Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 22 years old and have an associate’s degree in new media design. So far, I haven’t been able to find work in my field. Should I pursue my bachelor’s in new media or get an associate’s degree in another field? — Ben

J.T.: Getting another associate’s degree would just be like completing the same course twice, so I don’t see the benefit. Further, before you get more education, ask yourself, “Is this the field I really want to be in?” If the answer is “yes,” get the bachelor’s.

Dale: Hold on. There’s another question to answer before committing to that bachelor’s degree, and it doesn’t involve soul-searching; instead, it’s asking people who are already in the jobs you’re pursuing if you need the bachelor’s, and if so, where and what kind. You may end up with a job without getting a degree, or perhaps a place to work while you go to school.

J.T.: Further, if you can’t get a job in the field while going to school, at least take on freelance projects. There are lots of small businesses that could use help in new media design. If you have trouble breaking in, take on projects for free till you get enough experience to get paying jobs. There are Web sites devoted to freelance work, such as Elance.com, where you can bid on projects and earn a little cash while you build your skills.

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Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten’s latest book is “(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success” (John Wiley & Sons). Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

© 2009 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.