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I graduated in 2000 with a History degree. Oh, when I enrolled in college, I was tossing around a few different degrees, history among them. I was interested in the subject matter, but unless I wanted to pursue something like teaching, I didn't see much use for it.
Oh no, I was advised. You can do a lot with it! Go for it if that is your passion. Forget, those math/engineering/business degrees you are thinking about, but not necessarily in love with.
Ok, so I did.
Now... I have to say I have turned it into a decent paying career so far. Income in the $60's which has been slowly, but steadily rising, while doing adjudicative work.
Problem is, I am extremely unhappy doing what I am doing, and searching for an alternative has proven to be extremely difficult... because of the degree. I am in a position where my best marketable skills are research, analsysis, decision making, etc, which is about what every 4 year degree gives someone. I do have a strong work history, 8 years after college at the same place was promoted a couple years ago, receive glowing reviews, etc. However, the degree doesn't really allow me to stand out from the crowd, and limits the types of jobs I could be looking at since these general skills really apply to more entry level positions, while my adjudicative specific skills and knowledge are really only usable where I am now.
Where was the advice that would have said "get an engineering degree" instead.
So is it time to go back and rectify this error? I have been thinking of possibly going back to college to get another degree, probably engineering. I was always extremely strong in math. However, I am not sure how strong this field will remain either, since it seems more and more engineering positions are being sent off shore.
Yea - I know whatcha mean. I got an English degree, bygawd. And started with Bio/Chem but my passion was in semantics, the gray. Unfortunately, now I don't get to do what I love and have worked with what I have that's marketable, not what I want. Anyway, I'm now working on a masters in a different area entirely. Same dilemma. While you don't get a do-over, you can make changes and move on. The only question is what do you *want* to do?
Just because you have a degree in history doesn't mean you can only use it for history related jobs. Many Government jobs require at least 3 years work history. Does not have to be relate to the job you are applying in any way. They will count a 4 year degree as 3 years work. There is no 4 year college program I know of that relates to my job. Yet my company gives prefered hiring preference to those with a degree.
I think people give this misguided advice to any college student: "You'll get a great job no matter what just as long as you have that piece of paper...doesn't matter what you're major is."
It's a racket, no college is going to say "Hey, don't major in our art history program, you'll never make a good living with it." They are there to sell degrees, no matter what they are. If everyone decided to only major in biochemistry, nursing, engineering, law, etc., whole departments such as humanities and drama & theatre would shut down thus reducing jobs and revenues for the university.
Send kids to the BLS website which gives details such as projected growth and salary info for all occupations, don't let them listen to poor advice from guidance counselors and university admissions counselors. Sure, some liberal arts majors CAN make a nice income. My cousin has a degree in literature, but got into IT at the right time & now makes over $100K as a director of IT for a bank. He is the exception rather than the rule.
I graduated in 2000 with a History degree. Oh, when I enrolled in college, I was tossing around a few different degrees, history among them. I was interested in the subject matter, but unless I wanted to pursue something like teaching, I didn't see much use for it.
Oh no, I was advised. You can do a lot with it! Go for it if that is your passion. Forget, those math/engineering/business degrees you are thinking about, but not necessarily in love with.
Ok, so I did.
Now... I have to say I have turned it into a decent paying career so far. Income in the $60's which has been slowly, but steadily rising, while doing adjudicative work.
Problem is, I am extremely unhappy doing what I am doing, and searching for an alternative has proven to be extremely difficult... because of the degree. I am in a position where my best marketable skills are research, analsysis, decision making, etc, which is about what every 4 year degree gives someone. I do have a strong work history, 8 years after college at the same place was promoted a couple years ago, receive glowing reviews, etc. However, the degree doesn't really allow me to stand out from the crowd, and limits the types of jobs I could be looking at since these general skills really apply to more entry level positions, while my adjudicative specific skills and knowledge are really only usable where I am now.
Where was the advice that would have said "get an engineering degree" instead.
So is it time to go back and rectify this error? I have been thinking of possibly going back to college to get another degree, probably engineering. I was always extremely strong in math. However, I am not sure how strong this field will remain either, since it seems more and more engineering positions are being sent off shore.
Well I got a History degree back in '92, and if it's any comfort, you seem to be much better off in life than I am with regards to career and financial standing.
I hate my liberal arts degree too! I just did what my domineering, personality-disordered parents told me to do. I didn't know it was gonna turn out to be a death sentence!
Do you mind please relating how you stumbled upon the "adjudicating" job and was it the History degree that got you the job, or something else??
I graduated in 2000 with a History degree. Oh, when I enrolled in college, I was tossing around a few different degrees, history among them. I was interested in the subject matter, but unless I wanted to pursue something like teaching, I didn't see much use for it.
Oh no, I was advised. You can do a lot with it! Go for it if that is your passion. Forget, those math/engineering/business degrees you are thinking about, but not necessarily in love with.
Ok, so I did.
Now... I have to say I have turned it into a decent paying career so far. Income in the $60's which has been slowly, but steadily rising, while doing adjudicative work.
Problem is, I am extremely unhappy doing what I am doing, and searching for an alternative has proven to be extremely difficult... because of the degree. I am in a position where my best marketable skills are research, analsysis, decision making, etc, which is about what every 4 year degree gives someone. I do have a strong work history, 8 years after college at the same place was promoted a couple years ago, receive glowing reviews, etc. However, the degree doesn't really allow me to stand out from the crowd, and limits the types of jobs I could be looking at since these general skills really apply to more entry level positions, while my adjudicative specific skills and knowledge are really only usable where I am now.
Where was the advice that would have said "get an engineering degree" instead.
So is it time to go back and rectify this error? I have been thinking of possibly going back to college to get another degree, probably engineering. I was always extremely strong in math. However, I am not sure how strong this field will remain either, since it seems more and more engineering positions are being sent off shore.
1. How do you know it's the degree that's holding you back? What jobs, specifically, are you looking for that having a BA in history completely cuts you off from?
2. Why would you be happier in the jobs you're looking for (the ones you say the history degree is holding you back from)? You don't say what you're actually interested in doing. If you're going back to get a math degree to become an actuary or something, why wouldn't you just be miserable in that job, too?
Geezus, I got a Comp. Sci Degree (1992). Back when I did my degree, that's all I heard... "Engineering"... when the real answer should've been "Law, Medicine or MBA".
Sorry to say, but the class gap has widened to the point where the advanced degrees in professions are the best bet for an ROI on a college degree. And with the current situation in Finance, and the glut of lawyers, maybe only medicine unless you can go to an Ivy League.
Anyway, tech jobs can provide an income, but unless you are really great, they aren't the answer to how to get rich and have autonomy. You have to go further to achieve that, near as I can tell.
Sorry to say, but the class gap has widened to the point where the advanced degrees in professions are the best bet for an ROI on a college degree. And with the current situation in Finance, and the glut of lawyers, maybe only medicine unless you can go to an Ivy League.
Well shoot Maddy, that's about the most spot-on correct post I've seen in a while.
Last edited by POhdNcrzy; 06-08-2009 at 10:33 AM..
Reason: I am now a computer programmer and HTML expert!
You're a history major making $60k?? How can you complain about that kind of pay for that major?
I am an electrical engineer (2002) and am making low $60k in the aeorspace field.
I think you are doing very good for the field you're in.
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Sorry, this is just a general rant.
