College Majors/Minors - Page 3

Steeltrap · #31 06-03-2002, 01:33 PM

Major: Print journalism.
Minor: Sociology.

My major completely prepared me to be a journalist. I'd written, but mainly short stories, so I had to learn from ground zero as a journalist.

Today, I'm a healthcare and biomedical business reporter for a weekly newspaper.

My internships included summer ones at the Arizona Republic and the Los Angeles Times. I also completed a summer journalism training program at UC Berkeley in 1989.

mccoyred · #32 06-03-2002, 01:45 PM

My Major was Electrical and Computer Engineering. I worked during the summer but failed to seek internships in my field; as a result, I did not work in my major until almost 10 years out of school. Now that I am, I am making BANK; hindsight is 20/20.

Lesson: Do those internships! Try INROADS or the local chapter of your professional organization (NSBE, NDPA, Black MBA, etc).

My curriculum dictated that we were required to complete x number of Humanities credits; I chose English (composition, literature, etc). That decision turned out to be an excellent choice because my writing skills have opened many doors for me. I submit to several organizational newsletters including my district newsletter for my VP. Most of my corporate recognition awards are for writing (process documentation, reports, etc.).

Lesson: Use those credits outside your major to make sure you are well-rounded. Many 'technical' people cannot write, a lot of 'artistic' people are lousy in math. Step outside the box and you will be rewarded.

When I go back to school, I will be pursuing an MBA. A technical baccalaureate is a good, strong foundation for a professional business degree.

CrimsonTide4 · #33 06-03-2002, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mccoyred

My curriculum dictated that we were required to complete x number of Humanities credits; I chose English (composition, literature, etc). That decision turned out to be an excellent choice because my writing skills have opened many doors for me. I submit to several organizational newsletters including my district newsletter for my VP. Most of my corporate recognition awards are for writing (process documentation, reports, etc.).

Soror McCoy is an excellent writer. She edited a document for me and made my verbiage more concise.

Congrats on your writing awards. You gave really good advice.

mccoyred · #34 06-03-2002, 02:07 PM

Aw, shucks! Glad I could help; thanks for remembering.

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4

Soror McCoy is an excellent writer. She edited a document for me and made my verbiage more concise.

Congrats on your writing awards. You gave really good advice.

Rain Man · #35 06-03-2002, 02:48 PM

Questions:
What is/was your college major(s)?
What is/was your college minor(s)?

Well, that depended on the school I went to:
At Kent State (my freshman year) while it technically was Undecided, my goal was to major in Aerospace Flight Technology (or piloting planes).

At Columbus State, I just received a basic liberal arts degree for a 2-year program--so I didn't have a major there either

At Central State, I had a double major--Accounting & Economics for the one quarter I was there

At Capital, my major was accounting, but it was taking me too long to finish, so I got a General Studies degree with concentrations in Management, Accounting, and Economics

At Franklin, I was an MBA student--they just started adding concentrations there when I graduated.

FOR THE GRADUATES/WORKING FOLKS:
What are you doing now professionally?
How did your major(s)/minor(s) prepare you to do your job?
What internships did you do to get ready for your profession?

I am an accountant/auditor with a Black-owned CPA firm

I got my first accounting job at a CPA firm after I took only one accounting course. From there I have amassed a lot of accounting eperience at various jobs in various industries. I have a total of 7 years combined accounting eperience, four of them in public accounting. My major(s) prepared me in that I didn't take specialized courses per se, so if I wanted to move to a different area of my "major", I could do it with minimal difficulty.

I was selected for INROADS talent pool in '94 and I hated it. I have called all my accounting jobs I did as an undergraduate internships in part b/c they functioned as such and because it eliminates a lot of "nosy" questions later.

I am currently taking the remaining accounting courses needed to sit for the CPA test (which I plan to take and pass ONCE!!!)

Don't ask me if or when I am getting a doctorate (JD, PhD, etc.) I have been in and out of the classroom for 11 years. If I am not smart enough as I am, well I am out of luck.

RM

**fixed yo stuff**

nyhune · #36 06-04-2002, 10:09 AM

I noticed that a couple of you mentioned INROADS, and that's my employer...Rain Main, I'm sorry that you hated Talent Pool, but lots of my students are thankful for all they are taught during that training session...

Soror Mccoy Red mentioned correctly that INROADS will provide internships and help you prepare for the workforce. It also gives you hands on experience and in some instances, I have had students tell me that they switched their majors after actually doing the work.

I suggest to undergrads in the business, accounting, engineering, IS and marketing field to look INROADS up and speak with someone about securing a summer internship...

ChocolateKiss3000 · #37 06-04-2002, 01:33 PM

Mass Media/Communications

SweetestDiva · #38 06-04-2002, 03:09 PM

I'm a political science/pre-law major. I plan on going to law school after undergrad, but my ultimate aspiration is to become a judge. As we speak, I'm interning at East Texas Legal Services - y'all see how hard I'm working.

JJSP01 · #39 06-04-2002, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
The what do you want to be when you grow up thread over in the AKA forum got me to thinking based on some of the responses. I am sure many of us majored in similar things and for those of us who are out of school, we might be valuable resources for those who are still in school finding their way.

Questions:
What is/was your college major(s)?
What is/was your college minor(s)?

FOR THE GRADUATES/WORKING FOLKS:
What are you doing now professionally?
How did your major(s)/minor(s) prepare you to do your job?
What internships did you do to get ready for your profession?

FOR THE CURRENT STUDENTS
What do you plan to do with your major?
What internships have you pursued to better prepare yourself for the working world?

My BA is in Political Science with minors in Economics and French. I have a Masters in Legal & Ethical Studies and am currently working on my MBA with a concentration in Management.

Since graduating from undergrad I've been working with an investment management firm and I'm loving it. I don't think my major helped me learn the skills I needed to actually do this job, but havign a degree got my foot in the door.

Peace & Blessings!

Angel11E01 · #40 06-04-2002, 04:22 PM

While in school (Graduated June 01 from THE Ohio State University):
Major - Finance

Minor - 1 Class away from Economics... I was hardly gonna stay in school one qtr longer to get a minor, and that's real.

Working:

Nowhere! I did work for a consulting firm, but hated it. Consequently, I am currently looking for new employment. Preferably, I'd like to be a business analyst/financial analyst at a bank, or retail organization.

As far as internships, I was an INROADER. I have found that people either loved or hated INROADS. Inroads gave me preat opportunities to get experience in the corporate finance sector. I had that insider stuff...I never had to hustle for a good internship..all I had to do was say where i wanted to go, and there i was. I received scholarships, a great network of people, and a nice job offer, which i respectfully declined.

So it's all love.

candygirl · #41 06-04-2002, 05:07 PM

Major-- Family and Child Studies with an emphasis in Child Development

Minor-- Could be Sociology if I decide whether or not I'm going to register for Social Inquiry.

My major requires the students to do a certain amount of volunteer work within the field so I've done work in Child Life wards in Hospitals.

I was a Community Advisor otherwise known as an R.A. this past school year.

CT4, I also worked for Upward Bound as a Tutor/Counselor for 2 years.

I'll get more experience because I have to complete an Internship as part of my curriculum before I graduate. I appreciate the experience that I'll get but I'm not looking forward to working 8 hrs a day without any pay.

I have no idea what I really want to do so I'm entering grad school upon receiving my degree.

delph998 · #42 06-04-2002, 05:55 PM

Major: Computer Information Systems (CIS)
Classification: 5th Year Student

Internships: 3 summers at 3M and now I work as a full time employee at a great corporation in the Twin Cities. I'm definitely growing in my major.
I'm pretty open as to what I want to do in the future. I know that I want a Masters degree, I just don't know what I want to get it in. We shall see...

D.COM · #43 06-04-2002, 10:38 PM

Hello Sorors and Friends:

Major: Business Administration

Specialization: Mathematics (wanted to make use of ALL that math I took from engineering

)

Changed major from Electrical & Computer Engineering because I was working two jobs (had to support myself and no money), stress, and attending a HUGE university with "weak" support for minorities, as well as lost interest towards the end, etc.)

Targeting more Information Technology and received my first computer certification March 8, 2002: Certified Internet Webmaster Associate. I will be taking the next two exams for my Professional and Master Designer certifications soon. I plan on pursuing more "computer" certifications and get into Networking as well.

I have created my own web design and hosting company and working on the web site as we speak.

I have been working at my university as Web Designer/Programmer and Division of Housing Help Desk Coordinator for the campus network. Lost my job soon after Sept. 11th.

I graduate this August and hope to find a job soon. If anyone knows of any IT opportunities, please let me know

neicy81 · #44 06-04-2002, 11:17 PM

Major: Comp. Info. Systems
Minor: English

mccoyred · #45 06-05-2002, 09:22 AM

A case in point:

A soror who is my sands and who happens to have the same degree was an INROADS intern in college with our company. She is now a Director, two levels above me. She did an internship, I didn't.

She is a great person and is working with me to get to the next level. She also has not forgotten what helped her so she serves on the board of the local INROADS chapter.

It works, people!

Quote:

Originally posted by nyhune
I noticed that a couple of you mentioned INROADS, and that's my employer...Rain Main, I'm sorry that you hated Talent Pool, but lots of my students are thankful for all they are taught during that training session...

Soror Mccoy Red mentioned correctly that INROADS will provide internships and help you prepare for the workforce. It also gives you hands on experience and in some instances, I have had students tell me that they switched their majors after actually doing the work.

I suggest to undergrads in the business, accounting, engineering, IS and marketing field to look INROADS up and speak with someone about securing a summer internship...

Soror NYHUNE, what do you do for INROADS?