<p>Tara, I'm in communications and I think I'm paid decently. Graduated with a BA in political science from a LAC plus EMBA from a state U. Communications is a great field, but for the most part you work your way up the ropes and from job to job before you pull in any significant bucks sorry to tell you. My junior son is heading in that direction it looks like and my husband and I are supportive.</p>
<p>My hubby majored in accounting & has been working on computers & telecommunications now for the federal government for over 35 years, as he planned. He loves his job--there were very few courses in computer science when he was in college.</p>
<p>Architecture degrees, DH and I (we met in post grad program). Both worked for famous architects in New York City for a few years, including one overseas posting. Opened our own practice in NYC, age 28. Worked primarily in five eastern states. First boy born when we were 28. Opened a branch office of that practice in the midwest when our two boys turned kindergarten age. The branch office took off and we eventually closed the office in Soho.</p>
<p>Moved that practice overseas as the boys were starting/finishing high school. Current projects as the lead designer/planner include an apartment tower and two coastal developments on the Pacific, one 2500 acres, the other 3200 acres. </p>
<p>Never thought about income level when I was in school--other than the current hourly rate available. Never expected I would one day get more than 50+ times my first hourly rate. Never thought I would be able to move the practice around the world. Never thought I'd be designing such large projects in a foreign country.</p>
<p>Still have no idea what's ahead. Semi-clueless and happy.</p>
<p>DontPanic1-
Love to be hearing about all the MTs out there!
Great that you turned yourself into the engineer that you were meant to be all along. I know what you mean about lack of support for women wanting to pursue certain careers. Glad it worked out for you. There are shared analytical skills in Medical Technology and Engineering.....not so far a reach.
I actually was being 'pushed' to go to medical school way back when women didn't so much go inot medicine. One prof literally told me I was 'wasting' my intellect going into the clinical laboratory field.
Huh, 28 years later, I am continually challenged and still fighting to keep up! Last seven years, I've been creating and troubleshooting the micro database for our lab information system. There is never a dull moment.<br>
I'm with cheers. Wonder what is next??</p>
<p>
[quote]
There are shared analytical skills in Medical Technology and Engineering.....not so far a reach.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I have a theory. There are lots of Med Techs on here because we <em>are</em> the analytical type! Are we going to just fill out college apps and send them on their way? Oh, no! We have to turn it into a science. We eliminate the variables and turn out a super-applicant! :-)</p>
<p>MA Philosophy - career - IT (naturally, what else?) Enterprise Architecture, if that means anything to anyone. We have more buzzwords than you can shake a stick at.</p>
<p>BA in Communications. Worked in IT for the past 20 years, primarily in software development and management. </p>
<p>Got into IT as an analyst. The company found they couldn't put the CS majors in front of the customers. Worked out well for me so far</p>
<p>Perfect theory, Timely!</p>
<p>My D got her degree in Communications and then worked as a "bev-cart girl" at a local golf course and then part-time as a waitress at the Outback Steakhouse. She married a golf pro and got a job at an insurance company. Needless to say, she never used her degree. She always complained that she didn't learn much about communications since the Monica Lewinsky scandal was going on at the time, and that's all her professors discussed in class!</p>
<p>Physics; physicist.</p>
<p>I guess I have the most straightforward (career, at least) story!</p>
<p>A friend has a degree in engineering & is a full-time housewife. Her hubby has a master's in engineering & is a rocket scientist. I studied sociology, got a law degree & practice law.</p>
<p>BS in Accounting. Still a licensed CPA in two states, though I have recently completed certification to teach high school business. Gave up public accounting to do the mommy thing when I was thirty. I knew this was where I would end up almost immediately after graduating because the most enjoyable part of my job as an audit manager was taking the newbies out to clients and teaching them the ropes.</p>
<p>DH has B.S. in petroleum engineering. He is now a principal in an energy company with international production...his dream move after years of the corporate doldrums. At first, it was scary deliberately making the move from the safety of a corporate job to entrepreneurship. But now we can't imagine it any other way....and world travel is the cherry on top.</p>
<p>(I think we both are getting our souls back a little bit...lol!)</p>
<p>BS in Nursing. Worked in a hospital for 2 years til S1 came along. Then S2 came along and I never went back to "work". Years later (when they were in middle school), I took a job teaching preschoool to help a friend out and I'm still there. The nursing degree comes in handy at the preschool more than you would think!<br>
DH has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and has spent 25 years working (in various job capacities) in a nuclear power plant</p>
<p>BA in anthropology followed by a BS in nursing. Worked in addictions, prison
system and elementary schools. I know there is a common link but shudder to
think about that. Looking for a new direction now, where to begin?</p>
<p>
[quote]
One prof literally told me I was 'wasting' my intellect going into the clinical laboratory field.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think in those days, MT <em>was</em> the womens' engineering (or medicine). My co-workers were very supportive of my switch; I remember thinking any of them could have done it, as they were very bright.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Her hubby has a master's in engineering & is a rocket scientist
[/quote]
I work in aerospace now and we have a saying:<br>
"Come on, it's not rocket science.... no wait, it is."</p>
<p>B.A., English (concentration in fiction writing)
M.A., Educational Adminin (Higher Ed)
Work as a Career Coach at a community college, mostly with alumni/students who are over 40 and either finally getting a degree or getting a 2nd career. Love it!</p>
<p>Yeah, we love knowing a "rocket scientist" at long-last. <grin></grin></p>
<p>Anxious, I probably shopped at the Austin Whole Foods when you were there--circa 1980-83. I was there for the big flood.</p>
<p>I have to laugh about the "rocket scientist" designation. My H is one also, and often sits at the kitchen counter emailing and phoning other busy folks in various time zones while I cook dinner. I hear amazing snippets of conversation; i.e., "I need your absolute assurance we can turn off all the instrumentation and restart -- we're going through the belts!" I refer to his side of the counter as the Flight Deck and my side as Ground Round Control.</p>
<p>H was premed initially as a undergrad, but decided he didn't want life or death responsibility for anyone but himself. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry, went very, very briefly to grad school (hey, it was the 70's), and left to find himself at a major aerospace company. He's been a materials engineer, systems engineer, and is now program management.</p>
<p>I have a business degree and stopped working when our first child was born. I've been a community volunteer involved with local political and educational organizations for many years.</p>