Your college major and your career
 

I'm currently a 3rd year in college. I've been putting off declaring a major for quite some time; mostly because I'm scared. Art is where my heart is, but biochemistry is where my units are taking me. I plan on graduating with a BS in biochemistry and maybe go further on to grad school for a master's. Just out of curiosity though, How many of you ended up doing something completely irrelevant to your college major? Or, did you stay on the same path? I'm so curious to know! Please reply! :confused:

I graduated back in the mid 80s when IT was really only the major for uber nerds... I've been working in IT for the past 15 years or so, but in college had a double major in Math and Finance... Finance was preferred, math was just fun - -and I kept taking it as electives so I had enough credits for a double major.

My younger brother, by two years, graduated with a degree in Philosophy and French - in spent more than one semester in France as part of his education. He know is also working in IT...

Very few people I know are working in the field that our major was in... Unless it's something really specialized like Engineering, or you're planning on going for a post graduate degree, your college degree really is just a piece of paper that says you completed college, it doesn't have a lot of bearing on what you want to do with the rest of your life...

(though, the running joke when I was in school was if you went for a Liberal Arts or Communications major the only thing you'd be qualified to do was say "Do you want fries with that?", but that's because they were easy majors gotten by the cheerleaders and football players :)

:hmm:


Or the joke about my major, English, "how can you fail a class in your native tongue?"

Out of my circle of ENGL majors, one owns an IT company, one pursued a career in writing, one passed away while working as an editor, I went into journalism. Oh yeah, and one works at a music store.

I would think biochem would limit you to academia or research. As far as Art, the last reporter I hired had actually been an art major. Talent is talent.

I'm currently taking Software Engineering as my major with management as minors. So, I guess that's somewhat kinda irrelevant but it won't be as irrelevant once I start to get some experience on my resume and eventually get promoted into management position where I can finally put my management minor to use.

The day I got home from college graduation with a degree in Multimedia, I put it on the mantle, sat down on the couch, and said "Well, damnit, I don't want to do that anymore!" I'm currently looking for a job to pay the bills, and I want to go to Grad school to get a Doctorate of Psychology.

Remember, just because you graduate with a degree in one thing doesn't mean you're tied down to doing that thing the rest of your life. If you like Biochem, do biochem. You can go on to get a master's in art if you want. You can go to grad school for biochem, but keep doing art on the side as a hobby, then one day when you have plenty of money and are tired of the biochem, you can open a gallery or something.

The way you're thinking about it now- it seems you've convinced yourself that whatever major you graduate in will automatically lock you into doing that job *forever*. Nothing could be farther from the truth- the most talented artist I've ever met, who is now doing jewelry in a style that isn't seen anywhere else in the country, majored in Accounting in college. :)

I took a degree in journalism because I was good at writing. But journalism involves more than just writing well, and by the time I'd finished the degree, I realized that newspaper journalism wasn't for me. However, journalism did teach me how to gather, synthesize, and report information in an organized, easy-to-read way -- under deadline. And I used that experience in a long career in technical writing.

So while I never worked in journalsim per se, I used the journalistic skills I learned thorughout my career.

See your college experience not only in terms of knowledge gathered, but skills acquired. What skills will you learn as an artist that can be applied throughout life. What skills will biochemistry teach you?

Moreover -- here's a thought -- what kind of skill set would you have with an art/biochemistry double major? Where might that take you?

BA with a double major in history and English, MA's in children's literature and reading, PhD. in Children's literature.

I'm an English professor at a large Eastern university. I've always worked in my major fields.

My wife, Grace, has a BS in nursing, an MS in emergency medicine, and currently works as an ER nurse.

My sister is currently a double major in biochemistry and psychology, though she's considering a switch to the dedicated pre-med program at the end of her sophomore year. Her current courses would get her into med school though, so it makes little difference.

Gilda

That's just asinine. I have a graduate degree in Philosophy and I don't work at McDonalds... I sell doors!

B.Mus Jazz Studies from Saint Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia Canada. I recieved my degree in 2003.

I am in the States now at the University of North Texas starting my 2nd semester of my M.M in Jazz Studies (focus in Jazz guitar performance). I have like 12 or 13 hours completed. I should be done in 08

4th year Biochemistry myself. Pre-med. I'm in the final stages of deciding where I want to attend. My biggest problem at the moment is that I'm not staying in Louisiana. Everything has gone to hell in this entire state since Katrina. I would perfer to attend medical school in Texas, but it appears to be tough to get into the school even with my mcat score and GPA. I think around 3-5 is accepted from A&M and Baylor, which is the only school I really have a shot at atm.

Therefore, I guess you could see I'm doing something in my field. By, the way, anyone live(d) in Little Rock? It's the only med school alternative relatively close to family. I really have no idea if it's a decent place to live or not. I would just assume it isn't...

At least for me my major hasnt done anything for me (still in gradschool and not sure where im going in the long run). My major doesnt really have any stills connected to it, at least 'real world' stills. I can research and write a damned good paper. I guess i would be able to find work in any sort firm that required that sort of thing.

As for burtsbees - Why does that diploma matter: If you have the skills of both artist and a biochemist the paper that they give you at graduation really matter? Is there Comprehensive exam or Undergrad theist required to graduate?

I graduated with dual majors of History and Russian and Eastern European Studies. There's not too much of a market for people like me out in the real world, so I kind of fell into insurance, never to escape again. I actually do use the skills that I picked up with my major every day, though. I do a lot of writing and defense of arguements, and all the stats stuff that was required actually comes in very handy at times.

Personally, I think that there's too much emphasis placed on someone's major. With a few exceptions, majoring in something in college only teaches you enough to be dangerous and not really anything about practical applications. That's why doctors don't get turned loose to practice right out of medical school. I don't think that I'd ever hire an insurance major unless they had the skills that I look for anyway. It's definitely not a positive in my book.

I'm in my last semester before graduating with a BM in Vocal Performance, and in a few days I'm going to the career center to get help on my resume and interviews and stuff to apply for jobs in all different fields. Like other have said here, having a degree is the most important thing when it comes to finding a job. If you're able to be successful in the field you want, that's great, but there are many more options available to you.

I am a sophomore with my major being Chemistry and minors in Natural Sciences and Mathematics. I plan on applying to medical school and graduate programs in organic chemistry.

I have a BA in Elementary Education and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction. Right now I'm in my 6th year of teaching. My BA helped me get this job, but as of now, my Master's isn't helping much at all. I just graduated with my Master's last August though so I'm not sure exactly what it can do for me. I would love to get out of the classroom and work more on the curriculum aspect of education. Although, I wouldn't mind working for a company helping develop training instruction.

They told me in undergrad that a BA in teaching would be desirable for many professions. However, what I typically run across is people wondering why I want to leave the classroom. I have to explain that I want to change the path of my carreer and then I get the lecture about how 'real' world aka business world jobs are different from the classroom. I say, yes, I know that is why I want to be out of the classroom.

Oh well, my advice to you is to do what you want to do. Life is too short to settle for something that is the 'right' choice, but not the 'makes me happy' choice. Good luck to you. :)

Brief thread hijack:

I knew a teacher who had a great response to that question from non-teachers. She'd ask if they ever hosted or helped host a children's birthday party. Usually they'd say, yes. Then she said, imagine hosting a birthday party for 30 kids all by yourself, six hours a day, five days a week. Then, she'd say, ask yourself if you could do that job. Because I can.

The best, most dedicated, most positive teacher I know took a break after 10-12 years in the elementary classroom, because she was burning out: "I was no longer the teacher I wanted to be," she told me. She took a couple of years off to be a student-teaching supervisor and took a master's in admin at the same time. And she went back to work as a principal.

The classroom is tough.

I received a B.S in Information Technology in 2004. Currently I am an I.T Technician for a nursing home where I am the only individual that is in charge of the windows 2000 server and the 93 computers throughout the buidling.

Some days are extremly busy with numerous computer problems while other days nothing happens.

BA(Hnrs) Physical Geography in 1983. I actually worked in my field as a geologist (hauling drill core out of abandoned gold mines near Tweed, Ontario) until the contract ran out and the recession at the time made competition with PhD's in the same field difficult to land another contract.

Went to college and got a diploma in Computer Programming and Analysis. It's been 20 yrs now, and I must say that COBOL paid for my house...

My majors were English and History. I haven't used my skills or my degree in one job yet. I had hoped to go to graduate school for Information/Library Science to do archives work, however, I was detoured by being forced to make a living if I wanted to afford my rent, and other needs when on one's own.
I still hope to return to school eventually and enter the career path I dreamed of since childhood.

2 1/2 years in, Major in Psych, with a bio minor. Lots of neural and cell stuff.

I'm hoping to get a job in a neuropsych field, but I don't really know what's out there. :D

The running joke amongst engineers is that all humanities says that, except for the hard sciences and math, and the would-be lawyers or doctors.

AS in social psychology from Troy State University, AS in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University and soon to be a BS in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales. I LIKE my job and I could be a chef, but not forever. I think I will go for a Food Science(maybe agribusiness ecnomics and food chemistry) PhD from Oklahoma State University. I havent done much in the way of actually GOING to grad school because of my schedule but Im working on that and have been in contact with the university. Hopefully I can get things going soon...

as far as my career Id like to get into research and development or packaging and purchasing of raw goods for a large(or not so large) food/beverage producer(Nabisco, Coors, Coca Cola..)

First year of College, majoring in History, minor in Secondary Education.

Hope to teach American History in high school :thumbsup:

Joint BA in Theater and Spanish. I am the Immigration Coordinator at a nifty hospital. I am taking prereqs to go back and get a Master's (or equivalent) as a PA.

I'm on my way to getting an AS in emergency medical services, as a paramedic. I'll definitely be directly applying my schooling towards my job afterward (as a paramedic).

I have a BA in Film Studies (it's like English Literature only done with film rather than books)... I am currently working in the film and television industry.

I have a BA in...Communications, Print emphasis. I started out as a Biology major, but Organic Chemistry (OK, and reg. chemistry too) kicked my pert little tukus. So I switched my major and minor, and felt it a much better fit.

After graduating I worked for a specialty newspaper, kinda got screwed over, did a lot of free-lance stuff, and came to the conclusion that I could sell everything I wrote (and I did), and at the current rates would still stave to death. That's when I set my cap on technical writing, and haven't looked back. I'm now a technical editor, and because I have a flair for computers and software (a flair for someone never trained in the stuff, lol!) I also do systems integration analysis for technical pubs.

I'm happy with my job but I fear it's a bit specialized, so I'm always looking for training in any areas I can get approved for, to expand my knowledge base and improve future employment opportunities.

Went to Art School.

Career - Wal Mart.

BA in English...

I'm currently treading water working for an inpatient drug/alcohol rehab center doing office work and occasional childcare.

I hope to start work on my Master's in Teaching this summer/fall.

BA English/History and B.Ed.

Currently teaching elementary, would like to teach junior high (7-9) or high school some day.

and I just realized this I will have a concentration in Travel and Tourism Managment when I graduate this May because Ive taken a bunch of BS classes in Travel and tourism becase theres nothing else for me to take. Ive taken all the psych and food service ones...

I have 3 degrees and a shit job. Go me!

I have a chem eng and an environmental biochem degree but in the end I started an aquarium design/servicing company and presently negotiating a purchase of a 4000sq.ft warehouse to carry my own livestock and drygoods.

B.Sc. ChemEng: I didn't apply for uni after HS as I wanted to take the year off and figure out what I wanted to do. My father knew the dean and got me in. I dropped out after 1st year and travelled. When I ran out of $$$ he bailed me out in Trinidad. I finished the degree bu absolutely hated it and was bored out of my tree.

B.Sc. EnvBioChem: I thought I'd go through the bachelors again as I had no interest in retaking some of the chem eng courses to raise my GPA to be able to persue a graduate degree. It was and interesting course that I really sunk my teeth into. The greatest part of 4th year was a graduate prep course. The area I chose was in aquatic toxicology. As an avid fish keeper it was right up my alley. Building fish holding facilities and "experimentation" chambers for the different effluent we were exposing fish to. Without going into detail...scary stuff.

In the end, politics, animal rights groups and "classic" academia put a sour taste on the overall experience and put a halt on the project. I no longer want to invest anymore time academically and at 29, I wanted to get my life going. Since I was always into fish, worked in various pet shops, why not. Wish I figured that out after HS...LOL.

All I can say to you is try to keep your GPA (out of 4.0) above 3.0. Network with professors as they can help you in the right direction. If your program offers a graduate prep course...take it.

HTH

I'd try to evaluate how much you like the math part. It gets much more difficult (or at least there's a paradigm shift that was difficult for me) after your second year.

Oh yeah, I don't use my math major for my job, and never did. Except, I guess, to help me count the money I make.

I agree with the people that say it doesn't matter what your degree is in, unless it's something technical.

Well, being a Chem major, I have to take Calc I, Calc II, and Calc III. With Calc II and III being 4 credit classes, I would only have to take on additional class: Linear Algebra.

I majored in Biochemistry and Computer Science. Now, I am in graduate school trying to get a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics. I think it is good to think of future directions to go into, but to also realize that it may or may not work out and not to get frustrated if it doesn't.

Graduate school is a big bummer actually some times, it is so much work compared to undergrad (not homework, just research work - 6,7 days a week I work now). So, it is worth understanding the level of work that grad school or medical school will required and how that will affect you.

Peace.

I'm majoring in English, with a Theatre Minor. I'm not really sure what I want to do, but I'm either going to Grad School, going to pursue a career in editing, or as a theatre critic.

Pipedreams, all, I suppose.

A year ago I finally completed a BS in Information Technology, after starting (but never completing) a Computer Science degree 20 years earlier. I have pretty much known since I was 15 that I should do something in a career field related to computers but I still managed to get sidetracked into the electronics industry for 12 years after my first attempt at college failed in a spectacular way (electronics paid the bills.)

I think that a degree shows prospective employers several things. It shows that you have a baseline understanding of communication, basic research skills, and problem solving (even completion of nothing but the general ed. credits establishes this.) I believe that to most employers this is the by far the most important thing.

If the major you have chosen is relevant to the job you are seeking it can demonstrate that you have a fundamental understanding of concepts that they may deem necessary to perform a specific function.

B.S. Aeronautics

Currently applying to graduate school for Aeronautical Engineering. Hoping to get a masters.

Im a pilot, so I do use my degree. But, in hindsight, I would have been better off sticking with my original major ---Physics. I bailed out my last year and got a Aeronautics degree instead. Its a long story, but it was the wrong choice.

It's not wasted work though, I learned a lot and because of all those physics classes I took, can get into a Aero. Engineering program.

I definately have a different outlook on college now compared to when I started.

Well... I decided I wanted to make computers (I didnt know if I wanted to make software, IC's or system level engineering)... so I went into electrical engineering.. I got about 2 years into it and decided I hated what went into making computers... but I decided to stick it out cause I already had so many credits and no other clue what to do...

then about 4 years into it (it took me 5.5 years for a bachelors.. yeah yeah.. shut up) I found that I really love high voltage, high power stuff... and hear I am making a tremendous amount of money doing a job I enjoy very much.. so sometimes sticking to a path will lead you were you want to be... even if you don't know where that is... but I may just be a statistical outlayer...

BS in Computer Science. After graduation I realized that I had no desire to ever write programs ever again. Or "fix" all of my friend's computers. Now, I'm volunteering at a hospital, trying to get hired on, and I've never had more fun at work. I'm definitely glad I didn't try to convince myself to get an IT job.

Currently, I am a business major. I HATE business classes though. I ended up dropping Financial Accounting this semester, and my Business Law class is boring as hell. So, after two years of classes, I have decided I'm changing my major.

Hopefully, when I transfer to the uni this next semester or two, I can change my major to French, and my minor to business (so the classes I took don't go to waste).

Licenciatura (5 year BA - almost a Masters really) - in Fine Art. Working at an Art Gallery as an assistant. It's in my area but I hope to be able to live off my art work some day.

I'm majoring in electrical engineering and mathematics, and of course i have no idea what do do with it.

I'm looking to major in Criminology and minor in History. My career goal for right now is to simply get hired by police or sheriff's department and either make my way through the ranks or become a detective later in my career.

I've heard of many people who get a major and don't do something specifically related to that major, for various reasons, some get better opportunities and, some can't get a job, others simply lose interest in the field they selected and I’m sure there are many other reasons I haven’t mentioned. It all depends on what you want to do, what you can do, and what's important to you. However, that being said you are either going to have to decide on which major you want, or take an extra year or two and get both majors. All that I can recommend for that is some good old thinking and introspection. I am a physics and math major, just starting out. I hope very much that I will use my degree in my career because I plan on going to graduate school, and maybe being afforded the opportunity of doing research some day.

I have two bachelor's; biochemistry and biology. I also have a master's in polymer chemistry. Right now I am in medical school. I originally wanted to be a doctor as well as a biochemical researcher, but I've realized that I will have no time for both.

My degree is Geography with a Planning option (Urban Planning). I've been a graphic designer since graduation.

EE represent. didn't know so many EE's on here.

My major in College was Criminal Justice, because I wanted to work in probation and parole. Instead, I am the Executive Director of a Non-Profit Agency. Worked my way up through 4 positions with 4 organizations before I was named the E.D. My Masters is in Child and Family Studies.

Another EE major here. I may go into biomed during grad school, though. I'm just a first-year student.

cool. just finishing up and going to grad school in EE this fall.

B.A. English - Marketing/Advertising.

I'm kinda using my education since I write a lot, but I'm slowly getting into graphic design and layout. Taking classes, learning the software on my own, etc.

I think for most liberal arts degrees, it doesn't really matter although synergies are important... ie: English and doing a lot of writing. Most people I know are not in careers directly relating to thier majors. What's important is to have the diploma that says you can finish a job. Skills are what employers are looking for, not degrees.

Except in the case of science or engineering. It's kinda hard to be a biologist if you don't have a degree in biology ;)

BFA Lighting Design - The Theatre School at DePaul University
MFA Stage Design - Northwestern University

Worked in Theatre and TV for 5 years before moving to PA and becoming a stay-at-home dad. Hope to get back into the theatre game later this year.

B.S. in Movement Science (with focus on motor control and biomechanics). I am currently three semesters away from getting a Pharm.D. but now taking hiatus from pharmacy school.

I currently work as a personal attendent for a quadriplegic man. I turn him while he sleeps, do range-of-motion on his legs and arms, basic nursing care, and I cook and clean for him. I love my job, it's immensely better than being in school.

Movement Science? so do you have to take engineering and physics courses?

I have a B.A. in history/political science (I think it is combined that way--you'd think I'd know after all these years!). I intended to go to law school from the day I started college, so I picked a major that was recommended for pre-law. I went to law school and am an attorney today.

Therefore, I guess the answer is my history major is irrelevant, but it was necessary for me to get a college degree in SOMETHING in order to get the J.D.

Funny to look back and see where I was. I should have said I was working on a BA in English, because it took me a while longer to finish it than I thought I would (damn you, terrible advisor).

After that job, I worked as a nanny. I fell in love with working with young children and decided to pursue a degree in Human Development and Family Science (Early Childhood Development and Education) after I finished the English degree. I'm now about two terms shy of completing a B.S. in HDFS/ECDE after taking a year off to work in early childhood. ECDE barely pays the bills, so now I'm finally getting back to looking at that Master's in Teaching.

However, in terms of work, I use what I learned in my HDFS coursework every day, and as for the English degree, I use that too--my coworkers are constantly turning to me to make sense of stuff for them. For example, when we got new benefits at my place of work, I had to spend a significant amount of time parsing apart the language of the various contracts/benefit statements for everyone. I'm also the resident dictionary.

I'm pretty sure we have another thread floating around here like this one (and more recent too), but I thought it was interesting to see where we'd been.

Hmm... English BA, eh? I have one of those—an honours BA, specialized, to be exact. I did that as a followup to a college diploma in business administration and marketing.

I should have gotten into marketing. I suppose I had a tough time "selling out." Now here I am working as an editor, though I don't know how good I am at it or how much I like it. In other words, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be doing this.

I suppose I need to find out how to make more money eventually. Either that, or get used to the idea of never retiring. At least editing is low-impact.

BS in Mechanical Engineering, working as a Mechanical Engineer. Done, and done.

I'm curious. i want to get a fix on what people mean when they refer to "selling out" . My son has just (successfully) completed his first year at Ryerson in business - his major is marketing. When I compare what I do (managing work flow improvements at the gas company) with what he is taking in school, it's almost identical - conceptually.

I don't get how this can be referred to as selling out. To whom? And what are we selling? I know you may be referring to a concept of your opinion of yourself and what you are capable of contributing to society. Should my fairly introspective and thoughtful son think that he has taken a less honourable path?

Oh, it's not about honour or anything. I guess by "selling out" I mean doing something primarily because it's a "real" job that makes "good" money. I didn't end up in marketing because I couldn't find a way to do it that was personally rather than just monetarily rewarding.

If anything, I do marketing but in the book trade. There just isn't much money in that.

I have a BA in Journalism and English Lit. If I would have taken one more Women's Studies course, I would have been a triple major. I was really good at double dipping.

I chose to go the marketing communications route with my journalism degree as it appealed to me more than being a reporter. My internships and volunteer opportunities taught me more than my professors, but it's important to have a piece of paper...an expensive piece of paper. Now I work for a university writing about the successes of students and faculty. I write press releases, update websites, and write for marketing collateral to show donors how awesome we are.

Don't worry...I write much better for work than I do on here.

I'm looking to change my career a bit. I want to get my MS in College Student Personnel, but every time I try, something happens. Eventually I would like to get my PhD and do research, specifically on college access and success. I just don't know if that will ever happen. :(

Leto - selling out is doing something for money rather than passion. If his passion is also highly remunerative, he really hasn't sold out. As it were, I'm a total sell out. My heart, my passion, is teaching. But it pays like total worthless piles of shit. So I keep doing my computer job because it pays better than it should, even if I'm not a particular fan of the work.

As for the OP; BS in Computer Science, software engineer by day.. crime fighting superhero by night. Except without the last part.

I have a bachelor's degree in Film, and actually managed to make a career out of it until 2008, when I got laid off and all freelance work dried up.

Now I'm an apprentice building engineer, and tell the young 'uns that if they study real hard in school, they might still wind up like me sweepin' floors. :shakehead:

After determining that there was no point in having a BA in English, I received my BA in Sociology... thought Sociology would be a bit more marketable-- I was interested in research. Figured I would never have the money or interest in pursuing my Masters in English, so why waste my time with a fairly pointless degree?

After immediately graduation, my work sent me to school for a year to pick up some Manadrin. During that time I realized I could afford to go back and get my Masters... but I didn't want it in Sociology.

Cue two years of finishing up pre-reqs for the English graduate program.

I'm currently working in international logistics. It's something I'm good at, so... eh. I want to write. Figure I'll get my MA, start teaching community college classes or private high school classes, or figure out where the future of publishing is heading and try to hop on board. All the while writing, keeping myself immersed in words.

We'll see how that goes.

'Sokay, when I make it big I'll drag you along as my rhythm guitarist. It's a cush gig, you just play three chords over and over.

I have no business being in this thread.

Wow! That was 5 years ago.