<p>My English lit major was heavily analytical and obviously huge on writing. I have used both the skills at analysis and skill at writing/editing in business, where I was required to write a ton, and did that – and the analysis-- much better than the business school graduates. (People usually don’t realize how much a business job requires writing reports, and more reports, and more reports: synthesizing data, communicating accurately, and doing it all within deadline.)</p>
<p>Since the baccalaureate, I’ve also had quite a bit of graduate training in education, both practicum level and theory level, and have used that, along with several credentials, in my profession. I’d say in my work with high school students now I am especially applying my writing training, as scant writing assignments are being given in schools in my region. (Sophomores struggling to write even like 5th graders.) I assign writing to students of all ages and certainly teach structure, content, mechanics, and teach them to edit.</p>
<p>Separately, I supplement this with instruction and direction in literary analysis at times, since sometimes they are thrown into lit classes in high school without basic terminology in literary criticism.</p>
<p>Hubby was a math major as undergraduate. Then he got a Master’s in Computer Science and went immediately to work as an independent computer consultant (systems analyst).</p>
<p>I should have added that Yes, I would do it all over again. Only I would have added finance/accounting, early on. With the ability to analyze, the ability to write, and an understanding of financial aspects, you have it just about “made” in business. You do need people skills in business, though (another major factor that people forget about).</p>
<p>I learned some basic accounting/budgeting, which I used both in law offices and in business, but it really was learning on the job and thus took me much longer without formal preparation.</p>
<p>I will also add that my analytical & editing skills were quite helpful in paralegal work. I actually almost became a lawyer – about 3 times. Lots of people thinking about law for the future choose either English or History as a college major. Both offer training in analysis, the development of logical argument, etc.</p>
<p>I still remember a journalism class I took long ago where we spent two weeks in New York City, meeting with professionals in a wide variety of professions. Every one was asked what their major was and most, had majored in something not remotely connected with what they were doing professionally.</p>
<p>I laughed out loud when I read the book ‘Fools Gold.’ It’s a history of derivatives and their role in the Wall Street crisis of 2008, written by a Financial Times of London editor.</p>
<p>Don’t know why, but it made me laugh to learn that Henry Paulsen, CEO of Goldman-Sachs and also Secretary of the Treasury under GWB, majored in…English! His undergrad degree from Dartmouth: English. I myself majored in English, though not at Dartmouth and believe me, I’ve never been the CEO of a monster Wall Street investment firm.</p>
<p>As for the book’s author, Gillian Tett, an editor at the Financial Times of London, what was her major? Social anthropology.</p>
<p>In my case and that of my wife, yes there’s a link between our English major in college 25 years ago and our writing-related careers now.</p>
<p>OP, try not to worry too much. I recommend that you put your hand on your chest and say out loud the different majors you’re considering. Which one feels to you like it has the most energy? That’s the one you care about.</p>
<p>How I became an architect: I liked math, I liked art, but was scared to be an artist especially with no particular interest in doing abstract or conceptual art. (I like looking at it, but it’s not what I like doing.) Most importantly though, was realizing early in my freshman year that I didn’t want to be an academic - that what I got satisfaction out of was making things and producing stuff I could point to and say - “That’s mine.” I love driving around the county and pointing out stuff that I did. Even if it’s just someone’s new porch or master bedroom addition. I was reasonably good at writing papers, but I wasn’t enjoying it. </p>
<p>As a practicing architect what I like best is how varied my work is. Some days I’m marketing. Some days I’m talking to clients. Some days I’m out climbing up ladders and working with contractors. Some days I’m at the drawing board. Some days I’m persuading a zoning board that the variance we are requesting won’t ruin the neighborhood.</p>
<p>Dad was a mechanical engineering major who worked as a tech at an engineering firm while getting his degree and as an engineer after. My mom was
a mass communication major who worked non-major for a few years before getting a job working for a tech writing and copy prep division. After that, she was a stay-at-home mom and works part-time at a library, as she did for years when her kids were at home.</p>
<p>Me-majored in theater, did a few acting jobs here and there, lots of waitressing, Retail management for a bit, Stay at home mom for years, now a decorator.</p>
<p>Husband, Special Ed, taught briefly, started a yacht brokerage business, now owns a manufacturing company.</p>
<p>Yep. BA in poli sci, MPA in public finance and have worked in public finance in government for 25+ years. My H has a BS and PhD in math and is a mathematics professor.</p>
<p>Everyone in my family works professionally in the fields in which they obtained their undergraduate and graduate degrees… me and BF in theatre, dad in engineering/ business… my mom works professionally in the field in which she obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees (music). After she obtained a french degree in undergrad she worked as a professional performer and then in telecommunications before attending graduate school.</p>
<p>However, I know many people with degrees in the arts and humanities who work in fields not directly related to their undergraduate degrees. I even know BFA/ BM performance majors who later went to medical school and are now doctors. I am sure there are people who go the other way too… I just happen to know more arts/ humanities majors because of my field, I guess.</p>
<p>Reading this thread it is interesting to see it split pretty evenly between people who have pursued other professional paths from their undergraduate degree and those who still work in a related field. :)</p>
<p>Just today I read something about Jerry Bruckheimer, the wildly successful Hollywood producer (Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, Coyote Ugly, Black Hawk Down, Pirates of the Caribbean, Prince of Persia). He went to the University of Arizona and majored in Psychology with an Algebra minor!</p>
<p>For the most part. I was an accounting and finance major in undergrad, but went straight to law school. I practiced business law (concentrating in real estate and finance) for 15+ years, then moved onto the business side and worked in finance for 10 years. If I had it to do over again, I would still major in accounting and finance.</p>
<p>Absolutely. Journalism major provided preparation for careers in communications, human resources, and consulting where writing skills, the ability to be objective, the ability to understand stakeholders and their differing needs, and the ability to communicate in writing and verbally are essential. The career/position changes all required these skills. Would do it again in a second…</p>
<p>Seem to me that the percentages of those that use their degree will vary by major and the number of jobs in that area. </p>
<p>Also, I believe that a college degree’s biggest asset is that it shows that you survived college. You learned how to think, to organize yourself and perservere.</p>
<p>For myself: degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in structures, career in aerospace structures. So, I’d say a pretty good match.</p>
<p>My wife: degree in environmental engineering, career in environmental engineering, perfect match</p>
<p>My husband has degrees in applied statistics and economics. He is in professional sports broadcasting. My degree is in history. I teach for a living, just not that subject.</p>
<p>My job has NOTHING to do with my major. MA in French. I work as a teacher, teaching mostly math. When I first got out of college, I worked as a claims adjuster for State Farm. Again, totally unrelated to my major. I have had a few side jobs translating for a law firm, and for a doctor, but they have been few and far between.</p>
<p>Kindof - Computer Science —> Marketing and public relations for tech companies. My tech background helps me work with engineers that need help articulating what they have developed to potential buyers. I ended up in marketing through a massive reorganization and realized that I was a great fit. It was something that I had ever considered…</p>
<p>Yes. I was a History major and worked as an administrator for history museums during my first career. Now I’m semi-retired and have a second career in a different field. Would I do it again? Yes. (Although, given a second chance I might have accepted that National Trust job I was offered before the golden handcuffs got too tight)</p>