Ah, something I can relate to! I received my B.B.A. in Marketing and it really wasn't applicable to anything. Having a degree gave me a leg-up on other candidates, but other than that it hasn't helped a whole lot. I've used the skills I made in college in general, but not marketing classes (i.e. writing, meeting deadlines, etc...). I'll be perfectly honest, I've worked my butt off to get where I am and I've never made $40k. I'm close and I'm on my way there, but I'm also going back to school for accounting.

If I were you, I would not spend the money or time on a marketing diploma. I don't see it helping. If I had to do it over, I would have done management and accounting. Both have realistic and applicable skills and aren't generic like marketing is. In regards to the accounting and financing - you can most certainly survive but you have to work hard. I really enjoy accounting now but I had to work in accounting to realize how much I liked it.

I think if you're looking for a career because of the money, you're not going to find that your heart is in it and everyday will be a chore. I certainly understand wanting to switch careers but you may want to go about this in a different way. It seems like you heard that marketing will get huge, you can make big bucks and here's an expedited class that will get you on that train. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way and that's really how a lot of colleges lure you in. I know, because I wasted 2 years to get an "Associates" that didn't transfer to a 4-year state college. I had to redo it all when I decided to transfer and get a Bachelors. That is something that you really need to look into. Would the coursework transfer to an accredited 4-year university? If it's possible, you may want to try to work in an office first before you start pursuing a degree. Going from welding to working in an office is a HUGE change. A dear friend of mine just went from roofing/pipe welding to IT and the adjustment to an office setting has been difficult, but it's at least proved to him that this is the degree that he want's to pursue. It would be terrible to do all the work only to get into the setting and realize that you hate it. You have plenty of time - you're only 23. I'm 31 and just started back. Good luck!