{"id":2819,"date":"2019-10-23T13:59:32","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T18:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/?post_type=advice&p=2819"},"modified":"2023-03-17T07:14:18","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T12:14:18","slug":"picked-wrong-masters-program-what-do-i-do","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/abound.college\/gradschool\/advice\/picked-wrong-masters-program-what-do-i-do\/","title":{"rendered":"I Picked the Wrong Masters Program, What Do I Do Now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You took the exams, wrote the personal statements, got accepted, and now you\u2019re regretting it. What do you do when after all the hard work you put in has led you to the wrong degree? If you\u2019re feeling frustrated, guilty, and maybe even ashamed, don\u2019t worry\u2014you\u2019re not alone. These feelings are totally natural, but don\u2019t let them get you down. There are steps you can take to get to where you want to be. Think about why you started, what you\u2019ve learned, and how you can use what you already have to find something great.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you pick the wrong school?:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Are you frustrated with your professors? Are you lost in the crowd? Are you struggling with the style of learning or the coursework? Were you expecting more from your university? If most of your frustrations are caused by your university itself, consider transferring to another school<\/a> that will better serve you. A school better suited to your needs can help you find inspiration in your path and find that dream job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you pick the wrong program?:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Most students pursue a master\u2019s degree as a means to an exciting career, so you probably had one or two in mind when you were applying to programs. You too might be frustrated if the coursework isn\u2019t inspiring, fulfilling, or what you expected it to be. But if your heart is still set on the same occupation, consider alternate routes to that destination. Take some time to research a few professionals working in your desired field and see how they got to where they are. You might even connect with them to pick their brains about for some solid advice and encouragement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"What\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Did you pick the wrong career?:\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Do you love what you\u2019re learning, but hate what you\u2019re doing? If the career prospects in your field aren\u2019t what you expected or what you want, then you might need to do some soul-searching and networking. Think about your strengths and weaknesses, and then research which jobs might suit your degree and interests. Get curious! Talk to your friends, colleagues, and mentors to help you find a dream job. Depending on the job, you might need to continue school (this time, however, pursuing a degree in a field you find worthwhile). If you have more flexibility, you can get creative about pitching your knowledge and experience to future employers. Take stock of your skills and explain how they will make you a good fit for the job. And don\u2019t discount the possibility of entering an internship or assistantship; experience in your desired field might bolster a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 that otherwise lacks the appropriate degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you want to do something else entirely?:<\/b><\/h3>\n

If it\u2019s not your university, your program, or career prospects that made you regret this decision, but rather the fact that you just really want to do something different, that\u2019s okay too. Sometimes changing gears just isn\u2019t enough, so you\u2019re better off getting out of the car entirely! But don\u2019t forget to grab your skills, knowledge, and experience as you hop into the next driver\u2019s seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

It may feel like you\u2019re starting over, or that you wasted your time, but that\u2019s not the case! Your skills, knowledge, and experience will likely transfer to whatever other field you choose, as soft skills are important and can serve you well in any field. We often think of higher education as a linear path to a degree. While that piece of paper is valuable, it doesn\u2019t eclipse the knowledge, skills, and experience you gained. No matter your reasons for wanting a change, we\u2019re here to help. <\/span>Abound: Grad School<\/a><\/strong> narrows down your options and gets you in touch with schools that we can confirm are <\/span>Accessible, Affordable, Accelerated, and Advanced<\/strong>. <\/span><\/a>Take a look at the <\/span>schools<\/a><\/strong> that cater to non-traditional students and find the program that works for you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You took the exams, wrote the personal statements, got accepted, and now you\u2019re regretting it. What do you do when after all the hard work you put in has led you to the wrong degree?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2820,"template":"","class_list":["post-2819","advice","type-advice","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","abound_advice_topics-right-program"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nI Picked the Wrong Masters Program, What Do I Do Now? - Abound: Grad School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You took the exams, wrote the personal statements, got accepted, and now you\u2019re regretting it. 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