History or Applied Science?

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Right now I'm about halfway to a History degree. However, lately I've been thinking more and more about job prospects...

My plan was to get a Master's and try to find a job teaching western civ, or the like, someplace. The thing is, even in JC, all my History teachers had PhD's--even the adjuncts!

I love History, but I'm too old and tired to get a doctorate!

So, I was thinking... I love applied science too. I did automation at a field engineer level for twenty years--PLCs, motor controls, and robots are wonderful fun. In the end, what chased me out of that career was constantly dealing with stupid people in crisis mode,and the hot, noisy, conditions and long hours involved in manufacturing...

Anyway, I was talking to an advisor about potentially changing majors to something in science, which I thought would be a more marketable degree, and she told me about the uni's BS in Technical Education program. The program offers licensure to teach applied science from middle school to Junior College.

Sounds like a good fit for me and much less time /money consuming than a PhD in History...

You love history. The job market changes with the weather, so why not continue with something you actually love rather than switch?

Yeah, I get what you guys are saying. I'd never consider going back to technical work in industry, even though I could make a lot more money than I do now...

The thing is, I do miss building and automating things... so much so, that I recently took up robotics as a hobby (lego mindstorms--limited but fun!).

Also, this wouldn't necessarily be a zero-sum situation. If I decide to do this, the BSE would be top priority, but I'm almost sure I'd finish the History degree too.

The other thing is, boom or bust, people always need other people who, as the Pakleds say, "know how to make it go," and someone has to train those people.

Anyways... I have a bit of time to think it over. This term I'm taking an intro to engineering class as an "elective." We'll see how it goes...

I would suggest Applied science. The degree is the culmination of two years of study at a technical or community college, resulting in an associate's degree with a concentration in the student's preferred field of study. Technical schools offer students the ability to focus on fields such as security, vehicles, health care, computers and food preparation; classes are often small and allow an immediate immersion into the coursework required for the job. Students who earn their associate's in applied science can seek out a variety of jobs in their chosen fields.

You may as well just finish your History degree so you have a bachelor's degree in your name and after that pursue your Applied Science (its an AS degree right?).

Since 'halfway' through a Bachelor's practically means you have completed the general ed. requirement (AA degree pretty much) and taken the pre-required 'intro' courses to enter the history program...You'd literally have to do just one year or less of classes for it since the general ed. requirements class credits of your bachelor's will transfer into the Applied Science AS degree.

Not having a bachelor's degree can hurt you in the long run. Its silly but true, having the bachelors will increase your pay and promotion chances just because you have it no matter if you're working in something not related to history.

I started college gunning for an AS in IT ..then changed just short of finishing it to a Bachelor's degree dual major anthropology+history. Im halfway through that...and when I finish them I'll go back to that college and take the 2 semesters I've left to get the IT AS...cause hell I got the credits for the comp. classes it'd be a stupid waste not to get it.

You can even do both at the same time too. Out of full time (4 classes) per semester you can take 3 related to history and 1 related to your Applied Science degree.


Also, do keep in mind that it would be very hard for you to 'teach' in a college or university with only a bachelor's degree. You need a Masters degree or higher to get the teaching slot.

Okay, I guess my title and the fact that people aren't actually reading my posts is causing a misunderstanding...

The degree in question is a --> BACHELOR'S DEGREE in TECHNICAL EDUCATION. <--.! !! !! (can you make the text flash red?)

This degree will ALLOW ME TO TEACH APPLIED SCIENCE from middle school to associate degree level.

One way or another, I'll be getting a Bachelor's degree...

But the thing is, I CAN teach at a lot of places with the Bachelor's Degree in Technical Education...

I can't teach anywhere with a Bachelor's Degree in History... My state requires a BA in History AND a MASTER'S of Education just to teach High School History...


PS

...and I really don't want to teach the history of high school.

PPS

@Dantac

That dual major in anthropology and history sounds fun (I'm more of a sociology guy myself) but I'm betting you'll find it easier to put that AAS in IT to use.

People just don't value the social sciences these days.