Can't get a job => go back for a 2nd Bachelor degree at 31 y/o?

[fullmetalaspie1]

How crazy is the idea to get a 2nd bachelor degree in computer science at the age of 31?

My 1st degree is in biology, but I haven't been able to get a biology-related job for nearly 7 years now. After such a long time, I've never worked in a lab. And now too much time has passed, so there's zero chance of me working in a lab.

The main problem is that I can't keep eye contact. Over and over, at every job interview, I found that no eye contact = no job. It doesn't matter if it's a biology job interview or working as a cashier.

I no longer get job interviews due to lack of experience, huge gaps in CV, being "overqualified" for minimum-wage jobs with a bachelor, etc. I had 1 interview this year and lack of experience and eye contact once again got me a rejection.

So I was thinking: why not get back to studies and get a 2nd bachelor in computer science and by doing so in a way start over and remove those gaps in CV... is this a stupid idea?

Also, I currently live at the expense of my foster family, seeing how I can't get a job. So, taking out a student loan and moving away seems to be the only chance of independence.

 

[paloftoon]

If you have an official diagnosis and know where your paperwork is, there are programs that can help you out.

Sounds like you should look for your local OVR too, to help you start something steady so that you have some experience. While you have nothing at all, try volunteering at a place such as a library once a week or something like that.

 

[WereBear]

I think it is a fine idea. Computer science might be the most accepting place for Aspies; heaven knows in my career in IT I met a lot, and I didn't even know I had it at the time.

 

[Judge]

How crazy is the idea to get a 2nd bachelor degree in computer science at the age of 31?

No crazier than working in an insurance career for nearly twenty years and leaving to attend tech school to become a website designer at the age of 41.

Though be mindful of one dynamic. Regardless of your education and skills, in such a precarious global economy there are never any guarantees of gainful employment.

 

[Xenocity]

Welcome to 2016 and soon to be 2017.

This problem plagues everyone in our age range/generation.

I still haven't landed full time employment and struggle to get work experience.
I'm working at my uncle's company as an analyst and there is a good chance it becomes permanent.

It has been suggested by some interviewers and recruiters that I am not educated enough yet... THAT is with a Masters in IT Management and a double bachelors in Information Systems and Marketings while being a member of the International Business Honor Society.

Don't be too hard on yourself, the job market is horribly out of whack still.

 

[midlife aspie]

Get interview coaching if you can find it. All the education in the world will not help you if you can't overcome the interview hurdles. As Judge indicated, there are no guarantees attached to an education anymore. You may end up no better off than you would have been had you gotten a $50k loan and gambled it all away at a casino. As for me, I would have had more fun at the casino. I've pretty much joined the "college isn't worth the price" school and of course, age discrimination is everywhere.

 

[hiraeth]

I have a bachelor's in computer science. There were tons of second-degree students in my classes. You will fit right in.

 

[Xenocity]

Get interview coaching if you can find it. All the education in the world will not help you if you can't overcome the interview hurdles. As Judge indicated, there are no guarantees attached to an education anymore. You may end up no better off than you would have been had you gotten a $50k loan and gambled it all away at a casino. As for me, I would have had more fun at the casino. I've pretty much joined the "college isn't worth the price" school and of course, age discrimination is everywhere.

Actually the degree is a part of the requirements.

You can have all the work experience and qualifications in the world, but lacking the degree will prevent you from getting the job (despite you working in that field for 20 years).

You can have all the qualifications, experiences, certifications and degrees, but still not get the job because you didn't "play the game".

You literally need all of it and the ability to "win people over" and "play the game".

Essentially the current market is based on "Who you know" not "What you know!"
As in swooning over/winning over/befriending the right person will do far more for you than experience, qualifications, certification and education combined.


I'll give you all a golden rule for interviewing:
Never make the person interviewing you feel stupid, even if they don't know what they are talking about (especially with HR).
This is very hard because the majority of people interviewing are going by the literal paper they have with no actually knowledge about the job they are hiring to fill.

If you make the person interviewing you have negative emotion, it will be the reason why the pass on you.

This has caused me a good amount of trouble during my job hunt, because HR and hiring folk don't know practically anything about the jobs they are hiring for, let alone anything about that field or department.
It's made interviewing that much harder, because I had to struggle at meeting them on their level.

The only other things that have caused me to strike out are the lack of experience due to nearly all the career jobs and internships (including unpaid) requiring an asinine amount of work experience and other requirements (Since 2009).
The other thing was the lack of industry certifications, which like the line above, requires you to be employed to get.


In today's market it's quite common to find internships including unpaid asking for a Master's degree, 2+ years of industry experience and other requirements to get hired. Hell I wage it's the majority of internships that require some form of degree now.

Entry level jobs are far worse, with most if not all requiring 3-5+ years of industry work experience, degrees, certifications (did I mention they require you to work X amount of hours in that field to obtain), and other asinine requirements which you cannot get while on internships, school or other places.