Did you end up working in your field?

Femme

This question is for the graduates of any post-secondary education.

Did you end up working in the field you studied? Or did life take you in a completely different place?

For me it was the latter, I studied Biomedical & Electronics Engineering and am now working as the Program Manager of a Non-Profit Educational Academy (kids, youth, adult programs).

Strangely, I'm happy where I am and have no intention of finding a position as a biomed for the rest of my life. It's a case of fortunately finding what I was truly passionate about in the strangest of circumstances.

What about you guys? If you ended up in a different profession, do you think your previous education was a waste?

Noqanky

I am. Did Psychology and Hispanic Studies and am currently teaching Spanish, a profession which everyday requires me to use the skills learnt from both of these majors.

Especially psychology.

To be honest though, I've realized college helped me more in terms of what I learnt in clubs and social situations. I think more of that knowledge than of my classroom experience.

Nobodyman

Yeah, I'm pretty much in the general field of what I studied.

I got a Bachelor's in Accounting, and now I'm an auditor for the government.

Femme

Good to hear both of you are in your field. I find this to be somewhat of a rarity these days, with the job market being what it is.

What prevented me from getting a job in biomed was the scarcity of jobs. Too much competition and catch 22s for entry-level people. Honestly, even finding a volunteer position was competitive, it was incredibly depressing.

I started doing general volunteering in hopes to work my way up to VOLUNTEERING in my field -_-

C_uggs

I have a bachelor's degree in library science and I´m currently working in various libraries around Brazil.

And yes, I´m happy with this.

Femme

@captain:

I have a bachelor's degree in library science and I´m currently working in various libraries around Brazil.

And yes, I´m happy with this.

o.o googles Library Science

Holy crap, that's fascinating!

Noqanky

Huh, that sounds really cool.

Femme, what is it that you particularly aim to do with biomed? I admit I'm not too knowledgeable in how your field works.

Also, where exactly are you? Where I am anything medicine is a huge profession due to us having one of the country's (if not the) largest medical centers.

Femme

Well I have diplomas in electronics engineering and biomedical engineering - think of biomed as medical technology. Infusion pumps, MRIs, hospital networks, dialysis machines, etc. So its basically the electronics field but adapted for humans and animals.

I didn't want to pursue a degree in engineering due to time and money, so I wanted to be a biomedical technologist - basically a hospital techie. I'm Canadian so you'd assume that there's a rainbow of opportunity in healthcare, but sadly that's not the case.

Noqanky

Huh, that's weird. It does sound like that's the kind of field where demand would be on explosion.

Hopefully you manage to get your place in the field too, really sounds like a career in which you could prevent a lot of death and anguish. I've read of horrific accidents that occur as a result of medical staff not being familiar with new technology, or not being trained sufficiently to use it/fix it.

Arei

No some of the healthcare field jobs are starting to get extremely over-saturated. Since a lot of these things are toted as "fast-growing" and "jobs everywhere", more schools and training programs are opening up all over the place, faster then these new jobs become available. Also tons of people are getting into these fields just for the cash and not the actual job… people really think they can just go to school for 8 years and thats all it takes to become a doctor >____> or dentist or pharmacist or anything. Pharmacy is really bad, they're opening up tons of new schools and have churned out way more new pharmacists then jobs.

I had a really hard time trying to find general retail work, so I took a "program" and examination and became a certified pharmacy tech. They post everywhere that its a fast-growing job market for techs and there are jobs everywhere... It's definitely not the case.

This isn't my dream job or anything XD Guess I shouldn't post. I want to go back to school to become a therapist/psychologist and work with kids and teens primarily. That'd be a dream job for me.

Femme

@Arei:

No some of the healthcare field jobs are starting to get extremely over-saturated. Since a lot of these things are toted as "fast-growing" and "jobs everywhere", more schools and training programs are opening up all over the place, faster then these new jobs become available.

That's exactly what happened in my case.

You're exactly right, it's pretty much the same in any healthcare related profession. All levels of nurses have it pretty bad too. My relative had went to college as a Personal Support Worker, but now this level of the job is being phased out, and all PSWs are required to upgrade their education to RPNs (Registered Practical Nurse). They did the work that RPNs do but just needed the paper to say it's so. In a few years they'll probably say that you need to be RNs next (Registered Nurses).

All the while colleges are churning out PSWs, not knowing that they're not qualified for anything anymore.

Gliblord

Improbably, I actually sort of DID end up working my field (Japanese and IR), as a JET

1PceXperience

I graduated with a degree in public relations and currently I am spearheading the Promotions' Committee at my job doing things such as press releases, managing the newsletter and website, attending outreach events, and campaigning.

Tengo la suerte~

trappedolphin

I happily graduated officially last week with a degree in psychology. And my upcoming job is as a research assistant in the special needs division of our ministry of education, helping psychologists to carry out psychological assessments and supporting research on understanding the profile of children with ASD.

So the answer is yes

Dryish

@trappedolphin:

I happily graduated officially last week with a degree in psychology. And my upcoming job is as a research assistant in the special needs division of our ministry of education, helping psychologists to carry out psychological assessments and supporting research on understanding the profile of children with ASD.

So the answer is yes

You got that job?

Congratulations, that's amazing!

Jirogomi

I studied animation production and I've been working in the industry for 3 years now on feature and television projects. I haven't really specialised, so I've worked in animation, posing, cleanup and backgrounds - like a 'tight-end' of animation

I graduated just when the credit crunch struck and a lot of the london advertising houses were shutting down, but after a year of funemployment I finally got a break in Barcelona and have been working around Europe ever since!

Femme

Dang we have a lot of successful people at AP! O_O

@trappedolphin:

I happily graduated officially last week with a degree in psychology. And my upcoming job is as a research assistant in the special needs division of our ministry of education, helping psychologists to carry out psychological assessments and supporting research on understanding the profile of children with ASD.

So the answer is yes

Whaaaaaaat THAT'S AWESOME!!! Congrats Trappy!

Quick! Diagnose my weirdness.

@Jirogomi:

I studied animation production and I've been working in the industry for 3 years now on feature and television projects. I haven't really specialised, so I've worked in animation, posing, cleanup and backgrounds - like a 'tight-end' of animation

I feel like I want your business card for safekeeping.

Chrissie

Yesh, yesh. Working as a Preschool teacher (as well as a Homework Tutor and an English Teacher) in a school owned by a Russian lady back in Cyprus. Also I know I have a secured job at a Public School as an Art teacher assistant for when I move in the USA legally. But I won't stick forever in teaching. I plan on moving towards Counseling for young children as soon as the opportunity arises to return to school for a degree in that department ^^

trappedolphin

@Dryish:

You got that job?

Congratulations, that's amazing!

@Femme:

Whaaaaaaat THAT'S AWESOME!!! Congrats Trappy!

Quick! Diagnose my weirdness.

Thank you! It's only a two-year contract, which I think suits me just fine as it allows me to try understand autism in a more down-to-earth way. But it does mean that I probably don't get the benefits of a permanent full-time worker. And the pay really isn't that great, definitely below the average of my peers. But I hope it'll give me the experience I need to feel more confident in direct client work in the future - as well as show future interviewers/employers that I'm serious about it. From what I've heard, the interviewing criteria for jobs like special needs fields & counselling include really intensive stuff to test your stress management and coping abilities. Having good grades, work experience, and "I am extremely passionate about this and really want to work with these children/youths/people" doesn't seem to cut it. XD

As for your weirdness, my dear beloved Femme, I wouldn't dare try to diagnose it. You're out of this world

C_uggs

I've been working in a private school since february of this year.

It was a great place to work, but I want to work in new places..the big problem is, I don´t know where I want to work now.

playercena5241

yes. i work in the candy apartment at WALGREENS.

valiantt

@playercena5241:

yes. i work in the candy apartment at WALGREENS.

scratches head
You studied at a post-secondary school to work at a confectionery? I didn't know there was a degree to be qualified to work at one.

Was the diploma made out of chocolate? :happy:
I want a candy diploma.

Herodadotus

Got a job teaching woodwinds and jazz at one of the high schools here, which is crazy exciting!

playercena5241

@valiantt:

scratches head
You studied at a post-secondary school to work at a confectionery? I didn't know there was a degree to be qualified to work at one.

Was the diploma made out of chocolate? :happy:
I want a candy diploma.

no. just got my high school doploma from DD EISENHOWER.

trappedolphin

@Herodadotus:

Got a job teaching woodwinds and jazz at one of the high schools here, which is crazy exciting!

That actually sounds really really super fun! Did you study general music or those two in particular?

1PceXperience

@captain:

I've been working in a private school since february of this year.

It was a great place to work, but I want to work in new places..the big problem is, I don´t know where I want to work now.

I've been going back and forth as to where I should work next after this current job. I'm thinking about a PR firm, but it has to be one that doesn't entail entertainment/publicity PR. I want to be in either a non-profit environment or a public/corporate one.

Captain, are you interested in working at a Museum? I feel that would be a good transition for a library scientist!

trabajar en el museo~

Herodadotus

@trappedolphin:

That actually sounds really really super fun! Did you study general music or those two in particular?

It was general music ed, but a specialty in Jazz and Jazz History, along with Saxophone performance.

It's not glamorous, but I love it! Congrats on the Research Assistant job, by the way, that sounds really cool.

Femme

@trappedolphin:

Thank you! It's only a two-year contract, which I think suits me just fine as it allows me to try understand autism in a more down-to-earth way. But it does mean that I probably don't get the benefits of a permanent full-time worker. And the pay really isn't that great, definitely below the average of my peers. But I hope it'll give me the experience I need to feel more confident in direct client work in the future - as well as show future interviewers/employers that I'm serious about it. From what I've heard, the interviewing criteria for jobs like special needs fields & counselling include really intensive stuff to test your stress management and coping abilities. Having good grades, work experience, and "I am extremely passionate about this and really want to work with these children/youths/people" doesn't seem to cut it. XD

As for your weirdness, my dear beloved Femme, I wouldn't dare try to diagnose it. You're out of this world

Swoons Calm yourself, Trappy o.o I might just board a plane right this instant.

But omigosh, it's so cool that you're studying autism! Have you heard of Carly Fleichmann? Ever since I saw her story on Youtube I've been reading up a lot about autism. It's interesting how there are so many variants.

I'm not sure how things work where you are, but I think it's quite universal that if you have a chance to gain skills fresh out of school, TAKE IT AND RUN. Even if the pay isn't all that great, being able to say that you've been there and you've done it gives you a great advantage over others. Maybe you can get a raise after a while? And yes, I can imagine about the tests to handle stress management, it takes a wonderful sort of personality like yours to excel in this industry. I'm sure you'll do amazing at your new job ^_^

Purple Hermit

Just got my Bachelor's in Biochem this May, although that was more or less coupled with premed stuff. I got pretty burned out by lab work during college, especially without any sort of human element to it other than grad students slaving away, so right now I'm working in a hospital to beef up my applications to med school. So… yes?

trappedolphin

@Herodadotus:

It was general music ed, but a specialty in Jazz and Jazz History, along with Saxophone performance.

It's not glamorous, but I love it! Congrats on the Research Assistant job, by the way, that sounds really cool.

You sound like the coolest person now. And I'll bet the job IS amazing! Have you started it yet / When do you start? Are you worried about bratty students or are you counting on beautiful music to sweep them away~ And thanks~

@Femme:

Swoons Calm yourself, Trappy o.o I might just board a plane right this instant.

Come on over darling, I'll get everything ready for you.

@Femme:

But omigosh, it's so cool that you're studying autism! Have you heard of Carly Fleichmann? Ever since I saw her story on Youtube I've been reading up a lot about autism. It's interesting how there are so many variants.

I'm not sure how things work where you are, but I think it's quite universal that if you have a chance to gain skills fresh out of school, TAKE IT AND RUN. Even if the pay isn't all that great, being able to say that you've been there and you've done it gives you a great advantage over others. Maybe you can get a raise after a while? And yes, I can imagine about the tests to handle stress management, it takes a wonderful sort of personality like yours to excel in this industry. I'm sure you'll do amazing at your new job ^_^

You're such a flatterer. XD Nope I haven't heard of that woman, or at least the name isn't familiar. I'll look her up later ^^

And yeah I'm glad I'll be doing something that can have a direct impact on the field. The only question is whether I can convince future interviewers in the practical field that research skills and experience can translate to practical skills But regardless, the subject now will be interesting, and probably a little conflicting I'm actually not 100% certain that I want a career as an autism teacher or therapist, so this is a chance for me to figure that out too.

@Purple:

Just got my Bachelor's in Biochem this May, although that was more or less coupled with premed stuff. I got pretty burned out by lab work during college, especially without any sort of human element to it other than grad students slaving away, so right now I'm working in a hospital to beef up my applications to med school. So… yes?

Sounds exciting! I had a couple of Science friends in uni and their lab work was insane, so my sympathies to you.~ What kind of work do you do in the hospital now?

Purple Hermit

Trying to see how to get reliable patient info for ER doctors to use from patients themselves. It's not ER Tech work that I'd much prefer, but I think it's pretty fun, and there are some really great people you meet who come into the ER and in the research. And definitely more people interaction than being cooped up in the lab all day.

Herodadotus

@trappedolphin:

You sound like the coolest person now. And I'll bet the job IS amazing! Have you started it yet / When do you start? Are you worried about bratty students or are you counting on beautiful music to sweep them away~ And thanks~

Technically I've already started, but I start working with the kids in about a week. I've taught as a high school student, but yeah, I'm a little nervous about what kids I'll have to work with. The kids with talent but no work ethic are the worst to deal with, though, but music speaks to them the most, usually. I hope I can at least get a couple of kids really into music, that's my first goal.

Louis-1988

Yes, I majored in Business Administration and now I'm running two(small and growin) business'.

Wagomu

@Herodadotus:

Got a job teaching woodwinds and jazz at one of the high schools here, which is crazy exciting!

Your job is now to reintroduce the clarinet to a generation of musicians.

When did it drop out of fashion? Where did society go wrong? These questions are all in the past now. All that is left is your mission.

Femme

~Theeeeeeeee Clarinet. The Clarinet. Goes doodle-doodle-doodle-doodle-doodle det.

Ugh that's from a really cheesy movie that I don't remember right now.

Clarinet was super popular in my music classes throughout high school. But I don't care how sexy Clarinets or Saxophones are - Reeds are nasty.

Nex 0

YES.

As some of you may know, I've been going to school for Film/Television. I have worked as a critic, sold two scripts, and have interned on 2 film sets. Up until this summer, I had never worked on anything big; they were all minor productions.

Yesterday, I announced in the "Community" thread that I am working on season 5 as a key grip, lighting technician, and whatever else they may need me to do. I got lucky as I was hired on through Sony Pictures Television as one of their nameless faceless labor meat drones that they send to various productions to work , so I will also be working on "Hannibal" and "Days of Our Lives." Two out of 3 of those I am insanely excited about. Even though I am an aspiring writer and/or director, this is still huge for me and is essentially my break into the industry.

Or it would have been had I not received a call late one night a month and a half ago. My sudden hiatus from this site was brought on via some very exciting news. I literally had to drop everything in my life. My fiance and I were supposed to spend the summer in Boston, I was supposed to be at the Bruins Stanley Cup games, I was supposed to have my first summer off since starting school five years ago.

All that went away when I was hired to the First A.D. on a not small, but not large film that will be releasing early next year. For sake of my personal anonymity, and for the sake of not jinxing things, I won't yet be revealing what the film is, but if all goes well, it will debut at TIFF next year. For the past month we have been in an intense pre-production planning phase, with filming set to start in January of next year. Luckily for me this elongated schedule gives me time to do some work for Sony and start making connections in Television (my prefered medium) while the movie will allow me to make connections in the film industry.

I have never been more excited in my life!

Andrwserker

I studied: Marketing
Am I working in that field? Not even close. I work in human resource planning for a bank.

Smudger

Well yesterday I would have said no. But last night I had a job and first shift confirmed. So at the ripe time of 5am I got up, cooked me some pie, got some coffee….and here I am now fucking about when Im probably going to be late. Lol

zachri

@Jirogomi:

I studied animation production and I've been working in the industry for 3 years now on feature and television projects. I haven't really specialised, so I've worked in animation, posing, cleanup and backgrounds - like a 'tight-end' of animation

I graduated just when the credit crunch struck and a lot of the london advertising houses were shutting down, but after a year of funemployment I finally got a break in Barcelona and have been working around Europe ever since!

Sounds promising for me.
I'm studying Computer Character Animation right now and I haven't a clue whether I'll go for the sandwich year or maybe even post-graduate animation, but when I saw this thread I was like 'wonder if there are any animators?' but yeah reading this gives me at least some hope…

AegisVolt

My field is not-being-a-waste-of-valuable-oxygen. So yes!

Okay,Im studying to work on TV. But I feel quite satisfied with myself.

taboo

@zachri:

Sounds promising for me.
I'm studying Computer Character Animation right now and I haven't a clue whether I'll go for the sandwich year or maybe even post-graduate animation, but when I saw this thread I was like 'wonder if there are any animators?' but yeah reading this gives me at least some hope…

theres a thread for animators in the animation section

As for me, i really feel like this is going to be the year I start my career in animation. Been making a few good connections lately and my animation in maya is starting to gel into something half decent

AegisVolt

If I ever get to work on TV, I will be sure to lend you animator guys a hand!

zachri

@taboo:

theres a thread for animators in the animation section

As for me, i really feel like this is going to be the year I start my career in animation. Been making a few good connections lately and my animation in maya is starting to gel into something half decent

How did I not even know this until now?
[/goes off on an epic quest with a ginger cat and a barrel full of monkeys to venture off and find this yonder thread]

asce

hmm … i am a graduate in IT (Information Technology) from an engineering college ..

after completing my 3rd year .. i am hired in campus recruitment .. & now i work for General Electric .. a pretty fun & also meh kind of job .. ..

a lot of my friends had written GRE/GMAT & are currently doing their masters in US & Canada .... i too am thinking of doing masters & moving to US .. .. lets see where my fate leads me too ..

infinite

I've studied petroleum engineering which i could use for a number of jobs in the oil industry, but i hated every bit of it, and i was planning of working outside it…

Surpisingly, i ended up working as a field engineer and it has been everything i have ever wanted. Its challanging, its rewarding and i am making 6 figures straight out of college.

But i dont think i will stay in this job for a long time, as the environment is too stressful

Aaronrules380

@infinite:

I've studied petroleum engineering which i could use for a number of jobs in the oil industry, but i hated every bit of it, and i was planning of working outside it…

Surpisingly, i ended up working as a field engineer and it has been everything i have ever wanted. Its challanging, its rewarding and i am making 6 figures straight out of college.

But i dont think i will stay in this job for a long time, as the environment is too stressful

Yeah, my school offers petroleum engineering and the money they can make is insane. I believe the average starting salary for someone from my school with that degree is around $90,000 which is insane.

As for me, I'm still in college, studying biochemical engineering. Still not entirely sure what I want to do, though I'm currently trying to apply for research positions at several universities for the summer. I really hope that'll help me see if I'm going to enjoy what I plan on doing. Really, my one real career goal is to do something that I can feel is meaningful in helping society, and that I can be proud of when all is said and done

coolrunnings

Yes, I'm a graduate of computer science. Funny thing is I have one class of Cobol but it ended up being my main expertise the last 10 years. Trying my hands now on java.