College majors and future careers

[Martha]

Inspired by Sam's questions about his nephew's psychology major, I wonder who ended up having a career in the same field as their undergrad major. I was a psych/philosophy major and considered grad school in both fields, but ended up in the law due to worries about finding work down the road. (How many jobs for philosophy or psychology professors are there?) Never thought about the law until I was nearly done with college.

So what was your major and what was your career? Or did you go to college at all?

 

[W2R]

I voted "no". My undergraduate work was not in the same field as my career, but in two related fields (B.S., electrical engineering, B.A., marine biology). However my career is in precisely the same field as my graduate degrees (physical oceanography).

My brother got an undergrad degree in psychology (double major with political science), went to Vietnam and came back, got an MBA and some Ph.D work at Harvard business, worked at a big accounting firm for a few years, taught computer science at university in Europe, worked as a systems analyst, tried out starting a small business (a store that sold games), and finally settled down in his long time and surprisingly lucrative career writing software as a consultant, about 25 or 30 years ago.

I think his psychology degree helped him a lot. The degree itself didn't qualify him for much but grad school. However the knowledge of psychology was invaluable and he used it a great deal in the workplace.

 

[youbet]

I think your question is misleading for liberal arts majors.

Does an econ major have to be an economist or econ professor to be considered employed in his/her field? Or, would working in the loan dept at a bank be close enough?

If you are a poli sci major (common for pre-law) and then go to law school, does employment as an ambulance chasing law suite specialist qualify as working in your field? Or would you have to be a politician or a poli sci professor?

If an accounting major is a entrepreneur, does opening his/her own retail business count as working in his/her field if she/he keeps her/his own books?

Etc.

I don't think most liberal arts majors will be able to answer. The question seems to apply more to vocational orientated majors.

 

[Keim]

My degree was in communication. Since every job I've had required the ability to talk, I answered yes.

Kidding!

I actually have used the degree-public speaking, writing, putting theory into practice. It has been very beneficial.

 

[ziggy29]

As things have turned out in my career (with a CS degree), the most valuable skill I've developed is the ability to explain IT-related technobabble to managers.

 

[FUEGO]

Undergrad BS in Civil Engineering and a BA in Spanish Literature and Language. Currently practicing civil engineering. I got a law degree straight out of undergrad but decided to do engineering. I am currently exploring re-entering the legal field in a field that requires an engineering or other science degree.

I have used my Spanish degree very little. I did a little Pro Bono work during law school in the hispanic community (translating for and counseling domestic violence clients, a little immigration work, and tax work through VITA at the Hispanic community center, etc).

 

[ProspectiveBum]

I voted yes, although I didn't graduate from college. My declared major as a freshman was "Computer Science", and that's what I've been doing since I was 19.

 

[Rustic23]

I have a business degree, but I intended to fly for the Air Force from the start of college. All that was needed was a degree, it did not matter in what. So from that point the answer would be no. However after the first career, I used parts of my major in management.

 

[ziggy29]

I have a business degree, but I intended to fly for the Air Force from the start of college. All that was needed was a degree, it did not matter in what.

Another sign of the times. My dad was able to become a pilot in the Air Force with a high school diploma (in the 1950s).

"Education creep" continues to persist in almost all endeavors. I wonder when you'll need at least an associate degree to run the register at McDonald's.

 

[deserat]

undergrad in mechanical engineering; masters in biomedical engineering - in the AF don't use either - in civilian job/business use masters degree - went back to grad school to have career in biomed

 

[Westernskies]

Education: BS, Physical and Environmental Geography/Minor in Geology

Career path: Machinery Design, Manufacturing, and Sales

 

[Walt34]

AA degree in Criminal Justice, then went to work with the county police department, slowly finished the BS in CJ later on. The CJ degree requires a smattering of everything, psychology, math, physics, political science, philosophy, and of course a heavier emphasis on law.

It makes sense, given the almost infinite variety of situations one has to deal with.

 

[Martha]

I think your question is misleading for liberal arts majors.

Does an econ major have to be an economist or econ professor to be considered employed in his/her field? Or, would working in the loan dept at a bank be close enough?

If you are a poli sci major (common for pre-law) and then go to law school, does employment as an ambulance chasing law suite specialist qualify as working in your field? Or would you have to be a politician or a poli sci professor?

If an accounting major is a entrepreneur, does opening his/her own retail business count as working in his/her field if she/he keeps her/his own books?

Etc.

I don't think most liberal arts majors will be able to answer. The question seems to apply more to vocational orientated majors.

Sometimes you have to keep it simple. You can always explain your vote. I know two econ majors, both are Phd economists. Accounting majors who start a business aren't accountants, they are business men who might have found accounting helpful. But that is only my opinion. What is interesting is what we hear in the individual stories.

 

[HFWR]

Associate degree on electrical engineering technology laugh; yes.

Bachelor degree in bidness; no.

 

[Lakedog]

I voted Yes.

BS in Forest Management
MS in Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering

My career involved work in various natural resource jobs (forester, logging engineer, fire management) with a federal land management agency. For a couple of years just after college, I worked in the private sector for one of the large paper companies (as a forester/timber cruiser).

 

[Coach]

BA in Economics and a career as a computer programmer.

Coach

 

[Sue J]

College Degree - B.S. in Education
Career - Accounting, then Full Time Mom/Domestic Engineer, school crossing guard, concert venue usher, and most recently Tax Preparer.

On the other hand, DH has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master's in Social Administration. He works at a social service agency in a position that requires a Master's degree.

Our older son has a B.S. in Computer Science and works as a Computer Network Technician.

The younger son has one more semester (and we have one more payment!!) and then he'll have a B.A. in Theatre/Entertainment Arts/Tech - Sound. He has a lot of experience as a sound designer for musical theatre so that's what he hopes to work in as a career, but he can also be a sound engineer and sound operator. He'll also have a certificate in stage rigging.

 

[calmloki]

B.A in the Great Books program. Perfect preparation for shoveling horse manure, auto mechanicing, mushroom growing, buying and fixing old houses and apartments, and enjoying most all people. Great four years - had a lot of admiration for my classmates though, per normal, i really didn't fit the mold.

 

[LOL!]

In high school I selected a specific major in science. I only applied to colleges that had that as a major. I ended up with BA and PhD degrees in that major. I was co-author on 2 papers from my undergraduate research and kept going from there. I became a professor in the same field. I left academic science and worked in a company doing exactly the same thing I did as a professor, but with title of VP. I remain in the exact same field of science to this day, but I am halfway out to pasture and have a fancy title to go with that. Folks pay me to teach courses and workshops in my area of expertise around the world. It's a virtually costless way to travel.

Early on in my life, I read "What Color Is Your Parachute?" which I recall has 2 main themes: (1) Find out what you love to do and (2) Find out where you would love to do it. I've been blessed that it's all worked out for me so far.

 

[Moemg]

Degree in nursing and that is what I did for many years in various areas .

 

[bbbamI]

I never had the opportunity to go to college. That's another story.

It's funny, I loved biology and literature; I aced those classes. Math, algebra, geometry...not so much....

I became a numbers gal anyway and was successful.

 

[Meadbh]

!

I voted "didn't go to college" because I went from high school into a six year medical school course (in the old country). So my Bachelor of Medicine was my primary degree.

10 years later I got an MD (like a PhD, with a thesis) and 10 years after that, an MBA. So I guess that was a change in educational focus!

Which reminds me, to keep this up I need to get another degree next year....NOT!

 

[FUEGO]

In high school I selected a specific major in science. I only applied to colleges that had that as a major.

Now that I think about it, I selected my major during high school early on too. I took classes in high school that I knew would transfer over into the only university program that I applied to. During senior year I actually enrolled half time at the university taking classes towards the degree in the field that I am in now. Even my summer job when I was 16 (land surveying fieldwork) was as close as I could get to my field today (for a 16 year old).

 

[UncleHoney]

Didn't go to collage but got two associate degrees. One in mechanical engineering and one in electrical engineering. I spent 35 years working in the engineering field.

Here is the kicker....tuition cost...the Associate in Mechanical Engineering cost....< $600 and the Associate in Electrical Engineering cost < $900. The day I got out of school I was broke but didn't owe any money either. Thanks to a part time job and that nice guy GI BILL.
Did it all without a credit card too.

 

[CuppaJoe]

I was always on a career path called, “retirement.” Yes, of course, majors in French and Psychology were helpful. I didn’t vote.

Seriously, Psych. is helpful in many areas, and I did spend the last 16 years of my pre-retirement life working with clients who were at crisis points in their lives.