In case you haven't heard, I'm staying in Michigan.

I am currently (unintentionally) unemployed and taking this free time to choose a (bachelor) degree to pursue for the next 1-4 years. In an attempt to hear different perspectives, I figured I'd mention the degrees I'm considering. Maybe you guys will have helpful suggestions or opinions.

Please keep in mind I don't have a desire to get a skilled degree (like accounting or engineering or something). At the same time I don't want to get something too liberal arts-like (like political science, or even international studies) that is just too broad and saturated that won't get me some sort of non-dead-end job. Also, I'd love to be involved in some sort of activist organizations and/or non-profit organizations. Or even NGO's. Peace Corps/UNESCO/Volunteering abroad stuff, too.

I still think the "Nonprofit Leadership & Management" degree is my ideal degree,  but unfortunately that is currently out of the question.

My considerations...

"Bachelor of Science with an option in Community Development" (CMU @ University Center by MCC)
-I'd say this is probably the closest degree in Michigan when looking for something community-focused/making a difference-focused. The "option" I'd be choosing is "Public Administration". With the way CMU's semesters are set up along with how many credits they'll accept, I could be done with this degree in roughly a year and a half to two years. I'm just worried this degree is one of those that are too broad and are the equivalent to a "general studies" degree when it comes to trying to get an actual job.

"Bachelor in Public Administration" from UM-Flint
-I really don't even know what Public Administration is or if there are many jobs out there for a person with a degree like this. Well, I do know that it can land you a job with the government or non-profits, but thats as far as I know the extent of that. I'm mainly interested in it because they'll accept my (useless) Associate in Law Enforcement (Why did I get this) and apply it to a 2+2 program, which could speed up the time it takes to graduate.

"Bachelor in Spanish & International Studies" from UM-Flint.
-This degree is sweet because I'd become fluent in Spanish (one of my passions, once I get passed this degree-choosing business) and I'd study one of my favorite subjects-International Studies. Plus it really wouldn't take super long to graduate, probably as much as the CMU degree, maybe less. The main reason I don't want to pursue this degree is because (aside from learning Spanish), the degree is so broadly based that it would be of no help when applying for most jobs. I don't think it would be a good idea to get a degree in international studies when 99% of the jobs out there aren't really internationally-based and when I'm 30 or 35 or 50 (haha, I hope) and am done traveling the world and want to settle down, where am I going to get a job with this degree, ya know?

"Bachelor in Secondary Education majoring in Social Studies or Spanish and minoring in one of those two or History" from either Oakland University of Wayne State.
-I am considering going into education. I think I'd be a good teacher and teaching is something I've always been interested in. I always told myself I was just interested in it because I enjoyed being in school and never wanted to leave. At the same time, as much as I think I'd enjoy it, I don't know if I am passionate about it enough to spend the next 3 and a half to 4 years studying it like I would be at Wayne State, which is how long it would take. Wayne will only take 39 of my 104 credits and already a teaching degree is 20-30 more credits beyond the usual 120. I have an appointment at OU on Monday, but I assume it will be along the same lines, maybe a little shorter with their STEP program.

In my opinion, there are not enough resources out there to guide undecided college students as to what degrees to pursue. Sure there are counselors at MCC and stuff, but they're so busy that they're hardly any help. And there are not nearly enough reasons given for each degree to give a concrete feel for how the career will assist you in the post-college world.

So I look to you for any thoughts, opinions or suggestions. Thanks.

John Öberg
7-16-09