u/MustacheGoatee

I’m 27 and planning to go back to school, trying to decide between Supply Chain & Operations Management and Accounting.

My background is completely unrelated. I’ve spent the last ~6 years in the oilfield (coiled tubing), and before that about 3 years as a tankerman on tugboats. So I’m used to long hours, physical work, and being away from home a lot.

At this point I’m trying to transition into something more stable where I can actually be home consistently. I’ve got a fiancée and a young daughter, so that’s a big priority now.

I’m seriously considering supply chain, but I want to hear it straight from people already working in it before I commit.

Here’s what I’m trying to figure out:

•How realistic is it to land a job right after graduating with no direct experience?

•What do entry-level roles actually look like (titles, responsibilities, pay)?

•Is starting around $70k–$80k realistic, or not really?

•How fast can you realistically move up if you’re motivated?

•What does your day-to-day actually look like?

•What kind of hours/schedule should I expect?

•What are the biggest downsides people don’t talk about?

•If you could go back, would you still choose supply chain?

I’m not afraid to take a pay cut starting out, but I do want a path where I can grow into solid income sooner rather than later.

I’m also considering accounting, but wanted to come here and get the supply chain perspective directly.

Any honest insight is appreciated—even if it’s “don’t do it.”

I’m 27 and trying to make a career change into something that will let me be home more consistently.

For the past ~6 years I’ve been working in the oilfield. Before that I spent about 3 years as a tankerman on tugboats, and the last 3 years I’ve been working as a coiled tubing operator. So all my experience is hands-on, labor-intensive work, long rotations, and being away from home a lot.

At this point I’m ready for something different. I’ve got a fiancée and a young daughter, and being gone all the time isn’t something I want long-term.

I’m planning on going back to school (likely online) and I’m stuck between:

Accounting

Supply Chain & Operations Management

What I’m trying to figure out is:

Which degree has better job opportunities right after graduating (with no direct experience in that field)?

Which one realistically gets to ~$70k–$80k faster?

Which one has better long-term earning potential?

What do the day-to-day jobs actually look like in each field?

How hard is it to break into either one coming from a completely unrelated background?

I’m not tied to staying in the oilfield. I’d leave for the right opportunity, but if one of these degrees could help me transition into a land-based role with my current company or industry, I’d consider that too.

I’m fully prepared to take a pay cut starting out, but I don’t want to be stuck making low pay for years. Growth and income potential matter a lot to me.

If anyone has experience in either field (especially if you made a similar switch), I’d really appreciate hearing your perspective.

I 27M, have been working offshore in the oilfield for 7 years now. I’ve recently grown tired of spending my time in the middle of the ocean away from my family. A degree makes the most sense for me as far as navigating my way to a decent to well paying “home every night” job goes.

That said, I don’t know what degree to pursue. Many on this sub have suggested Supply Chains & Operations Management. They’ve stated that it’s the most relevant to my field and may be where I find the most luck at not only landing a job quickly, but a mid tier paying one as well.

Can anyone comment on this? Iv have a few questions.

•What kind of jobs are available with this degree?

•What does the pay look like on the low, mid, and high end on these jobs?

•Are jobs easy to land with this degree?

•Would you recommend? Why or why not?

All information is appreciated. Even if you aren’t in this field but have relevant information. Thank you.

I’m 27 and finally decided I’m going all in on WGU. Plan is to knock out a bachelor’s and potentially roll straight into a master’s after.

My problem is I can’t decide what to go for.

I know I’m not interested in education or nursing (not great with blood), but everything else feels wide open and that’s honestly the issue.

My background is 100% labor — I’ve been working in the oilfield my whole adult life, so I don’t have any relevant experience in business, tech, etc.

A big factor for me is this: I don’t want to graduate and be stuck because every “entry-level” job still wants experience. I want something that actually gives me a realistic shot at getting hired after graduation.

From what I’ve been reading, it seems like:

Some degrees are better for breaking in with no experience (like accounting or general IT)

Others are harder to enter without prior experience (like cybersecurity, management, etc.)

I’m open to putting in the work, I just want to make a smart decision on the front end.

If you were starting from scratch with no experience, which WGU degree would you choose and why?