Free Career and Job Search Advice

[code-ster]

Hi, I'm brand new here, and I'm hoping to get some advice.

Nealry two years ago I got laid off when the company I worked for went out of business. Since that time I haven't been able to find any work. It seems that every job I apply for prefers someone with a Master's degree. I have a Bachelor's degree in anthropology, but it seems like a total waste. I honestly don't think most people even know what anthropology is. Anyway, I would love to get into academic advising or counseling or maybe even something in human resources. I'm getting desperate here and sometimes it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I would also like to move out of Utah, but I can't afford to just up and move at the moment. Should I be heading back to school at this point? I hope someone can help me. Thanks.

[yanna]

Yeah, not too many people would even bother finding out what anthropology simply because it is not a domain of large interest. I suppose you have taken an evident risk when going for that degree.
My suggestion? An MBA in a field of actuality. You can even find something to merge in a way with your BA, but if it is totally outside it, not a problem. It's really important now to "update" your degree.

Sure, you can apply for jobs where the title of the degree is not that important, but this would mean underestimating your value and I doubt you want to do that
http://www.cvtips.com/do_not_have_degree.html

[lexa10881]

If there is something that you have decided that you want to do and it requires more schooling, then I think this sounds like the opportune time to go ahead and do so. If you are able, spend a little bit of time researching what you can do with the degree you already have. You might find something you had not even considered.

http://www.cvtips.com/deciding_on_a_college_major.html

[Pauloz]

If the anthropology degree isn't leading anywhere, a course change is probably in order, and preferably soon. Strongly suggest do not use up time getting nowhere.

Human Resources and academic counseling will require healthy academic qualifications, too. My suggestion would be to start researching the academic tracks for both, and get some idea of times, outlay, and where you want to go with this.

You would be advised to be looking at perhaps a double degree, with the sort of added scope and potential that provides. HR and counseling (academic or otherwise) are huge fields, and the opportunities are excellent for very wide ranging work.

I can tell you that any form of advisory work can be a real personal achievement, you can see results, and it's worth doing for that reason alone. It's not a static role. ( I did advisory work in the public sector for years, and the problem solving is a real joy.) Quality of advice is so vital, and in academic counselling people are making important choices that affect their whole lives.

It sounds to me like you have an instinctive affinity to those areas. See if you can find an academic counselor who can talk you through the moves you need to make, and give you a career track outline. First hand information is always useful.