Do you work in your degree related field??
 

Hey everyone, I was recently offered a good job that has absolutely nothing to do with my B.A. When I was in school, I always thought it was dumb to not be working in a related field after going to school all those years, and now I might be one of those people!
Just wondering, how many people are actually using their degree??

Well, I can't exactly answer your question on a personal level because I'm still in school. However, when I was a freshman, I went to a workshop/talk about majors. I guess a lot of people end up in fields that don't have to do with their major. With some fields (especially science/medical), it's really important to have that major. On the other hand, with others, it may not matter as much. I know having a bachelors counts for a lot.

So, I hope that helps and I'm sorry for not providing a true insider's prospective.

I used my degrees (BS, MS) for 11 years before staying home to have kids 1.5 years ago. I do think I will return to the work field one day, and it will be in the same career.

FWIW, my degrees don't really transfer well to other areas. I do have some friends with the same degrees that are now working in pharm sales, and one friend who works in info technology in the medical arena. We always have the management option, but that is not for me.

I do have friends who are not working in their majors at all, and have been very happy and successful.

I can't cite this- sorry- but I remember reading years ago that the average American changes career paths (not jobs, but actual careers) 4 times in their lifetime. Seemed kind of high to me, but maybe there is something to people choosing to pursue that which they love.

ETA- Also, don't feel dumb for not using the degree that you spent that time obtaining. Part of earning a college diploma is supposed to indicate that you are capable of critical thinking, writing intellectually, demonstrating knowledge in many different areas, etc. Note I did say "supposed." Sadly not everyone who makes it through school is as good at this as others, and some with no degree are just as capable. You should still be proud of obtaining the diploma, and if the question ever comes up, you can focus on the general skills that college taught you. Also, as an adult, education is always a plus... since you have a BA... all those classes (whether it is Art History, Literature, Music or whatever) that you took will have knowledge that will come in handy in social situations. Literature was never my strength, and I love meeting people who are so well read and can actually explain all the subtle themes, implications, etc. Also, I love going to Art Museums with my Art History major friend.

My BA was in Elementary education. I graduated and substitute taught for a while before realizing it wasn't what I wanted to do. I am now getting my master's in Higher Education in order to work with students via leadership development.

But truthfully, regardless of your degree, if you like the job and then that's all that matters. Good Luck

Nope. Degree is in Biology and Chemistry. I run a book publishing company that does not release scientific material.

I did work in a lab for a year but I hated it. :)

I'm not really using my undergrad degree as of yet. At least not where I work. However, I am working in the field I want to make a career out of. Once I get my graduate degree, then I'll be using both degrees in my field of study.

I have a triple major (Journalism, History and English) and a minor (Photography). I also have a double MA (British History and Communications) AND am certified to teach 7-12 grade.

What do I do? I'm the Senior News Editor (which is funny, because I am the only news editor) at a large, member-driven technical organization. I write news stories for our Web site, contribute (on average) 5-6 pages of text/pictures a month in our 160-page membership journal (with by-line!), take pictures of products we sell on the Web site, write and distribute a weekly e-mail newsletter that goes out to about 70,000 people, as well as write a script (edited from the newsletter) and voice a weekly news show that members can either download from our Web site, phone in to receive, or listen to it on certain kinds of radios - and more!

In other words, yes I use my degrees and I have a blast doing it. I can't believe I get paid to play with words all day long!!!
:D

My degree is in Occupational Therapy. I did work as an Occupational Therapist for 13 years and then took courses to get a Microsoft Certification. Now I'm a LAN System's Analyst.

I'm getting itchy though.. wanting to try something new again. I'm not sure what though. I've thought about owning my own business. Point is, I can see myself changing career paths 4 times in my lifetime. I did one for 13, have been doing this for 8, and I probably can't retire for 22 more years so that leaves quite a bit of time. I also think I'll have a 'retirement' career doing something that I really enjoy without the money really being the issue.. something like making items to sell in craft shows... something more hobby related.

I have a BA in Political Science and History. After graduation I worked as a bartender and now find myself in the non-profit sector.

I absolutely love my job. Despite the long hours sometimes, there so much room for professional growth.

Chaminade University offers a Not-for-Profit MBA, and once things settle down over here...I hope to finally get started on that.

I purposefully got a degree in a Liberal Art (English) because I wasn't exactly sure what I want to do.

I was in education for four years, now I am a development officer for a small non-profit.

I miss the stories about your students...and their parents. :eek:

I love working in non-profit. I got a $1000 check today from a corporation and already I've managed to accidentally use it as a coaster for my coffee. :o

I definitely did that with my rent check a few days ago!

I have a BS and MS in chemistry, and that's what I do all day. I have thought about going outside of my field, but I genuinely love what I do and I'm passionate about my specialty.

I do use my graduate degree. But at first it would not appear that I am using my undergraduate degree at all- which was microbiology. I do take care of the science collection at work, as well as answer the science questions. So I am using it indirectly in a way.

Yes.

I majored in art in undergrad. I got my degree, then I furthered my education by studying Industrial Design, and now I'm a Transportation Designer.

I eat, sleep, and drink cars.:D

My degrees are in my field, but I don't use them. They are in Economics and Production Management. I am a project manager integrating technology into a Wholesale Mortgage unit

I used to - I got degrees in print journalism and history, and I used to work in public relations (kind of related to the journalism degree). Now I'm in law school and I'm a law clerk.

I have a B.A. in English Education, a minor in Speech Communications, and a M.A. in Education. I teach kindergarten so I think I'm using my degrees to some extent.

I have a B.A. in Psychology and going for my M.A. in Counseling. I used to work in a security office, but everytime someone called in to report something, they'd end up telling me their life stories over the phone. Then, I started to work at Barnes and Noble, but everytime someone asked for a map or a book on cancer, they'd talk forever about traveling and dying relatives. Now, I'm a counselor at a psychiatric hospital. Very related to my degree, but so was everything else. :)

BA in PR and a minor in sociology, and I'd say I use them both every day.

B.A. in journalism and political science, and now I'm a Congressional reporter. So pretty much to a T!

Well, I'm about to use my degree and enter in an Alternate route program to receive my certification/5 year license to teach. I think most people use their degrees to get their foot in the door in another career path. Only a few people, that I know of, are actually working in a field that their degree is in.

Uh huh!

BA in Architectural Studies--and guess what? I'm an Architect!

I went to graduate school right after college to study historic preservation--I like the jobs I've had as a result of the degree, but didn't learn much in the degree program. I'm thinking of either getting an MBA or an MS in Construction Management. We'll see.

I graduated with a BA in Journalism and currently work for a small publishing company in their production department. I'm not doing any writing, but I do a lot of layout and design along with some editing, so I am using some of the skills I learned in my degree classes. It's a great place to work, but I know I won't be here forever (no room for growth). I still don't know what I want to do, really. I change my mind about every 3-4 months.

My BS, MS, and Ph.D. are in horticulture with various minors and after I taught horticulture at various colleges, I went into teaching Spanish. Why? I can almost choose my job because the need for learning Spanish is so great around here. Eighteen years ago, there were hardly any Hispanics here and now this county alone has 15,000. I'm paid as if I were in my original field as well; I didn't lose any money by switching fields.

We've strongly suggested that our children pick up useful minors, no matter what majors they choose, and thank the Lord that they've done so. Our oldest has 2 degrees in recreation administration but a couple of years ago, she called and said, "I'm going to teach high school Spanish this fall!" (She had enough Spanish hours to declare a double major.) So she's at this incredible school that spends tons on their Spanish program, the lucky thing!

Anyway, our others are picking up numerous useful minors like education or foreign languages just in case their first field doesn't work out. I hope that some of you guys will do so too!

I use my grad degree (J.D.) to earn a living that I enjoy.

I use my undergrad degree (B.Music) to enjoy life.

My degree is in Radio/Television production with minors in Government (Political Science), Speech, and English. I honestly can't remember if I finished a minor in Fine Arts because our requirements changed midway through my college career.

I started out as a TV director (mostly news and live sports), went into production management and am now directing again.

So, my answer is yes.

As I was in my senior year and recruiters began talking to us at So. Carolina, I was amazed at the number of banks that wanted to talk to Hotel Restaurant students.. When asked about this (because So. Carolina has a good business school), the reps from these banks said a) what they really wanted were employees that had a demonstrated ability to learn; they would supply the specific training; b) they liked having people with varied background and skills; c) folks who could interact well with the public were always valued (ie customer service skills).

Also, after being out of school for a few years I heard the comment from someone in the field of career counseling saying that it used to be that folks came out of school, found a job and stayed there sometimes their entire career. Today, its not uncommon for a person to not only change jobs, but careers as well several times during their work life.

No, not really. BS in Journalism and History, I am a marketing rep for an insurance company. Up until around a year and a half ago, I was doing underwriting for the same company. I never had real plans to use the history major, it was for fun.

Not even close.

got a BA and MA in Political Science. Work a few years with the UN. Decided that I want to make money. Work for a security firm first as your run of the mill broker. Now I head a team of derivative traders.

Yep - BS in Accounting and MS in Tax Law. I am a CPA and worked as a tax manager for a medium-sized oil and natural gas producer for 14 years. Now I just started working as Controller for a small industrial company.

I have a BAE in Social Studies Education and I teach high school World History and Geography. So, yes, I am in my career field for now....though after some bad days with parents and students, I have thought of switching! lol!

I have a BA and a MS in Speech Language Pathology and currently working with children with disabilities....I don't see me in the field 10 years from now.