Wow there are more zoology majors on this board per capita than anywhere else, EVAH.
Very cool 
As for me, I got a BS in journalism and right out of school started my own business with a friend. We do Web design and software. Been doing it for 5 years now.
Although a journalism degree (at least from Kent State) is a pretty well-rounded degree and I learned alot about alot of different things, so I’d like to think I “use” what I learned in college every day.
I finished my BA in Linguistics in 1993, and worked as a book editor/proofreader for a few years, then as a freelance graphic designer when I was at home with the kids. I finish a bachelor of nursing this year, and I’m planning to work in mental health.
BA (Hons) in Ancient Greek from the University of Leicester (1977-1980). Never, ever worked in the classical field since.
I have a BA in Computer Science. Up until Feb 3rd I was a manager of a Software team for a large corperation. All of my interviews so far have been for lead software developer or some such.
Nope. Since receiving my BA in English in 96 I’ve been:
[ul]
[li]a retail clerk at a fabric counter[/li][li]a door-to-door salestroll (only lasted 1 day)[/li][li]a data entry operator in a bookstore receiving warehouse[/li][li]a convenience store clerk[/li][li]a substitute teacher[/li][li]a temp drone[/li][li]a truck stop clerk[/li][li]and now, finally, a 911 dispatcher.[/li][/ul]
My CAD entries are always spelled correctly. 
I definately use my masters’ degree (Library Science, which I got so I could be a librarian, which I am.) Not so much with undergrad - history major, piano minor - although of course everything you know helps you answer reference questions.
I have a degree in engineering (BSEE) and I have close to 20 years experience in engineering doing hardware/software design, so that’s a yes.
I don’t have a degree yet, but just wanted to chime in. Recently switched degrees to something that I will definately use. I plan on starting my own web based business(es) and therefore switched my degree plan to a BS in Information technology focused on information systems, and plan on getting my MBA/MIS. If the business aspect doesn’t pan out I plan on working an a career of database administration. I certainly plan all my classes, extracurricular activities and work study / internships accordingly. I seriously doubt I will be in a field unrelated. (hope not anyhow)
Hi, Zsofia, I’m a reference librarian too, and I couldn’t agree more. Definitely using my MLIS, and quite a few of my questions deal with biology, which just happened to be what I majored in at college. There’s no such thing as useless knowledge to a librarian.
Pharmacy degree + medical degree + surgical residency – no longer use any of them.
I have my degree in multimedia and animation. I do web and graphic design for a living, with a smattering of multimedia, video editing, and illustration. I would definitely say I’m doing what I have my degree in.
I got out of college about 6 years ago, and since then have worked at a multimedia company, done freelance multimedia, was unemployed, worked as a framer in an art gallery, edited wedding videos, sold cell phones, and now I’m doing design work for an insurance company. In that order. So I’ve had varying degrees of success with using my degree.
Clearly didn’t attend the day they did spelling or punctuation, then . . .
Does “giving other people in my field a good chuckle” count? I like to make the other geeks smile by mentioning my BM in Music History. I do encounter other music refugees in IT all the time though, so maybe I was onto something.
My next career will probably be farriery, in which case my degree will be even less relevant.
Seriously, I use the skills I gained while getting my degree all the time. Knowing how to do research and formulate a persuasive argument have been very useful. But I can’t remember the last time I had to discuss the details of sonata form, Gregorian chant, or the development of 19th century American vernacular music in a business context.
Sigh… that’s what you get for posting sick from the reference desk, I guess.
Sure you’re using your degree - you can understand all the curses frustrated solvers hurl at you.
Yes, in a roundabout way.
I got a degree in Journalism in the early '60s, when there were about 3 degrees available for women (teaching, nursing, and the horrific Home Economics).
This naturally led me to being a ‘stewardess’, later a ‘flight attendant’, for many years. I settled down and went on to airline reservations agent, ticket counter agent, lost bag researcher. Don’t get me started on that one.
In the early '80s when airlnes began to tank, I got scared and went back to school and got a Computer Science degree. I programmed for a while, then was directed toward training and writing incomprehensible user manuals and online training solutions. I loved it no matter what our users thought.
Since I am now retired (early retirement five years ago) all of my spelling and grammar skills are nonexistent. I put quotes around things that don’t warrant them (see above). I can’t spell any longer and sites such as our beloved SD don’t have Spellcheck. My handwriting, once the envy of my Catholic school Palmer Penmanship cohorts, has deteriorated to un-in-whatever-comprehensible.
Sigh.
No and yes, depending how you look at it.
The “no” is my university education (BA in Creative Arts, concentrations in writing and theatre). “No” also for my grad degree in education. I taught English for 3 years, got laid off due to budget cuts, and, despite several attempts to return to the field, nothing became of it.
Am I using my culinary certificate I acq
Whoops – hit “Post Reply” too soon :smack:
As I was going to say…I’m definitely using my culinary certificate, which I acquired in the meantime. I’ve been a baker/cake decorator for almost 20 years. Most of what I’ve learned has been OTJ; however, having the background in understanding the whys and mechanics of baking does give me an edge overmost bakers I know.
I suppose I could say that my undergrad degree also ties into the artistic re the decorating, but it really doesn’t – I didn’t concentrate in visual arts.