Help me choose my life's direction!

[progressiveBadger]

Ok, so I am at a crossroads. I am currently living in Arizona working in IT. I got a BS in Computer Science about three years ago, but I've since decided that I don't want to work primarily on computers the rest of my life. I'm recently married, and planning on moving closer to family in Madison Wisconsin. I want to go back to school and get a Masters and possibly a PhD from UW Madison. But I need help choosing a Major!
This election has made me realize that I really want my career focused around making the world a better place. Should I go into the school of Social Work or Social Welfare? Maybe Political Science? Maybe just History? (a la Howard Zinn)
Any help would be appreciated, and I know that you cannot know my interests, but at least you can help point me in the right direction. Thanks so much DU!

[Dukakis88]

1. Down.

[indigobusiness]

10. That was my initial reaction.

All signs point to down.

[The empressof all]

2. Job Security

You can probably feel pretty secure in finding a job with an MSW. It offers an incredible amount of options from Social Service Work, Private Practice, Hospital or Government Bureaucracy. It's generally a two year full time Master's program. You only need the Ph.D if you want to teach at University Level or do Research.

Don't expect to get rich, but you can make a comfortable living if you promote yourself and find a niche you love.

You will need to have an incredible tolerance for ambiguity and a strong soul.

[progressiveBadger]

4. Money isn't my goal

never has been. I think I'll look into it. Thanks!

[Lavender Brown]

3. My sister is a social worker

She has a MSW. She's worked in different areas of the field and seems to find it rewarding, but also depressing sometimes.

Good luck, I've also been thinking of making a career change recently.

[progressiveBadger]

6. Good luck to you too!

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. How interesting...

My husband and I both got BS degrees in Computer Engineering three years ago. We haven't been able to find any jobs remotely related to our major.

Go with whatever you feel you want to do the most. I've heard that social workers can be very overwhelmed with their jobs because they give them too many cases. If you are very organized and efficient, you might do well at the job. I'd probably pick political science, and then law if it were me. Of course, that's a big time and money commitment.

[Maple]

7. Webucation architect ?

Webucation architects
The American management guru, Peter Drucker, has speculated that on-line education could become the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century. We agree that there is enormous potential in this area. Online delivery of education can obviously reap huge potential cost savings when set against the fixed costs of a college or university campus. The secret to success will be the design of effective delivery of course material. It is here that webucation architects will be so important. Webucation architects will be teachers and lecturers with the ability to communicate and inspire learning online.

http://www.personnelzone.com/WebSite/WebWatch.nsf/ArticleListHTML/98B5CF2E69F45DCA80256DDA0042A755

This would use both your computer background, and allow you to help humanity, because goodness knows, the world needs education!

[legally blonde]

8. you could consider law

You don't have to have a specific background to get into law school (I pretty sure that you need some sort of psych or related degree to get into a MSW program, but I'm not sure). There are lots of rewording careers you could have with a law degree if you want to make a difference, such as legal aid, ACLU, civil rights, environmental, public defender (which is what I'm planning on doing), even politics. But, it's a long, expensive, difficult road. Be ready to give up a lot of free time, friends, family, hobbies, etc.
If law is something you might consider, feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it.

[Lavender Brown]

11. I'm considering law school

The cost and family sacrifices are my biggest concern.

[MARALE]

9. Become a foster parent

So many children need a good stable home, and you can get a little extra income as well. There is a great need for good homes for these kids. Do this while you are going to school and go for political science. Then you can help while you are going to school and then use your new degree to do more.