11 answers
Hans
Student
Zimmerman, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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Do you use your degree with the job you do now?
Was going to college and getting a degree worth it for the job you have now?
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11 answers
Pamela Woodard
Banking
23
Answers
Piscataway Township, New Jersey
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
A finance or business degree is a prerequisite for most jobs in the financial industry, and I am a proponent of getting a degree, however, the finance sector (which is where I work) is broad-reaching and lucrative, there are plenty of options for anyone seeking a job without a degree. You can get a finance job with a GED or no degree at all if you know where to look. While most of these are entry-level, many of them allow for upward mobility into better positions down the line.
Mafalda Vasconcelos
Project Manager
8
Answers
Lisbon, Portugal
Updated
Mafalda’s Answer
Hello Hans!
During my undergraduate years, I pursued Economics. While I may not apply every concept and practical knowledge I acquired during that time in my daily life, the experience undeniably transformed me into a more resilient individual. The numerous challenging math courses I undertook have made me quite adept at handling numbers, which proves to be a significant asset in my current job role.
Following my bachelor's degree, I furthered my education with a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The concepts I learned during this program are frequently utilized in my work, and I attribute a large part of my professional success to this educational background.
However, I firmly believe that formal education is not the only pathway to acquiring skills and knowledge. With dedication and effort, one can gain substantial knowledge outside the confines of a college. Internships, online courses, and similar avenues provide ample opportunities for learning.
I hope you find this information beneficial!
During my undergraduate years, I pursued Economics. While I may not apply every concept and practical knowledge I acquired during that time in my daily life, the experience undeniably transformed me into a more resilient individual. The numerous challenging math courses I undertook have made me quite adept at handling numbers, which proves to be a significant asset in my current job role.
Following my bachelor's degree, I furthered my education with a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The concepts I learned during this program are frequently utilized in my work, and I attribute a large part of my professional success to this educational background.
However, I firmly believe that formal education is not the only pathway to acquiring skills and knowledge. With dedication and effort, one can gain substantial knowledge outside the confines of a college. Internships, online courses, and similar avenues provide ample opportunities for learning.
I hope you find this information beneficial!
Kevin Eldred
Strategy and Operations
2
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
I think you are asking two related but different questions here, so I'll try and answer them both in the same context.
1. Do you use your degree with the job you do now?
Well, I have a PhD in Philosophy and have worked in the video game industry for the past decade. As you might suspect, no one really cares how much I know about Aristotle or Plato or Nietzsche. However, content aside, my degree did allow me to develop some pretty valuable skills that I certainly leverage every day. A few of these are:
(A) the ability to understand complex ideas and break them down into manageable parts. Philosophy isn't really much more than a bunch of complex, creative ideas strung together; it turns out that understanding why and how complex, creative ideas relate and sometimes conflict with one another is useful regardless of what they actually refer to. Understanding and being able to work through complexity is a must in my role.
(B) the ability to clearly communicate difficult concepts. Clear communication is critical in nearly every field, but when you are working in an industry that evolves as quickly as gaming, you have to be able to very succinctly and accurately describe your point of view.
(C) navigating uncertainty. Whenever you start studying a new philosopher you have almost no idea what they are talking about. There are too many unknowns, too many gaps. But you have to be okay with that and just proceed. That's the same way in the gaming industry: there are very often many unknowns and challenges, grey areas, unproven technologies, unproven teams, innovative ideas. You have to a flexible thinker and hold many different points of view together at the same time. That's a valuable ability in any fast-paced industry and was certainly a by-product of my education.
2. Was going to college and getting a degree worth it for the job you have now?
It certainly turned out to be; but it also certainly wasn't my initial plan. I tried teaching at the University level but it just wasn't for me. So I pivoted and used parallel experience I was developing in gaming and tech to land essentially my "dream job" - working in the gaming industry. Not everyone's path is (or should be ) the same - in my case it worked out - and I think there's strength in that: be flexible, reflect on what matters to you, and use what you have to your advantage so you can get where you want to be.
Collectively, I suppose my overall perspective is this: degrees can be a valuable commodity but only if they serve what you actually want to accomplish. When you are studying, think about what skills you are learning that are transferable to other domains. There are probably more than you think!
1. Do you use your degree with the job you do now?
Well, I have a PhD in Philosophy and have worked in the video game industry for the past decade. As you might suspect, no one really cares how much I know about Aristotle or Plato or Nietzsche. However, content aside, my degree did allow me to develop some pretty valuable skills that I certainly leverage every day. A few of these are:
(A) the ability to understand complex ideas and break them down into manageable parts. Philosophy isn't really much more than a bunch of complex, creative ideas strung together; it turns out that understanding why and how complex, creative ideas relate and sometimes conflict with one another is useful regardless of what they actually refer to. Understanding and being able to work through complexity is a must in my role.
(B) the ability to clearly communicate difficult concepts. Clear communication is critical in nearly every field, but when you are working in an industry that evolves as quickly as gaming, you have to be able to very succinctly and accurately describe your point of view.
(C) navigating uncertainty. Whenever you start studying a new philosopher you have almost no idea what they are talking about. There are too many unknowns, too many gaps. But you have to be okay with that and just proceed. That's the same way in the gaming industry: there are very often many unknowns and challenges, grey areas, unproven technologies, unproven teams, innovative ideas. You have to a flexible thinker and hold many different points of view together at the same time. That's a valuable ability in any fast-paced industry and was certainly a by-product of my education.
2. Was going to college and getting a degree worth it for the job you have now?
It certainly turned out to be; but it also certainly wasn't my initial plan. I tried teaching at the University level but it just wasn't for me. So I pivoted and used parallel experience I was developing in gaming and tech to land essentially my "dream job" - working in the gaming industry. Not everyone's path is (or should be ) the same - in my case it worked out - and I think there's strength in that: be flexible, reflect on what matters to you, and use what you have to your advantage so you can get where you want to be.
Collectively, I suppose my overall perspective is this: degrees can be a valuable commodity but only if they serve what you actually want to accomplish. When you are studying, think about what skills you are learning that are transferable to other domains. There are probably more than you think!
Kevin Adams
Corporate Recruiter
2
Answers
Buford, Georgia
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hello Hans,
Just to share my personal journey with you, I'm not currently working in the field that I majored in at college. My studies were focused on Sports Management, and I proudly earned my bachelor's degree in this field. However, life took me on a different path after graduation. I ventured into sales, and now, I find myself thriving in the corporate recruiting sector for a software company.
Remember, the beauty of life lies in its unpredictability. It's not always necessary that the degree you earn will dictate the career path you ultimately follow. In my case, I realized after college that my passion had shifted from the sports industry, which I initially planned to be part of.
However, I'm grateful for my degree and the knowledge I gained during my studies. There were many aspects of my Sports Management degree that have proven useful in my current role. The key takeaway here is that many companies today focus less on the specific degree you hold and more on the fact that you've earned a degree. This shows commitment, dedication, and the ability to see a long-term project through to completion.
Moreover, the job market is evolving. There's increasing flexibility, with some companies no longer requiring a 4-year degree for certain roles. So, don't be disheartened if your career path veers away from your degree. Embrace the journey and the opportunities that come your way. You never know where they might lead!
Just to share my personal journey with you, I'm not currently working in the field that I majored in at college. My studies were focused on Sports Management, and I proudly earned my bachelor's degree in this field. However, life took me on a different path after graduation. I ventured into sales, and now, I find myself thriving in the corporate recruiting sector for a software company.
Remember, the beauty of life lies in its unpredictability. It's not always necessary that the degree you earn will dictate the career path you ultimately follow. In my case, I realized after college that my passion had shifted from the sports industry, which I initially planned to be part of.
However, I'm grateful for my degree and the knowledge I gained during my studies. There were many aspects of my Sports Management degree that have proven useful in my current role. The key takeaway here is that many companies today focus less on the specific degree you hold and more on the fact that you've earned a degree. This shows commitment, dedication, and the ability to see a long-term project through to completion.
Moreover, the job market is evolving. There's increasing flexibility, with some companies no longer requiring a 4-year degree for certain roles. So, don't be disheartened if your career path veers away from your degree. Embrace the journey and the opportunities that come your way. You never know where they might lead!
Charan Raj Govardhana Babu
Automotive
1
Answer
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Charan Raj’s Answer
My current job role is not an exact extract from the university degree but I can certainly say that most of the technical language that i use at the work place are based off the knowledge gained through my degree. When you practically apply the knowledge gained through degree, you will certainly notice that you intend to deep dive into the topics, advance your skills and expertise and challenge yourself or get challenged to be more confident interms of presenting the information to stakeholders.
Kris Taeleman
Software Engineer
2
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Kris’s Answer
Hi Hans,
As a software engineer I am convinced my degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Computer Sciences prepared me to succeed in the Video Games industry.
My degree consisted of 2 years of a wide selection of Industrial Engineering topics such as: Chemistry, Physics, Electronics, Mechanics/Fluids, Math, Economics, ...
Followed by 3 years of specialization in computer sciences, in which I learned about Operating Systems, Networking, Compilers, Programming, Algorithms, Neural Networks, ...
This combination gave me deep knowledge of computer systems with a solid knowledge base of Industrial Engineering.
As a software engineer, for example, you often simulate engineering processes (vision, physics, audio, ..) and having a solid foundation in these topics allows you to work in a large number of industries. This has been particularly valuable for me in the Video Games industry where I have worked on Graphics, low level systems, audio, physics, compilers, ...
As mentioned by Pranav, it is extremely important in this day and age to be agile and be able to adjust to constant change. Having a solid knowledge about multiple industries, good problem solving skills will be key to success.
Also don't underestimate how much college/university teaches you how to learn new skills, something that you will need to constantly do throughout your life.
Is a degree absolutely necessary, probably not, but it will increase your chances in life considerably. I know quite a number of very talented engineers that never finished their degrees, but most of them did start a degree and dropped out after a couple years of college/university. It is also worth mentioning that these are often really good self learners, but they are definitely not the standard, most people have degrees.
My advice would be to chose a degree that gives you a wide range of knowledge and problem solving skills, giving yourself a better chance in this crazy changing world where your future profession might not exist yet (Like video game programmers didn't exist when I was born).
I hope this helps!
As a software engineer I am convinced my degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Computer Sciences prepared me to succeed in the Video Games industry.
My degree consisted of 2 years of a wide selection of Industrial Engineering topics such as: Chemistry, Physics, Electronics, Mechanics/Fluids, Math, Economics, ...
Followed by 3 years of specialization in computer sciences, in which I learned about Operating Systems, Networking, Compilers, Programming, Algorithms, Neural Networks, ...
This combination gave me deep knowledge of computer systems with a solid knowledge base of Industrial Engineering.
As a software engineer, for example, you often simulate engineering processes (vision, physics, audio, ..) and having a solid foundation in these topics allows you to work in a large number of industries. This has been particularly valuable for me in the Video Games industry where I have worked on Graphics, low level systems, audio, physics, compilers, ...
As mentioned by Pranav, it is extremely important in this day and age to be agile and be able to adjust to constant change. Having a solid knowledge about multiple industries, good problem solving skills will be key to success.
Also don't underestimate how much college/university teaches you how to learn new skills, something that you will need to constantly do throughout your life.
Is a degree absolutely necessary, probably not, but it will increase your chances in life considerably. I know quite a number of very talented engineers that never finished their degrees, but most of them did start a degree and dropped out after a couple years of college/university. It is also worth mentioning that these are often really good self learners, but they are definitely not the standard, most people have degrees.
My advice would be to chose a degree that gives you a wide range of knowledge and problem solving skills, giving yourself a better chance in this crazy changing world where your future profession might not exist yet (Like video game programmers didn't exist when I was born).
I hope this helps!
Pranav Vadrevu
Consulting - Risk, Finance
2
Answers
West Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Pranav’s Answer
In reflecting on my professional journey, I find that my academic background, a blend of Robotics and Analytics during my undergraduate and graduate studies, has remarkably shaped my career in unexpected ways. While I currently navigate the intricate realm of Risk Management for Banks, seemingly distant from my initial academic focus, the skills and principles instilled in me during my educational pursuits have proven to be invaluable assets.
The essence of problem-solving and collaboration, fundamental pillars of my academic training, seamlessly transcended into my professional life. These skills have become my guiding lights, enabling me to tackle complex challenges with ease. The ability to adapt and translate my domain-specific expertise has been a key factor in my success. For instance, my proficiency in coding and automating manual operations, acquired during my academic years, now serves as a powerful tool to enhance productivity when dealing with extensive spreadsheets in my current role.
What I've come to realize is that the specific subject matter of my major and minor is not a limiting factor. Instead, it is the mindset of continuous learning and adaptability that propels one forward. The diverse skills acquired during my academic journey have seamlessly converged into my professional reality, showcasing the interconnectedness of knowledge. The mantra holds true: it's not about what you studied, but how you approach learning and apply your skills.
In the dynamic landscape of changing industries and functions, the key to sustained success lies in remaining perpetually curious and taking calculated risks. Embracing a hungry mindset for learning and a foolish willingness to venture into uncharted territories has been my compass. As I navigate through different roles and industries, I've come to appreciate that every bit of knowledge and skill acquired, regardless of its origin, contributes to a holistic and adaptable professional profile. The journey is not about sticking to a predefined path but about weaving a tapestry of skills and experiences that enrich your professional narrative.
The essence of problem-solving and collaboration, fundamental pillars of my academic training, seamlessly transcended into my professional life. These skills have become my guiding lights, enabling me to tackle complex challenges with ease. The ability to adapt and translate my domain-specific expertise has been a key factor in my success. For instance, my proficiency in coding and automating manual operations, acquired during my academic years, now serves as a powerful tool to enhance productivity when dealing with extensive spreadsheets in my current role.
What I've come to realize is that the specific subject matter of my major and minor is not a limiting factor. Instead, it is the mindset of continuous learning and adaptability that propels one forward. The diverse skills acquired during my academic journey have seamlessly converged into my professional reality, showcasing the interconnectedness of knowledge. The mantra holds true: it's not about what you studied, but how you approach learning and apply your skills.
In the dynamic landscape of changing industries and functions, the key to sustained success lies in remaining perpetually curious and taking calculated risks. Embracing a hungry mindset for learning and a foolish willingness to venture into uncharted territories has been my compass. As I navigate through different roles and industries, I've come to appreciate that every bit of knowledge and skill acquired, regardless of its origin, contributes to a holistic and adaptable professional profile. The journey is not about sticking to a predefined path but about weaving a tapestry of skills and experiences that enrich your professional narrative.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Hans!
Indeed, the Bachelor of Science degree is akin to foundational bedrock. However, I could have secured my Master of Public Health, but the Course Coordinator decided to reject my project. This project was an evaluation of the MenuWise nutrition education program I developed. He cited a potential financial conflict of interest, so I ended up with only a postgraduate diploma. He stated, "If your software evaluation proves its effectiveness, you could earn a million dollars."
I've earned one Bachelor of Science degree and three postgraduate diplomas - all of which have been beneficial! The diplomas cover the fields of nutrition, dietetics, and public health. Of these, the postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics has proven to be the most valuable.
May you be abundantly blessed,
James.
Indeed, the Bachelor of Science degree is akin to foundational bedrock. However, I could have secured my Master of Public Health, but the Course Coordinator decided to reject my project. This project was an evaluation of the MenuWise nutrition education program I developed. He cited a potential financial conflict of interest, so I ended up with only a postgraduate diploma. He stated, "If your software evaluation proves its effectiveness, you could earn a million dollars."
I've earned one Bachelor of Science degree and three postgraduate diplomas - all of which have been beneficial! The diplomas cover the fields of nutrition, dietetics, and public health. Of these, the postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics has proven to be the most valuable.
May you be abundantly blessed,
James.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Hans,
Just to give you a bit of background about myself, I've got quite a diverse educational portfolio. I've earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Chemistry, and I've also completed three postgraduate diplomas in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Public Health.
On top of that, I have a passion for computer programming. Over the past 51 years, since 1972 to be precise, I've taught myself not one, but ten different programming languages. I love how these tools empower me to do so much more.
There was a time in college when I was contemplating a career as an astrophysicist. I even completed second-year Mathematics IIA and IIB to explore that path. However, due to some personal experiences, specifically a series of early family losses, I was driven to choose Medical Biochemistry in my fourth year of university.
Today, I'm putting all these skills and experiences to good use by creating nutrition education software. It's a journey that I never expected, but one that I'm thoroughly enjoying.
Take care and God bless,
James.
Just to give you a bit of background about myself, I've got quite a diverse educational portfolio. I've earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Chemistry, and I've also completed three postgraduate diplomas in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Public Health.
On top of that, I have a passion for computer programming. Over the past 51 years, since 1972 to be precise, I've taught myself not one, but ten different programming languages. I love how these tools empower me to do so much more.
There was a time in college when I was contemplating a career as an astrophysicist. I even completed second-year Mathematics IIA and IIB to explore that path. However, due to some personal experiences, specifically a series of early family losses, I was driven to choose Medical Biochemistry in my fourth year of university.
Today, I'm putting all these skills and experiences to good use by creating nutrition education software. It's a journey that I never expected, but one that I'm thoroughly enjoying.
Take care and God bless,
James.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1914
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Hans !
This inquiry is very special because it will give you insight on various people's experiences. I always think it is insightful and helpful to ask these type of things from people who have been there, done that !
The answer to your question is most definitely a yes for me. I was a Theatre major with an emphasis on Acting and minored in Social Science. Acting is a here and there thing, but I did spend 11 years after college (with about 6 years prior) involved in either administrative work in the entertainment industry or acting, then again acting or seeking it currently the past 7 years. I had excellent and thorough training for my degree and it prepared me to work no matter what genre or format the acting called for. I had heavy theory training as well as technique and you are actually always learning about acting from real life, too. Each project I worked on was able to be done because of the intense understanding of how to start, what to put in the middle and how to end it. The best thing I did was to have the academic route for this type of career, than keep training for it outside of a college setting.
I worked in my Social Science minor field for 27 consecutive years. Minoring in Social Science gave me a great understanding of how unique individuals are and how everyone has different needs and perspectives which helped me individualize my services to my clients. I learned a lot on the job, too. There were many trainings after college, specific to the particular agencies I worked for. The college route allowed me to examine the subject and really gain insight into the human experience. I brought that to my work, but the technicalities and methods were mostly provided by trainings on each job.
My degree in Theatre actually helped me get my very first job in social service when I was changing careers. I applied for a position that didn't require a college degree, just to get in the door with social services and I think having a Bachelors degree played in my favor, regardless that it was in Theatre. So a college degree can actually be used in many ways: the knowledge and general skills that you obtain plus just having the degree when it comes to the competitiveness of applying for work.
I wish you all the best and I hope that you will keep asking questions here on Career Village !
This inquiry is very special because it will give you insight on various people's experiences. I always think it is insightful and helpful to ask these type of things from people who have been there, done that !
The answer to your question is most definitely a yes for me. I was a Theatre major with an emphasis on Acting and minored in Social Science. Acting is a here and there thing, but I did spend 11 years after college (with about 6 years prior) involved in either administrative work in the entertainment industry or acting, then again acting or seeking it currently the past 7 years. I had excellent and thorough training for my degree and it prepared me to work no matter what genre or format the acting called for. I had heavy theory training as well as technique and you are actually always learning about acting from real life, too. Each project I worked on was able to be done because of the intense understanding of how to start, what to put in the middle and how to end it. The best thing I did was to have the academic route for this type of career, than keep training for it outside of a college setting.
I worked in my Social Science minor field for 27 consecutive years. Minoring in Social Science gave me a great understanding of how unique individuals are and how everyone has different needs and perspectives which helped me individualize my services to my clients. I learned a lot on the job, too. There were many trainings after college, specific to the particular agencies I worked for. The college route allowed me to examine the subject and really gain insight into the human experience. I brought that to my work, but the technicalities and methods were mostly provided by trainings on each job.
My degree in Theatre actually helped me get my very first job in social service when I was changing careers. I applied for a position that didn't require a college degree, just to get in the door with social services and I think having a Bachelors degree played in my favor, regardless that it was in Theatre. So a college degree can actually be used in many ways: the knowledge and general skills that you obtain plus just having the degree when it comes to the competitiveness of applying for work.
I wish you all the best and I hope that you will keep asking questions here on Career Village !
Raven Wilkinson
Employee Communications Manager
2
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Raven’s Answer
Yes! I went to school for communications (more or less) and then went on to do my masters degree in communications. I think this was a nice combination, because my undergrad degree was more hands on and allowed us to work on very practical, real world assignments. My postgraduate degree focused more on theory and allowed me to be more thoughtful about what I wanted to focus on and personalize my experience further. While I don't think postgrad is always necessary, it all helped me when I entered the workforce because I gained a lot of knowledge is several areas. I'm able to apply several of my skills to my role in many ways.
That said, my education has helped me to be a more intelligent and better human because I have been able to meet people from different walks of life, learn from great minds, gain new perspectives, figure out what I love and what I (really) don't love, and understand myself and my values much more. Doing that extra schooling is very helpful for the workforce, but it is also an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and develop as a person. Hope this helps!
That said, my education has helped me to be a more intelligent and better human because I have been able to meet people from different walks of life, learn from great minds, gain new perspectives, figure out what I love and what I (really) don't love, and understand myself and my values much more. Doing that extra schooling is very helpful for the workforce, but it is also an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and develop as a person. Hope this helps!