# What do you have a degree in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 26, 2017, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268 "2017-04-26T09:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Archeonomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Archeonomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archeonomist)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/81 "2017-04-27T03:48:31Z")
BSc in computer science and a minor in mathematics. Worked in IT for over twenty years. Hopeless at math, though. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/82 "2017-04-27T03:57:48Z")
B.A. (history and polisci, which is probably not any surprise to anyone who follows my posts). LL.B. - like **Spoons** , I earned an LL.B. and I’m not going to cash it in for one of them new-fangled J.D. thing-gummy-bobs! LL.B. # 2 - because you can always do with a spare LL.B. around the house. LL.M. - just in case the first two don’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/83 "2017-04-27T04:07:19Z")
BA in Media Communications Minor in Economics Spent 5 years working in radio and TV. Then went to work for E\*Trade when it was an internet start up and used my Econ for 8 years. Since 2003, I have worked in fields totally unrelated to any of my degrees. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/84 "2017-04-27T04:56:43Z")
BS in CS. I mean, Bachelors of Science in Computer Science. But I prefer the abbreviations. ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/85 "2017-04-27T05:30:10Z")
B.Sc. Chemisty (yes that was how my degree was awarded, I exchanged it for one spelled Chemistry, and yes the Registrar was suitably embarrassed). Took a minor in Physics with it. Wasn’t a fan of wet-lab work so my emphasis was on computational and physical chemistry, Spent two summers working as a research assistant for a physics professor and 8 months continuing the research I completed for my undergrad thesis. I loved the research in both fields. M.Sc Astronomy & Astrophysics. Was working towards my Piled Higher and Deeper. Discovered that the research, write, publish routine that I was used to and enjoyed in undergrad doesn’t translate well to a Ph.D. program involving 4-5 years on a single project (I should’ve started with the intent of doing a staple thesis approach: Construct a small problem, build and test code, write it up, increase the complexity/reality and do it again, next…). Burned out and resigned. Not doing science anymore, but I might go back and take another swing at the next three letters when my brain is ready. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/86 "2017-04-27T05:48:44Z")
BSc Physics with Computational Physics. Started on a masters focused on underwater acoustics, but gave up to go and earn some cash, floating around the North Sea. . ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/87 "2017-04-27T05:55:46Z")
BS in Physics, MSEE (optical engineering/computing). Was about 18 months from finishing my Ph.D. (again in optical computing) when the startup that was funding it went under. I could have finished, but without the lab it would have been heavy on modelling and I had other offers in industry, so I never finished. Still, I work as a scientist and publish so it doesn’t really matter all that much. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/88 "2017-04-27T06:02:41Z")
Juris Doctor; more or less useless if one has not passed the bar exam (one has not) but the diploma looks great on my bedroom wall. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/89 "2017-04-27T12:04:35Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > B.A. (history and polisci, which is probably not any surprise to anyone who follows my posts). > > LL.B. - like **Spoons** , I earned an LL.B. and I’m not going to cash it in for one of them new-fangled J.D. thing-gummy-bobs! > > LL.B. # 2 - because you can always do with a spare LL.B. around the house. > > LL.M. - just in case the first two don’t work. Why LL.B. # 2? Must be fun with your business card, what with people figuring you didn’t proofread. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/90 "2017-04-27T14:02:50Z")
First one was common law. Second one was civil law. I don’t put my degrees on my card. Too complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/91 "2017-04-27T14:06:05Z")
B.Sc. in Russian, and a certificate in teaching English to adults. Have mulled over going back for a master’s but I have absolutely no idea what I’d like to study. Translation is keeping me quite entertained anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Tio\_Gringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@Tio\_Gringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tio_Gringo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/92 "2017-04-27T14:38:36Z")
I have a BS in Finance and a MS in Accountancy. I am also a CPA. Worked out well since I am a Financial Analyst and I love what I do. As an aside, my wife is also a CPA, so we’re super fun at parties! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/93 "2017-04-27T14:41:33Z")
Bachelor of Arts (Honors in Government and a minor in History) and a Juris Doctor degree. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/94 "2017-04-27T14:46:15Z")
I’m working on a Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity with a minor in Natural Science. I should be graduating next year. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/95 "2017-04-27T16:07:44Z")
B.Sc. General (mostly Physics and Geology although I didn’t have any majors), and Certified Engineering Technician in Avionics/Electronics. FWIW, I only did my first year and a half at the U of Manitoba but finished it off all by correspondence so I enrolled in 1986 but graduated in 2012…🙂 I’ve thought about doing some post grad work but for now will concentrate on getting my Eng. Technologist. I have started a few online free courses as I’ve always been interested in Nuclear physics and Quantum Physics. I also have a stack about 5 cm thick of certificates and qualifications from my time in the military and the private sector. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/96 "2017-04-27T16:16:43Z")
My grand niece just finished a double major in biology and chemistry (graduating with honors) and has a full ride for med school coming up. She puts my entire family to shame. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/97 "2017-04-27T17:26:22Z")
**Bachelor of Arts, Communications.** Minor: Radio Broadcasting (I was way more interested in production than being on-air talent). **Master of Arts, English**. Program: Professional Writing & Editing (“professional” as in “business”). ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/98 "2017-04-27T20:16:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > My grand niece just finished a double major in biology and chemistry (graduating with honors) and has a full ride for med school coming up. She puts my entire family to shame. Good genes. 🙂 You get to have some of the credit. That’s a wonderful accomplishment! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/99 "2017-04-27T20:45:39Z")
All my degrees are in Celsius. ---
**Author:** ![Theodore\_Striker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Theodore\_Striker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theodore_Striker)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268/100 "2017-04-27T20:47:34Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I can imagine that HR is soul-sucking. A lot of business is soul-sucking and HR must get the vacuum from both sides. > > Teaching Lit at college is really hard to break into, and the pay is, um, astonishingly low until you actually get tenure track. I do think you might be onto something with the other option. Something to investigate. More avenues to pursue, more jobs out there (training is needed in many fields, so it needn’t just be academia.) I’d encourage you to check it out. Soul-sucking is bad. (You’ve got a lot on your plate right now - maybe researching this and making plans could be a way for you to have a little me time.) Yeah, the pay and lack of real opportunity in Lit is what has kept me doing what I am doing to pay the bills, and writing and reading on the side. the management side is very interesting though, and I have kicked it around for a few years. And you’re right, it would be a welcome diversion! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-have-a-degree-in/785268.md?page=6)