Social science degrees and other fields

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If your degree is in a social science (geography, history, psychology, et al), and you can't find work in your field (not counting teaching), how can you enter a more technical field of work, aside from getting another degree?

That depends.

I would need more precise info. re: your current qualif. to know how to advise.

I have a degree in geography, and have roughly 5 years in GIS. I am trying to get into database administration or data analysis.

Hmmm...I wonder if some CompSci educ. would be required or if you could work your way into the admin/analysis stuff by someone giving you a chance or some on-the-job training?

I just don't know...sry.

Perhaps some other user will know more

I took a Visual Basic course when I got my 2-year technical degree, but that was 15 years ago. I took a Java course last year, and was scheduled to take SQL as well last year, but that class was cancelled. I have been self-teaching SQL.

Java's a pretty oldschool language though, especially considering that many platforms are moving away from Java due to it's incredibly resource-hungry VM. Visual Basic will only get you so far as it's primarily for Windows, and a progressively large proportion of people are making the shift to Apple and Unix/Linux/Android platforms

I would suggest learning PHP, SQL, or if you really want something you can shift your skills in Java to, C. C will get you pretty much everywhere because it's still pretty much the industry standard which most languages nowadays are based on.

As for geography, I know this sounds like a long shot, but have you tried with your state's planning department, or with an environmental consultancy or construction consultancy firm? I am sure there are skills that can translate from Geography to Cartography and Environmental management and such.