to have LinkedIn is kind of like refusing to write a resume properly and saying that you would prefer to just tell people your experience in person.

LinkedIn is pretty crucial to job searching these days, and you don't even need to have a photo.

This sounds more like self-sabotage to me, which isn't a judgemental statement from me, more of a compassionate one. It's extremely common. I do a lot of career coaching and my main job is to figure out the ways people are fucking their own careers sideways because most people are.

[SantaClarita1]

NorthernIkigai, Mayday, TomTX, and Metalcat, thank you. Everyone here has provided some pretty important feedback about LinkedIn. I tracked my applications on an Excel spreadsheet, I have submit 1,183 applications through January to June 2023. I have gone through resume revisions and paid resume talent writers. A few assessments and interviews but overall unsuccessful.

Maybe this method is a little behind the times lol.

[NorthernIkigai]

Any time I hear about people applying for gazillions of jobs, my first thought is “how can they possibly tailor their letter to fit each particular job?”.

Fair enough, it depends a lot on your location (I’m in Europe) and the kind of jobs you are going for, but I would typically need several evenings to apply for a job, even if my CV is up to date: one evening to read up on the company and its sector, one to write the cover letter and probably adjust the CV, another one to look at the letter with slightly fresher eyes, etc. The letter has to tell the reader why you’d want that job (and show you know what the job entails), not reiterate what is already in the CV. There’s no way I could apply (seriously) for more than about 5 or 6 jobs per month, while working full time.

Spray and pray is not the answer when applying for jobs.

[lefty]

Does it matter what your degree is in today? I'm not saying this to be snarky.
Lately I've come across a lot of technical employees with a background education in Music, Business, Archaeology and even Zoology. These are Senior/Lead technical employees. Maybe the place where I work is scrapping the bottom of the barrel, I'm not sure.

I think if I were in your shoes, I would likely put in the time and effort to tailor my Linked In resume, network and hunt for opportunities that would put me in the direction of where I want to go.
Sounds easy but its requires a lot of effort.

By the way, I live in Santa Clarita! LOL! PM me and I'll be happy to meet up.
 

[Sibley]

If you're trying to get jobs in accounting with an accounting degree, then you're messing something up - resume, cover letter, presentation, skills, etc. Figure out what you're messing up, fix it, and you'll get a job. There aren't enough accountants in general, so the field as a whole has open jobs. There of course may be local variation.

If you're trying to get non-accounting jobs then the above doesn't necessarily apply.

Askamanager.org has excellent resume and cover letter advice. There's also excellent everything work related advice, so browse.

If you're trying to stay in accounting then the magic "degree" is a CPA license. Sounds like you're trying to switch fields so I can't advise on norms.

[ChickenStash]

More education and more experience is pretty much always better but what are you planning to use the MIS degree for? IT is a very broad field and an MIS degree may or may not be useful.

If you already have a bit of experience with tech in your accounting role, trying to get an analyst position in business apps support would be reasonable. They are often looking for folks that "speak business" to define the app workflows and understand the data coming in/out of the apps. Medical billing/claims analyst is also reasonable if you have some larger healthcare orgs around. They often have training for the specific EMR (like Epic) included but, again, need people that understand how the business side works. 

With no other experience it would be hard to break into the developer or infrastructure engineering space, though. An MIS degree could open the door a crack to a low level position but there would be a steep (still doable) learning curve to get to the upper pay scales.

If you want to move to management or more to the business planning side of things then an MBA might be useful. It would build on the accounting degree nicely.

[Captain FIRE]

NorthernIkigai, Mayday, TomTX, and Metalcat, thank you. Everyone here has provided some pretty important feedback about LinkedIn. I tracked my applications on an Excel spreadsheet, I have submit 1,183 applications through January to June 2023. I have gone through resume revisions and paid resume talent writers. A few assessments and interviews but overall unsuccessful.

Maybe this method is a little behind the times lol.

1183 applications in 181 days is over 6.5 applications a day, with no days off. That's probably a large part of the problem right there. Trying tailoring your resume/cover letter with each rather than taking a scatter shot approach. Take at least day, if not more, to apply to any jobs going forward. This will also help you narrow down the jobs to just those you're really interested in and qualified for.

[SantaClarita1]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I negotiated a raise, $12k. It certainly helps and I am now able to focus more on building skills and aggressively paying down the smaller debts.

[Uturn]

IT is a very broad term.  Are you looking for coding, system administration, application support, network administration, security? 

I started in desktop support/help desk, then moved to server admin.  I found that I did not like that and moved to network engineering and lived there for quite a few years.  I now work security and bring a unique set of skills because I understand so many aspects of IT from the operations side that translate to security.  I have roughly 6 credits and make a nice salary.  Most of the jobs that I have had in the last 15 years listed a BS as a requirement. 

As a hiring manager, I am looking to fix a business problem.  I need to hire someone to do X due to Y and Z business requirements.  Most good managers are not only looking for specific hard skills, but soft skills.  This is were you play up how your soft skills from accounting can transfer to IT.  You can have a generic resume on LinkedIn, but you will need to tailor your resume for each job you apply for.

Let's say you are looking at a positions for entry level security analyst.  First, you should go get an entry level security certification.  This will show that you are serious about the career change and that you have a basic understanding of security.  Your multiple degrees already show that you are trainable.  Play up your soft skills such as time management, how you dealt with a difficult situation, how you went above and beyond.  Word this not as how it helped with accounting, but how it helped the business. 

Most security positions will mention some sort of GRC.  You might not know the ins and outs of HIPAA or PCI, but you do understand compliance and what happens when you run afoul of it.  Show that you are able to look at a set of data and validate if it meets the framework.  Read a few security analyst postings and find some of the top GRC requirement and at least know what they are trying to do.  For instance, if you see PCI you should immediately think credit card payments.  HIPAA, you should immediately think healthcare.

Other than some entry level certs, I don't think you need to go back to school.  I do think you need to show how your current skills can transfer to an IT position and tailor your resume for what that specific job is requesting. 

[Car Jack]

With an accounting degree, I would assume that you're a wizz at doing taxes.  During tax season, you could moonlight at one of the tax places.  Chances are quite good that you could choose your hours and of course, the more hours you do, the happier they're going to be.  So plan to work after your regular work hours.  This can help to up your pay and pay off your debts.

[SantaClarita1]

Returning with a new update.

I have been interviewing and it seems to be going well. The beginning salary for this particular position is $98,496 and we've already attended the second panel interview which went well. I have applied to others and have gotten a few referrals after passing assessments. I am optimistic but trying not to count my eggs before they hatch.

And yes- looking for new jobs still even after negotiating my raise.

After some research I don't think I am capable of a Master's program. Enrollments require a 3.5GPA or above to be considered for admission or they require an additional test. I am not a strong test-taker, I'm just good at doing the work. Going back for a second Bachelor's in MIS seems easier.

[Must_ache]

Of course getting more $ is a priority, but finding a company that generally supports advanced degrees could be a good question during the interview.  Will a decent salary take care of your concerns of do you really want to do something different five years from now? 
I work as an actuary and had a bump in middle of my career and had to do something lower paying for five years but I did fine during that time and eventually bounced back. 

[BlueHouse]

I have done my classmates work before and understand the concepts. I would be interested in a Bachelor’s in MIS. I no longer have an interest in Accounting, the passion is gone. I can attempt a Master’s in Accounting or get my CPA but I would struggle through it as it is difficult to pay attention to something that has caused so much dissatisfaction.

I may be misunderstanding, but can't you go for a Master's in MIS with your Bachelor's in Accounting?  Master's degrees don't have to be in the same field as your undergrad.  Are you limiting your future unnecessarily? 

And I'd go for a masters in anything long before I did 2 bachelor's.  2 bachelors sounds like you can't make up your mind.  A Masters in an indirect related field shows expertise AND breadth of knowledge. 

[Zamboni]

Congratulations on your raise!!! Great job!!!

That will indeed help your stress levels. Now, keep doing what you are doing in terms of looking for another position where you can make even more $$$.

"ERP system administration or implementation role" this is excellent advice is you want to move towards the IT side of things. Supply chain management is also very hot and there are certifications you can get for that.

Definitely do NOT get a second bachelors. I support you if you want to get a masters, but it is better to do that part time at night or on the weekends and get an employer to foot most of the bill. Tons of executive MBA programs, for example, and those are designed for people who are working full time. Some of them are even almost entirely online now! It's a two year program, so faster to earn for you and way better bang for your buck. You have enough work experience to quality for those. Ignore what they say online about the required GPA and apply to several anyway if you are serious about more schooling. My ex-spouse flunked out of undergrad twice and still got into an MBA program at a school in the ACC athletic conference (so one you definitely have heard of.) It probably said on their website that a 3.5 is needed, but that was obviously not true, lol; they do value the work experience highly and will often look past undergrad GPA for someone who has been working as long as you have.

Finally, I haven't looked for a job in years but I still get all kinds of pings on linkedin for jobs. I'll join the chorus of chimes for you to get a short profile onto linkedin. Add a very short bit on your relevant job titles and employment history and connect to anyone and everyone you know to grow your network. It's not annoying like facebook or twitter . . . I don't receive ads and no one posts about their kid's orchestra concert. It really is more for a professional presence and people stick to that. Tons of people there do not have photos on their profiles. Or, if you really want a photo up, then you can take one with a phone app filter than makes your portrait into a black and white pencil line style drawing or something, because those are cool.

Good luck to you!

[Must_ache]

A Masters in an indirect related field shows expertise AND breadth of knowledge.

It depends.  I tutor a lot and frequently help MBA students taking "Business Analytics" which often but not always means "2nd year Statistics".  I even worked 1/3 of my way thru an online MBA program before getting bored (U of Nebraska) and it did not have anywhere near the rigor of a true master's degree program (I have an M.S. in Mathematics and did not make it to Ph.D.).

I would just want to be sure that my academic work would lead to career success, and I had my doubts in this instance.

[Chris Pascale]

Refusing to have LinkedIn is kind of like refusing to write a resume properly and saying that you would prefer to just tell people your experience in person.

LinkedIn is pretty crucial to job searching these days, and you don't even need to have a photo.

This sounds more like self-sabotage to me, which isn't a judgemental statement from me, more of a compassionate one. It's extremely common. I do a lot of career coaching and my main job is to figure out the ways people are fucking their own careers sideways because most people are.

LinkedIn is the preferred choice for HR spying, so a person may as well get a bare bones LinkedIn with a photo that says:
 - Worked here
 - Worked here
 - Went to school

You don't have to like anyone's posts, don't have blog there, don't have to connect with people.