# How Far Off is Your Career from Your Degree? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 12, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444 "2004-12-12T12:40:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davmilasav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@davmilasav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davmilasav)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/1 "2004-12-12T12:40:16Z")
And what other jobs have you had along the way? For instance: I have a 4-year degree in broadcasting with a minor in journalism. I did work in radio and newspaper for a while. I’ve also worked in car sales, electronics sales, bookstores, fast food, jewelry sales, general retail, the list goes on… I now pay my bills by being a cruise ship check-in agent/blackjackdealer/mystery shopper. Top that! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/2 "2004-12-12T12:46:32Z")
I have a BA in History. I spent nearly 7 years in corporate finance and internal audit. I went back to school and got a master’s in information science (library science) and now I work as a librarian. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/3 "2004-12-12T12:47:44Z")
I have a degree in Software Engineering. I work as a kind of technical administrator/webmaster/operator for an online betting company. I work on computers and have been able to put some of my programming skills to good use on the bespoke language for the obscure network system that makes it all possible. It pays well and I am happy with it. I’m not making awardwinning computer games or software, but University killed all motivation for that anyway. So, far in some ways… Close in others. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/4 "2004-12-12T13:02:04Z")
I have a teaching degree in English, secondary level, with a minor in journalism education. Since graduation I have worked as a bank teller, done alterations in a quilting/alterations shop, taught classes in quilting and cross stitch as a continuing-education freelance teacher, substitute-taught for a few years while working a full-time job, worked for a major-chain fabric and crafts store, and am currently an assistant manager in a gift/engraving store. My teaching certificate is lapsed, and my substitute certificate is also lapsed until I get hired by a school district again. I also have done volunteer work during my stay-at-home mom period (about ten years) where I produced and edited newsletters for various groups. So while I don’t have a current teaching certificate and have never had a full-time teaching job in a school system, I have used the skills. And given the changed face of American education over the past 25 years since I did my student teaching, I’m not sure I’d want to teach full-time at this point. ---
**Author:** ![davmilasav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@davmilasav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davmilasav)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/5 "2004-12-12T13:06:49Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > I have a teaching degree in English, secondary level, with a minor in journalism education…I produced and edited newsletters for various groups. Wow, Kitten! I hand my crown to you! When do you sleep? ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/6 "2004-12-12T13:46:22Z")
**Degree:** History with Theology, Philosphy & Religious Studies **Career:** Web Developer 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/7 "2004-12-12T13:49:46Z")
Degree: would have been Ancient Greek and Latin if I hadn’t dropped out with about a year left. Career: Software Engineer for around 13 years, now I’m writing, with a little computer/software stuff on the side. And, of course, the requisite Web Development work. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/8 "2004-12-12T13:56:29Z")
**Degree:** Music Performance, tuba. **Career:** Windows Technical Support, system administration, utility infielder computer geek. ---
**Author:** ![Ottoerotic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6de8d8/32.png) [@Ottoerotic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ottoerotic)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/9 "2004-12-12T14:53:53Z")
Degree: Psychology Career: Bank Manager ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/10 "2004-12-12T15:16:39Z")
Degree: Computer Engineering Career: I have a suck-ass job teaching at the post-secondary level. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/11 "2004-12-12T16:21:08Z")
**Degree:** Archaeology **Career:** Technical support/web development. All my jobs have been support/development related. Haven’t touched a trowel since field school. But hey, I got a degree in what I wanted! ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/12 "2004-12-12T16:47:34Z")
Degree: History major, Classics minor. “Career”: Spent a couple of years screwing around more or less aimlessly after graduating, during which I did some temp work, was hired permanently as a grunt by one client, got tired of that and quit to drive first a limousine and then a taxi. Finally figured out I was interested in working with words in some capacity and almost managed to pull off the trick of moving in consecutive steps from book publishing to magazine publishing to newsletter publishing to a wire service, except that I got the first two steps out of order and worked in magazine publishing before book publishing. I’ve been a financial journalist for more than a decade now and find the work really interesting, plus I’ve been fortunate enough to have the experience of living in different countries, which I’m really enjoying. ---
**Author:** ![TheInterruptingCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@TheInterruptingCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheInterruptingCow)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/13 "2004-12-12T17:03:11Z")
BA: Fine Art/Graphic Design MBA: Human Resources Career (if you wanna call it that): Network Systems Admin/Engineer/Telecom Geek ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/14 "2004-12-12T17:08:54Z")
Degree: BA in Political Science. Career: Secretary for an Opposition political party in the Irish parliament. Previous jobs: import/indie music buyer for a chain of record stores; admin temp work; legal secretary and paralegal. My sister has a Master’s in Physics and is currently studying Jazz Composition at Juilliard. Before she moved to NYC earlier this year she was working as a Hollywood extra. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/15 "2004-12-12T17:16:05Z")
> [@davmilasav](#): > > And what other jobs have you had along the way? > For instance: I have a 4-year degree in broadcasting with a minor in journalism. I did work in radio and newspaper for a while. I’ve also worked in car sales, electronics sales, bookstores, fast food, jewelry sales, general retail, the list goes on… > > I now pay my bills by being a cruise ship check-in agent/blackjackdealer/mystery shopper. > > Top that! 😃 Damn! Is your company hiring? I need a change. I’m doing exactly what my degree is in and I really do love it, almost all the time. However, there are those moments when I just want to take one or more of my users and beat them severely about the head and shoulders with The Big Blue Foam Clue Bat. ---
**Author:** ![Peregrine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Peregrine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peregrine)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/16 "2004-12-12T17:34:41Z")
**Degree:** Cellular Biology **Career:** Retail Manager, specialty foods and cookware I also worked behind the counter at a funky little donut shop in the University District for about a year soon after graduating. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/17 "2004-12-12T17:44:43Z")
Degree: Double major political science and French language and literature, went back to school 1 year after graduating and completed all coursework necessary for a K-12 teaching certification, but never actually completed certification Career: Corporate trainer for a very large software company. I train call centers around the world on various customer programs (not products). It’s an amazing job, I get all the joys of teaching without any of the hassle of parents or red tape. Through this job I’ve been to: Singapore, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires and India. The pay is great and I love it. I stumbled around for several years after leaving school (waited tables, worked in a bookstore) and I’m amazed how different my life is than just 7 years ago. Note: The call centers are not outsourced, they support customers in their respective regions. ---
**Author:** ![meowpossum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/848f3c/32.png) [@meowpossum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meowpossum)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/18 "2004-12-12T18:31:56Z")
Degree: Philosophy, with minors in Botany and Greek Current career: Programmer Analyst Previous jobs: Smurfette at an amusement park; phlebotomist; assembly line worker in a barrel factory; chambermaid; and freelance researcher. All things considered, I’ll probably stick with my current career path; it may not be exciting, but I don’t have to wear a giant blue head or use a cleaning product called “Vom-away.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/19 "2004-12-12T18:39:24Z")
I majored in English. I work in finance. Pretty soon, I’ll have a license that’ll legally allow me to give bad financial advice. Fear me ;). ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444/20 "2004-12-12T19:58:13Z")
Degree: BSc in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Career: Marketing - previously in insurance, now for a mobile phone company. (I also have a degree in Commercial Law and Marketing which I guess is closer to the actual career.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-off-is-your-career-from-your-degree/279444.md?page=2)