NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)

tayylor65 · May 2011

I'm a young bride--will be barely 23 for our wedding this October so I'm looking for advice from women with career experience.

I'm back in school going for a degree in business admin. with about 1 year under my belt (i went off to school came back did some classes then took time off to work). I'm transferring to University of Delaware once I get all the required courses completed in-state.

UDel. has a degree for Fashion Merchandising which is my ideal field. Looking over the courses I get really excited and it's exactly what I want to do. However I feel like to actually get a job in this field I'd likely have to move to a larger city--I'm commuting distance from Wilmington, Baltimore, and MAYBE Philadelphia/D.C. (1.5 hrs w/out bad traffic) if it's a really really good job. But, of course these cities are more geared towards finance/business not necessarily related to fashion merchandising.

In the world we live in today, in your honest opinion, would it be a dumb move to spend ~$40,000 on a fashion merchandising degree; should I just go with business administration?

Side Note is that while it's important to me, my FI, and my family that I get my bachelors for my own independence and for security reasons, I plan to be a SAHM in a few years and FI at 26 makes enough to support us with a nice house, insurance, cars, etc + is due for a bump in salary. This being said, if I went fashion merchandising and didn't make much money we'd be okay BUT if something were to happen to FI in 10 years with a couple young kids I need something reliable to support us.

CN: My dream job is in a very specified field who's degree wouldn't get me a job in anything else (they'd laugh at me). Go for my dream career w/ a high chance of falling really short in the job market or settle for a generalized degree that is much more stable?

SarahPLiz · May 2011

If you really want a fashion merchandising degree, get one, but get a useful minor that could translate into the general workforce later (finance, accounting, etc). That way if you ever need to go back to school you don't have to start from zero.

J&K10910 · May 2011

I was leaning towards going for it, until you said that you'd soon like to be a SAHM and that that will be financially feasible for you, barring anything unfortunate.

I honestly don't think it's worth to shell out that much cash for something that it sounds like you probably won't end up doing. It would be different if you came in here and said "We're prepared to move, FI can get a job anywhere, we're not ready for kids, and I want to work." Then I'd say Hell yeah, go for it! But from what you said, it sounds like you'll be better off with a bus admin degree and a few years of work experience as a back up plan should you need to support yourself/children/family.

Now, is there a way to minor in it, or take some classes for fun? So that you have something there to help you get a job that's a little closer to what you really want to do?

Wiscisbliss · May 2011

Does your school have carreer counseling? Can they get you in touch with people in your field? I'd work through people who work in your specific desired career area and ask them if the specialized degree holds extra weight.

AllAboutTheBenjamin · May 2011

Well, I have a childhood friend who got a business degree after she decided teaching wasn't for her. There are pros and cons to getting a business degree - while she was studying, she felt okay with it because she knew it was a broad degree with lots of opportunities. Turns out because she didn't know exactly what to do with it, she still has yet to find that "dream" job. She's been working crap jobs ever since she graduated four years ago.

I went to school for journalism; it's a narrow field, but when I was looking for jobs, I knew exactly what I was looking for. You will more than likely go into debt going to school no matter what you go for. My advice is to go ahead and do the fashion merchandising because that's what you want to do anyway. I'd rather see you go into debt for a job you really want and would enjoy doing, rather than for something you're unsure of.

Journalists don't make a lot of money, but I'm enjoying myself. I can't imagine what it would have been like to get a broader degree and basically had to throw out a fishing line during the job search just to see what I could catch.

jasmineh7777 · May 2011

Will you make back what you spend on college? Is it realistic to make back that amount in the few years that you plan to work?

If you are going to spend the money, I'd say you could double major. It shouldn't cost any more and then you will have the security you want while still pursuing your particular interest.

tayylor65 · May 2011

J&K- That's exactly where I got hung up. If I hadn't met FI and wasn't getting married I don't think I'd be stressing over the decision. When reading through the class rubric at UD, it's 90% fashion oriented in that it doesn't look like majority of the classes relate to any other major at all. I'm going to sit down with a school counselor next week though and ask if it's possible to minor in it somehow, I'm expecting him/her to say I can't though. I COULD take a couple of the classes for fun, but again they're around $2000/class since I'm out of state so idk if I'd be able to do that at this point.

Another fear I have if I did go for it, is that I'd potentially be faced with having to NOT get the job I'd want. FI supports me 100% in whatever I do but has made it clear he has no interest in moving to a big city which I've known since I met him--so I wouldn't push it. I can assume that'd cause a lot of resentment though even though no one did anything wrong.

Steph0871 · May 2011

I think it's probably best to discuss such important plans for your future with you FI. Is he ok with you spending the money on a degree you'll never use ( if you do become a SAHM)? How about the people who actually know you? What does you family say?

SarahPLiz · May 2011

AATB also makes a good point about a general business degree. Someone correct me if they have another opinion, but they are generally useless without a minor or specialization. I'm not exactly sure what fashion merchandisers do, but I imagine you could possibly work for more than one store at a time, as a consultant of sorts, so you wouldn't have to be in a big city to find employment necessarily.

The big question is, do you want to do it because you are interested in it, or because you want to work in it? If its both, then go for it, but get some sort of minor with any electives you have.

tayylor65 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_nwr-need-educationcareer-advice-kinda-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:ba204125-2d4f-4dd3-8f12-6a5a5602bbe7Post:5c5a6ecb-1f69-45c2-810b-c6b5fc2cbd99">Re: NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)</a>:
[QUOTE]Well, I have a childhood friend who got a business degree after she decided teaching wasn't for her. There are pros and cons to getting a business degree - while she was studying, she felt okay with it because she knew it was a broad degree with lots of opportunities. Turns out because she didn't know exactly what to do with it, she still has yet to find that "dream" job. She's been working crap jobs ever since she graduated four years ago. I went to school for journalism; it's a narrow field, but when I was looking for jobs, I knew exactly what I was looking for. You will more than likely go into debt going to school no matter what you go for. My advice is to go ahead and do the fashion merchandising because that's what you want to do anyway. I'd rather see you go into debt for a job you really want and would enjoy doing, rather than for something you're unsure of. Journalists don't make a lot of money, but I'm enjoying myself. I can't imagine what it would have been like to get a broader degree and basically had to throw out a fishing line during the job search just to see what I could catch.
Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>That's 1 thing my FI has been saying too. If I continued with Business I'd (hopefully) find something to minor in to make it more specified. Fiance threw out minoring in chemistry since there are so many companies to use that with around here--I'd make good money but be miserable. </div><div>The merchandising degree IMO can almost be related to an aspiring actor which is the problem. IE- Some of them can't get any jobs, some can get by but only 1/10,000 actually make a good career out of it. </div><div>But, in the end I think I see what you're saying. For a generalized business degree I need to have a specific area I'd like to go into. Plus a ton of people have the degree so it doesn't really mean much without a minor or masters/phd.

</div>

tayylor65 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_nwr-need-educationcareer-advice-kinda-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:ba204125-2d4f-4dd3-8f12-6a5a5602bbe7Post:060f532f-9318-4f80-9218-2a721ef4a297">Re: NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it's probably best to discuss such important plans for your future with you FI. Is he ok with you spending the money on a degree you'll never use ( if you do become a SAHM)? How about the people who actually know you? What does you family say?
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

<div>FI is amazing. He's said if that's what I want to do he's happy, my family has said the same thing. However they all do think it may be wiser to go generalized business first. The only part that dictates any decision is that I'll be limited in the sense that FI does not want to move out of Maryland which I can understand.</div>

tayylor65 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_nwr-need-educationcareer-advice-kinda-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:ba204125-2d4f-4dd3-8f12-6a5a5602bbe7Post:91a9b2a8-f4dc-4003-9201-7ec3febf6a15">Re: NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)</a>:
[QUOTE]AATB also makes a good point about a general business degree. Someone correct me if they have another opinion, but they are generally useless without a minor or specialization. I'm not exactly sure what fashion merchandisers do, but I imagine you could possibly work for more than one store at a time, as a consultant of sorts, so you wouldn't have to be in a big city to find employment necessarily. The big question is, do you want to do it because you are interested in it, or because you want to work in it? If its both, then go for it, but get some sort of minor with any electives you have.
Posted by SarahPLiz[/QUOTE]

<div>This makes good sense. I'll sit down with the counselor next week and see what we can work out. </div><div>Thanks so much for all of the words of advice, I wanted to make sure I wasn't being completely unrealistic!</div>

whitts79 · May 2011

I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising Management and to be completely honest, I've found that it doesn't necessarily make a huge difference when looking at jobs (versus a regular business degree). I know quite a few people who are successful in the industry who have more generalized business degrees, as well as people who graduated with me from FIT with an FMM degree.

I say go with were your interests lie. From what you are looking to major in, I assume you are interetsed in buying/planning? If so, you'll gain business experience that can be translated into other areas if need be. I've had friends go from buying positions into jobs at online travel companies, from sales assistants positions to VP of the showroom. There really is a lot you can do with the degree. I myself have been managing boutiques for the past 8 years and have been offered jobs in completely non-fashion related offices, simply due to my management experience.

Good luck!

allisong23 · May 2011

How about getting the business admin degree part time, and looking for a low level job at a company that specializes in fashion and learning on the job? If you are good at it and they have tuition reimbursement, they may pay for you to get a drgree in fashion merchandising later. If you already have a degree and go back for a second one, generally you won't need to take a lot of the gen-ed and you can focus right on the core classes.

bltata · May 2011

Merchandising and business are so closely related that you MAY be able to double major. I would actually talk to your school and see if that would be a possibility. Then you could still be prepared for broader business and be THAT much more appealing to the fashion industry. It may take some extra semesters but for that kind of cash, it seems to be the most stable option.

OutOfTheBlue612 · May 2011

First off, the minor in chemistry you mentioned would be a waste of time/money, especially for something you seem to have no interest in. A chemical company will not give a damn if you have a minor in chemistry. A major yes, a minor, no.

It seems like one of your primary worries is having a way to make money to support your family if something happens to your FI. One way to help mitigate this fear is by taking out additional life insurance policies on your FI. My dad always worked and my mom was a SAHM. So just in case something ever happened, my dad has crazy amounts of life insurance. They see it as part of being a SAHM.

Honestly, it seems like a lot of money to drop to potentially get a job, that you could also get with a less specialized degree. Especially when you factor in the years you won't be working. Sit down and work out the math. Can you pay for school outright or will you have to take $40,000 in loans. If you have loans, how much additional money in interest will you pay over the years. Then look at how many years you'd realistically be working and figure out if it makes sense.

tayylor65 · May 2011

Sry I had to get some stuff done outside before the rain came in...

Outoftheblue- Yeah I'm not minoring in chemistry. It took everything in my power to slide through it in high school, I'm not a science person. The idea was just that we live by lots of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, Dupont, and other similar business' (DE is packed with them) so I could get a managing position or something.

FI does have life insurance which of course would be upped once we're married and especially when we have kids, but in todays world, not to mention 10-30 years from now, it'd have to be crazy high to cover all expenses PLUS those to come.

The number I threw out for tuition is assuming all costs are paid in full. I doubt I'd be able to get grants once we're married (I'm not sure how they work yet, haven't look into the various kinds) but I'm working for a scholarship since FI is an alumni of UD and I've been maintaining a high GPA.

We'll sit down and crunch numbers again, but what you're saying is a big part of what's been holding me back from just going for it.

NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)

Re: NWR: I need education/career advice (kinda long)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards