Education vs Employment

[NBtoPitt 2]

Hey everyone,

This is completely unrelated to visas, immigration, etc., but I wanted to ask anyway. I'm just about ready to graduate, and over the past year or two (of my four year bachelor's) have realized that I HATE my degree. Yes. Hate. Used to love it, now I hate it. I might just be burnt out, and it might be a bad combination of experiences with coordinators, profs, and group projects, but the thought of working in a field related to my degree (which would be Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, etc) is incredibly distasteful. I'm thinking of maybe going into teaching, which would pay less but I've always wanted to do.

So here's my question: how many of you work in the same field your degree is in? Do any of you have a degree/diploma/education that is completely useless right now, as you do something entirely different? How many of you have experienced what I'm going through?

I really want to know!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

A good friend of mine had a very similar reaction. He got all the way to a doctorates in economic - and realized he hated the field and didn't want to work there. He was teaching economics at a University but had always been interested in history and had pursued it as a hobby. He ended up applying for a position I had available at the museum where I was Curator - for a lot less money - was very good at it and loved it. When I resigned (hehehe, I was burned out!) the Museum I recommended him for my position, which he obtained. He is there still and loves it still. So, follow your heart. You will spend a lot of your adult life working so you might as well be doing something that you want to do if you can.

[redBlue 1]

Hey everyone,

This is completely unrelated to visas, immigration, etc., but I wanted to ask anyway. I'm just about ready to graduate, and over the past year or two (of my four year bachelor's) have realized that I HATE my degree. Yes. Hate. Used to love it, now I hate it. I might just be burnt out, and it might be a bad combination of experiences with coordinators, profs, and group projects, but the thought of working in a field related to my degree (which would be Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, etc) is incredibly distasteful. I'm thinking of maybe going into teaching, which would pay less but I've always wanted to do.

So here's my question: how many of you work in the same field your degree is in? Do any of you have a degree/diploma/education that is completely useless right now, as you do something entirely different? How many of you have experienced what I'm going through?

I really want to know!

The good thing about the degree that you studied for four year is that it can open up alot of doors for you.I agree follow your heard..

Teaching position at a college/university might be good for you;that would be combination of what you studied and what u'd like to do-teaching...

Good luck!

[HeatDeath 430]

When I finished my computer science degree I realized 3 things:

1 ) I loved coding for myself.

2 ) I hated coding on deadlines for other people's projects.

3 ) There were very few jobs for CS majors in Winnipeg except as network sysadmins, which I had no interest in at all.

So I went back to University for two years and got a two-year after-degree Bachelor of Education, and started teaching computer courses at the middle school and high school level. High demand skillset. My math education prof remarked that me and the two other CS majors in the class "might actually get to teach your majors in the first few years of your career." [The implication being that everyone else would be teaching math, no matter what their other subject matter specialty area was ]

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Well, my degree is pretty useless to me right now, but for different reasons. I have a 4 year bachelor's in Political Science, which I loved and still do love, but using that knowledge and passion and actually applying it to a practical career is not exactly easy. The degree is geared towards people who want to work in different government agencies, which was always my intention, but now that I am in the US with a degree in Canadian government and have Canadian citizenship it isn't much of an asset. I can't work for the federal government here without US citizenship, and 90% of state and county government jobs here in Colorado have the same requirement. So, I'm pretty lost as well. I just graduated this summer and turned down an opportunity to get my MA because I wanted to move here. I don't regret it, but now that I've been out of school for a while I really have no desire to go back.

So, I have no idea what to do with my life either! I've thought about teaching as well, but I was never sure what to take or how to go about becoming qualified to do it. I was never really presented career options in school, so I got a degree in something I liked. It was a great 4 years- Dean's list, first class standing, scholarships, but none of that really matters now does it?

[kizza 1]

Well, my degree is pretty useless to me right now, but for different reasons. I have a 4 year bachelor's in Political Science, which I loved and still do love, but using that knowledge and passion and actually applying it to a practical career is not exactly easy.

My bachelors is a lot like yours, Hugglebuggles, it was in Anthropology, so although I loved doing it, there arent many clearly defined jobs in that field.

I took about a year off after graduating, and decided to do a Masters in translation so I could have a job that would pay decent money and that I could do part time while I kept searching for something that I would love. Turned out I really like translating. I specialised in the medical field, so although part of the job can be a little boring, it actually remains challenging and I learn new things all the time.

But what I like best is the freedom I get from being my own boss.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

That's actually pretty inspiring Kizza. Everyone has made me believe that since I didn't jump into my MA right after graduation that I will never have the motivation to go back to school. That isn't necessarily true right? Just because I'm not interested today, doesn't mean that the door is completely closed. Ultimately I'd like to go back and further my education, just not sure when or how. I just figure that I should decide what I really want to do first.

[kizza 1]

That's actually pretty inspiring Kizza. Everyone has made me believe that since I didn't jump into my MA right after graduation that I will never have the motivation to go back to school. That isn't necessarily true right? Just because I'm not interested today, doesn't mean that the door is completely closed. Ultimately I'd like to go back and further my education, just not sure when or how. I just figure that I should decide what I really want to do first.

I dont know why people would say that... When I think of the people who were studying with me, many if not most were a lot older than me and wanted a new career. I think you are more motivated if you are studying something after finding out what it is you really want. I mean... there are no recipes and some people have a clear path in their head and follow it and are successful and happy. But it's not like that for everybody... life experience is important too and can bring you towards a career you would have never thought of before.

I have a friend who is about 10 years younger than me and he spent a couple of years partying and living it up in Vail... just being a ski bum and doing odd jobs. He is now doing a master's in Denver in environmental studies. And I just know he will be brilliant. I wouldnt be surprised if he was elected president one day! lol

I actually got an interesting link today about celebrities who didnt know what they wanted to do until at leat 30... I'll send it to you on fb cuz Im not sure i can post it here... I'll try.

[kizza 1]

Here is the link. I wish they would go more in depth about each person but it still interesting.

http://www.11points.com/Personal/11_Famous...areer_at_Age_30

[Danu 19]

When I finished my computer science degree I realized 3 things:

1 ) I loved coding for myself.

2 ) I hated coding on deadlines for other people's projects.

3 ) There were very few jobs for CS majors in Winnipeg except as network sysadmins, which I had no interest in at all.

So I went back to University for two years and got a two-year after-degree Bachelor of Education, and started teaching computer courses at the middle school and high school level. High demand skillset. My math education prof remarked that me and the two other CS majors in the class "might actually get to teach your majors in the first few years of your career." [The implication being that everyone else would be teaching math, no matter what their other subject matter specialty area was ]

Sounds much like me. I would like to go back to get my A+ certification as I like that side fo the business much more, fixing computers and such, but coding, once I did it as a job, lost all its magic for me, and I don't really even touch it now.

[MrsCat 6]

Here is the link. I wish they would go more in depth about each person but it still interesting.

http://www.11points.com/Personal/11_Famous...areer_at_Age_30

I completely forgot about MJ moonlighting as a baseball player. There's hope for me still.

[Lise+Michael 13]

I returned to school in my mid 40's to complete a HBA and continued on to do my MA in Sociology specializing in Gerontology. So..I say it is never too late to go back to school! Before making any firm decisions I would look at the job market in the USA. Are teaching jobs readily available? Although I will not likely immigrate until the end of this year I have started job searches to see what is out there and made a few contacts in my field. Just another scary part of moving to another country! Good Luck with your decision. I have also noticed tuition is much higher in the USA...I am considering doing a post graduate course.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Thunder Bay girl

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Oh my - well my degree is in English Literature and I work in IT doing Software quality assurance (for 12 yrs now) - in short I test software, ensure the quality before it goes out the door...very technical.

My degree is not for the field I work in, but it's invaluable...I create tremendous amounts of documentation , let alone a lot of email to business people, and without the practice and ability to write well, I don't think I'd be where I am. The degree is one thing, but it demonstrates that you can put effort into something, your grades demonstrate that you know how to work hard. I am someone who pays very close attention to detail naturally no matter what I'm doing.

I did Engish lit because of my love of books...I did not think I would become a writer, I actually thought about teaching or a Library science masters were in my future.....you know the old saying about a BA in English (queue the Avenue Q soundtrack here......)

It's 20 yrs almost since I was done with university...so to take the parental side here.....if you're fresh out of university, they don't do a great job of telling you the real world jobs that are available out there...find what interests you....having a degree behind you just looks good on you know matter what.... A lot of skills I've learned along the way have had nothing to do with university...in particular my people skills...learned those while waitressing for 5 yrs when I finished university believe it or not.

You'll probably change jobs a few times before you find your passion so nothing to worry about, just go with the flow

[SapphireDreams 71]

^^ Great advice Udella! And, I agree a degree is invaluable to any job.

I am probably one of the rare lucky ones. I have a degree in Communications and then did a year of grad school in Public Relations immediately following my degree. I knew I wanted to get into either Advertising or PR in my first year of University so I took courses about each and then ended up really enjoying everything about PR. It's really a mix of project management, event planning, media relations, writing and managing people. Anyways, after grad school, I did a 2 month internship and then get a job right away doing Tech PR.

I actually strategically waited until I was at a point in my career that would help me when I moved. I contemplated moving right after University and then right after grad school, but I knew deep down that it would be so much harder to get noticed in NYC in PR with no experience. My plan worked out well. I stayed at my job in Toronto for 2 years (1 year longer than I thought I would) and once I was in NYC, I was able to use my network in Toronto to help me find a job and also my experience was pretty much the key to my success. I had a job offer on the same day I got my EAD. I attribute that to my previous research and networking before I even arrived in the US. And, actually, I ended up quitting my first job here less than 3 months after starting for a new, better job which I work at now and LOVE to pieces.

I've thought about teaching as well, but there are NO jobs in teaching here. Like absolutely none, zilch, zero. And, one of my best friends here is a teacher and it honestly has its downsides just like any job/career. Research where you will be moving, what the requirements are and if they have teaching jobs available. For example in New York State, you MUST get a Master's degree within 6 years of starting to teach and you must be certified in the state.

I also think that actually working in PR and going to school for PR has been a completely different situation. Why not try and get a job first and see if you like it? I mean, you never really know until you try it out. If you decide you hate it, you can try something new.

[Autumnchik 6]

My bachelor's degree is in Russian. Midway through my junior year of college, I decided to do what I was always drawn to (but talked out of) and decided that I wanted to become a therapist. Since I knew I would need at least a Master's degree to do that, I decided to finish up my degree in Russian and go to grad school (changing majors would have added another year to undergrad). My minor was Sociology, so some correlation. I got a Master's degree in Social Work and honestly love love love what I do (most days ).

My husband is 46 and, after being a carpenter/in construction since basically high school, he is now in college taking pre-reqs to get into a nursing program. Totally agree it is never to late to go back to school.

Good luck with your decision. What kind of teaching would you like to do (elementary, secondary, etc.?) Some places have job fairs for teachers, you might want to see if there is one where you are going to meet with people and get a better idea of the jobs in your area. You also might want to try substitute teaching to see what you think of being in a school environment.