Career and College Major

[WoodCy]

I got my degree in Forestry (Wood Science) in the Spring of 1999. All jobs on the industrial side of Forestry are tied to housing starts. I lost my job in 2008 because of the housing crisis. Many sales people in the wood industry have been fired at least once if not more. I got into project management in the water well industry, followed by industrial pump sales and now municipal pump sales. The pump industry has been pretty good to me.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Found myself more interested in the ladies than the studies when I went to college, and quickly realized that it wasn't for me. Was loosely imagining a business degree, which was not inspiring to me at all either, so I quit short of the first semester. Should have went with my passion (archaeology) but no way I had the discipline for that either at that time.

Ended up working my way from flooring installer to field super to sales to VP of a flooring company.

 

[Pat]

How many of you majored in something in college but are doing something completely different in your career?

I’ve thought about changing careers but feel like my college degree (education) wouldn’t translate to something else. I’m just curious what unique paths others have found professionally.

As pretty much everyone here has said, your degree’s primary value is as a piece of paper; actual work experience is much more valuable. Do you know what you want to do? Some things (engineering, accounting) may require some formal education, but others are definitely learn on the job.
Without knowing your current situation, it’s a great time to be looking for jobs. No shame in interviewing and declining, and if you leave then want to come back in 6 months, I’d have to think your current employer would take you.

 

[Mr Janny]

I was supposed to be a high school history teacher. My career is in IT, though. I've never regretted it.

 

[CyState85]

As pretty much everyone here has said, your degree’s primary value is as a piece of paper; actual work experience is much more valuable. Do you know what you want to do? Some things (engineering, accounting) may require some formal education, but others are definitely learn on the job.
Without knowing your current situation, it’s a great time to be looking for jobs. No shame in interviewing and declining, and if you leave then want to come back in 6 months, I’d have to think your current employer would take you.

Im not entirely sure what I’d like to do. I love being around people, don’t mind being on the road or traveling for long periods of time, and catch on quickly. The corporate training opportunities don’t sound half bad and I could definitely do something in sales but I wouldn’t even know where to start in a job search.

 

[SCNCY]

Im not entirely sure what I’d like to do. I love being around people, don’t mind being on the road or traveling for long periods of time, and catch on quickly. The corporate training opportunities don’t sound half bad and I could definitely do something in sales but I wouldn’t even know where to start in a job search.

Try reaching out to a recruiting agency. It doesn't cost you anything as the company that hires you pays the recruiting fee. Additionally, since they have their foot in the door with many companies, they can get your resume in front of the people who matter and sell your skills better for the job you want.

 

[Mr Janny]

Im not entirely sure what I’d like to do. I love being around people, don’t mind being on the road or traveling for long periods of time, and catch on quickly. The corporate training opportunities don’t sound half bad and I could definitely do something in sales but I wouldn’t even know where to start in a job search.

If you're young, and relatively unattached, a job with travel can be great. Once you start having a family, it can be a drag. I spent most of my twenties at a job with a lot of travel, and I really enjoyed it. My wife worked at the same place, and we were able to go to a lot of places together. But I was glad to be at a job where I was home every night when we started having kids. At some point, even a nice hotel room is just a hotel room, and you just want to be at home with your family.

 

[TexCyted]

I have an Associates degree in Police Science and used that for several years, my Bachelors is in education, that sat dormant for many years. I have taught high school for about five years now, but also looking to make another move. Both of those degrees do not seem to have much worth anymore. I am lucky that I have never had a lack of different opportunities pop up. Mostly due to marketing myself and keeping a good network of people around me. A lot of teachers leaving the profession right now, the ones that I know have seemed to gravitate to sales and IT work. I am leaning towards sales myself, probably in the building material world.

 

[pourcyne]

Well, if it's any help, when I went to school and took "Math of Finance", there was a giant machine at the back of a lab on campus where I could go to work out math problems for which I had set up formulas. It was called...a calculator. I signed up for the class by having somebody in the Registrar's office "pull the card".

It looked like this:



Now, was I a math major or a computer wonk? No. Did the skills that I acquired (and still am developing) after my degree figure into any jobs I held after? Yes. Absolutely. In fact, they play heavily in what I do now.

In other words, if people want to move beyond the piece of paper which supposedly tells what they're good at (i.e., Ye Olde Diploma), they need to focus on selling their skill set, not their degree.

How To Write a Skills Based Resume: Template and Examples | Indeed.com

Of course, YMMV.

 

[BCClone]

If you're young, and relatively unattached, a job with travel can be great. Once you start having a family, it can be a drag. I spent most of my twenties at a job with a lot of travel, and I really enjoyed it. My wife worked at the same place, and we were able to go to a lot of places together. But I was glad to be at a job where I was home every night when we started having kids. At some point, even a nice hotel room is just a hotel room, and you just want to be at home with your family.

Then the kids get older and you think a job with travel wouldn’t be that bad.

 

[Mr Janny]

Then the kids get older and you think a job with travel wouldn’t be that bad.

Fair enough. I can't speak to that yet.
I just remember, toward the end of my traveling career, I didn't even want to go on vacation anymore. The prospect of getting on a plane and going somewhere to stay in a hotel "for fun" wasn't appealing at all. It was just a chore. Thankfully, that feeling dissipated over time.

 

[Alswelk]

I'm close - I majored in Chem E and wound up working as a nuke.

Had I known I was going to be a nuke, I probably should've gone somewhere else (Wisconsin, I think - they offered me a scholarship out of HS too), but ISU and I fit each other very well.

 

[nfrine]

I got my degree in Forestry (Wood Science) in the Spring of 1999. All jobs on the industrial side of Forestry are tied to housing starts. I lost my job in 2008 because of the housing crisis. Many sales people in the wood industry have been fired at least once if not more. I got into project management in the water well industry, followed by industrial pump sales and now municipal pump sales. The pump industry has been pretty good to me.

I think a lot of us pursued a "wood science" degree in college...at least as a minor...

 

[Cyclone06]

I've got 3 young daughters. The way things are today how can you not seriously consider, Electrician, Plumber, and HVAC. Once in those fields, take business management courses.

 

[WoodCy]

I think a lot of us pursued a "wood science" degree in college...at least as a minor...

That's original. This is the first time I've heard this comment.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I was supposed to be a high school history teacher. My career is in IT, though. I've never regretted it.

Same. Realized that I would never want to be around my HS self and quickly moved on from that, even with the prospects of 3 months of paid partying every year.

 

[BryceC]

I was supposed to be a high school history teacher. My career is in IT, though. I've never regretted it.

Yeah I was going to be a high school english teacher, realized that wasn't going to work, walked into my advisors office and asked what I could graduate quickest in because I literally didn't care at that point and just got an english degree. Went back for a few credits to get an accounting degree and I've been an account ever since. Honestly I enjoy it.

 

[cyclones500]

If you're young, and relatively unattached ...

At first I read that as "...and relatively unattractive."

 

[Mr Janny]

At first I read that as "...and relatively unattractive."

Fair.

 

[BCClone]

At first I read that as "...and relatively unattractive."

Well, if you’re unattractive you are probably unattached also.