Occupation/Major
 

I'm curious. For those of us who have finished college, are you working in the field of your major or something completely different?

Hi Ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho!

This is my first time posting in your area.

This is a good question: I'm working in a completely different area. My degree is in Industrial Technology, with a manufacturing concentration. When I first graduated (and some time after graduation) I tried to gain employment in my field, but of course I didn't have the experience, so I didn't get the job(s). So I did what I could (secretary, 4 and a half year stint in radio, etc.)

I currently am an Academic Advisor at a community college, and really like what I do, even during registration when tempers get short and students are more whiny than ever! This job has actually helped me decide to pursue an MS in Counselor Education. :)

My undergrad degree was in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. I thought that I wanted to work for a Federal Law Enforcement agency as an agent. However, my internship proved that it was NOT the field for me. Luckily, thanks to the advice of my advisor, my minor was in Management Information Systems.

Currently, I have just entered a program for my MBA. When I am finished, I hope to find a job in Human Resources. The Career Services office has told me that I can translate my Sociology degree into people related skills.

Almost....
 

I just got my doctorate this summer in Biomedical Sciences with an emphasis in Microbiology (yeah!!). Usually before you can go on to a real job in the Life Sciences after receiving your doctorate, it is highly recommended and expected for you to complete a post-doctorate research project. I'm in the process of applying to a lab now and when I am done with my post-doc I hope to find a real job working in the biotech industry or for the government.

Well congrats to you Soror with your smart self!!

I posted this question because I have found myself doing something that I never thought I would have the patience or desire to do. My major was Economics. Since I graduated I have had many jobs and it wasn't until my children started school that I became interested in the field of education.

I am a Special Education teacher now and taking grad courses towards a masters.

So for those of you who are doing something totally different now, if you could go back would your major be different? I think my major would have been Psychology/Education which I absolutely had no interest in back then.

I would probably have majored in HRM (Human Resource Management) or perhaps a double major of HRM and Sociology. I don't regret my Sociology but I definitely would have done something more business oriented.

So true
 

I agree. Looking back, I would have used my electives to take a business or management course and not meterology 102 - describing the coulds in the sky.

Yet another good question!

I had an interest in speech pathology, and started classes working toward a 2nd BA degree in that field several years ago. When I found out what it took to complete the degree where I was attending school, and then found out that I would have to get a Master's in that area, and then reminded myself that I wasn't getting any younger, I changed to Counselor Education. But you know what they say - hindsight is 20/20. . .

When I went to college, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to major in. My mother wanted me to go into the business field, and I had absolutely no desire to do that. To this day, I still don't, and I've been out of college for a number of years.

social sciences in the house!
 

i am an august '03 graduate(yep, i'm a baby!) and i am a sociology major with a minor in secondary education. i wanted to be a social studies teacher when i came to college(and have all the history, geography, poli. sci. courses on my transcript to prove it!) but decided to go another route. i will be starting work for my MS in Social Work(focusing on addictions) in january and hopefully, 2 years later, i will emerge as a clinical social worker.

NOW, i am still looking for a job in the human services field, but in this economy, a sister took what she could get!(praise the LORD for a job!) and i am an accounts manager for t-mobile...
hey, sociology is BROAD and that's a good thing!

people really discount sociology, but I LOVED my major and it has given me a lot of insight into society and the human condition. my sensitivity to my fellow man has increased tremendously and intellectually(if not academically), i was very challenged by sociology i say study what interests you and what you love and what will let you utilize your talents and all the rest($) will follow!
sociology majors RUN IT!

Re: social sciences in the house!
 

And you KNOW this!!! :D :cool:

Well, I changed my major from PE, with an emphasis on coaching, to Photography (don't need a degree to coach I already have experience). I have found with photography, I'm doing mostly independent work. I'm currently doing full time reception work at a law firm (it's easy for me and pays pretty well and since I have an AA it jacks up my pay a bit;) ) Soon as I get my degree(BFA in Photojournalism-Docu) , I think it'll be easier to get paid work in my field also my portfolio will be much better.:D

For those of you who responded, aren't you amazed at people who knew what they wanted to do when they were like in grade school, majored in it, graduated and have worked in that field all their lives! When I left class last night my mind was just so wide open I could have stayed there all night asking my Professor questions. I didn't have this kind of passion for anything when I was in undergrad.

My major was influenced by my father and a professor and my friends. We wanted corporate careers. Nothing is wrong with that but I have found that now my personality is a mix of sensitivity, creativity and humanitarian that I know I would not be happy if I was making a living in the corporate world. I may not be making much money now but I love what I do and that is worth more than gold.:)

i heard that!
 

Quote:

I may not be making much money now but I love what I do and that is worth more than gold.:)

well said! people(especially young people) neglect to reflect on the fact that A: money is not or should not be the primary reason to enter into any field or even for going to college for that matter. if money is your aim, there are a lot of ways to make it... B: there are a lot of high-paid people who get up every single day and hate what they have to do for a living! C: education is about making more of you time and talents. if you only come out with a degree and have not truly been engaged in the college experience and have not expanded upon the person you were when you came--you missed a big part of what higher education is all about. and D: if you come out of college only thinking about the money your degree will make you and never think of how you can contribute to the community and/or better the life chances of someone else, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE EDUCATION HAS BEEN WASTED on you... many groups have been excluded from the academy for a long time...we can't afford to think of only ourselves!
(sigh) my sermon is complete...

I received my BBA in International Marketing and am now in graduate school pursuing the MSEd degree in Guidance Counseling. Man listen, I should have gotten my undergraduate degree in Psych. the first time around. If I can help it, I will NEVER take another business class again in life!!!!!

I heard that! I don't know how I did it back then because looking back I don't think I had any real interest in it. No wonder I struggled!

Yes. Most people I have met have changed their major in college at least 1 time. (i did:))

I got a social science degree, and now i work in the legal field.

Dropping in for a visit...

I have a degree in Business and one in English and I'm getting one in Biblical Literature, but I'm a Human Resources Manager.

I have a BS and MS in polymer chemistry, and I'm starting a position as a chemical engineer in 2 weeks.

I spent the last 5 months as a HR recruiter for a staffing agency.

Sorhors and friends,

Yes, it's amazing how we go for a degree in one occupation and end up doing something different. My first degree is in Apparel Design (Bachelor of Science in Human Resources) and I ended up going back to school for my current occupation (History and Social Studies Education - Bachelor of Arts). I really enjoy teaching even on the bad days. My MA is also in the field of education - Curriculum and Instruction and I'm working on a second MLA - Yes, I want to be a Library Media Specialist. (Remember folks books don't talk back!)

Serioussigma22:cool:

may 2006 grad here
major: well its complicated, but let's say education.
what im doing now? financial analyst for an IB firm.

if i could go back, i wouldve done an ACTUAL education degree, or something with languages becuase i never took a language. right now, im really into ASL, which people thought was a joke, but believe me it is NOT a game. it was the hardest B i ever worked for.

and yes, 3 weeks into this new job of mine - the money comes and go, but the boredom if it sucks is forever!

Changed, changed then changed again and glad
 

Initially, was an art major. Problem with that was I did fine on an "artsy crafty" level in high school, but really couldn't draw. That can be a problem. Realized I was in over my head when my dorm mate, also an art major, whipped out sketches while I was still working on the first sorry looking one.
Then got a BA in recreation administration. For no praticular reason.
I ended up at a department store in its customer service department listening to callers complain about errors on their credit card bills. Eight hours a day, five days a week of that provides a lot of inspiration to do otherwise.
Right before I had graduated a professor called me into his office and was curious what I intended to do with my life. Other than graduate, that was it.
He suggested/predicted I'd be back in school doing a journalism program because he'd observed I had writing skills and was curious why I wasn't using this ability. He was the first professor to take time beyond passing out roll sheets and grading papers. I went back for a 2nd BA, working 2 part-time jobs and finished in just over a year. Then worked as a news writer several years.

I worked for some time in the area in which I majored (worked as an Electrical Engineer and have a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering) but then went back to school and now work in the field in which I majored the second time (went to lawschool and am an Attorney). So I guess my answer is yes. Even now I am a Patent Atty so I use my Engineering degrees all the time.

Bluethunder, I agree to some extent that you can't let the possible $$ of a particular career influence you if that's not really where your heart is. But I guess that I have a little bit of a different perspec b/c my Dad always encouraged me to study soemthing that would definitely yield me a job at the end and that would pay enough so that I could live at a standard of living that is acceptable for me. Given that, one thing that initially attracted me to Engineering (and later Law) was the salaries. I also liked math, reading and writing (somewhat) so it worked out. However, I found that it was possible for me to take as many electives as I wanted to take and was very interested in things areas too. I almost have a certification (whatever that is) in Psychology, and I loved the Humanities classes. However, at that time I did not know that I would go on for graduate work and did not want to major in soemthing that would not yield me a job unless I got a Ph.D. So my perspec is that college is a time to explore and learn new and different things, I would also encourage people to major in something that they at least think at that time will yield them a salary at which they will want to live (in addition to something that will make them happy) b/c at the end of the day, you may have the same $$ of student loans but no money to pay them. My Mother went back to school in the '90s and majored in Social Work, she loved it (until it burned her out) but she started out making $22,000/year in ATL. Um, ok, she was lucky that she was a married woman b/c otherwise, she would be like my sister who has a B.S. in Psychology and barely makes $25,000/year and can barely live given her student loans, etc.
Ok, I'm rambling but all that to say that I think there's something to be said for college being a time to learn and explore but also to begin to establish your later life, whatever you want it to be.

SC

I place a lot of Electrical Engineers (and Mechanical Engineers) at my job. I'm wondering what exactly this type of career entails. It seems that these engineers are very versatile.

I have a BA in History and Ethnic Studies and a MA in history and have taught jr. high school social studies for three years before pursuing a M.A. in higher education administration and a Ph.D. in educational foundations. I currently work as a professor in Women's Studies and the Humanities.

Folks,

It really is interesting reading all of the various majors and actual career choices. I read in a Times or Newseek article that young adults will probably change their careers at least 3 to 4 times before they reach the age of retirement.

Serioussigma22:cool:

I received my BBA in Finance in 1999. I got my first job in Accounting in August of 2001 then moved to the Finance department in July 2003. Now as of July 2006 I'm in Compensation and Benefits as a Compensation Analyst. I happen to like my new role much better. I'm thinking about getting my Masters in HR instead of Finance. Isn't life funny!

That corresponds to the average number of times people change their majors in college. What seemed like a good idea in freshmen year for me (biology and becoming an MD) changed to becoming a history major by my junior year and eventually getting the Ph.D. Somehow it all works out in the end.

I graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology. I was previously going for a Bachelors in Nursing but became bored with it in the 3rd year and picked up my minor (psychology) as my major. I have had 2 positions in the field. I currently use my degree but wish I would have went straignt into getting my masters in psych right after college, but I felt I needed a break! (I know you can feel me on that!) I am now enrolled to receive my masters in counseling (YES! It was what I was meant to do) But if I had the chance to go back, I would have had 2 majors. I would have continued my Nursing degree and had that as a back up plan! It's the $$ talking!

While in college I was a Political Science major with a minor in English. My goal was to study law and practice family law. Once I started taking classes on the constitution and the supreme court I knew that law school would be a waste of money. Those classes board me to death. There were some people in my classes that thought that stuff was just soooooo interesting and I was just lost in a storm. Once I graduated I said that I would either go into education or social services. I started with social services and I really liked it; I am not creative enough to become a teacher. I am planning to make a career in social services and my present goal is to become a Program Director. I am still debating if I want to stay in welfare to work or go to either mental health or work with children. There is just so many options that I can take.

To answer the question....
 

I'm working in my field. My BA is in sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice. My minor waw Management Information Systems and my MBA is in general Business Administration. I currently am an investigative assistant for a federal law enforcement agency.

Nice...... I switched from Criminal Justice to Paralegal so I could work in the field to pay for law school.

A soror of ours worked as a paralegal for a mid-sized law firm for a while, then got a job at Shell Oil Co working as a paralegal. After much debate with herself, she finally decided to pursue her dream of going to law school. I'm happy to say that she is a 2L and as a Shell employee, I think she was able to take advantage of an 'employer subsidizes education' type program. She works for Shell 20 hrs / week and goes to law school full time. She's loving it. She's in the top section of her law class. :)

Sorors,
There are a lot of lawyers or folks working on their law degrees! Good luck folks!

Serioussigma22:cool:

Well, I have a BA in math, but right before senior year, I decided that I want to go into the hospitality field. So now I'm working on a BS in Hospitality Management. As far as that, I'm not sure what aspect of hospitality I want to go into yet, but I'll have to figure that out by May of 2007, when I graduate.

Yeah, that's cool. I'm trying to get into a company/firm that will help with all of that. Even if I get into one on the accounting side, since I'll have my AAS in accounting.

Keep at it. Things will work out for you. And, I'm sure I don't have to tell you - network, network, network!!!!