A Career After College and Career Change (Tidbits)

[Cookee]

Greetings Ladies:

I've been thinking lately about my plans after I graduate. I thoroughly enjoy my major, but there are other things I want to do besides my specific field. However, I almost feel that my career(s) should in some way pertain to my degree. I'm thinking that for me to do something not in line with my degree makes me feel as if I wasted my parent's money.

My question to other ladies that have graduated and are in the working field is, did you go outside of your field after graduating to pursue your other interests? Or after working in your field for a while, did you change to something else that interested you? Do you feel that it's just the "degree" that counts and not necessarily that you work in that field?

Just wanted to hear the experiences and points of others. I've been thinking about this for awhile because I just don't want to be a college graduate with no job or absolutely no clue!

Thanks,
Cookee

[CodeBlue_R3]

I'm a student still in college, but as a student going into the medical field I constantly here people complain about the jobs that they have and the degree paths that they chose so dont think that you are alone.
I do have one question-What did you major in? Your field may have a lot more branches than you realize. For example english, business, communications, etc can go with any field. Whether you choose to follow that path or not , you should look at it on the positive side of not a waste of money but a true learning experience. If you want to chat in more detail. Just reply to this message and I'll be sure to get back with you.

I've been thinking lately about my plans after I graduate. I thoroughly enjoy my major, but there are other things I want to do besides my specific field. However, I almost feel that my career(s) should in some way pertain to my degree. I'm thinking that for me to do something not in line with my degree makes me feel as if I wasted my parent's money.

My question to other ladies that have graduated and are in the working field is, did you go outside of your field after graduating to pursue your other interests? Or after working in your field for a while, did you change to something else that interested you? Do you feel that it's just the "degree" that counts and not necessarily that you work in that field?

Just wanted to hear the experiences and points of others. I've been thinking about this for awhile because I just don't want to be a college graduate with no job or absolutely no clue!

Thanks,
Cookee[/B][/QUOTE]

[AKA2D '91]

I am not working in a field that relates to my degree(s). I am teaching. I just received, ,or am in the process of receiving my certification. I have a BA in Political Science and a mater's in Public Admin with a specializaton in healthcare admin. Before I got out of undergrad, I wanted to go to law school. As the time approached to get prepared for the LSAT, etc., I changed my mind. So, I had decided to go to grad school. While in grad school, I found out that what most employers are looking for is WORK EXPERIENCE, WORK EXPERIENCE. I did not have it.

So as I completed my graduate work, I needed a job. I was 23 and had not worked a day in my life. I was told that I could teach, even though I did not have a background in Education. So I have been doing that every since 96.

However, my advice to anyone is while they are still undergrads is to INTERN, INTERN, INTERN, WORK, WORK, WORK. Many times a degree does not matter. Employers will hire someone who has the EXPERIENCE, rather than the degree...
unless you have the "hook up".

Oh, also, take a few Education courses here or there...you never will know, you might need it. There is a teacher shortage ALL over the country. The pay is not anything to brag about, but the time OFF is wonderful! I have been on vacatation since May 31. We do not go back to work until August 17. EVERY weekend off and the major holidays...

[AKA2D '91]

Soror, I do agree with you that some students are being short-changed in some instances. But, that is not to say that this comes from teachers who are or were not "trained" in college to teach. Teaching has been a rewarding experience for me and alot of colleagues who did not go the traditional teaching route as undergrads. Many of my colleagues who "trained" to become educators are doing some of the kids an injustice as well. I see it EVERYDAY!

You are right that you should do what your heart feels is right. I know that since I come from a background of teachers and administrators in education on BOTH sides of my families, that I REBELLED against the profession. But here it is, nearly 5 years later, and I do not regret the choice that I made. I am able to touch and inspire a group of children that may not ever would have known what the world has to offer them.

[Eclipse]

Cookee,
I have a Liberal Arts Degree (Economics) and am doing absolutely nothing with it. If your interest is in 'general business' or the like, a certain degree is not necessary. My first job out of college was as a managment trainee with a major insurance company and the other majors represented by my immediate collegues included psychology, biology pre-med, English and Real Estate. The real estate major left the company to go into Pharm. sales. I currently work in Human Resources and out of the probably 40 people with degrees that I work with, I don't know of 1 with a degree in Human Resources.

Besides, for most entry level jobs for college student, unless the company has a need for a specific, technical background (like information technology or accounting), recruiters primarily look for a good GPA, active outside of classes and good communication skills.

Don't worry about wasting your parents money. College is not just about learning a set skill, it is about learning how to learn, how to manage your time, express yourself, etc.

BTW...what is your major? What do you think you 'should' be doing and what do you want to do?

[This message has been edited by Eclipse (edited July 19, 2000).]

[Cookee]

Eclipse:

BTW...what is your major? What do you think you 'should' be doing and what do you want to do?[/B][/QUOTE]

Thank you all for the replies. For Blue and Eclipse, my major is Print Journalism with a minor in English. The line between what I want to do and what I think I should be doing blurs a bit. After school, my immediate desire is to go into the publishing field. I also enjoy writing and hope to become a published author. However, New York is the prime area for this field and I'm not too sure how I feel about moving there. My other interests lie in the business and education fields. I'd like to own a salon, nightclub/restaurant and/or a bookstore. I'd like to get my Master's, so that I'll be able to become a high school guidance counselor.

I just wanted to hear other's input because I felt like everyone except me knows exactly what they want to do and plan on doing that for as long as their career allows. While I know WHAT I want to do, it's not the only thing on my mind. AKATude, is your field something similar to Public Relations?

Take Care,
Cookee

[AKA2D '91]

Whatever you direction you decide, good luck to you!

We are now in a society that you don't have to work in xyz industry for 30 years and retire and say, "I'm through." We are now able to dibble and dabble into whatever field(s) we want... and for how long we want.

[Jaismom]

I have to agree that experience is the key. I was a chemistry major my freshman year and then changed to psychology and in the meantime picked up sociology as a second major. Upon graduating I decided that I wanted to do social work but had no social work degree nor any experience in the field. Through the grace of God I did get a job at Social Services as a case manager, and that doesn't even require a college degree and then after 2 yrs of blood, sweat, and tears have been promoted to a bridge position to a social work position. I have to keep this job for one year and then I can become a Social Worker. Now that just shows that if you have experience you are set to go. Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck.

[AKAtude]

I have a degree in journalism and I'm working in the medical field. However, my department is "marketing" but it also includes advertising. Too bad I opted not to take the advertising classes offered. I could use them now.

I do agree with Soror AKA2D that internships and work experience are very helpful. Although I did not work during the school year, I did have summer jobs. My campus had a career center that listed available internships and employment for students. I would encourage you to use whatever resources your campus may have.

However, think carefully before taking a teaching position just to have a job. I think it is great to take education courses, but please don't do it just to have something to "fall back on". I know a few people who took on education as a second major or as a minor "just in case", but were not really interested in the profession.

Our children are being short-changed in some instances. We don't need more teachers who are more concerned about a paycheck than the minds they are helping to nuture. However, if you find that teaching is your true calling then I encourage you to follow your heart.

[monique_79]

I have not responded to any topics on this forum in a while but I just had to respond to this one. I just recently graduated in May 2000. I have a degree in psychology and family development. I just knew I would get a job quickly in the human service field. I quickly got a reality check! Most of the jobs paying decent salaries require at least 2-4 years experience. The entry level jobs want to pay 7 dollars an hour (South Carolina)! I am now realizing the importance of job experience and networking. Some jobs don't even require a degree as long as you have the experience. I felt as if spending thousands of dollars on an education was a waste of my time. I am now working for a finance company. It pays pretty well but it is not in my field. I do know liberal art majors are entering career fields such as business, finance,and education. I just hope God leads me in the right direction. Here I was thinking that my next big obstacle would be expressing my interest to AKA on the grad level. I guess I better think again.

[AKAtude]

Cookee,

Public Relations has their own department. My department creates ads for newspapers, makes tv commercials, produces tv/radio segments, and puts together brochures/magazines for my place of employment.

[HER_STORY]

cookee,

i think that we all go through what you are feeling. when i first graduated from grad school, i was very confused as to what i wanted to do. i started of working within my field and became very disanchanted with that.
then i worked in the audiology dept and did nutrition as a consultant. now i realize that nutrition is what i want to do. my advice to you is to figure out what makes you happy. and remember that you can always change your mind.

[prospectiverushee]

Cookee,

I know exactly what your are going thur. I graduated in '95 with a B.A. in English. Hadn't a clue what I wanted to do. I just knew that I didn't want to teach and I didn't want to go to law school. So I went to work at a huge computer coorporation for two years. All the while my mom keep telling me to look in to the publishing industry and start looking into grad programs for library science since I love to read and write alot.

Naturally I didn't listen to my mom. I am currently back in school getting a 2nd undergrad in early childhood education (And still have moments of uncertainty of what I really what to do.) Finally, I sat down and looked at all my skills,abilities,and interests(and believe me I like and want to do a lot of things) to see if coming back to school was a good ideal.

I love to read and write. Since I've been in school have worked in two bookstores and two libraries. (so as soon as I get my gpa up, I'll be appling to graduate schools that have library science programs) (looks like mom was right after all)

I also like to travel and like to help people. It helps alot that every job I've had since '95 was customer related so I have PLENTY of customer service/communication skills. I'm also looking into information on being a flight attendent


The best thing to do is sit down and really evaluate all your skills and abilities and see how they translate in to your future goals. As long as you're doing what makes you happy, who cares if you're career matches your degree.

Thank you for your time

[Eclipse]

Another note for Cookee,
As someone else said, what you are going through is not unsual. I've read that the average person will change careers (not jobs--but CAREERS) 3 -4 times over their lifetime. I think it will increase over the coming years. Back when I graduated from college (over 10 years ago), 'job hopping' was seriously discouraged and you were expected to be in a job for at least 2 -3 years. Now, people no longer have that expectation. In some industries, if you stay on a job for more that 3 years they wonder what is wrong with you!

Questions to ask yourself Cookee:
1. Why are you attracted to your areas (resturant, salon, etc) of interest?

2. What do you want your 'quality of life' to look like? Will your career choices be conducive to that QOL?

3. What skills/atributes to you bring to the table that would help you be successful in those areas?

If you are serious about the resturant/nightclub bookstore, etc ideas I encourage you to interview owners of these types of establishments. Ask them what they like best, what they like least, the challenges they had/have, start-up costs, profitablity, etc. If, after you get the good, bad and the ugly you still have a burning desire to do it then go for it! We have a consumer advocate here that suggested to someone recently who was interested in buying a fast food franchise that they work in that type of business for 6 months to see if they REALLY want to do what they think they want to do. I suggest you do that as well. That will give you some real behind the scenes information that will tell you if you want to devote your life to it.

I admire anyone with an entrepeaneural (I KNOW I tore that word UP!! That's not even close to the correct spelling) spirit!! Don't give up on your dreams because some people will tell you that it is impractical or that you are wasting your education. A plan and faith can move mountains!!

[AKA2D '91]

The 10 Worst Mistakes Career Changers Make
by Barbara Reinhold




Changing careers is never easy. Half the world thinks you've lost your mind, headhunters say you'll never work again and your mother-in-law steps up the old "I told you so" routine. But for many burned-out, bored or multitalented folks who are sitting on skills they're not getting a chance to use, changing fields is the only way to keep from losing their marbles.


Regardless of your career change strategy, never make these 10 mistakes:

Don't look for a job in another field without some intense introspection. Nothing is worse than leaping before you look. Make sure you're not escaping to a field that fits you just as poorly as your last.

Don't look for "hot" fields unless they're a good fit for you. You wouldn't try to squeeze into your skinny cousin's suit, so why try a field because it works for him? People who are trying to help you will come along and do the equivalent of whispering "plastics" in your ear. Instead of jumping at their suggestions, take time to consider your options. Decide what you really want to do. When you enter a field just because it's hot, burnout isn't far behind.


Don't go into a field because your friend is doing well in it. Get thorough information about the fields you're considering by networking, reading and doing online research. Having informational interviews with alumni from your college, colleagues, friends or family is a fun way to get the scoop on different fields.


Don't stick to possibilities you already know about. Stretch your perception of what might work for you. Explore career fields you learn about from self-assessment exercises.


Don't let money be the deciding factor. There's not enough money in the world to make you happy if your job doesn't suit you. Workplace dissatisfaction and stress is the number-one health problem for working adults. This is particularly true for career changers, who often earn less until they get their sea legs in a different field.


Don't keep your dissatisfaction to yourself or try to make the switch alone. This is the time to talk to people (probably not your boss just yet, nor some coworker who likes to tell tales). Friends, family and colleagues need to know what's going on so they can help you tap into those 90-plus percent of jobs that aren't advertised until somebody has them all sewn up.


Don't go back to school to get retreaded unless you've done some test drives in the new field. You're never too old for an internship, a volunteer experience or trying your hand at a contract assignment in a new field. There are lots of ways to get experience that won't cost you anything except your time. A new degree may or may not make the world sit up and take notice. Be very sure where you want to go before you put yourself through the pain and debt of another degree program.


Be careful when using placement agencies or search firms. Do some research to be sure to find a good match. Ask those who work in the field you’re trying to get into or other successful career changers for suggestions. Try to find a firm that knows how to be creative when placing career changers -- not one that solely focuses on moving people up the ladder in the same field.


Don't go to a career counselor or a career transitions agency expecting they can tell you which field to enter. Career advisors are facilitators, and they'll follow your lead. They can help ferret out your long-buried dreams and talents, but you'll have to do the research and the decision making by yourself. Anyone who promises to tell you what to do is dangerous.


Don't expect to switch overnight. A thorough career change usually will take a minimum of six months to pull off, and the time frequently stretches to a year or more.

Changing fields is one of the most invigorating things you can do. It's like experiencing youth all over again, except with the wisdom of whatever age you are now.