You ladies are always so wonderful, so I am hoping you can give some much needed advice. I am a working mom to a beautiful almost 2 year old little boy. My husband is a stay at home dad, and he is doing a wonderful job. My problem is that I am in a career that pays decently, but not enough to cover a family of 3 (let alone a family of 4 at some point). I have been considering graduate school for some time, but I am not sure what major to choose. I have a BA in English from UNT, and I am now a General Manager of a hotel. I have been considering a Master's in Healthcare Managment, but with no healthcare experience, I am not sure if I will be "hireable." The bottom line is that I want to pursue a career that has a good amount of upward mobility and will pay well enough for me to support my family by myself without prior experience. Again, any advice that you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Consider Speech Pathology. It is a needed profession. And in some way still connected to HealthCare.
What is your career? You didn't mention. What was your husband doing before SAH? Please don't forget, if you go back to grad school, how will you also work and care for a family... will you have to quit and get loans? Some employers pay for continuing education, if it falls within parameters of what you are currently doing or could be doing within their organization. Is your husband going to work to help with some bills? It sounds wonderful, but I'm a little worried about the burden you are choosing to take on all yourself.
A few thoughts...
1. Restaurant-Hotel Management: I have no idea if any schools in the area offer this as a Masters program. Since you're already in the industry, you may be able to advance into Corporate with a large hotel chain. My ex-husband got his BBA in RHM and is now a partner with Tin Star/Paradise Bakery.
2. MBA in General Business or Management: problem here is you likely have a BA degree, not a BS, which will require leveling, or undergrad, Business courses. Good news here is that you can do most of those at a local Community college and it's cheaper than a 4-yr school.
3. Ultimately, it's about who you know, not what you know. I graduated undergrad (BA, Psychology) and grad school (MBA, Finance) in 4 years. What I did with it? I worked in Corporate Banking for 7 years then started my own company, neither of which REQUIRE either of the degrees I have. My husband and I own/operate our own company and he never finished undergrad. Happily, we manage to get by ;-).
Good luck with whatever you choose! Be happy.
L., I have an M.A. in English and my husband has his R.N. and his M.B.A. I also teach at a college.
If you were to get your M.A. in something so vastly different as your B.A. degree, then you would have to backtrack with undergrad classes... to me, that is time and money going to waste (unless it is for something you absolutely are passionate about). You definitely want to check into if you'd be hireable-- almost every healtchare management job (at any decent place) will require healthcare experience (working in the field-- clinical experience is preferred).
Now, a general M.B.A. may be a better option for you. It leaves it open for you to be hired in multiple fields... plus it isn't as far a stretch from your original major.
In addition, the entire healthcare system is undergoing a LOT of changes right now... and WHEN these healthcare initiatives pass, management will likely be one area hospitals cut back. Right now, my husband makes good money and is in a great job, but that can all change. We are okay with it, and he always has his clinical skills to fall back on.
Getting certified in teaching is always a good option-- at least it is a stable job with great benefits and a great schedule for a working mother. This is easy to do with your degree.
If you just love managing people, then stick with straight business... don't limit yourself.
Good luck!
If the job does not require a master's degree in the field, then I think the master's degree would be considered experience. You should find someone who is hiring for the position and ask them what they are looking for...at least you should get a better idea of the demand for the position you are interested in. Having a masters in anything will open a lot of doors for you.
If you are interested in helping people, there are other options like occupational therapist, speech-language pathology, things that don't require the intensive demand of the year round 24hr/day hospital...I have no idea what these things pay or what the demand is compared to healthcare management. Whatever you do, you could always discuss management courses as electives.
Good luck!
My sister-in-law went back to become a nurse. They are always in need, can have flexible schedules, and make MONEY. She does have to take some leveling courses, but they won't take her too long. Good luck!
First off, I agree that you should be led by your own interests--if you love what you do, you'll be work hard and be good at it, and will be more likely to get promotions and the pay check you look for.
That being, said, one option to consider might be Occupational Safety and Health. There is a mostly online masters program at Southeastern Oklahoma State (about an hour and 15 minute drive from Plano, if/when you do go to campus): http://www.se.edu/osh/doc/master-of-science-promotional-l.... I teach English there, but in the past couple of years I've had a couple of students double major in English and Safety--which works out well, since employers like to see that you can write good and readable reports!--and each STARTED, with a BA, at $90,000/yr. You could also use this degree in the hospitality industry, to build upon your prior experience. You would have to take a few undergrad classes as pre-reqs, but you might also be able to petition for waivers based upon your work experience. GL!
I think Clair's advice is wonderful advice. What interests you? I would always start there...what do you enjoy? And, unfortuntaly, who do you know? That is just how it works. Best of luck to you!
