Poll: Jobs and Degrees

JustLes

I'm currently in the process of getting my BA and I will be transitioning back into the civilian workforce in a year and a half when I leave the military.  I'm curious to hear what you do for a living and how or why you entered the field you're in.  Is this the career you always envisioned yourself having?  Also, what degree(s) do you have and how much of a role have they played in the day-to-day aspects of your job?  Thanks in advance for your answers.

mrsdanigirl8

I currently work for a escrow-type company that does fund control (a customized disbursement system) for construction loans.

I got into it because I was working as an operator/receptionist at the same company and saw an entry level position open in the department. I had no idea what it was or what I should expect. 4 1/2 years later and I am a senior processor who is the right hand for the office manager and my boss

I currently have a BA in Psychology and I don't think I use my degree very much in the day to day operations. I do see myself using it to analyze customers/potential customers and my approach to different situations.

I have been planning on looking into masters programs in Psychology but haven't decided what field of Psychology I am passionate about... lots of decisions. I do know that I am happy now and know I'll do what makes me happy later.

mrs.erin

I work in Human Resources for a mid-sized city.  Way back when, I got my BA in Sociology and Urban Studies not knowing what exactly I wanted to do, only that I wanted to work for a government agency and serve the public.  My first job out of college ended up being in Human Resources for a water district and I haven't left the industry since.  After five years of working, I went to school part-time (while continuing working full-time) and got my Master's in Public Administration.  With regard to the day-to-day aspects of my job, I'm not sure if the classes I took specifically play a role, however school helped sharpen my overall writing and analytical skills.  I got  most of the training for my job either on the job or through workshops/seminars.

Just_Ali

I work for the Director of Security at a large gov't installation here in San Diego.  I have a B.S. in Domestic Security Managment which is somewhat helpful in my job, but not completely.  I actually got this job because I used to work with the director at my old job (which was my first job out of the Navy -- I was in for almost 9 years!). 

Cristin Welch

I have my bachelors in Hospitality Management. I currently work out of the field. I desided to take a job that was secure and paid well until we figured out where my DH would be working. We have narrowed it down to DC and SD...before, we could go anywhere in the world when he was done with a 2 year tour here in SD...once he is settled, I want to go back to work in the non-profit world doing develoment.

FayeD

I hold a bachelors in Business Administration. I work in Information Assurance. Not the career I envisioned, or even knew about, but it has been a good experience.

How I got here still surprises me sometimes. After college I worked at a Navy base for a Computer Security/Information Assurance research group. I was their Special Events Coordinator. During my time there I used training and coworkers to gain knowledge in that field. But then my boss got weird, my duties became scattered and low-level, so I went looking for a new job. My DH (then BF) was stationed in San Diego. One of my then coworkers used to work at this Navy facility and helped me get some face time. Got hired and jumped right in.

I definitely use my degree on a day-to-day basis. At any given moment I'll be asked to do something that draws on my accounting, HR, operational, ethical, marketing, and managerial knowledge and experience. The communications classes have been a huge resource. So much of the workforce cannot communicate effectively. Not being able to write correctly, listen well, or communicate the necessary information in different ways to a varied audience is a career killer here.

sarahbear

I do marketing/outreach in the Senior Living Industry (Assisted Living, Alzheimer's, etc.). I have a BA in Communications with a minor in English. My degree is very relevant and necessary for this job. Those who don't have a degree have worked their way from the bottom, while I was able to jump-in mid-level.

I enjoy my job, but it's not what I thought I would be doing. I always invisioned a PR or Ad agency job. After working at one I decided it wasn't what I thought though. I now use the same skills, but with more of a personal connection dealing with senior citizens. Best of both worlds for me.

fishingwidow

I am a warranty adminstrator for a high end car dealership (Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Lotus, Bugatti).  I got my degree in Elementary Education, but at the time could not afford to go into Credential Program, so I got a job as a legal secretary, working for my father.  After that I got an admin job at a car dealership and eventually became a service advisor.  Left that job, became a transaction coordinator for a realtor, but I hated that job.  So I went back to the car business as an office assistant and am now the warranty admin for them.  I don't use my degree at all.
I am now trying to figure out what I really want to be when I grow up, because although the place I work is fun at times, interesting and a great topic of conversation, I do not really enjoy the work aspect of it.  But since I have so much admin/clerical experience I end up with office jobs.  But I am always looking for my perfect job.

ses1199

I got my BA in Philosophy and am working as a legal assistant for a HR and employment law attorney.  The concepts that I learned in Philosophy have nothing  to do with my job but the overall skills I learned in college do.  Now I am taking a certificate program in Human Resource Management at SDSU and planning on going to a larger company with HR after I finish my program.  I worked in the hotel industry all through school as a front office manager and would love to go back and do HR for a large hotel chain. 

TerraandHarold

I have two jobs right now.
FT Job- Carbon Cartographer AKA Diamond Grader  at the GIA GTL.
PT Job- Accounting Clerk I for Disney Regional Entertainment at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim.

I have a BA in International and Comparative Politics concentrating on the Middle East with a  minor in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

I also have a Mouseters Degree from Disney University, Graduate Diamonds Certificate from GIA, and Bronze Level Sommolier.

I am currently putting off my Graduate Gemologist degree....need to get back into and finish it. 

My jobs have NOTHING to do with my college degree and I LOVE IT!  I do work in an international environment and we are expanding globally so I may get to go overseas. 

Eventually I will go back to school and get a masters of some type...either Public Admin or Transborder Relations.  But right now DH is gettting his AA in Aviation Management so I have to wait til he is done.

Jessimau

I have a BA in Psychology and it has nothing to do with my current job, although it is helpful since I'm now a mailroom supervisor for a collections agency.  Before this, I was office manager for a mortgage company.  I got back into office work because it pays a lot more than social services, which I was in for 2+ years.  I'm currently in school working towards a Masters' degree in counseling psychology, after which I plan to become licensed as a marriage & family therapist.  After that, I plan to get a doctoral degree.

Basically, what I'm doing now is just to help me get to where I need to be.  To be a clinical psychologist, I need a lot of education, so eventually my degrees will be applicable and relevant to my job.  Right now?  They kinda help, but mostly in the way that employers I've worked for tend to want people to have BAs, minimum.

honeybee111

I'm an elementary school teacher.  I have a BA in Psychology and an MA in Education.  I definitely use my Masters every day.  I guess I also use my BA although more indirectly.  I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I was in college, and I'm happy with my career.

sdme

I have a BS in Health Science with an emphisis in Community Health Education.  I have been working non prophet community clinics as a health educator to youth on STD's and birth control methods. Currently I'm a receptionist at a clinic in hopes to move my way into the health promotion department at this agency. 

On the nights and weekends for fun I have an at home business selling jewelry.  I go into peoples homes and show the jewelry and sell it.

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but it sure is fun trying different things!

M&GSimcox040905

I'm a teacher - I work for a public charter school with kids who are home-schooled   Even though my teaching credential is multiple subject (grades K-6), I get to work with kids in K-12 which is fun! 

I have a BA in liberal studies with a minor in sociology; a prof. clear CLAD (Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development) multiple subject teaching credential (say that 5 times fast!  lol); and I'm currently about 80% done with an MA in teaching with an emphasis in educational technology.

My BA, eh... not sure how much I use it!  Probably a lot that I don't realize I did my undergrad and credential program at CSU San Marcos and they have this insane writing requirement!  I write a lot for my current job (all that accountability to the powers that be in Sacramento!) so I'm blessed to be a great writer   That's also helping a lot now that I'm back in grad school!
My sociology minor is a big help!  I took most of my soc classes in stuff like "youth and society", "gender roles", "soc. of education" knowing I'd be going into the credential program so those have been helpful   Plus, it's fun to blab on about sociologists and terms like mores and stigma symbols

The stuff I am learning in my MA program is wonderful - so glad I did that!  Even though it's meant for classroom teachers (I do plan on going back to the classroom eventually - I miss it dearly), I find a lot of the infomration to be relevant to my setting working with smaller groups.  The ed. tech. stuff is great - those are my favourite classes   So applicable to the charter/non-traditional ed world!  Plus, I'm totally tech illiterate so it's a huge help! 

After I get my MA, I plan on going back and doing something with science...  it used to be that you could get what was called a supplementary authorization.  If I'd taken one more science class I'd be eligible to teach 7th and 8th grade science.  I'm hoping that's still the case!  I took a ton of science at CSUSM so I'd just need to go to Miramar or Mesa or wahtever, take an O-Chem class and open up a whole bunch of new teaching jobs for me.  As a woman who has always had an immense love of science, I'd love to pass that on to young women.  *Excuse me for geeking out a bit here* - middle school is really when they start to lose interest and those nasty gender stereotypes start to kick in.   Would be nice to make a difference for those girls and prove that they, too, can be good in math and science!    It's not just for the smelly boys!  lol
I also think it would be totally fun to teach PE   lol

Phew... my posts always end up being novels...! 

JustLes

Thanks for all of your responses!  It was really interesting reading how all of your careers have evolved.