Got a higher education, can't get job, new education?

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Hi all

Back when I got out of college (or my nations equivalent anyway), I really had no idea what I wanted to do, so I figured that, hey, since I always use my computer (browsing the web, gaming etc.) I might as well get a computer related education. Also, I figured that's a pretty Aspergian thing to do.

So, fast forward 2½ years and I graduated in Computer Engineering. It turns out that it really wasn't all that interesting to me - mostly (ironically) because of how little socializing that was involved. While I sit in front of my computer all day, that doesn't necessarily mean I like sitting in front of my computer all day - maybe I'd rather be with people, but can't be assed to do it because of how mentally exhausting I find it or something.

Anyway, that was 6 months ago, and I still haven't managed to find a job. Then someone mentioned the possibility of continuing studying. I think they meant that I should build upon my Computer Engineering degree, but instead I'm considering branching into something entirely different. Like humanism-based stuff or social sciences. I'm really having a hard time figuring out what I want to do.

Have any of you experiences a complete U-turn, and ended up studying entirely different areas? Have I "wasted" 2½ years of my life, or can they prove useful somewhere down the road? And is it wrong to begin a new study mostly because one can't get a job?

It can be as there's always a market for computers. That's probably what I would build on, as a social sciences/humanities degree is really something you need a PHD for. My dad works at a University in the states; that's where I'm getting my information from. And you probably won't start out making the big dollars unless you get into teaching.

A good place to go would probably be getting your A+ Certification and working on fixing computers. There's a good marketplace for that, as many of the big names (Best-Buy, etc) charge really high prices for stuff like file transfer. Or, you could go the other way, and get into drafting, which would be building upon your computer knowledge.

Just some advice.

A big question is HOW is education financed where you live? Does it cost you? Are you going deeper into debt for more education?

No, not at all. The state supports me by quite a lot of money, actually.
In other words: Money is definitely not an issue.

i wouldn't bother with A+ certification. it's not worth the paper it's printed on these days. and why NOT try something completely different? i wish i could afford a vocation change...

Then, in YOUR specific case, I see nothing wrong with trying for more education and certifications that might help you go forward in life.

If you had to borrow the money, I'd give the exact opposite advice. Reason? Because education might open a door, but it's a high-price to pay with no assurance that it will work. If you are going to borrow (and in the USA there is next to no bankruptcy protection for student loans) and it doesn't work, you're just further enslaved to debt.

Social sciences likely won't get you a job.