Occupation/Major - Page 2

NinjaPoodle · #16 09-23-2003, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlueReign
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!

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

)

rho4life · #17 07-28-2006, 03:19 PM

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

preciousjeni · #18 07-28-2006, 04:26 PM

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.

jubilance1922 · #19 07-28-2006, 05:30 PM

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.

SeriousSigma22 · #20 07-28-2006, 08:26 PM

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

tld221 · #21 07-28-2006, 09:38 PM

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!

Oceangal · #22 07-29-2006, 02:07 PM

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.

SummerChild · #23 07-29-2006, 02:33 PM

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.

SummerChild · #24 07-29-2006, 02:44 PM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluethunder

[b]

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...

preciousjeni · #25 07-29-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SummerChild

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.

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.

PhDiva · #26 07-29-2006, 06:13 PM

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.

SeriousSigma22 · #27 07-29-2006, 09:26 PM

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

bakingpoodle · #28 07-30-2006, 05:08 PM

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!

PhDiva · #29 08-01-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

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.

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.

GoldenGlow2000 · #30 08-02-2006, 09:28 AM

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!