Considering a Major change. What is your degree and what do you actually do?

[graciebella]

I am currently a a part-time student and Finance major but thinking about a switch, possibly to Accounting, or maybe something completely different. Eventually I'd like to work for some type of non-profit, but I don't know in what capacity yet. Dream job would be running a foundation. Right now I'm a corp slave for a financial institution.

I'm currious about know people are now in their careers and how that compares to their original plans and degrees.

[amtaylor]

I'll share...

I have a BS degree in Animal Science.. had planned on going to vet school, but wasn't accepted. Started working in an Immunology lab while working on my Master's in Poultry Science and hated every second of it. I then started a Lateral entry program and earned my teaching certification and Master's degree in Agricultural Education 9-12.


Now I teach 6-8 grade Exploring Biotechnology and Exploring Career Decisions and LOVE almost every second of it... so much happier than ever before!


Good luck making your decision! My sister changed from Business to Accounting to Ag. Business and is now working on changing to Elementary Education. Please don't feel like your alone and crazy for wanting to make a change :)

[nylons73]

Ok - are you ready for this? This is a bit crazy. ;)

My first degree is in 'Sports Management and Communications.' I worked in 'Athletic Public Relations' for a major university and an NFL team for a number of years. Then, I got bitten by the 'teaching bug' and I went back to school and did a second Bachelor's (should have done a Master's) in Education.

Became a teacher, decided I really didn't want interactions with 30+ students at one time, and went to grad school (finally!) to get my Masters in Counseling/Psychology.

So....let's just say I have come a far distance from 'helping ESPN with their football statistics and information.' My life has taken many twists and turns, but the best advice that I can give you is that if you have a passion for something - FOLLOW IT!

There are far too many people in the world, doing jobs that they hate. Do something that you truly want to do and the $ and opportunities will find you! GOOD LUCK!! :D

[ManteoChik]

When I first started college I was an Elementary Education major, but after one year I changed my major to Photographic Technology (fancy word for photographer). Photography was always a hobby of mine and I am *so happy* that I changed to it. Most people will go into some sort of commercial work with it....ie: National Geographic, NY Times, Magazines, Fashion (Vogue, Comso, things like that). I plan on opening a studio and doing mostly wedding and portrait work.

[karlatta]

My degree is in Math. I always wanted to teach, but my college didn't have a good education department, so I just majored in math and planned to get my teaching certificate later.

Just after graduation, I moved to Texas and was offered a job at my husband's company, so I took that. I was providing customer support and teaching training classes for a software company. After a couple of years, I went back to school to get my post-bac teacher certification. I'm now teaching high school math, and I love it. I enjoyed my work at the software company, but it was nothing compared to teaching.

I am also really glad that I have a degree in math instead of in education - I think it makes me a stronger math teacher, as I took many more math classes in college than I would have as an education major, and it means that I have a lot of open doors should I ever decide that I don't want to teach.

[MrsWilson]

I feel like the minority. I have a BS in Nursing. I am an RN and work in a doctor's office as an IV therapy nurse.

My older sister has an Elem. Ed. degree, and taught for 3 years. She hated the school (non-supportive principal) and where she lives there isn't a better school. She got a part time job at a nursing home and loved helping the physical/occupational therapist. She starts in the fall to go back and eventually get her occupational therapy degree.

My DH has a Music Ed. degree and is a band director at a local high school. He is working on his masters in music ed.

My twin has all her degrees in business (working on her PhD) and works in an HR department.

[2kCougar]

Another teacher here (can you tell it's summer vacation?!). I have a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology. While in college, and for a year after, I was working as a molecular biologist. I decided that I really didn't want to work in a lab for the rest of my life. I didn't like the fact that I had to be in the lab at least 1 day on the weekends. So, I went for my Masters in teaching. This will be my fourth year. I really don't see myself doing anything else, but DH thinks that I should be a real estate agent after seeing me in action during our house search/building.

[jessicamjohnson]

Hi!!! I have a BA in Political Science and I'm going into work in Real Estate Developement and Management.

[mmeblue]

My major was called History, Technology, & Society - basically an interdisciplinary history/sociology major. I went into it knowing that I wanted to teach, and I got teaching certification in addition to my major courses. I had planned to teach high school, but I've ended up doing grades 7-9, which I love.

DH is also working in the same area as his degree - he was a Computer Science major, and he's now a programmer.

[dlj78]

My first semester in college my major was Early Childhood Education. I had to take an Accounting class my second semester and after that class I changed my major to Accounting. So I stuck with it and I have my BS in Accounting.

For the most part I am happy with my decision. Right now I am working for a security company and I do Mergers and Acquisitions. It's fun and it gets me out of the office. :)

Good luck!

[Vishenka69]

My BA is in Economics/Russian Lit but I'm currently a Financial Analyst. I ultimately wanted a job that would combine both of my majors but most of those are in DC and DH was already in Med School in NY by the time I graduated. Most of my internships in college were in Finance, so getting a job in the industry wasn't hard. I would love to somehow get back into at least one of my majors but not sure how feasible it is at this point. I'm still toying with the idea of getting a Ph.D. in Russian Lit and teaching.

[IrishMeg]

I have a bachelors degree in Social Work. I have done a few different things with my degree. Currently, I work as a case manager for a community mental health agency. I work with kids ages 3-17.

I have also worked in child protection and as an advocate for domestic violence victims.

[Delaney21]

I have my BBA in Accounting.

I may be biased, but I say go for the accounting degree. With an accounting degree, you can do accounting or finance, but you can't (generally) do accounting with a finance degree.

There is also a shortage of accountants right now because of SarbOx, which means job security and $$$$!! It is crazy how much accountants are getting paid right now! My salary just about doubled when I got my new job this month.

Its also super easy to find a job. I just switched companies and here were my experiences. On a Tuesday at 2:45 I put my resume on Monster. By 5:00 that day I had 3 interviews scheduled. On Wednesday I got 22, yes 22, other calls about jobs. After that I just let the calls go to my voicemail, because I couldn't keep up with them. I went on 3 interviews that same week, and 2 on the next Monday. By Tuesday I had 4 job offers, so I was able to compare them each and make my decision. It was the easiest job search ever!

[Wrighty26]

I definitely agree with those who said when you have an instinct-- go with it!

I have my BA in Psychology (specializing in Performance Management/Behavior Analysis). As you can do virtually nothing with your Bachelor's in Psych, it led me to my Master's degree in Instructional Systems.

The first couple of years out of school were a little tough, because it was immediately after 9/11. I ended up working on a research project at my college full time. While it was interesting, it didn't REALLY fulfill my job goals-- and I really wasn't applying the skills I had obtained in school. But, I rationalized, it was a job and I liked the people.

Last November, I decided that I it was time to move on-- and I'm now an instructional designer at a small private company. I design and develop on-line training for the Navy. While, I still have aspirations to do other things (nutrition, cooking, etc), I really enjoy my job now.

[Soulmate]

I have my M.S. in Counseling and am counseling kids and adolescents (some newly adults) who have both medical and psychological diagnoses (sickle cell, Diabetes Type I&II, morbid obesity, etc along with depression, attachment issues, etc). They are mostly at-risk youth. My job is HIGHLY fulfilling but takes a huge toll on me. It is not the kids at all but the systems that undermine your work. I work at an in-patient facitilty and many of the staff do not work therapeutically with them and the managment has really big issues. Then a lot of the time we send them home to dysfunctional families who undo everything we've done. Many of them succeed very well though and it is really amazing to hear what they are up to when they leave. This field is a whole lot of fighting for someone with sometimes little result but when the results come it is really amazing. You do not make a lot of money even with advanced degrees and it is rare to work with high functioning individuals. However once you are in this field for a short period of time high functioning becomes a little boring. A therapist friend (who is working with higher functioning kids than mine) once told me how she was working with someone and asked them if they hear voices, secretly hoping they said yes. You cannot be someone who gives up easily or else you will not survive and you have to fully understand the value and possiblility of helping only 1 in every 100 people you are in contact with. But the greatest joy is when someone tells you how they hate therapists and therapy and do not connect to anyone be the person who calls you the most after they leave. Or the 12 year old budding sociopath start feeling safe enough to truly care about someone.

[Koala_Gurl]

I have a BS in Civil Engineering, but I work for an electric utility implementing / rolling out financial reporting & analysis software. (So I have had to learn A LOT about accounting.)

[shellbell516]

I have a BS in Environmental Health, concentration in Industrial Hygiene. My intentions were to be an industrial hygienst, but no one tells you that there's usually only one of these per company. So the demand isn't very high. Plus you have to work as an apprentice for a couple of year and then become certified before actually getting that title. The other option for jobs in my degree were working for the Dept of Health as an Environmental Health Specialist (those that do restaurant, daycare inspections, etc.). They pay very low and I really wasn't into that area.

My job search after college lead me to a job being a chemist doing water quality analysis. I had lots of science and labs for my degree, so it fit fairly well.

Now after switching jobs a couple of times, but still in the chemistry field, I'm doing human exposure research. I no longer have to work in the lab. I help design our field studies, recruit for them and get to meet a lot of people. I really like what I do now. I feel that the work we do will contribute to a better understanding of how environmental chemicals really affect our bodies and lives.

[Atlanta_eBride]

My BA degree is in Fine Arts. Over the course of 12 years I now co-own my Public Relations agency with my FH. I never in a million years thought that I would be doing this. Luckily I get to use my creativity in my job with design work so I didn't stray too far.

Make sure you are happy with what you do, you will be far happier.

[sportyj]

I have a BS in Psychology, like someone else said on these boards you cannot do JACK with an undergrad degree in PSY. SO...for now I am developing and implementing psychoeducational classes. I teach these classes to homeless families in a non-profit agency. It is fulfilling work but it is not a lifetime career. I plan to begin a degree in either School Counseling or Applied Psychology/ Human Facotrs next Spring.

[Sare79]

I have a BA in English, minor in anthropology. I work as an admin for the provincial government, and do a bit of writing on the side when I get the chance. I would have loved to pursue something a bit different with my degree but I needed to have a job and I am stable now. I'm still thinking of returning to school, but I'm waiting until my FH is done his schooling.

[Sha259]

I got my BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in May 2004, and instead of continuing school, I got a job at a small Environmental Analysis lab doing water and soil quality analysis. That job was like a sweatshop, so I went searching elsewhere. After being at that EA lab for 6 months I got a job at an area Biopharmaceutical company doing Tech. Transfer and 3rd party manufacturing support. So far the job is great, and I am now thinking about going to get my Master's in Pharmaceuticals and/or Biotechnology. I must say, for any getting into the Biopharm Industry, it is booming. :)

[solongtogo]

Mine is completely crazy..

I majored in Environmental Soil Science

I now work as a researcher in a pharmaceutical research lab

I worked for several years in a soil lab as an undergrad, and that helped me get my job now, but I still don't quite get how I went from dirt to drugs.

[mel7dog]

I got my BA in Early childhood Education (K-3) but currently I am an officer in the Air Force.

I certainly want to teach eventually and will most likely get my Masters in Reading and Literacy.