How did you choose your major?

[KillarneyRose]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

More important than your major is also "who you know" (networking) and your actual experiences.

In fields that don't really have a prefered major, it's pretty much all about those 2 things.

Ex: getting into the TV/film industry. It really doesn't matter that you went to XYZ School of Art/Film. Or that you have a degree in film/acting. 9 of 10 times, the person who has worked on different sets before and is "in the know" with casting/production/director peeps is going to get the job/part over Suzie who was an acting/film major but has no real connections and has never interned/PAed/done actual acting.

I just saw KSUViolet's quote and I had to add an emphatic head nod to it because she is spot on. It definitely works that way in public relations, which was my chosen field. In PR, you're essentially no good to anyone if you don't know people who will run things on your client.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by KillarneyRose

I just saw KSUViolet's quote and I had to add an emphatic head nod to it because she is spot on. It definitely works that way in public relations, which was my chosen field. In PR, you're essentially no good to anyone if you don't know people who will run things on your client.

Right, but keep in mind that there are other fields where the actual credentials are very important, maybe even moreso than what you actually know.

Relatedly, in some fields (mostly IT stuff), a certification on top of ANY bachelor's is fine.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Right, but keep in mind that there are other fields where the actual credentials are very important, maybe even moreso than what you actually know.

Relatedly, in some fields (mostly IT stuff), a certification on top of ANY bachelor's is fine.

The education field is kind of like that, to an extent. You could be super awesome but it doesn't matter how awesome you are if you're not certified (unless you're in a district that needs people SO badly that they'll hire you without it, but even then, the district is going to want you to be cert eventually because the state requires it.)

It's even becoming about more than just the cert because lots more districts are demanding grad degrees (so "any BA + a teacher cert" isn't cutting it anymore.) But "who you know" still matters to an extent because there are many schools/districts (esp. private schools or some suburbs) who really aren't going to hire anyone who's not "in the know." Like, if you haven't subbed or student taught there, it's hard to get your foot in the door.