I think it’s interesting to hear what people majored in and if they work in that field. Partly because my DD’19 is back to thinking about a theatre major (though she had stated previously she no longer wanted to do theatre for a living, just as a hobby). Perhaps it’s one of those things where she’ll end up doing whatever but at least she has a degree.
I have an accounting major and a music minor. I am office manager in a law office doing probate, real estate, payroll, taxes, and bookkeeping, plus I am a church organist. So for me, my college education directly applies to my work.
Political Science. I figured out half way through that I didn’t want to be a politician. Other than some minor volunteer work for different candidates, I have not worked in politics.
Classical Archaeology = = = == > Adult Ed instructor for pre-GED Math and ESL Of course this is after two more degrees and a whole bunch of job fits and starts.
Happykid was a theatre tech/design major and has never worked at anything else. She has theatre major pals who have moved into various management positions following internships and/or jobs they held down as students. Theatre majors learn that everyone on a project is important and that many skill sets are needed to bring that project to fruition - just like in most work contexts. Stage managers develop terrific people-management and time-management skills that can apply anywhere. Acting majors can be utterly fearless about job interviews and when giving presentations for work - one told me that she views those as just one more audition of so many in her life.
BA in Visual and Environmental Studies, Masters degree in Architecture, Architect. There have been periods where I was also a part-time artist and have taught watercolor classes. So all related.
DH majored in biology and physics has a Phd in biophysics and now does cancer research.
Mathson 1 - BA Comp Sci - does computer programming
Mathson 2 - BA International Relations, worked for a couple of NGOs, now a Naval Officer
Physics major/phd, stay-at-home mom now. I did teach community college part-time briefly but it paid less than daycare. I did a lot of volunteer math and science stuff in the kids’ schools. Hubby works in his major field… applied math undergrad, statistics phd.
This is a great thread. Major = psychology (loved it). Profession = journalist.
I had thought about psychology grad school and becoming a psychologist, but eventually decided against it. Looking back, I now realize that psychology and journalism are fit for a certain type of person, the observer, the listener, the type that doesn’t take everything at face value, that wants to look at things from many sides, the type that is somewhat cynical and has a permanently raised eyebrow.
Also, for both of these professions, you have to be the type that doesn’t aspire to great wealth.
Still a psychologist, but have worked in various settings: a hospital for a dozen years, a woman’s college, psych hospital, residential, day treatment, and private practice. I left out a few part time jobs, papers and books, and TV appearances.
Me: Literature (literary theory); attorney specializing in tax, business transactions, estate planning. Very related.
Spouse: Psychology and American Studies; expert on early childhood education policy, former government official.
Sister 1: Spanish Literature; mutual fund investment management. (And no graduate degree!)
Sister 2: History; emergency room MD. (Went back to school in her mid-30s.)
Sister-in-law: Linguistics; linguistics professor.
Brother-in-law: Refrigeration Engineering; refrigeration engineer and dealer.
College Roommate 1: Art History; real estate development & management.
College Roommate (several): Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics; research MDs.
College Roommate 4: Studio Art (painting); internal medicine MD (straight to med school from college).
College Roommate 5: History; journalist.
Best Friend: Geology; high-school history teacher and 9th grade dean, formerly environmental litigator.
Other College Friend: English; cranky right-wing public intellectual.
Kid 1: English; philanthropic foundation program officer (education reform and at-risk youth).
Kid 2: Sociology; survey researcher.
Daughter-in-law: Sociology; family medicine MD.
Niece 1: Health studies; yoga instructor (formerly professional circus acrobat for 14 years)
Niece 2: Linguistics; speech therapist.
Niece 3: Creative Writing and Dance; artisanal florist (formerly professional dancer & choreographer).
Nephew: “Philosophy of Agriculture”; owns and operates a hip bakery and cafe.
My major was sociology, with a law degree. I worked as an attorney in a law firm then the AG for 6 years, then had a series of jobs including part-time judge and now run a nonprofit I founded over a decade ago for folks with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
H majored in accounting and worked on computers for the fed govt for 45 years. S majored in EE and works on robotics, wearable tech and project management for the fed govt. D majored in cinema and does gigs in cinema. My mom and 2 of my sisters majored in teaching and teach. Dad has an mba and law degree and practiced law for many decades. Two of my brothers went to law school and practice law—one was business major and the other travel industry and management. Not sure what MD brother majored in, nor MD BIL, but they are both practicing MDs in their respective fields.
Attorney niece majored in English and went to law school. Podiatrist niece majored in history. One niece majored in psychology and is a clerk for the city. One nephew majored in biology and math and works part time teaching keyboarding at grade school while he figures out what comes next. One niece is Chinese and international business major, now pre-med. Not sure what med student nephew majored in.
My major was accounting and I’m still a corporate accountant for 32+ years. H majored in electrical engineering (has his masters). He is a director of engineering, but over his 35+ years is now both a hardware and software engineer.
Psychology-went back for my teaching cert. and teach 6th grade sped. I use my psych background all the time and wish I had gone into counseling. I still might and go back again!
DH-criminal justice, he works in a bank in a dept that uses his degree.
This is after working in different industries first. It took awhile to get into careers that felt right.
Comparative Literature, and then became an editor. Then I got an MBA and went into HR. Specialized in employee benefits. Now, I handle benefits communications. So I’ve sort of combined both pieces of my career.
DH majored in English Literature and played every sport known to man. His career was editing and writing for sports magazines.
It seems most of us wound up doing something relate to our college major.
