What was your undergraduate/graduate degree in...

[Tallison]

and would you have concentrated in it all over again? At 31 I'm experiencing grad school decision anxiety, so please share with me your various paths and whether you'd trace them again.

[ghostsofgiants]

1. I'm working on my undergrad degree now...

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science.

[Tallison]

22. Now what, young man, do you plan to do with that?

I would never give up my BA in religious studies, but upon graduating soon realized I'd have to back it up with something practical. I'm now an RN.

[ghostsofgiants]

26. Go into politics...

I'll probably end up doing lame office jobs and things of the sort for a while, but going into politics is something I intend to do. I'm planning on getting my masters before I do go into politics, I think.

[Nikia]

2. I have a BA in biology

I would not have majored in that if I had to do it again. If I would have went to the same college, I would have majored in English or Government. If I went to a different college, I would have majored in chemical engineering or creative writing.
I would have gotten a higher GPA if I had majored in a liberal art, thus enabling me to easily get into graduate school or get a job with a company recruiting on campus that wanted high GPAs.
As for a job, I'd rather be writing or product development.
An undergraduate degree in biology gets you a job as a technician, doing tests that any trained average person could do even if you learned to do research as an undergrad. I could get a graduate degree, but science jobs requiring a graduate degree usually want something very specific. You also become overqualified for the tech level positions.

[Tallison]

21. What about technical writing?

One of my bachelor's is in nursing. Although the job opps are good, they're not very intellectually gratifying, and I think about life science writing but having yet done the footwork toward exploring them.

When I was an undergrand, I remember my dad (a physics PhD) saying that biology was dead-end for women. Not sure what he meant and didn't ask, but I wonder.

[hopein08]

3. I got my undergraduate degree in History...

I plan to go to graduate school very soon (I'm 23) but I'm having anxiety too! Maybe I shouldn't have taken time off but I did so now I'm stuck and need to get moving.

[Tallison]

23. I think time off is good...

it gives you perspective on relevent research topics (at least if you're aiming at social sciences), and I expect schools recognize this to a point.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have taken more history as an undergrad. I did religious studies and nursing as it was, and on occassion think grad work in the history of medicine would be fascinating. Right now I'm reading up on the history of mechanical ventilation. Then sometimes I think about medical anthropology, or psychiatric anthropology, or public health with a social psych spin...

To what programs do you envision yourself applying?

[hopein08]

53. Well...

I am completely fascinated history. There really isn't an area of history that I can't interest myself in. So I would be applying in history. As an undergrad I also had minors in political science and philosophy and I definitely want to stay in that area. But the specific areas that I'm interested in right now, and have been for some time, are the Kennedy years and the 1960's, World War II to the Kennedy years in America and the world, British history and the Crusades.

I've actually been accepted to a graduate program but it's a small school and I deferred starting the program because I'm having trouble deciding if I want to go more into debt to get a more expensive degree from a bigger, more well-known school or just go with it.

[Tallison]

103. I hear 'ya

If you envision teaching eventually, go to the best possible school you can get into that offers faculty with similar research interests.

I imagine that unlike many social sciences (psych, soc, public health), history (like English and anthropology and religious studies) doesn't have much funding available to graduate students. If I could do anything, I'd study psychiatric anthropology at the private Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, which costs $28,000/year. Now, how the hell is a future anthropologist supposed to finance that?

[hopein08]

119. I couldn't say...

But I know right where you're coming from. I got an email from the American University in D.C. (where I'd really, really like to go) the other day that said they got my GRE scores and that my scores are good enough that I should consider applying. So I hopped over to their website to look up the dreaded finacial facts. It costs a mere $18,000/semester and there are no assistantships for MA candidates but I could feel free to borrow $18,500/semester from the federal government or look for loans elsewhere. Ummm.....that's a horrible choice!

But two professors that I had as an undergrad were in their early-mid 30s and were constantly talking about how they needed to make more money teaching in order to not be quite so in debt. Though I never understood the one professor (and why he was at the school I went to) because his PhD was from Notre Dame.

I got my BA from a small, private Catholic college and left with $17,000+ in loans to be paid back to the feds, I really don't fancy oodles more. I was thinking about looking into Case Western, 'cuz it's relatively close to where I live, but now that you cite the costs, I think I'll move it a bit lower on my list. I'm also thinking about Cleveland State, Duquesne in Pittsburgh, PA (also private and expensive), and possibly still trying schools in D.C.

Anyway, if you want to talk more or share frustrations and thoughts, just PM me or something. I'm a pretty good listener if you are too!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. My path is a windy road.

B.A. in music. Law degree about 7 years later. I now work in the airline industry in a job entirely unrelated to either law or music. You just go where life takes you, I guess.

[Tallison]

24. The idea of spending $100,000 on a law degree and not using it makes me

:puke:, though I can see the same thing happening to me, which is what gives me such pause.

[Misunderestimator]

52. Interesting... I have a BA in music...

and now a successful second career in IT, completely unrelated to music... go figure, eh? Definitely go where life takes you... It sure keeps being interesting.

[Impossible Princess]

78. I'm hoping to get a BA in Music

What was your concentration? Have any advice?

[Misunderestimator]

88. I went to a music conservatory...

and I was a professional opera singer for a number of years. I quit about 10 years ago. Advice? Not really. You will get all sorts of advice from all sorts of people (don't take it all). My only advice is to follow your heart... even if you end up doing it only for a while and then switching careers like I did, you will ALWAYS have those experiences that you can't get any other way.

[trackfan]

153. I also have a BA in Music.

But no career in any field.

[CatBoreal]

5. If I would have completed it,

it would have been in Marine Biology.

Andno, I wouldn't take it again. I should have gone into the humanities or gone to college (technical school I think they are called in the States)

[SeattleGirl]

6. BA in Psych, minor in Sociology

I actually started out as a voc rehab major, feel in love with psych in Psych 101, and lo, these many years later, I am a voc rehab counselor! Go figger! If I were to get an advanced degree, it would be in forensic psychology.

[Tallison]

28. Are there programs specifically in forensic psych?

I know of some developmental psychologists and clinical psychologists who concentrate their research on antisocial personality disorder, and most criminology programs are within sociology departments. I'm a Cold Case File, American Justice, and Forensic File junkie, and sometimes while watching them I think that if I love the subject matter that much, maybe pursuing it professionally wouldn't be such a wild tangent. Then again, I think the stress levels of people who work with sociopaths for a living must be considerable. It must warp your sensibility.

[SeattleGirl]

34. Well, I know there is, or was, at least one.

Either at University of Arizona or Arizone State University. A guy I used to work with quit and went back to grad school to major in forensic psychology. I, too, amd a true crime junkie, and profiling, as well as just figuring out what happened that lead to a crime, is fascinating. But one would have to be very careful, I believe, to not let the sicko's really permeate one's head.

[serryjw]

126. My friends daughter was going for a

PhD in ?? She wanted to study the Jeffery Dahmer's of the world. I would imagine this would be very stressful. What does a 'good day' look like?

[Blue_In_AK]

7. B.S. in Psychology...

I ended up as a legal secretary/paralegal for most of my life and have been preparing court transcripts at home for the last five years since I semi-retired, so the undergraduate psych degree didn't do much for me career-wise, but I did enjoy it, and probably in some subliminal way it helped me in coping with all the lawyers I've worked with over the years. ;)

[tjdee]

8. Doesn't really matter. And also, english/communications/etc. is nowhere

town.

I majored in one of those Englishy/Communicationy/So very interesting and cool majors after switching from the pre-med track because I hated the pre-med classes. They bored the shit out of me.

But when you get out of school, at least for me, you discover that *everyone* majored in that stuff, and now we all basically know how to talk....and....give speeches....and stuff.... so competition is really tough and the job openings aren't for jobs paying 40/50K unless you know someone or give some kind of mutantly crazy good interview. Of all my friends that majored in things ilke that, only two of them are in the field (one works for a major woman's magazine and one works for one of the sneaker companies, pretty good positions both).

Grad school is mandatory for majors like that, IMO, and that's when you can go to the med school/psychology/law/other stuff you *should* have done as an undergrad. I did that (for marketing), but put it on hold.

I should have majored in accounting or nursing. I would have been bored out of my mind, but I'd be making major bucks by now, 7 years later. No cc debt, a nicer car, better security.

Why did I even come into this thread, LOL! :cry:

[Tallison]

30. I'm an RN and find it kind of intellectually deadening sometimes...

and I would never give up my BA in religious studies. I think it's one of the things that grounds me and gives me perspective in a field full of people who never took anything outside of the requirements. I'm convinced that somewhere someone is looking for an RN with life experience who can write and communicate well...

And I'm grateful you did join this thread!

[suzbaby]

105. I am getting a Masters degree in Communications

You just scared the crap out of me. I knew it was going to be tough to find a job, but is it really that hopeless? Will I be the most overeducated waitress in the restraunt? :scared:

[tjdee]

109. Do you have an internship or a really sensational personality?

I had a great internship actually, my first application, my first interview, and everything.

It didn't rock as much as I thought it would, but I liked it and had I been smarter and more outgoing at the time I would have tried to parlay that into a permanent gig.

And my one friend who's at the magazine also started out interning I think.

The thing is, you've really got to do the networking/schmoozing work with Communications/PR/Marketing (unless you're going into teaching). You *have* to. The professors should be a help in that regard, and as I mentioned, the right internship is good as gold (and I'd imagine your chances are better at the graduate level, though it may be harder to do depending on what your day job looks like, if you've got one).

Good luck! Sorry to scare you, I have a tendency to be a downer in regards to work/money lately.

[flamingyouth]

9. Double major in Editorial Journalism and Political Science.

I would probably choose those again, to be honest.

[Fenris]

117. Good for you.

:hi:

[flamingyouth]

137. Hey, where's my picture?

;)

[trof]

10. Journalism. Yeah, probably.

Didn't turn out to be my career, but I enjoyed it and still enjoy writing.
I became an airline pilot.
Go figure.

[tigereye]

11. BA English Lit -

wanted to be a writer. No jobs during the recession after I graduated. Worked in a library for the blind and physically handicapped for a few years. Decided to become a therapist with a Masters in Counseling. Ended up becoming a psychologist.

It has paid the bills relatively well for all these years and I am rarely bored, although I have been stunned by people's behaviors off and on.... I can't say that I would tell my kid to do the same.

Do what interests you, not what you think will pay a lot. Money is only part of life. If I had it to do over again ( or in the future!) I would go to music school.

[flordehinojos]

111. you can still go to music school--it is never too late--even if it is just

for your own feeding of the soul.
:-)

[tigereye]

128. yes

and I just may. It would be a neat second career. It's just a little harder when you have a kid, house, small business and all that stuff.

:)

my husband always quotes Steve Gaskin,"follow your bliss."

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Engineering, and damn yes, I'd do it again!

And I haven't worked a day in engineering since I graduated. Went instead into the arts.

[Tallison]

35. I have a girlfriend who has a BS in mechanical engineering and a

master's in Architecture, all courtesy of Virginia Tech. She's one of the smartest, most professionally satisfied people I know. Incredibly simultaneously creative and practical. She's also a fantastic cook which she credits to her understanding of chemistry and her creative flair.

[In_The_Wind]

13. BA ~ Psychology major, Sociology minor ...

I'm grateful for all I've learned. I'm sorry I didn't continue into graduate studies. I've taken several classes since attaining my BA and enjoyed every one of them.

[tjwmason]

14. Economics and International Relations.

During the 4 years I did change - and now I would have done pure I.R., perhaps even I.R. and Philosophy.

Economics over here becomes very mathematical - I can do it, but it bores me. I've been told that I'd get on much better with U.S. economics which is less based on maths.

[lady raven]

136. You are in the UK?

I was admitted to the LSE but was unable to attend. I ended up going to my state University and got a pretty decent education, but I still wish I'd been able to go to the LSE.

[tjwmason]

143. Yes - a merry Englander here.

The L.S.E. is definitely a good place - I went north to St. Andrews up in Scotland. When I was applying I wanted to do Economics and Politics - and the L.S.E. didn't offer it (odd given that the full name is London School of Economics and Governmental Science), or I would have applied, but I suspect I would still have gone to St. A's.

[evlbstrd]

15. BFA in Painting.

I'd do it again.

[Cobalt Violet]

36. Same here! I'd do it again too. n/t

[we can do it]

82. Cool -

I love painting, too - I couldn't decide between Drawing and Painting, picked Drawing with Illustration as minor.

[evlbstrd]

87. Are you still in school?

[we can do it]

90. Nope - But I could go back again at any time.

Took programming a year ago. But initially got my degree in 86. Started on the computer graphics etc. early 90's. Was working as a full-time firefighter paramedic 90-98 until had a career ending injury. Luckily, I kept up with graphics at least part-time throughout. Now I'm adding garden/landscape design to keep things interesting.

[evlbstrd]

91. A Renaissance Individual, eh?

Good luck to you.

[we can do it]

140. Thanks - I Like Being Called That

I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up- if I ever do.

[evlbstrd]

141. It's a great term.

The more you know, the better.

[El Fuego]

16. B.S. Electrical Engineering

I would have much rather had some kind of liberal arts degree, but I was trying to be pragmatic.

[Horus45]

17. Microbiology and Molecular Biology

[khashka]

18. BA's in Psych, Soc, and Anthro

Wrong, sorry. BS in Psych, with honours.

MA in Counseling/Industrial Psych - couldn't choose and most of the classes were the same.

Would I do it again? I don't know. I regret I didn't follow my original choices - English and Biology. But if I ever go back and finish my Ph.D, it'll probably be Psych. Can't imagine not choosing some of the choices I made.

Khash.

[Tallison]

33. How do you like I/O psych?

Is it satisfying in an intellectually and social-service-feeling-type way? I have a friend in Washington State doing that and enjoying it, although she's of a completely different personality type than I am.

[khashka]

40. Can't honestly answer that question

I didn't end up working in I/O, counseling instead. I always thought I/O would be interesting and rewarding. But I just didn't follow that path. It fascinates me, but counseling was closer to my heart.

I/O is pretty much open - anything from personnel relations (which I have done) to corporate bullshit. Being such a wide field, it depends on what you actually do. What I did (very briefly) was essentially sexual harrasment claims, dealing with violence in the workplace, stuff like that. I found it intellectually and emotionally satisfying. But counseling was always my passion, so that was what I focused on.

The best advice I can give you - pursue what you love. Something you can see yourself doing forever. And then go with it.

Khash.

[Tallison]

101. What populations do you counsel?

I've got a soft spot for addicts, elderly folks and chronically/terminally sick people. Fortunately or unfortunately, there's plenty of work available with all three groups.

[bigwillq]

19. B.A. Communication (nt)

[Orsino]

20. B.S. Physics n/t

[LaurenG]

25. Nursing switched to Social Work

I do neither in real life. My advice; Do what you love. Figure out what you get lost in and find a way to do it

[Tallison]

32. Oh, baby, let's talk!

I'm an RN case manager, and feel a calling to social work, but have been discouraged by many RN and social work colleagues, so I'm thinking instead of public health, social psychology, maybe an MSN in psych-mental health...

Why aren't you using either degree?

I know it's important to do what you love - for that reason I originally majored in religious studies and would never do it over again - but realistically, the prospect of getting myself $40,000 in debt for my dream goal of obtaining a PhD in anthropology from Case Western Reserve University requires some serious pause and consideration.

[LaurenG]

47. No I did not finish, ended up emergently in another state

where out of state tuition ate my lunch. My degree was initially in nursing but switched to S.W. during my junior year. I ended up in healthcare though. I run a psychiatric practice. If you are an RN you could get a masters in social work. Become an L.I.S.W. and practice psychotherapy w/ med management sent to an MD. My University had a 1 year masters program. After all the science courses I took the graduate courses APPEARED to be a piece of cake.

I don't know what your state requirements are but if you are really good with people it may be the way to go for you. It depends on what you would like to do. Hospital social workers don't have as much freedom as those in private practice. What are you thinking of? P.M. me if you'd like.

[Left_Winger]

27. I had a double undergrad major: German and History

I opted for history in grad school, but ended up as a German teacher because the market for history profs is so damned over-crowded.

[AngryAmish]

29. Defenestration

[WCGreen]

31. Major in Poli Sci... Minor in Accounting...

actually, I took all the requirements to sit for the CPA... I also had about credit hours in Econ....

I was told I had to graduate because I had too many credits...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. BA in foreign languages......

Major in French and minor in Spanish...never used either one. Had originally planned to get a BSN nursing, but was completely intimidated by the course requirements.....

Later on (much later) went back to school for an Associate degree in Nursing......

I don't know if I'd do it the same if God forbid I ever had to go back and do it all over again...

I was getting married at the time I got my bachelor's degree, and I was so happy about that!

Go where your interests lie is my sage advice.....:shrug:

[purr]

38. Comp Sci.. Never would do it again.

Cant find shit for a job here. I'd definately go into pharmacy school if I had to do it over. I'm still going onto pharmacy but I would've been done with schooling already if I did it first thing out of hs.

[Tallison]

44. You just want to know why ativan makes us tick...

Though Xanax is the benzo of choice. Phamaceuticals are fascinating. I like the psychotropics and vasoactive shit. Antiinfectives are cool, too.

[purr]

46. XANAX!!

I've always been interested in pharmacy. My dad wanted to go into it when he was out of hs but he didnt have the money to do it so I want to go for it.

I love chemisty and biology - the math can go away for all I care :)

[Dangerously Amused]

39. Do what you love...

Bachelors in Fine Arts.
Masters in International Relations.
Doctoral in Law.

Work as a lawyer, play as an artist, think and act with a global perspective.

People advised against my educational path, it just didn't make sense to them. But I followed my heart and I'm making it work for me. No regrets, I wouldn't change a bit of it.


"Do what you love, the money will come." - My Dad.

Best advice I ever got.

[Tallison]

42. By "doctorate" you mean a JD or LLM?

[Dangerously Amused]

45. JD

Juris Doctor.

The way it was explained to me, the LLM (as you know, actually the higher degree), is called the "Masters" of Law - the opposite of what one would presume given the rest of the degree hierarchy.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

41. Duh Greee? Watsa Duh Greeee????

[EFerrari]

43. Engwish. And yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat

even if it didn't improve my spelling. :)

[tishaLA]

48. Double major in English and Women's Studies

as an undergrad.

Working on my Ph.D. in English in grad school.

If I changed anything, I might do Philosophy instead of Women's Studies as my second major, but my work now focuses on gender and sexuality in early American literature, so it really does seem like a capstone to my education.

[EFerrari]

49. Go, tisha! Yellow Wallpaper to you.

When I was a grad, a group of us asked the coolest professor if we could have a Toni Morrison seminar.

She paused on the stairway and said, "Sure, these old bald white men will do that when pigs fly."

Then, Toni won the Nobel.

Our cool prof had the course outline ready and it was a go the next semester.

:toast:

[Mikimouse]

59. Undergraduate in Nuclear Medicine Technology ('78), MA in

Sociology ('98), and once I finish my dissertation, Ph.D. in Sociology ('05). It is obviously never too late to do what you truly love. Good luck to you!

[Tallison]

93. Studying any Edith Wharton?

Do you plan on teaching when you're done? Do you ever get university teaching job location anxiety?

My BA's in religious studies, which I loved. If I had it to do over again, I'd have double majored in history.

[Syncronaut Seven]

50. B.S.E.E. If I could do it again, psychiatry or social services.

I am a good engineer, but it never felt right. Petty politics, insecurity, fear, lack of recognition.

Now I volunteer to help the less fortunate, stepping off the treadmill was the best thing I ever did. Fighting for social justice feels right.

[Tallison]

94. But unfortunately social service jobs are among the lowest-paying

thanks to certain prevailing social darwinist attitudes in this country.

[Syncronaut Seven]

99. An unfortunate paradox for sure.

Fortunately I can do at least 12 different things with rice and beans.

My favorite

1 cup 13 bean mix (bulk)
1/2 cup wild rice (bulk)
1/2 cup pearl barley (bulk)
1/2 cup dried vegetable soup mix (bulk)
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1 tablespoon montreal steak seasoning. (mostly salt)
2 oz lean smoked bacon ends, diced.
2 Tablespoons white vinegar.

bring beans and vinegar to boil then remove heat and let soak for 12-18 hours. Rinse beans.

Simmer beans for two hours, add wild rice, barley, simmer 1 1/2 hours more.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 1/2 hour more.

Simple recipe, very forgiving but watch the salt.

[Tallison]

113. How valuable

I'd hire you as a lover, anyway. Do you do massage?

[Syncronaut Seven]

132. Yes, But my better half fancies my best skills kept secret.

;) 1st time round, 18 years now. But I'm allowed to share recipies, gardening and automotive tips. :hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

51. Journalism was my undergrad choice.

I have no regrets. Even though my BSJ degree is nicknamed Bull-Shitting Jerk.

On edit: My majors were newspaper/editorial and history. My minors were German and anthropology...which really were throwaway elective courses taken in my first two years at a university different from the one I graduated from.

Northwestern requires a secondary social science major to get a journalism degree. I had more required English courses than I did either German or anthropology...so go figure.

[DanCa]

54. I was going for a degree in theology and micro biology when i was dxd with

pd. The last class I attended was in fall of o2 . Right now am trying to get back on my feet both literally and figuratively.

[unsavedtrash]

55. BA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies working on Masters in American Studies

Masters concentration is on how the far right and white nationalists are intertwining. Combining that with how hate groups are fighting for "racial" rights (national association for the advancement of white people)and their push for total separatism in schools and cities in general.

[Maestro]

56. BBA Marketing, MS in Spanish Culture & Civilization

What can I say, I hated by business degree so I went and did something completely different.

[fight4my3sons]

57. undergrad in sociology/ graduate in education

I loved Sociology, but when I got out in the "real" world I found out quickly that I just couldn't survive on the pay. I worked at Head Start in an inner city setting for five years. It was great, but emotionally there were times that it almost killed me.
I loved being with the kids so I decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in teaching. I got a grant for a migrant worker special education program that would pay for my Graduate Degree in Education. I worked with the children of migrant workers providing special education services while attending classes at the college. I was required to teach at a high need school district for two years post graduation as well. The program has since lost it's funding. It is such a shame as it was a wonderful program.

I would like to go back to school to get my certification to be a therapeutic riding instructor. I have always been around horses and love working with the disabled. Being able to incorporate the two would be my dream job.

I was 29 when I started grad school and I had the anxiety also. It was worth all of the work. I started in the Spring semester after witner break while I was still working. Then I got the grant and went full time. My husband was so supportive. Go for it! Good luck!

[benny05]

58. I'm OK with my career paths

Undergrad--Secondary Education minor history
Grad-Library and Information Science (LIS)

Love being a library manager, but can't say I easily recommend the profession because while it grows in some instances, there are too many diehards who believe it doesn't need to change. I have colleagues who have job security and they are scared to death of having to do more in a time that consumers want better (somewhat) innovative service. They are buried in the print world and do not have to serve many customers nor do they have to keep up with much inventory at a time as my unit does.

My staff and I train grad students with an emphasis on customer service. We have a 100% placement rate with the grad students who want to learn and are team oriented too. BTW, that means all of our grad students were placed and are still working at jobs they are interested in doing. It helps that I have a decent network in my profession and can help our graduates with references if they deserve them (which most of them do). The folks in my unit are developing reputable portfolios and mentoring the grad assistants too.

To me, if LIS profession continues to be risk-adverse, it will be like GM's fate. I'm sorry for GM, but libraries can be less relevant just as GM's products unless we produce services that matter. I wish GM's executives and union reps would view it the organizations (both of them) in this regard. I work with my staff on this point nearly every day (some who are in civil service and the union). Most of them see it, but one is uncomfortable with ambiguity.

I'd be interested in any comments about libraries and your perceptions (good and bad) about their services.

Just my 2 cents. Benny

[Lisa]

60. Geography, Geography, and more Geography!

I actually began on the physical side of the discipline (climatology, hydrology, etc.) and since my research interests were in global environmental change, I ended up shifting over into human geography and resource management. What helped with this was having taken a pretty broad liberal arts spread of courses in my undergrad degree. I now can teach philosophy, landscape architecture, and community planning. I'm told that this makes me somewhat more employable ... I guess I could have done more geomatics and computer stuff, but that wouldn't guarantee me steady work either (the software is changing so rapidly).

If I could do it over again, I would probably have tried to get more overseas field work experience. I took an unearthly amount of time to finish my PhD, for various technical and personal reasons, so that's something I would have to deal with if I had those years back. I'm in my 30s too, as are a bunch of my officemates -- drop me a PM if you want to unload. Plenty of sympathy here.

[XemaSab]

61. Soil science

with a minor in watershed management.

I'd get more math and be a hydrologist (same major, one more class), if I could get a do-over, but that's a subtle change from my chosen career path.

You should totally be a nature writer! Don't even go to school, just get out and start writing!

[u4ic]

62. BFA in theatre

finished 3 years before getting sick/disabled and couldn't continue...

[Rowdyboy]

63. Majored in History, Minored in English Lit and Classical Studies...

Did the subjects directly help my career? Probably not. Did it hurt? No. Would I change anything now? No way in hell. A good, general liberal arts education is fundamental for appreciating and analyzing life.

[Robeson]

64. Cultural Anthropology.

[Tallison]

97. Oh, man, I love anthropology

As an RN, the following would be my next dream degree if I could find a way to finance it:

http://www.case.edu/artsci/anth/grad/psychanth.html

Not sure about living in Cleveland, either...

[aquaman]

65. I have a bachelors and masters degree in Social Work....

Despite the stress involved, not in school but the job, I would do it all over again if I had to do so.

[Tallison]

100. W/what populations do you work?

I'm an RN case manager right now; half my colleagues are social workers, but as they quit we're replacing them with RNs. There's a moratorium on social work hires for the time being. I sensed such a trend five years, as I intended originally to pursue social work. Turns out I was unfortunately right.

[NMMNG]

66. BS in Pychology w/ minor in Sociology, and No.

If I had it all to do over again I would have obtained a BS/BA in Library Science, which is what I'm getting my Master's in, if I ever get the time and money.

[Redstone]

67. Degrees? We don't NEED no esteenkin' degrees.

(I never went to college.)

Redstone

[Robeson]

68. And Bill Gates doesn't have a degree either....

...so when you're worth 68 billion, could you please spread some of the joy out to your good friends here on the DU....Pretty please!!!! <insert asskissing smilie here>.....

[Tallison]

92. No, but some people (like me) just love school

I'd very happily spend the next 6 or 7 years in a doctoral program if I could just find a way to finance it. Can't imagine doing it without the love.

[leftofthedial]

69. My degree was in another century

[fnottr]

70. BS in Electrical Engineering and Math

Well, don't actually have it yet, I graduate this coming May. The BSEE seemed like a very practical degree, and I've always been pretty good with technical things so it seemed like a good fit. I've had a few summer interships, and they were ok and paid pretty well....but not too exciting. But then again, interns always get the crap work no matter what field. I won't really know if it was 'worth it' until I figure out how much I like actually working full time in the field. The Math degree is all for me though, it won't do much for me jobwise, but I enjoy studying it.

I'd have liked to take more history, but I've already finished a minor in it, and there's not much more offered. I go to a really small school, it has good programs for technical things, but doesn't offer too much humanities or social science. I've been kicking around the idea of going to law school if I want out of engineering.

Oh well, my school is really cheap.....and by cheap I mean free.....and by free I mean they pay me to go there:D

[PittPoliSci]

71. in 1 year and 3 weeks hopefully i will have...

a BA in History, a BA in political science
with concentrations in sociology and economics.

[Robeson]

73. That's a good mix. Stick with it....

...:thumbsup:

[PittPoliSci]

74. i still have no idea what i'm going to do w/ myself.

any of the major history factories hiring these days? :) thanks! :hi:

[Robeson]

76. Don't know if I can help you. My major was in Cultural Anthroplogy...

...minors in Sociology and History. I don't exactly see "want ads" in the paper everyday for that background. I now have - many years latter - a company that rehabs homes in distressed areas, to try and rejuvinate areas. So I'm not exactly doing what I have a degree for, but I don't regret a second of it. I think it made me a better person, and helped my world view. And in a backdoor way, I'm using my degree in what I do in trying to help distressed areas and people try to have a better life. I think you'll be able to do alot with what you will learn with your degrees. You may surprise yourself...

:-)

[Writer]

72. B.S. Radio-TV-Film, almost finished with an M.A. in...

Mass Communication, which will lead to no job in this area, lest I figure out something creative. Can't move because of my husband's work, either.

[JuneInJax]

75. B.S. in Journalism

with specialty in Editing and English Grammar minor. I love that type of work, but I do not like newspaper culture - the working nights and weekends, the subjective criticism such as whether a headline is good enough (which usually means punchy or sexy - on a water management district story??? lol!). But I've been at this for more than 15 years, and when I apply for similar things in the corporate world (Web work, newsletters and such), they always say "you have SO much newspaper experience!" So I don't so much regret the degree itself, it's more the path I've taken with it.

If I had my druthers, I'd major in computers. (I took programming languages rather than foreign language and found I have a talent for them.) I also enjoy creating Web pages and figuring out how the machines work, troubleshooting and the like.

Good luck on your decision!
:)
Moni

[Swamp Rat]

77. music/music/music

now: science/science :)

[dcfirefighter]

79. Industrial & Systems Engineering nt

[aePrime]

80. Computer Science

B.S.

I'll be finishing a computer science master's in a couple of months and am a PhD student in the same. I'm going to start working full time in January, but all of the coursework is done for the PhD; I'll work on my dissertation during the evenings and weekends. It may take me years, but I'm in no rush.

People may be skeptical of degrees in computer science, thinking that the jobs are going overseas, but I haven't had any trouble finding work so far. I just do it because I love it.

[we can do it]

81. BFA Studio Arts Drawing with Illustration Minor

Might do Physical Therapy if I was to start over.

[aePrime]

84. I'm about 20 credits short of that degree

I mean, the BFA Studio Art with Drawing emphasis.

I doubt I'll ever finish it. I liked drawing but I hated being an art major. Didn't do it for me. I switched to computer science (see post above) and never looked back. I went from an apathetic C student to an enthusiastic solid A student.

I haven't seriously drawn in years. Not being an art major, I don't have the motivation any longer.

I'm not down on your degree -- it just wasn't for me :).

[we can do it]

85. Thats Kinda Funny -

I've taken a lot of computer graphics and animation classes since graduation, which I loved - thought I'd try programming and OMFG I was bored to death, not for me. But I'm glad for the experience and appreciate those who can do it.

[aePrime]

86. I can definitely see why people can be bored by programming

It's not the programming that's fun -- it's the problem solving. I guess that's why I'm a CS PhD student -- the research in CS is fun for me.

BTW -- I was a professional computer animator for a couple of years before I went back to get my first CS degree. I'd still work in that industry (as a programmer this time) if I didn't mind living in California, but I can't bring myself to move back.

[AirmensMom]

83. B.S. in Computer Information Systems.

Worked for 15 years before I became disabled. I loved the work ... hated the politics of corporate America. I would do it again.

[Bill McBlueState]

89. physics

Currently I'm working on a PhD in astronomy.

Everyone's got advice about grad school, but here's mine: look for schools where the graduate employees are unionized. TAs and RAs tend to be exploited as a source of cheap labor, but if there's a union, you have a minimum wage, decent benefits, and a grievance procedure.

[Giant Robot]

95. BA in psychology

Masters in social work. I'd do it all again if I had to. Although the pay isn't what I really like, but whatever. I'd like to get my PhD or PsyD, but the money and energy aren't there. Well more the money. I'd get my doctorate in some type of clinical tract, like counseling, or maybe a DSW. I was never good at running rats in mazes in other words.

[Guy Fawkes]

96. (going for) BFA in Photography

not there yet. I'll find out on Jan. 20th if I get in to my 1st choice school...

[miss_american_pie]

98. BA in English

Major was lit. Minor was professional writing.

I stay home with my kids now, so while I value my education I haven't been using it much lately. I personally could not have spent four years studying something I didn't absolutely love, regardless of how "useful" it was.

[Rabrrrrrr]

102. Actually, shouldn't it be "what IS your undergraduate/graduate degree in"?

Unless the degree was taken away, seems that this should be an "IS" question.

One could ask "What was your major?"

[Tallison]

114. Perhaps saying, "In what is your XXXX degree?" would be more

grammatically correct structurally-speaking, but in terms of usage, it's perfectly acceptable for people to say "I have a degree in XXXXX..."

On edit: Bring it on.

[Rabrrrrrr]

133. Yes, question-wise, that's much better grammar. Get that preposition

off the end of the sentence.

And of course, the response is grammatically correct so it's not even a question of being acceptable in commmon usage. It's just plain acceptable. "My degree is in..." or "I have a degree in..."

[Tallison]

147. Seems I'm guilty of redundancy, too

:lickschops:

[Tikki]

104. Physical Anthropology........

......UCSB.....Class of 1995.




Tikki

[Tallison]

116. Oooh! Have you heard of UT-Knoxville's forensic program?

:scared: I'm reading a book about it now. :thumbsup:

[Err]

106. I'm working on my BA in Geology.

I'll graduate this spring.

I'm currently having regrets as I should have majored in something more practical like business, management, or psychology. :( I don't even know what I'm going to do with a degree in geology. :(

[GOPisEvil]

107. I have a BS in Political Science, and I'm half-way to a paralegal cert.

I'm in the midst of a career change. :)

Would I do it again? Sure. I might change a few things, but I enjoyed the living hell out of my major.

[Midlodemocrat]

108. BA in Sociology/History. MA in Psychology, PhD in child/adolescent

psychology.

As far as career paths go...I taught HS and college history for 10 years, was a practicing therapist for about 7 years, worked in marketing/adverising for 2 years, married, had kids. Did some consulting for about 10 years while raising the kidlets, now work in prospect research.

I enjoyed getting my graduate degrees, but I don't think I will get licensed to practice again. I just recently told some of my friends that I have a PhD, because before, in CT, everyone knew and they were always asking me 'why is my kid so fucked up', and I would have to say 'because you are'.

When we moved to VA, I decided not to share that information unless I intended to get re-licensed and work in that field. I loved doing it, but the timing is not conducive to children and traveling husbands. Most appointments for kids/teens take place in the afternoon/evenings, so it simply wasn't going to work out for me.

I recently did some CASA work, and my background came in pretty handy, which is why I told a few folks. That, and because I was sick to death of hearing this other mom always talk about her 'Doctorate'. It irked me. I am petty, I guess.

[MarsThe Cat]

110. college dropout....i retired at 38.

of course it was because of the onset of a disabling disease- but i still got to retire before i was 40!

[Richard Steele]

112. Don't have one. My formal education stopped at 16.

But your question about
"your various paths and whether you'd trace them again"
caught my eye.

Many of my "paths" have been difficult and painful ones.
But if I had not made those foolish choices,
I would not be where I am today.
I would not be WHO I am today.

And I really, really LIKE where I am, and WHO I have become.
So I honestly wouldn't be brave enough to change a thing,
for fear of the Butterfly Effect.

You can base your decision on 2 things:
Success or Satisfaction.

People try to become "rich and successful" because they
think that wealth and success will make them HAPPY.
And they are often WRONG.

So eliminate the middleman.
Don't fiddle about with "means to an end"
when the END is within your grasp.

Take the path you LOVE; choose the work you ENJOY.
You will be GOOD at it.
And you might someday find that "success" happened to you
while you were busy being happy.

[Tallison]

123. Satisfaction is surely a component of many people's idea of success

And regarding the means/ends relationship, there are those out there who undertake efforts they don't enjoy, but for whom the end justifies their temporary dissatisfaction and retroactively enriches it the process.

I stuck heroin and all kinds of substitutes in my arms for years, so I know what you mean about being circumspect regarding regret. That said, I think I can learn something from listening to others' experiences.

[Richard Steele]

138. Well, I certainly appreciate that you actually considered my opinion.

Sometimes, things become clichés because they are TRUE.

And I have certainly met a few (honestly, only a few)
so-called 'progressives' who felt free to ignore my opinions
as soon as they learned that I didn't have any letters after my name.

Those are the "ivory tower" types who the neocons like
to claim represent all Democrats.
They are rare, but they do exist.
And, sadly, they are a remarkably VOCAL subspecies.

But, I digress.

I am a bit disturbed and confused by the title to your response:
"Satisfaction is surely a component of many people's idea of success"

How can you claim to be successful if you are not satisfied?
A peasant who falls asleep HAPPY, and beloved by all his neighbors every night of his life...
Compared to a KING who sits up late, all alone,
perched upon a pile of gold, nursing his grudges...

WHO is more "succesful" ?

And certainly, we all undertake tasks we do not enjoy,
in order to reach our goals.
But here in 2005, the "company store" concept
exists in Academia as surely as it existed in the coal mines of the 1920s....

People with 200 thousand dollars of education are working as TAs
for 35 bucks a week; WAITRESSING 60 hours a week to pay rent
and eating Mac and Cheese in basement rooms
while they dream that the NEXT set of letters after their name
will make the difference.
It won't.

You can choose to carve your own path with whatever tools you posess,
or you can keep telling yourself that TOMORROW
will be the day that you finally snatch that carrot
off the end of the stick.

Tallison, you said you are 31 years old.
You are past 1/3rd of your lifespan, and the halfway mark
is coming at you at high speed.
The time for CONTEMPLATION is past;
it's time for DOING!

[rug]

115. undergrad, history; grad, law

[Tallison]

118. Can I have your 1000th post?

:bounce:

[rug]

121. Damn, I didn't see it coming!

[rug]

122. Catch!

:party:

[Tallison]

125. WOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!! CONGRATS, RUG, ON 1,000 POSTS!!!!!

:bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party:

[rug]

134. Thank you!

[Crazy Guggenheim]

120. Sociology. NO!!! I would have finished my Math and Physics double

major.

[LiberalEsto]

124. English major

Did fine as a journalist for more than 25 years, and loved it.

But so many papers have gone out of business, or gotten aquired by chains like Gannett. Other papers have pared their staffs to the bare minimum.

If I could do anything over, I'd have stayed on the copy desk and gone into being an editor. I loved being on the front lines as a reporter, and now I don't have the page design skills to be a copy editor. I took a few years off to raise my kids and now I work part time as a semi-technical writer.

[bridgit]

127. theater arts & admin...

http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/index.jsp

[Wapsie B]

129. BA in Business and a concetration in Music.

It's been a winding road for me and like you I find healthcare mindnumbing most days. I've had this urge to explore technical writing. There's also an interest in storytelling as a profession. But I've yet to explore or know where to start.

[momophile]

130. BA anthropology

and almost done with a MS historic preservation

[Shine]

131. I studies Politics at UCSC.

Yes, I'd do it again.

Anxiety is normal. Don't worry, it'll all work out. You're right where you need to be, Tallison.

:hi:
Shine

[lady raven]

135. BSBA in Economics with a minor in Statistics

I'd do it again in a heartbeat- But I wouldn't have quit for awhile to get married at 19 and I would have gone to grad school when I was younger, before I had a family to support and a child to raise.

What I've done with it so far: Been a stay at home mom who knows a lot about Economics and Statistics.

[ProfessorGAC]

155. You Should Be My Neighbor!

My B.S. is in chemistry and my first advanced degree is a chemical mechanisms (aka quantum chemistry).

My other two advanced degrees are in statistical mechanics and economics. You and me in the same neighborhood! We'll have a block party and everyone has to come dressed as their favorite economist or mathematician!
The Professor

[abbeyco]

139. BBA for undergrad and I

went back later in life to do it. Started @ 36, finished at 39 and just completed a Masters in Computer Information Systems in August.

If you have the opportunity to educate yourself, I am firmly in your corner. I took the LSAT 2 yrs ago to see if Law School could be on my horizion and while I did well, things just didn't work out for that path.

I'm happy and proud of myself for the educational choices I made, even at a later age in life. You're relatively young looking at grad school, so I think that if you decide to go, it will benefit you a great deal.

Best of luck to you with you decisions, no matter what you decide upon.

[msu2ba]

142. BA in Music Ed, MA in Counseling

Started out enrolled in chemical engineering. I have a twinge once a year, when they publish starting salaries for engineers, but, other than that, I can't think of a better job in a better place than teaching Band and Chorus at my high school.

[emmajane67]

144. BA with a double major in...

Pol Sci (Development and Human Rights) and Media Studies (Journalisma and Media Theory).
A Diploma in Graphic Design.
1 1/2 years of Broadcasting Communications.

And I can't seem to find a job that uses one eighteenth of my brain power.
Can't afford further study (would love to get my Phd in the end).

Having major career crisis!!!! (Due to lack of use of brain power).
Anyone any good at the career counselling racket???
Wanna help me out?

[progmom]

145. arts management/marketing

...and some of it actually applies to what I do. Not much...but some.

[Burma Jones]

146. BA in Theatre, MS in Computer Science, PhD in Computing

This is an example of passive career management......

Mostly, I drifted and took opportunities as they arose. The advanced degrees in Computing allow me to concentrate on a lot of different subjects as they relate to automation...

[Blue_Tires]

148. B.A. English, M.S. Journalism

both were complete fucking wastes of my time and my (parents' and government's) money...

To do over again, I would have gotten into an applied science (I used to be a math major), IT, or business...If I had no other choice but to do liberal arts again, I would have learned as many foreign languages as my brain would hold...(Yes, I am bitterly pissed at my situation right now)

[WeRQ4U]

149. Biology and Sociology Double Major

Then I went to law school. Would do it over again just as I did. I loved Biology. It kept me interested. The Sociology degree was to keep my GPA up over 3.8. LOL.

[RetroLounge]

150. Hmmm, 2 degrees

Undergrad in Management Information Systems.

Graduate in English / Creative Writing.

No regrets...

RL

[RubyDuby in GA]

151. BA History, minor in Geography

Didn't help in career at all, but I wouldn't change a thing about it.

[LSK]

152. B.S. Mechanical Engineering

DIdnt know what I wanted to do after High School. My dad forced me into it. I fought it for 6 years and finally graduated. Got caught up in the dot.com craze and now I work in IT.

If I did it all over again, Id do a political science or history degree and maybe go to law school.

[RebelOne]

154. My degree was in the hard knocks of life.

And I can say that I think I graduated with honors. It took me quite a while, but I now have a great job even though I found it late in life.

[bleedingheart]

156. BS Industrial Engineering..

I actually work in my field and enjoy my work...

[Dora]

157. BA English / MFA Writing

Ummmm. Yes.

Penury is okay.