Two English degrees from State, and now I use them in a job that at one time, I swore I'd never do: I'm a manager/technical writer at a tech company. Meh.
But I am directly using the degrees.
But I am directly using the degrees.
To get our mind off this miserable crap - Do you use your college degree?
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Especially for the engineers. I found that the experience from cooping made it where I got more out of the higher level classes and they were easier. Not to mention you make a pretty good amount of money, especially after your third semester. I think I had more disposable income when I was a coop than I do now (marriage and a kid will do that to you).<div>
</div><div>I guess I'm one of the few here who actually uses what I learned in college on a daily basis. I would say material from at least 80% of my computer engineering classes are used on a regular basis.</div>
</div><div>I guess I'm one of the few here who actually uses what I learned in college on a daily basis. I would say material from at least 80% of my computer engineering classes are used on a regular basis.</div>
Graduated in Chemical Engineering and co-oped for four semesters. I hated it. I went to medical school and honestly engineering was more difficult for me. I have never used anything involved with my degree as a physician obviously, but my repulsion to my co-op experience made me realize I needed to find a career that wouldn't make me shoot myself.
I graduated in Petroleum Engineering (MSU abolished the degree in 1994), worked in Civil Engineering for over 20 years and my PE license is in Civil.
Run a treasury department for a MS bank.
I guess my degree lines up but I am not sure anything I learned in school really helps me.
I guess my degree lines up but I am not sure anything I learned in school really helps me.
and haven't used any of it.<div>
</div><div>But I am back in school now at the fine Jesuit college Loyola U in Chicago, because the IT industry sucks and no amount of money can make me want to work with computer networks for the last 25-30 years of my work lifespan. I plan to have a complete life change and become a math professor in 5 years.</div>
</div><div>But I am back in school now at the fine Jesuit college Loyola U in Chicago, because the IT industry sucks and no amount of money can make me want to work with computer networks for the last 25-30 years of my work lifespan. I plan to have a complete life change and become a math professor in 5 years.</div>
but I did work in my current field for three years while I was in school. While I obviously needed my degree, I was offered my first job (before I even graduated) because of the experience I had as a student worker.
That's my advice to any students who might be reading this board - if you know what field you want to go into, go get a job in that field while you are a student. You may have to start off doing menial work and odd jobs (and you may have to volunteer if you can afford it) but just being around people in your field, learning from them and building contacts will help immensely in your quest to find a "real" job after you graduate.
That's my advice to any students who might be reading this board - if you know what field you want to go into, go get a job in that field while you are a student. You may have to start off doing menial work and odd jobs (and you may have to volunteer if you can afford it) but just being around people in your field, learning from them and building contacts will help immensely in your quest to find a "real" job after you graduate.
Of course I was an accounting major and now do accounting work Monday through Thursday and part of the day on Friday. Of course the Monday through Thursday is sometimes 10 plus hours a day. But I damn sure assure you that 10 hours of work you like is a lot better than 10 hours running a cash register or sweeping floors somewhere.
was necessary to get a job at Stennis but it was impossible to learn what the job is at college. It was a relatively easy degree without many competing graduates though.
I use my degree extensively. Most, not all electrical engineers, do. I now engineers who don't technicall use their degree - but their degree did serve in developing problem-solving skills which they use in their jobs.
My wife got an undergrad and grad degree in political science. She doesn't use her degree. But she wouldn't be in her career (which has been good, I must say) if she didn't have a degree. She doesn't need her degree to do her job, but they wouldn't have hired her without it. For her and many others, a degree shows work, persistence, and willingness to learn. It distinguishes you from some random loser off the street who can dress nice for an interview.
My wife got an undergrad and grad degree in political science. She doesn't use her degree. But she wouldn't be in her career (which has been good, I must say) if she didn't have a degree. She doesn't need her degree to do her job, but they wouldn't have hired her without it. For her and many others, a degree shows work, persistence, and willingness to learn. It distinguishes you from some random loser off the street who can dress nice for an interview.
Co-op helps you see the difference between the classroom and the real world, gives you a good foot in the door with at least one company, helps you figure out if you really like the kind of work you're going to be doing full time in a couple years. It was absolutely, positively worth it.davatron said:
I also recommend timing it not to miss 2 regular semesters (for sports spectating purposes). You can got a regular semester + summer back-to-back and that counts for 2 of your co-op semesters.
Classify me as one that got his degree in the school of hard knocks. I am a high school drop out that has an IQ that is 135. So, am I lazy? Not really, just stupid. I dropped out to raise a family and both my daughters have college degrees, one from State and one has multiple degrees from different places includeing Ole Miss. They do have jobs in their area of study and so do I.
I live life and enjoy it to the best of my ability.
Next question
Oh, does this qualify as a dumb post sir Godfather cause I don't have the post count to garner priveldge status?
I live life and enjoy it to the best of my ability.
Next question
Oh, does this qualify as a dumb post sir Godfather cause I don't have the post count to garner priveldge status?
completely different field......My degree however has helped me get jobs, promotions, etc.........
The statistic I read was about 80% did something other than their major. My wife and I fit in that. A LOT of people I know are like that. Rarely do I see people who fit the other. I guess in some fields it is necessary, ie engineering, accounting, some banking/business. Teachers, healthcare, sales, etc. Any degree can get those jobs. The BS is just a way to get a foot in the door. Just my thoughts.
M.E., Co-Op'd (it's good), changed career paths 3 times though before winding up in aviation, which is basically what i wanted after graduation (medical kept me out of AOCS @ Pensacola). Daily usage is probably 30% degree with the rest being stuff I'd learned before I'd even set foot on a college campus. Most engineers, if technically competent and socially adequate, wind up being managers anyway. One of my senior level profs said one time 'more of you will be fired for being socially incompetent than will be fired for being technically incompetent'..............and he was right.