Did You Use Your College Degree?
I was thinking about my college degree the other day after referencing it in my month of May recap post. ย In 1997 {yes 1997 loves}, I earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Management with a Graphic Communications Management concentration, a declared Industrial Communications minor and an uncleared Spanish minor {yes I’m claiming my undeclared minor lol}. ย I can even claim being a Nerdy Mc’Nerdster since my degree came from one of the top schools in the nation and my GPA was nothing to scoff at.
But have I used that degree in the past 15 {yes FIFTEEN loves} years?
Part of me wants to say ‘No I didn’t’, because it’s not the degree or direction I wanted to go in, but I cannot because that is not a true statement. I used it more than I want to admit. ย I had a 15 year career in Corporate America spanning from business to technical, and used it every day. ย Beyond that, I have not had to ask for assistance when doing many of the necessary items for previous website, Roshini.net, and now my blog, along with branding/design/minor coding etc. ย I’ve even taught myself a great deal about video editing based on the syntax from programs I used while in college. ย I’d say that means I used it a whole lot over this decade and a half, both as part of and beyond my career choice.
So simple question for you: ย Have you used your college degree and if so, how so?
โข โข โข
photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net
Roshini Cope
Roshini Cope, aka Glamazini, is a life coach and video creator who gained a following for her natural hair tutorials, which evolved into authentic personal stories of healing with a consistent dash of humor. She is a black woman healing helping other black women heal, expand their self-awareness, reclaim their joy, and create the life they want. Work with Roshini ๐คโจ๐ค
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33 Comments
nappy headed black girl
Not really. The position I’m in now uses it remotely, but it wasn’t even a requirement.
I think my masters will benefit me much more, as it’s specifically tailored to the field I’m hoping to segue into.
glamazini
It’s great that you can piggyback a on top of your current undergraduate degree without having to start over. Thanks for commenting.
Aisha G of HartlynKids
My degree was in Sociology. I don’t use it but I use it. It’s one of those degrees that makes you understand people more and I guess in that way I use it. I didn’t care what my college degree was in, I was just trying to get into law school.
glamazini
Your degree was in Sociology? I did not know that (nor did I know what sorts of undergrad degrees one could have and get into law school). Interesting.
Rosetta Thurman
Interesting how your degree came in handy for your blogging! I guess I can say the same with my undergrad degree in English. I love writing, so blogging just comes natural to me.
I also used my English degree to get my foot in the door of the field I’m in now. I started out doing grant writing for nonprofits and just grew my career from there. I always say I didn’t learn anything I couldn’t learn on my own with my masters in org management – but it did help me move up a few pay brackets for sure! This year, I’m hoping to leverage my little English degree further by seeking out more freelance writing opportunities.
glamazini
I’m not sure if I could leverage my current degree in a more interesting career or if I’d even want to. I guess time will tell. I’ve started 2 different masters degrees (MBA then Psychology) and did not finish either. I sometimes think about going back to finish the Psych one and move in a counseling direction.
Zees
Yes, I do use my degree: bachelor of science in biology, minors in chemistry and english literature. I practice medicine, but do wish at times I could go back in time and choose a different career.
Aspiring Medical Student
Do you find your career fulfilling?
glamazini
Zee, you do not sound enthused. What is stopping you from planning a career change?
Elizabeth
I am working on a major in chemistry right now and plan to pursue medicine. Any advice on why not to pursue medicine?
Kia
I have a degree in biopsychology and school psychology. Although I am not a school psychologists, I think the assessment/evaluation and counseling skills I gained from my degrees help my work in higher education. It also helps me decipher statistics, and evaluate articles based upon bad research or in which the writer is misunderstanding what the study really says.
glamazini
Is your current job in psychology at all?
Creole Soul
I have a BS in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science with a concentration in Community Health Education. It has helped me tremendously when I worked as a counselor and it is helping me now that I am in grad school for Occupation Therapy. A lot of the things I learned in undergrad has come back in some of the classes I have taken in grad.
glamazini
Explain Occupational Therapy to me. Is it like Physical Therapy or no?
Creole Sould
Occupational therapists help people with activities of daily living (ADLs) and works to assist in being able to perform daily occupations (tasks). This includes dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, feeding, meal prep. OTs help those who have difficulty performing ADLs due to conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, Burns, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, intellectual impairments, autism, etc.
OTs are different from PTs in that OTs help you live as independently as possible, even if you need Assistive equipment and do a lot of upper body therapies. PTs assist in restoring and improving mobility, reduce pain, and limit physical disabilities.
Both seem like they do the same thing, but they are different, but work very closely together.
Hope that helps and sorry if so long.
glamazini
Awesome response and so clear. Thanks, that really helped me understand.
Dannielle @ Odd Cents
No I don’t. But it was a requirement for the job…. My two supervisors don’t have degrees. Go figure.
glamazini
LOL … womp womp womp ๐
Cosmolude
I got my B.S. in Marketing and wish I was working in that field. When I graduated, I couldn’t find any jobs in marketing so I ended up in my current field (dental assisting). I don’t know if I’ll ever find a job in the marketing field so I’m gonna get my masters (most likely in public health). Sometimes I use the info I learned while in school but rarely ever for work; mainly in observations of everyday life.
glamazini
My bestfriend works in Marketing. What specific challenges have you encountered getting a job in that field?
BigTickles
Why yes, yes I do. My degrees are in management. I started putting them to use in college; I was a cashier manager at Wal-Mart. I then went into the tech field but ended in a management position. Went into higher education and was a manager over the Mathematics Department. However for the past six years, I find that my degrees have really been put to the best use when managing my son’s therapies, school districts, psychologists, psychiatrists and state / local special needs services. I have never had to plan more, present more information and negotiate more than I have when trying to manage services for my son. That is why I am now getting my final degree in nonprofit management. We must do better when providing services for children with special needs. Okay, I am going to drop my mic now because I am getting hot thinking about this. Whew! #fedupwithjumpingthroughhoopsbecauseyoutoolazytocare
glamazini
LOL … tell um why you mad son!
Erica
My undergrad degree is political science which I have barely thought about. But I use my masters degree everyday. In my case, I actually knew what I wanted the second time around.
glamazini
What is your masters degree in?
Erica
Social work. I’m currently a school social worker working in a preK through 6th grade building. But this summer I’m planning on taking the licensed clinical social worker exam ( lcsw) because my ideal position would be a therapist working with children, adolescents, and families.
glamazini
Wow that is a far cry from political science indeed.
Shoni
Yes, I do! Well, sort of… haha.
I earned a Bachelor of Journalism – Broadcast News, worked for NBC and MSNBC for a few years, then completely switched gears. I worked in finance and retail banking — both of which were WAY outside my comfort zone. Then I gradually shifted into management and HR.
Right now I work as an HR Recruiter for a tech company and I LOVE my job. Yay! Journalism/Communications + MBA gives me an opportunity to interact with all kinds of people while also understanding the language of business, org behavior, consulting managers/candidates, etc. Blogging and vlogging on the side gives me the creative outlet, but I’m thankful to be able to use some of this in my current job as well. One of the best things about working in tech is how effortlessly they embrace creativity and ingenuity. I’ve been blessed to do a couple of videos, some social media stuff and voiceovers.
glamazini
Wow Shoni, you sound like you’ve really found your niche. That is awesome.
Chi-Chi
Yes, I do use my college degree. I majored in Addiction Studies and Counseling I graduated May 7, 2011 and was lucky enough to begin working as a substance abuse counselor 2 weeks later.
glamazini
Do you love it?
Ray Right
Bachelors degree is god but i am going for masters as it could be more beneficial than the current hope i get it.
Ray Right recently posted..6 Benefits of Online Education No One Ever Told You About
Moni
Yes, I use my undergrad degree. My degree was in business (finance and accounting). I worked in banking for a few years, then went to law school (there are no required classes or majors for law school, so anyone can apply). I now work in house at a large international company, so it’s the perfect blend of my business and legal skills. My undergrad degree has given me a solid foundation to understand business issues better than most lawyers, which makes me more effective at helping our business teams achieve their goals and manage risk. Definitely a useful combination.
glamazini
I love when people do use their degrees and love what they do. Good for you!