Did you utilize your college degree (if you had one)?

[Diogenes]

Sort of related, while getting my engineering degree had to pass all of the high level math required. But I joke that once working as an engineer the hardest math I had to do was adding up my expense account.

My degrees are in aerospace engineering. Now I teach aerospace at a local college. My notes from 35 years ago are still handy, in writing lecture-material and homework problems. They haven't changed in the least.

And the math is crucial. If you don't understand a smattering of measure theory, linear spaces and orthogonality of functions, calculus of variations and the like, then you won't understand the theory that we teach. A little bit of topology and abstract algebra also help.

But I'm fanatically conservative. My teaching style is patterned after how things were in continental Europe 100 or 120 year years ago. The greatest compliment that I received from my older colleagues - these guys are in their 80s or 90s now! - is when they'd say, "I remember going to college in the 1950s. There were still some of the elderly stalwart professors back then. The profs who taught them... teach like you do, today".

 

[Koolau]

My degrees are in aerospace engineering. Now I teach aerospace at a local college. My notes from 35 years ago are still handy, in writing lecture-material and homework problems. They haven't changed in the least.

And the math is crucial. If you don't understand a smattering of measure theory, linear spaces and orthogonality of functions, calculus of variations and the like, then you won't understand the theory that we teach. A little bit of topology and abstract algebra also help.

But I'm fanatically conservative. My teaching style is patterned after how things were in continental Europe 100 or 120 year years ago. The greatest compliment that I received from my older colleagues - these guys are in their 80s or 90s now! - is when they'd say, "I remember going to college in the 1950s. There were still some of the elderly stalwart professors back then. The profs who taught them... teach like you do, today".

You've peaked my interest. What is different about your teaching style compared to today.

After w*rking at Megacorp for 9 years, I taught graduate and undergraduate level students as a "visiting lecturer" and also as a Teaching Assistant while getting my MS degree. My style was to use the course material to explain how I had implemented the principles in an industrial setting (where I w*rked).

Some called it using "war stories" which was reasonably accurate.

 

[Retired Expat]

Studied accounting and business but never got my degree. Made a career in construction and Real Estate and was far more successful than had I become a CPA in some firm…. But my studies did help me in the management and budgeting of big multi million dollar projects and running a business….

 

[Koolau]

Studied accounting and business but never got my degree. Made a career in construction and Real Estate and was far more successful than had I become a CPA in some firm…. But my studies did help me in the management and budgeting of big multi million dollar projects and running a business….

Yeah, I'm a believer that almost everything we learn is never truly wasted.

 

[bonvoyage]

I got my PhD in computer science and actually worked in CS research for my entire career so I fully utilized what I learned in college. In fact, I may be one of the few people who actually used calculus and trigonometry in their work

 

[Steeler75]

No, but I cranked it up when it came on the radio!!! Lol

Did you ever find yourself humming Glen Campbell's version of Wichita Lineman while you worked?

Just wanted to say thanks for the earworm! Still has one of the best lines in music “ and I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time”.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Got my degree in mechanical engineering with an "option" in nuclear (no NE major or minor was offered at my school at the time) and worked for ten years in the commercial nukes until getting laid off. I had done a lot of work in fire protection during that time, so I managed a job as a fire protection engineer which is what I did until FIRE (pun intended).

A good friend of mine from the nuke days found his way into computer software development and did quite well, I think, based on his linkedin profile. He had a BS and an MS in nuclear engineering.

 

[LateToFIRE]

I have what you would call a classic liberal arts degree, which exposed me to art theory, art history, architecture, literature, writing, academic research, etc.

My career(s) have mostly been in corporate finance and investment banking, with a side note in technology.

What my degree gave me was advanced research, writing and communication skills. I also learned how to learn - and learn rapidly. I also benefitted from a couple of very intensive, specialized marketing, tech, and finance training programs offered by my employers - this was early in my career(s). I recognize that few employers these days are willing to invest in training and career development in the way that I benefited thirty-some years ago.

Interestingly, as I advanced, the critical success factors became much more about persuasive, communication, and leadership skills than technical skills. Additionally, the ability to pivot into new roles, and drop into rapidly evolving situations, think on my feet, and get up to speed rapidly became increasingly important to my success.

I attribute my liberal arts degree with providing strong preparation for these challenges, though clearly I had a steeper learning curve to climb on the technical stuff.

If I were advising a youngster on best majors for the current job market, I would probably steer them away from a liberal arts degree if were unrelated to their career area of interest or if they were unwilling to follow that up with a graduate professional degree.

 

[tfudtuckerpucker]

Interesting thread. I have an EE degree, and designed and managed hardware and software development. Early in my career I worked literally side by side with Don McMillan to design an IC. He got his EE degrees from Stanford, and I found him to be a sharp engineer. Anyway, 40 years later he's a successful stand up comedian. I never saw that coming. And he is danged funny! So he used his EE training, but was able to pivot to entertainment, which I suppose is pretty rare. He and Mr Bean.

 

[Sanstar]

My degrees helped me indirectly. Parents and 3 sibs dropped out of high school. So, of course I had to finish. A college degree seemed so out of reach I was determined to get one. After joining the Army at 18 and finishing training, I promptly started university night classes 4 x a week. When I met with the promotion board they were so impressed with my academic pursuits they promoted me, ahead of my peers, in spite of not doing the best on the “ military customs and curtesies” section. So, it helped there.

Later, after working in critical care for 4 years, a shift lead position come open, which required a BS degree, in addition to technical training. I was the only BS candidate and got the job. Fast forward 10 years, I’m a department director. A new VP came in and decided all directors should have an advanced degree so I quickly knocked out a MS degree while continuing as full time director for 24/7 clinical operation with 160+ staff.

So, degrees helped by opening doors that would otherwise never opened. Only regret in it all was that I wasn’t smart enough to hire housecleaning services while working and completing MS. Unnecessary stress and extra work for me and DH.

 

[azxracer]

Sort of. My college degree is in Aviation Management (like Industrial Management with wings) but my work experience before college was in electronics and I had the equivalent of an associates degree in EE technology courtesy of the USAF. I also have a MS in systems engineering and Project Management and Systems Safety certificates. I spent most of my aviation career (47 years) in various safety and accident investigation roles.

Clearly the combination of my USAF experience and a degree opened the door for my first job. That was true all through my career, new opportunities were available because of advanced education and increased experience.

 

[mistermike40]

BS in Math, almost a 2nd bachelor's in Computer Science. I used them both (to land the job and then to do the job).

 

[donethat]

Absolutely. BS in Accounting followed by an MBA 9 years later. Worked in accounting and finance my entire 35 year career.

DW was a dental hygenist and later a bachelors and masters in nutrition but spent most of her time as a SAHM but did work part time as a nutritionist for the state.

DD got a degree in accounting and is a cPA working in accounting and finance.
DSIL has a bachelors in engineering and a masters in architectural and works as an architect.

 

[donethat]

Never used my college degree per SE but absolutely used my college education. Critical thinking skills and the ability to present cogent arguments are always in demand.

 

[G POP]

My degrees are in aerospace engineering. Now I teach aerospace at a local college. My notes from 35 years ago are still handy, in writing lecture-material and homework problems. They haven't changed in the least.

And the math is crucial. If you don't understand a smattering of measure theory, linear spaces and orthogonality of functions, calculus of variations and the like, then you won't understand the theory that we teach. A little bit of topology and abstract algebra also help.

But I'm fanatically conservative. My teaching style is patterned after how things were in continental Europe 100 or 120 year years ago. The greatest compliment that I received from my older colleagues - these guys are in their 80s or 90s now! - is when they'd say, "I remember going to college in the 1950s. There were still some of the elderly stalwart professors back then. The profs who taught them... teach like you do, today".

Haven't changed in the least? Agree to disagree. Don't know what they are teaching in the classroom but aerospace engineering in application has changed immensely. I started in the industry in 1990. I'm retired but DW is still in charge of maintenance on Reapers. DS is an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with Hueys and Cobra's.

I was a few credits short of pre law. I have a minor in poli sci. Urban Planning was my primary. Never finished my MBA. After my military time as an aircraft maint officer I was in logistics and systems engineering on military aircraft.

Going thru the basic school at Quantico we had a guy who majored in animal husbandry at some Oklahoma College and another guy who was aerospace engineering from MIT. USMC Officers are a weird bunch.

 

[RS53576GG]

I'm a little late to the party but here it is. I got an A.A. degree in Automotive Technology from a community college. Worked as an auto mechanic for 3 years. Got a B.S. degree in Engineering Technology from the local state university. Worked at an emission lab for an automobile company for 2 years. Got an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from a bigger university. Did stress analysis work using finite element analysis for 35 years, mostly in turbine engine development and some other things like race cars, computer equipment, missiles and more. The practical background was a big help in engineering. I still use my automotive skills to repair my own cars and occasionally help friends with theirs. I have a home shop with a car lift, CNC mill, CNC plasma table, manual lathe, TIG, MIG and oxyacetylene welding equipment, tire changer, wheel balancer and more. It's fun to do something in my retirement years that I did for a living at the beginning of my career. Sort of like making a full circle on things.

To summarize, I used almost all my college education every day of my career in one way or another. Getting the education wasn't much fun but using it was very enjoyable.

 

[stargazer08]

Bachelors in Chemistry here. Worked 16 years as research analytical chemist in pharma. I utilized tuition reimbursement going to school part time while working full time so graduated with no debt.
Switched to nuclear and did 8 years of that.
Switched to plastics for my last 4 years of work.
I used my education for each position I had. I will say that I used my brain the most in my first 2 jobs.

Both daughters have bachelor's degrees and are working in their field of study.

 

[Harris4crna]

Received a technical degree in TV broadcasting and never used it. Much to young at 18yo to know what to do with it. Upon graduating, the dean of the school saw my potential and recommended i get a communication degree. So, started community college with a communication degree in mind.

Needed to work during school as a CNA in a nursing home while raising a family so chose the path of least resistance and went into nursing. Eventually graduated with a BSN and went into the Navy as a Nurse Corps Officer. Shortly after joining, I started to pursue an Advanced Nursing degree as a Nurse Anesthetist. Graduated in 2008, and again in 2014 with a Doctorate in nursing. Continue to work as a CRNA until today.

I chose the path of least resistance despite not wanting to work as a nurse. Happy I did because it provided a wonderful career in the Navy. Today, I have very little passion, but the money keeps me in the profession. Always wonder what it would have been if I chose communication. Honestly, I dont think my life would have been as rewarding, who knows.

First member of my family to ever get a college education. Today, my daughter is a Pharmacist and son in law school.

 

[JoeWras]

Yes. My entire career. Did I use every single discipline and class subject? No. But I knew of those topics, and sometimes that was helpful, so maybe I did utilize even the dusty corners of my degree subjects.