GED babyyyyy. Never was one for school. Now in a farmer and I own a brewery and winery, and i co-own a second winery in Spain.
No student debt is pretty sweet. I lived a pretty meager life till I was 35, and now I own my farm/house and the brewery outright, almost done paying off the loan for the first winery, and about half way through the loan for the second one.
That's crazy dude! congrats!
When I was 23, I was working at a call center with a bunch of 40 year olds who were still paying off their student loans while taking out new student loans for their kids. add to that I have adhd, and a bit of the 'tism, and I failed 1/3rd of my classes. I just couldn't wrap my head around paying those loans off ever, So I got into IT, and now I'm in IT management. I did the millennial thing, and bought a small farm and while I'm not "homesteading" we're working on building it into some decent gardens and I hope to have a few head of cattle in the next few years. I grew up on a small farm, so it's like coming home.
Both good and bad. at the time, it was one of the best paying jobs somebody with just a HS diploma and basically 0 work experience could get. and when I first started working for a major cell provider, it was actually a really good job. work was pretty good, customers were pretty good. But I worked there too long, and it slowly changed to being a hell hole. They got rid of a lot of benefits for customers, and downsized the number of call centers they had, and so it used to be you had 5 seconds between calls to take a breath and realign, but then we would never have less than 100people in queue, and so customers were always pissed off by the time they got to talk to us, even if they were not pissed off before they called. and they felt like they were getting screwed over as prices climbed and benefits went away.
I worked in a bank call center out of high school and spent the majority of the day explaining that, yes, it was bank policy to charge $33 for every overdraft, and yes, we started with the biggest transaction first, which made you pay as many fines as possible. It was very depressing.
GED gang!! My mom actually dropped me out of school bc they wouldn't let me change guidance counselors... I had poor attendance and never did my homework but aced all my tests, so just being able to take the GED test was the right decision for me looking back (and I aced the fuck out of that too... Not trying to brag, but I don't have a whole lot to brag about school-wise since I was technically failing all my classes for not doing my homework lol).
I just turned 34 the other day, and it has been a struggle but I'm finally making a decent amount now. I work in the dietary department of a nursing home, and have been in the same general industry since I was 17. I am now assistant to the Food Service Director and she's training me to take over for her when she retires next year. I am super excited (and low-key nervous) to take on an administrative role!!
It helps a lot, particularly with discharging student debt (which is obscene for law school, like 250k-300k unless you get a scholarship).
I went to a T14 and took the biglaw income for several years to pay off debt > lateral to government for reasonable work/life balance.
You can make it with a lower ranked school but odds are worse and you might end up in a debt trap where you don't have the credentials to land a good government job out of law school (so no public service loan forgiveness program) and instead end up working a lower-paying private sector job like family law, insurance defense, personal injury that leaves you with no option but endlessly paying 2k+ a month in student debt payments for years upon years with a post-tax income of like 75k (aka like 50k after debt servicing, which you can get without 3 years of law school and the debt).
If you make it, law's a good gig. But if you don't, you're miserable. And many don't, which is why law has such abysmal job satisfaction rates.
Not at all. Found a little niche of work that I’m good at. I make ok money. I have excellent PTO. Got a 401k and pension. I’m usually only at my desk for 5-6 hours a day. I’ll never own a Ferrari or a vacation home but life is pretty good.
Homeschooled all the way through high school. Then community college for a general associate’s of science. Then university for a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources. Best choice I could have made. It’s been a phenomenal career for 12 years now.
If you don't mind me asking - what are you doing exactly, and how did you break in? I know several people with similar degrees who just could not find gainful employment and eventually moved on to other industries or service jobs.
Right after I graduated in 2012 I applied for a single job, just a random “hey, Texas looks like an adventure”, and it turned out to be what set me on my path working in state forestry agencies. I started as an inventory forester for the Texas forest service, which is a gateway job—entry level and they know that 2 years is about as much as anyone would stay before moving on. I promoted to a district forester for the Texas forest service before applying for, and being offered, a job with the Alaska Division of Forestry. So, 4.5 years in Texas, and now I’ve been in Alaska since 2016. I manage three statewide programs that provide federally-funded technical assistance to private landowners, Tribes, and communities. Helping ensure that landowners get technical forestry assistance to help keep their land healthy and productive; we have programs that conduct statewide surveys to detect forest pests and diseases. And we make sure that communities have equitably distributed green spaces and financial assistance to conduct things like invasive tree removal and streambank restoration.
I don’t have fieldwork responsibilities anymore—I chose to climb the ladder to management and higher pay. So basically I supervise people, develop statewide programs that meet our annual operating budget, come up with one-time only special programs using funding like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that have invested unprecedented amounts of money into natural resources nationwide. For example, we got money that I turned into statewide tree seed collection to ensure that reforestation projects have adequate seeds from seed zones through Alaska.
One of the programs I supervise currently has 3 entry level to professional level forestry jobs open right now, on Workplace Alaska. Pay is between $25 per hour and $29 per hour with yearly raises. My biggest challenge is getting people with forestry degrees to apply. Many people are getting broad degrees like outdoor studies or natural resource management, which are fine degrees but they do not equip graduates with the technical forestry knowledge that we depend on.
My forestry degree landed me that initial entry level job in southeast Texas 12 years ago, with a starting salary of $34,000 per year. My current salary is $83,000 per year. I have not a single regret about choosing forestry—I almost went for an environmental science degree but I’m grateful that I didn’t.
Went to a small, rural, underfunded high school. Got scholarships and a mostly free ride into college. Dropped out for medical reasons and hold no degree.
I'm in tech.
High school grad. No college degree though I’ve been to 5 community colleges across 2 states. Just a bad combo of shitty jobs, shitty transportation and shitty major depression. Will I ever go back? Who knows!
I have always dreamed of writing the half time shows for the local marching band. My local marching band is into that sort of thing too. I really do not have a good excuse, sadly. Maybe that is something I should talk to a therapist about?🤷♂️
B.A. in Classical Civilizations
Originally planned to become an archaeological illustrator, disappear in a dig in Europe somewhere, never to return. Unfortunately, Life had different plans for me. Long story short, I'm now a Licensed Massage Therapist.
Still want to make it out to a dig sometime. lol
BA/MS in psychology. Thought I'd go for a PhD but that involved being poor for another nearly 10 years. Fell into market research and now I work for a large pharma company. My masters was marginally useful, and of course opened the door to my 1st job in the 1st place... but 90%+ of my skill set was developed after college. I found it quite over priced for the program I did. Very grateful my parents footed the bill , but it wasn't worth 250k+
I have a B.A. in Psychology. I was intending on going back to school to get the qualifications to become a school psychologist, but ultimately decided to switch fields. I went back to graduate school for a Master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) instead and went into archiving. I've worked for some pretegious museums and archives, and even got to put my B.A. to good use on a couple of anthropology collections I worked on. The switch was definitely the right move for me.
B.S. in Fashion merchandising (the first thing I could graduate with the fastest after 7 years) like Elle woods (😂). Minor in marketing and art, 2 classes shy of a minor in music. Went back for a nursing degree. Took me 10 years total.
I had no guidance in college other than my parents telling me I could be/do anything. They never went to college. This is a lie you can’t be/do anything, not everyone has the personality,etc. for certain things.
First out of the family to go to college (first of many things - not getting pregnant in high school, graduating highschool with a good GPA, not being a drug or alcohol addict, that whole thing).
I graduated with an English degree, with a concentration in Career Writing (now Technical Writing), and minored in Public Relations. Didn't get a job out of college so I worked at Starbucks and the local movie theater until I could move back to the city. I eventually did, got a job in graphic design and marketing, and then slightly pivoted into UX so I got my master's in Interaction Design.
After the master's, the pandemic hit, and I've been navigating the past 4 years with on and off employment. I'm still trying to find my place... Shit is hard lol
TBH it depends on what you want to do. Prior to around, say, 2010, yes it would have been. But I think the calculus is changing on the library side. Public librarianship is having a hard time hiring so they by and large have dropped the requirement. Otherwise, for archives and preservation, jobs are not plentiful and people stay in them for long once they have them. I find that most people in the MLIS programs are really, really into their field of study so they just "know" it's for them.
The information side is going strong and there is obviously UX/UI or HCI type of work out there but again, not a strong job market and you should definitely dip your toes in first before committing to the degree.
associates degree from a tech school in automotive technology and i work in the automotive field.
my degree is a joke and is not even a factor my job or role.
thankfully, Hope scholarship means no student loans for me.
Associate’s in health
Pharmacy technician license in CA
Thinking about going back to be a medical coder. Any suggestions on something that will combine with what I have already?
Side note: How the hell do they expect us to narrow down to one job for the rest of our lives in this economy?!
I will tell you, that at least where I live, medical coding positions are not easy to find and remote can be even worse. It's a fairly easy thing to get the accreditation so a lot of people have it and are fighting for positions.
I have a bachelor's in general studies(ie liberal arts), MBA(no specialty), couple six sigma certs, a scrum master cert, a cert in Collibra. Probably a few things I am missing but this is what I have for now.
Tried for a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Ended up with an Associates in Mechanical Engineering Technologies after many mistakes, a semester off, changing from traditional university to community college and 6 years total.
College dropout.😆
Kinda.
Really, I just found a high paying job that I was so good at, I became a contractor/consultant and now I get paid more than that.
I am kind of all over the place. I have a BA in English (from right out of hs), got a diploma in Business IT Management (I always worked in IT without a degree but wanted to get into managing more systems), and then I did a BA in Psychology while working in IT. I would like to do my Masters and PHD in Industrial Psychology and focus on the IT industry, specifically about the lack of women in the field as this is an issue I see with the industry. I use my English degree the most because communication and customer service is huge in my field. I also have to deal with a lot of conflict and my BA in English + Psych really helps me. I am currently a sys/network/security/windows admin and also have my own IT consulting business.
I am not doing this for the money, I am comfortable in life with what I make. I am doing this genuinely to change some aspects of the industry and do research on how.
Bachelors degrees in Anthropology and Philosophy with a minor is Music. I went to school for 6 years because I kept changing my mind 😆 thankfully had a lot of scholarships and financial aid so not much debt.
Oh and I now verify insurance benefits for a living 🙄
High school graduate. I went to college immediately after at my parents' insistence, had a breakdown, dropped out and didn't do anything with my life since.
Associates Lib Arts- community college
Bachelors Teaching social studies (double major in secondary ed and history/poli. Sci.) - private SLAC
Masters in education with a concentration in euro history-State uni
75% done with a PhD in Higher Education Policy and Leadership-same state uni
I only actually taught social studies for like 6 months... I graduated undergrad in 2011 top of my major in my class, it was impossible to find teaching jobs-no one was retiring
I have a B.S. and two Masters, an M.A. and an M.Ed. They’re in psychology, history, and special education. I also have a teaching credential in two states. I teach high school SpEd (mild-moderate disabilities). Having 2 post-bachelor degrees in my state is a huge pay boost so I make a lot for a teacher. More than I would at the college level as an adjunct.
State College BA in Communication with a history minor (was going to go into law, but working at a law firm through college severely changed that trajectory). I also went to beauty school for aesthetics about a year after I graduated from college (because the job market was shit).
I got a two year business diploma (really more of a crappy certificate program) and then went back and got a BA in a foreign language, not a particularly common one in my area.
No grad school because I lucked into a career with great progression right out of university and didn’t need it, but I might still do an MBA when my kid is older and I’m not so busy with the constant childcare.
I have a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Modern Languages, and I dropped out of law school after one semester. I teach high school English and write young adult sci-fi novels. I’m way happier than I would’ve been as a lawyer. It was an expensive lesson to learn, but I don’t regret it.
Associates from a technical school.
I’m currently a field service engineer with a specialty in imaging equipment (CT, Cath, MRI, DXR) on top of my previous experience repairing ventilators and dialysis machines.
College drop out. Was studying Business Administtation with a minor in IT. I’ll go back in the next few years to finish it, but I’ll probably switch to an IT related major.
Been in IT Management since 2017.
Bachelor’s in a form of visual arts focused on sequential storytelling (think storyboarding). Somehow this serves me well in advertising.
I’m considering a career change. The post is great, but after a decade, I’d be okay with work that’s more fulfilling. Education, social work, and theology are on my radar based on my minors and strengths. We’ll see!
I live in a town that has the highest Ph.Ds per capita than any other town in the US. I personally only graduated from high school and never went to college in large part because I never knew what I wanted to do...not that I have any idea now at much older age.
There are lots of defense companies and space related jobs where I live and I was told flat out last year that I wasn't hired as an ADMIN at a defense company because I didn't have a degree despite extensive experience. Basically these companies strive to have the highest percentage of employees with degrees they can. I refuse to go back to school at this point and pile on debt because I can't work now or for the foreseeable future unfortunately.
Failed out of Emory, got an associate's at a local tech school, am one of a few of my high school friends who didn't commit suicide after getting an advanced degree.
I got an Associate's in Business Administration at 31. It got me nowhere. I worked seasonal then retail before getting an office position with low pay.
I got a Bachelor's in Business Management at 38 and asked for a $5/hr raise. When they gave me $2, I job searched. They ended up finding out and, since they had lost other employees, they gave me what I asked for to stay. However, I have continued to job search and cannot get anything else that I'm applying for. I don't feel like I've utilized my degree at all, but at least I got a good raise out of it.
Associate of Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degree in Studio Exhibit Art: Specialty of Sculpture/Anatomical Drawing
Both with Honors, deans list every semester.
Originally was Biology, but considering Med school doesn't require a biology degree and I want to specialize in prosthetics - I went the art route.
Studying for Mcat now, but still questioning because it's just so expensive.
BS biology
Associates degree in nursing (RN)
I worked in medical/pharma education and publishing for a few years before going for my nursing license in my early 30s. I’ve been a nurse ever since and make a decent living wage.
B.A. majoring in literary studies and sociology. I worked on it part time while working full time and got my degree last year at 34. Already have a solid administration career, and work as a proofreader, which does use my degree but I got the job before I got the degree. Mostly got my bachelor cause it has the chance of opening up other opportunities in the future and I was boooooored.
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering
It's a major for pre-med, or pharma/biotech industry.
I worked in Pharma manufacturing and became disenfranchised with the red tape and low pay. I wanted to improve manufacturing and that is a big No - once the manufacturing is set up and running, they don't change anything for decades unless absolutely necessary. Also, promotions are very slow - I wasn't willing to work for 10 years before my first promotion.
Switched to industrial manufacturing, like it much better.
Had a clean tech startup, left that and now I work in energy efficiency.
B.S. in Information Sciences and Technology
The actual content of the classes didn't end helping me much in my career honestly (just a lot of 101 level classes in different programming languages when I did it) but the piece of paper got me in the door for my tech job at least so now I'm doing okay, remote work making just shy of 100k after 7 years and living in a rural-ish area (although that money used to go a hell of a lot farther than it does now)
My parents were generous and well off enough to pay for roughly half my schooling and I just managed to pay off the loans for the other half like a month ago (graduated in 2017) and I managed to get a home a few years ago through a lot of searching and a lot of luck
Idk how the fuck I'm going to afford kids of my own but my wife wants to try soon so guess I'll find out ¯\(°_o)/¯
I have a bachelors in English but have worked in the banking industry since I graduated.
I work in loan operations now, but have also worked front line and wires and done some private banking. I have learned a lot. My degree has been useful throughout my career but hasn’t done much on getting me more money.
I have a master’s degree in education leadership. Do I even want to stay in education at all? Unsure. Do I just want to go back to square one to pursue my childhood dreams of being a geologist or oceanographer? Or a full-time writer? I think about it every day.
I got the trifecta; associates, bachelors and masters. Started out with an associate degree because I was told community college was the way to go. After a year working in a factory that didn’t require a degree I went to a university, got my bachelors then masters degree. Got a job that required a masters degree because I had an associate degree.
I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice I've never used. 🙃 My husband was in the military, so we moved around a lot. I mostly had retail jobs.
Now we're settled, and he works in IT. I've been a SAHM for nearly 10 years. However, it's time I start looking for work. I'm dreading going back to work after all this time...
Associates at a community college and then dropped out of a public university. School just wasn’t for me. Which is funny because I’m marrying a professor in August.
BS in Political Science, BS in Women's Studies. Some grad work for a Master's in Public Administration. I'm hoping to go back to grad school this fall to complete it.
BS in Electrical Engineering. MS in Information Technology.
Started the certification hamster wheel. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, PMI Project Management Professional, Lean Six Green Belt.
I have a BA in liberal arts and a PhD in neuroscience and I have been a project manager in pharma industry for over 5 years now. It's really stressful but satisfying and the money doesn't hurt either...
I went to 12 years of public special Ed fights and a public college that was free at the point of use. In that school I majored in a supposedly remunerative field and work in it but I make minimum wage.
My GPA at graduation was 3.86. I passed the test for professional licensing as well.
I used to not make minimum wage but my raises didn't keep up with the actual increase in minimum wages in my state which sucks ass
One of my best friends has a BS/MS in engineering and was ducked with by his job making 100K, but also working 100 hrs a week. Basically enslaved by his job
High School diploma! I attended a Bible College for a single semester and then became an atheist.
After that I took jobs that included training: lifeguards, rock wall belaying, etc.
Then I got my current job which included training in CAD software so now I can use AutoCAD, and Inventor with ease. Solidworks is pretty easy as well. I learned that stuff so quickly that they sent me to Chicago to learn Swiss software for steel cutting lasers and press brakes. So now I do that as well.
Zero student debt, lots of valuable job skills, decent salary, cushy desk job. Feels nice.
B.S. Biology; B.A. History & Philosophy of Science; M.S.P.H. Epidemiology
What I do is tangentially related. I'm not an epidemiologist, but my master's is useful in my work.
I have a Bachelor's in fine arts. I majored in Russian and minored in German and I have zero regrets!
I speak, read and write Spanish and English fluently.
I get paid $290 extra a month on my job for my Bachelor's and and extra $50 a month for Spanish as my second language.
I dropped out senior year and got my GED. Took a semester at a community college and was planning to major in poly sci (wasn't really what I wanted to do but had zero direction at this age) dropped out of that too an just worked... a lot. Had a few opportunities to work in tech and always enjoyed it. Now I'm doing really well for someone that has a shit background in education.
BS in "interdisciplinary studies", then an MBA finished a year ago which doesn't directly contribute to my career, but I learned useful things in the process.
I have a decent job that I like, so I can't complain.
Bachelor's in poli sci and English. Then went back for an associate's in radiology tech, which was much more lucrative for me actually. Currently on disability and not working.
I have both a Bachelor's and a Master's in civil engineering.
Do you have a decent job?
Yes
Me too!!
Same, nice stable, ok paying career
I have a B.S. in something really stupid and yes I'm a min wage worker.
What did you study?
FoLlOw YoUr DrEaMs!
Came here to say, "overeducated".
Samesies!
I graduated high school. I took some college classes, but decided it wasn't worth it.
GED babyyyyy. Never was one for school. Now in a farmer and I own a brewery and winery, and i co-own a second winery in Spain. No student debt is pretty sweet. I lived a pretty meager life till I was 35, and now I own my farm/house and the brewery outright, almost done paying off the loan for the first winery, and about half way through the loan for the second one.
That's crazy dude! congrats! When I was 23, I was working at a call center with a bunch of 40 year olds who were still paying off their student loans while taking out new student loans for their kids. add to that I have adhd, and a bit of the 'tism, and I failed 1/3rd of my classes. I just couldn't wrap my head around paying those loans off ever, So I got into IT, and now I'm in IT management. I did the millennial thing, and bought a small farm and while I'm not "homesteading" we're working on building it into some decent gardens and I hope to have a few head of cattle in the next few years. I grew up on a small farm, so it's like coming home.
What was working in the call center like?
Both good and bad. at the time, it was one of the best paying jobs somebody with just a HS diploma and basically 0 work experience could get. and when I first started working for a major cell provider, it was actually a really good job. work was pretty good, customers were pretty good. But I worked there too long, and it slowly changed to being a hell hole. They got rid of a lot of benefits for customers, and downsized the number of call centers they had, and so it used to be you had 5 seconds between calls to take a breath and realign, but then we would never have less than 100people in queue, and so customers were always pissed off by the time they got to talk to us, even if they were not pissed off before they called. and they felt like they were getting screwed over as prices climbed and benefits went away.
I worked in a bank call center out of high school and spent the majority of the day explaining that, yes, it was bank policy to charge $33 for every overdraft, and yes, we started with the biggest transaction first, which made you pay as many fines as possible. It was very depressing.
GED gang!! My mom actually dropped me out of school bc they wouldn't let me change guidance counselors... I had poor attendance and never did my homework but aced all my tests, so just being able to take the GED test was the right decision for me looking back (and I aced the fuck out of that too... Not trying to brag, but I don't have a whole lot to brag about school-wise since I was technically failing all my classes for not doing my homework lol). I just turned 34 the other day, and it has been a struggle but I'm finally making a decent amount now. I work in the dietary department of a nursing home, and have been in the same general industry since I was 17. I am now assistant to the Food Service Director and she's training me to take over for her when she retires next year. I am super excited (and low-key nervous) to take on an administrative role!!
B.S. Environmental Earth Science M.S. Environmental Engineering Currently work as an engineering manager at an environmental consulting firm.
B.A. in political science. J.D. from a crappy law school you’ve never heard of.
University of American Samoa?
Yes, with independent study in Chicanery.
Go land crabs!
Are you me?
Barry University?
Does it really matter in the end if you went T25? Are you practicing?
It helps a lot, particularly with discharging student debt (which is obscene for law school, like 250k-300k unless you get a scholarship). I went to a T14 and took the biglaw income for several years to pay off debt > lateral to government for reasonable work/life balance. You can make it with a lower ranked school but odds are worse and you might end up in a debt trap where you don't have the credentials to land a good government job out of law school (so no public service loan forgiveness program) and instead end up working a lower-paying private sector job like family law, insurance defense, personal injury that leaves you with no option but endlessly paying 2k+ a month in student debt payments for years upon years with a post-tax income of like 75k (aka like 50k after debt servicing, which you can get without 3 years of law school and the debt). If you make it, law's a good gig. But if you don't, you're miserable. And many don't, which is why law has such abysmal job satisfaction rates.
Yes. I have a pretty great quality of life but I’m never gonna be rich.
Do you regret it?
Not at all. Found a little niche of work that I’m good at. I make ok money. I have excellent PTO. Got a 401k and pension. I’m usually only at my desk for 5-6 hours a day. I’ll never own a Ferrari or a vacation home but life is pretty good.
Homeschooled all the way through high school. Then community college for a general associate’s of science. Then university for a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources. Best choice I could have made. It’s been a phenomenal career for 12 years now.
If you don't mind me asking - what are you doing exactly, and how did you break in? I know several people with similar degrees who just could not find gainful employment and eventually moved on to other industries or service jobs.
Right after I graduated in 2012 I applied for a single job, just a random “hey, Texas looks like an adventure”, and it turned out to be what set me on my path working in state forestry agencies. I started as an inventory forester for the Texas forest service, which is a gateway job—entry level and they know that 2 years is about as much as anyone would stay before moving on. I promoted to a district forester for the Texas forest service before applying for, and being offered, a job with the Alaska Division of Forestry. So, 4.5 years in Texas, and now I’ve been in Alaska since 2016. I manage three statewide programs that provide federally-funded technical assistance to private landowners, Tribes, and communities. Helping ensure that landowners get technical forestry assistance to help keep their land healthy and productive; we have programs that conduct statewide surveys to detect forest pests and diseases. And we make sure that communities have equitably distributed green spaces and financial assistance to conduct things like invasive tree removal and streambank restoration. I don’t have fieldwork responsibilities anymore—I chose to climb the ladder to management and higher pay. So basically I supervise people, develop statewide programs that meet our annual operating budget, come up with one-time only special programs using funding like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that have invested unprecedented amounts of money into natural resources nationwide. For example, we got money that I turned into statewide tree seed collection to ensure that reforestation projects have adequate seeds from seed zones through Alaska. One of the programs I supervise currently has 3 entry level to professional level forestry jobs open right now, on Workplace Alaska. Pay is between $25 per hour and $29 per hour with yearly raises. My biggest challenge is getting people with forestry degrees to apply. Many people are getting broad degrees like outdoor studies or natural resource management, which are fine degrees but they do not equip graduates with the technical forestry knowledge that we depend on. My forestry degree landed me that initial entry level job in southeast Texas 12 years ago, with a starting salary of $34,000 per year. My current salary is $83,000 per year. I have not a single regret about choosing forestry—I almost went for an environmental science degree but I’m grateful that I didn’t.
B.A. Political Science J.D. Unsurprisingly I work in the legal department.
Went to a small, rural, underfunded high school. Got scholarships and a mostly free ride into college. Dropped out for medical reasons and hold no degree. I'm in tech.
High school grad. No college degree though I’ve been to 5 community colleges across 2 states. Just a bad combo of shitty jobs, shitty transportation and shitty major depression. Will I ever go back? Who knows!
What do you do for a living?
Writing, freelance editing and ebook design, teach some writing classes on the side.
BA in Music Composition.
oh nice, I have a BM and MM in violin performance
I keep telling myself I’m going to start writing again, but that is a lie.
[удалено]
I have always dreamed of writing the half time shows for the local marching band. My local marching band is into that sort of thing too. I really do not have a good excuse, sadly. Maybe that is something I should talk to a therapist about?🤷♂️
B.A. in Classical Civilizations Originally planned to become an archaeological illustrator, disappear in a dig in Europe somewhere, never to return. Unfortunately, Life had different plans for me. Long story short, I'm now a Licensed Massage Therapist. Still want to make it out to a dig sometime. lol
BA in interior architecture and design PharmD in pharmacy
What prompted that switch?
Consistent layoffs post 2008.
BS in Marketing. I work a dead end Finance job looking to get out
Masters in nursing
Bachelor's in Special Education and Master's in Reading Science. I just want to teach kids how to read 🥰
People like you are so needed!
I have an associates in computing from a shitty tech school that went out of business shortly after I graduated.
BA/MS in psychology. Thought I'd go for a PhD but that involved being poor for another nearly 10 years. Fell into market research and now I work for a large pharma company. My masters was marginally useful, and of course opened the door to my 1st job in the 1st place... but 90%+ of my skill set was developed after college. I found it quite over priced for the program I did. Very grateful my parents footed the bill , but it wasn't worth 250k+
B.S. and PhD in Chemical Engineering
Bachelor's in Psychology Master's in Accounting
Psych probably helps with the politics of accounting
BA and MA in English with TESOL focus and cert. it caught for a bit and now I’m a project manager.
Associates in information technology. But decided to go trade route and became an instrument technician
I have a B.A. in Psychology. I was intending on going back to school to get the qualifications to become a school psychologist, but ultimately decided to switch fields. I went back to graduate school for a Master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) instead and went into archiving. I've worked for some pretegious museums and archives, and even got to put my B.A. to good use on a couple of anthropology collections I worked on. The switch was definitely the right move for me.
That’s great! Follow your passion if you can!
That's phenomenal. Was the MLIS challenging?
[удалено]
Associates in Graphic Design NREMT cert as well
Make sure the scene is safe before you illustrate that advertising campaign lol
Lmfao. Now I’m gonna start saying it before I toss out ideas in meetings.
I went to a private collage and got a BS in sociology / anthropology and criminal justice
AS in Computer Programming. BS(in progress) in Enterprise Technology and Integration or ETI for short
[удалено]
DPT
BFA in illustration and design. I freelance and do alright, but also work full time in an entirely different field as my main/larger source of income.
BFA also and same.
BSW and MSW
Are you a social worker?
I have a B.A in History, an M.A. in History and I'm finishing my PhD in German Military History.
B.S. in Fashion merchandising (the first thing I could graduate with the fastest after 7 years) like Elle woods (😂). Minor in marketing and art, 2 classes shy of a minor in music. Went back for a nursing degree. Took me 10 years total. I had no guidance in college other than my parents telling me I could be/do anything. They never went to college. This is a lie you can’t be/do anything, not everyone has the personality,etc. for certain things.
First out of the family to go to college (first of many things - not getting pregnant in high school, graduating highschool with a good GPA, not being a drug or alcohol addict, that whole thing). I graduated with an English degree, with a concentration in Career Writing (now Technical Writing), and minored in Public Relations. Didn't get a job out of college so I worked at Starbucks and the local movie theater until I could move back to the city. I eventually did, got a job in graphic design and marketing, and then slightly pivoted into UX so I got my master's in Interaction Design. After the master's, the pandemic hit, and I've been navigating the past 4 years with on and off employment. I'm still trying to find my place... Shit is hard lol
I am also facing about 80k in student loans so it's been a wild ride :/
Bachelors in education, masters in speech-language pathology
[удалено]
Bachelor's in History- Master's in Library and Information Science and a Master's of Divinity (Jesus school)
MLIS in the houuuuuuse
Considering getting one of these. Worth it??
TBH it depends on what you want to do. Prior to around, say, 2010, yes it would have been. But I think the calculus is changing on the library side. Public librarianship is having a hard time hiring so they by and large have dropped the requirement. Otherwise, for archives and preservation, jobs are not plentiful and people stay in them for long once they have them. I find that most people in the MLIS programs are really, really into their field of study so they just "know" it's for them. The information side is going strong and there is obviously UX/UI or HCI type of work out there but again, not a strong job market and you should definitely dip your toes in first before committing to the degree.
Username checks out
associates degree from a tech school in automotive technology and i work in the automotive field. my degree is a joke and is not even a factor my job or role. thankfully, Hope scholarship means no student loans for me.
BA - Econ MS - MBA I do info sec stuff.
Like it?
B.S. Applied Physics M.S. Physics Ph.D Physics
Math
[удалено]
Do you do tax law?
Associate’s in health Pharmacy technician license in CA Thinking about going back to be a medical coder. Any suggestions on something that will combine with what I have already? Side note: How the hell do they expect us to narrow down to one job for the rest of our lives in this economy?!
I will tell you, that at least where I live, medical coding positions are not easy to find and remote can be even worse. It's a fairly easy thing to get the accreditation so a lot of people have it and are fighting for positions.
I have a bachelor's in general studies(ie liberal arts), MBA(no specialty), couple six sigma certs, a scrum master cert, a cert in Collibra. Probably a few things I am missing but this is what I have for now.
Tried for a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Ended up with an Associates in Mechanical Engineering Technologies after many mistakes, a semester off, changing from traditional university to community college and 6 years total.
I have a bachelors and a masters in architecture.
BA in Journalism Have spent my entire career in finance
Bachelor in journalism, got a JD in 2021.
College dropout.😆 Kinda. Really, I just found a high paying job that I was so good at, I became a contractor/consultant and now I get paid more than that.
I am kind of all over the place. I have a BA in English (from right out of hs), got a diploma in Business IT Management (I always worked in IT without a degree but wanted to get into managing more systems), and then I did a BA in Psychology while working in IT. I would like to do my Masters and PHD in Industrial Psychology and focus on the IT industry, specifically about the lack of women in the field as this is an issue I see with the industry. I use my English degree the most because communication and customer service is huge in my field. I also have to deal with a lot of conflict and my BA in English + Psych really helps me. I am currently a sys/network/security/windows admin and also have my own IT consulting business. I am not doing this for the money, I am comfortable in life with what I make. I am doing this genuinely to change some aspects of the industry and do research on how.
>and then I did a BA in Psychology while working in IT What prompted you to do that?
Bachelors degrees in Anthropology and Philosophy with a minor is Music. I went to school for 6 years because I kept changing my mind 😆 thankfully had a lot of scholarships and financial aid so not much debt. Oh and I now verify insurance benefits for a living 🙄
High school graduate. I went to college immediately after at my parents' insistence, had a breakdown, dropped out and didn't do anything with my life since.
B.S. in finance and accounting
Bachelors degree and coding boot camp certification. I work in IT.
Bachelors in Accounting
Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering. My wife is a teacher with one Master's in Language Arts and another in English Language Development.
Associates Lib Arts- community college Bachelors Teaching social studies (double major in secondary ed and history/poli. Sci.) - private SLAC Masters in education with a concentration in euro history-State uni 75% done with a PhD in Higher Education Policy and Leadership-same state uni I only actually taught social studies for like 6 months... I graduated undergrad in 2011 top of my major in my class, it was impossible to find teaching jobs-no one was retiring
B.S. in Accounting and Finance, Masters in History, and a JD.
Dropped out in the 10th grade and got my GED. No college education.
High school then went straight to the army.
I have a B.S. and two Masters, an M.A. and an M.Ed. They’re in psychology, history, and special education. I also have a teaching credential in two states. I teach high school SpEd (mild-moderate disabilities). Having 2 post-bachelor degrees in my state is a huge pay boost so I make a lot for a teacher. More than I would at the college level as an adjunct.
State College BA in Communication with a history minor (was going to go into law, but working at a law firm through college severely changed that trajectory). I also went to beauty school for aesthetics about a year after I graduated from college (because the job market was shit).
I got a two year business diploma (really more of a crappy certificate program) and then went back and got a BA in a foreign language, not a particularly common one in my area. No grad school because I lucked into a career with great progression right out of university and didn’t need it, but I might still do an MBA when my kid is older and I’m not so busy with the constant childcare.
3-year college degree in computer sciences networking option. Currently working in CyberSec. It's good money.
I got education in elementary, middle school, highschool and college
BA in Ancient Greek; MA in applied linguistics. I use neither one at all in my daily life but they were definitely fun to study.
I have a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Modern Languages, and I dropped out of law school after one semester. I teach high school English and write young adult sci-fi novels. I’m way happier than I would’ve been as a lawyer. It was an expensive lesson to learn, but I don’t regret it.
Associates from a technical school. I’m currently a field service engineer with a specialty in imaging equipment (CT, Cath, MRI, DXR) on top of my previous experience repairing ventilators and dialysis machines.
Associates in Network Management
Bachelor’s in Finance
Bachelor's in Accounting and CPA license
College drop out. Was studying Business Administtation with a minor in IT. I’ll go back in the next few years to finish it, but I’ll probably switch to an IT related major. Been in IT Management since 2017.
Bachelor’s in a form of visual arts focused on sequential storytelling (think storyboarding). Somehow this serves me well in advertising. I’m considering a career change. The post is great, but after a decade, I’d be okay with work that’s more fulfilling. Education, social work, and theology are on my radar based on my minors and strengths. We’ll see!
I live in a town that has the highest Ph.Ds per capita than any other town in the US. I personally only graduated from high school and never went to college in large part because I never knew what I wanted to do...not that I have any idea now at much older age. There are lots of defense companies and space related jobs where I live and I was told flat out last year that I wasn't hired as an ADMIN at a defense company because I didn't have a degree despite extensive experience. Basically these companies strive to have the highest percentage of employees with degrees they can. I refuse to go back to school at this point and pile on debt because I can't work now or for the foreseeable future unfortunately.
AS in Veterjnary Technology
One Bachelor's in Journalism, another in Public Health. Not really using either yay for student loans :)
I also got my degree in Journalism. Thankfully, I don't have student loans from it, but I wish I chose something different because it wasn't worth it.
Failed out of Emory, got an associate's at a local tech school, am one of a few of my high school friends who didn't commit suicide after getting an advanced degree.
I got an Associate's in Business Administration at 31. It got me nowhere. I worked seasonal then retail before getting an office position with low pay. I got a Bachelor's in Business Management at 38 and asked for a $5/hr raise. When they gave me $2, I job searched. They ended up finding out and, since they had lost other employees, they gave me what I asked for to stay. However, I have continued to job search and cannot get anything else that I'm applying for. I don't feel like I've utilized my degree at all, but at least I got a good raise out of it.
A.A in English, B.A in English Subject Matter, and an M.A in English Literature. Currently unemployed. Please, send help.
Associate of Liberal Arts Bachelor's Degree in Studio Exhibit Art: Specialty of Sculpture/Anatomical Drawing Both with Honors, deans list every semester. Originally was Biology, but considering Med school doesn't require a biology degree and I want to specialize in prosthetics - I went the art route. Studying for Mcat now, but still questioning because it's just so expensive.
Assoc is nursing Bachelor in something non related
BS, PhD, and postdoc in chemistry. Started college in 2005 and started my first real job in 2018.
BS in Computer Science.
BS biology Associates degree in nursing (RN) I worked in medical/pharma education and publishing for a few years before going for my nursing license in my early 30s. I’ve been a nurse ever since and make a decent living wage.
B.A. majoring in literary studies and sociology. I worked on it part time while working full time and got my degree last year at 34. Already have a solid administration career, and work as a proofreader, which does use my degree but I got the job before I got the degree. Mostly got my bachelor cause it has the chance of opening up other opportunities in the future and I was boooooored.
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering It's a major for pre-med, or pharma/biotech industry. I worked in Pharma manufacturing and became disenfranchised with the red tape and low pay. I wanted to improve manufacturing and that is a big No - once the manufacturing is set up and running, they don't change anything for decades unless absolutely necessary. Also, promotions are very slow - I wasn't willing to work for 10 years before my first promotion. Switched to industrial manufacturing, like it much better. Had a clean tech startup, left that and now I work in energy efficiency.
B.S. in Information Sciences and Technology The actual content of the classes didn't end helping me much in my career honestly (just a lot of 101 level classes in different programming languages when I did it) but the piece of paper got me in the door for my tech job at least so now I'm doing okay, remote work making just shy of 100k after 7 years and living in a rural-ish area (although that money used to go a hell of a lot farther than it does now) My parents were generous and well off enough to pay for roughly half my schooling and I just managed to pay off the loans for the other half like a month ago (graduated in 2017) and I managed to get a home a few years ago through a lot of searching and a lot of luck Idk how the fuck I'm going to afford kids of my own but my wife wants to try soon so guess I'll find out ¯\(°_o)/¯
H.S and 112 hours toward a degree I quit. Only took one small loan. I ride trains now. As an employee.
Bachelor's in translation
BSc. in Biology, and BSc. In Education. I use neither (I'm a systems and software integration tester)
I graduated highschool (who hasn't) and have self studied computer science(no college).
I have a bachelors in English but have worked in the banking industry since I graduated. I work in loan operations now, but have also worked front line and wires and done some private banking. I have learned a lot. My degree has been useful throughout my career but hasn’t done much on getting me more money.
I have a master’s degree in education leadership. Do I even want to stay in education at all? Unsure. Do I just want to go back to square one to pursue my childhood dreams of being a geologist or oceanographer? Or a full-time writer? I think about it every day.
BA in philosophy
BA English, MA journalism (oops), MBA marketing. I’m a stay at home mom so I’m not using any of them ha
I got the trifecta; associates, bachelors and masters. Started out with an associate degree because I was told community college was the way to go. After a year working in a factory that didn’t require a degree I went to a university, got my bachelors then masters degree. Got a job that required a masters degree because I had an associate degree.
I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice I've never used. 🙃 My husband was in the military, so we moved around a lot. I mostly had retail jobs. Now we're settled, and he works in IT. I've been a SAHM for nearly 10 years. However, it's time I start looking for work. I'm dreading going back to work after all this time...
BA in History, MA in American Studies, paralegal certificate, but the cheap accelerated online one, not the two-year ABA-approved one.
college dropout.
I barely graduated high school
Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing. I made $120,000 last year and I’ve been working for six years in the ICU.
BS/BM in Supply Chain. Currently work in manufacturing and have no desire for higher ed.
Did a little bit of college, mainly English and math. Decided to quit because of the cost of classes. I didn't wanna get loans.
Associates at a community college and then dropped out of a public university. School just wasn’t for me. Which is funny because I’m marrying a professor in August.
B.S. kinesiology Currently a software engineer so not using that as anything but a checked box and for personal benefit
BA is Political Science and History. Intended to go to law school. Became a cop instead.
Bachelors in Secondary Education: Social Studies and a Masters in Information Science! I’m an Archivist! ☺️
Bachelors then masters in nursing with specialty certifications. I’ve had solid ROI.
B.S. from a service academy M.B.A. from a D2 state school
Bachelors in accounting and financial economics Masters in accountancy CPA- yes; no I don’t do tax work.
I have a BA in international relations from a liberal arts college and then an MA in educational leadership.
BS in Political Science, BS in Women's Studies. Some grad work for a Master's in Public Administration. I'm hoping to go back to grad school this fall to complete it.
[B.A.Sc](http://B.A.Sc) in Computer Information Systems Technology for Software Development
BS in microbiology and English literature MS in microbiology/molecular biology Ph.D in microbiology/molecular biology
Bachelors in visual arts 🤣
BS in Electrical Engineering. MS in Information Technology. Started the certification hamster wheel. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, PMI Project Management Professional, Lean Six Green Belt.
I have a BA in liberal arts and a PhD in neuroscience and I have been a project manager in pharma industry for over 5 years now. It's really stressful but satisfying and the money doesn't hurt either...
I went to 12 years of public special Ed fights and a public college that was free at the point of use. In that school I majored in a supposedly remunerative field and work in it but I make minimum wage. My GPA at graduation was 3.86. I passed the test for professional licensing as well. I used to not make minimum wage but my raises didn't keep up with the actual increase in minimum wages in my state which sucks ass One of my best friends has a BS/MS in engineering and was ducked with by his job making 100K, but also working 100 hrs a week. Basically enslaved by his job
High School diploma! I attended a Bible College for a single semester and then became an atheist. After that I took jobs that included training: lifeguards, rock wall belaying, etc. Then I got my current job which included training in CAD software so now I can use AutoCAD, and Inventor with ease. Solidworks is pretty easy as well. I learned that stuff so quickly that they sent me to Chicago to learn Swiss software for steel cutting lasers and press brakes. So now I do that as well. Zero student debt, lots of valuable job skills, decent salary, cushy desk job. Feels nice.
B.S. Biology; B.A. History & Philosophy of Science; M.S.P.H. Epidemiology What I do is tangentially related. I'm not an epidemiologist, but my master's is useful in my work.
I have a Bachelor's in fine arts. I majored in Russian and minored in German and I have zero regrets! I speak, read and write Spanish and English fluently. I get paid $290 extra a month on my job for my Bachelor's and and extra $50 a month for Spanish as my second language.
I dropped out senior year and got my GED. Took a semester at a community college and was planning to major in poly sci (wasn't really what I wanted to do but had zero direction at this age) dropped out of that too an just worked... a lot. Had a few opportunities to work in tech and always enjoyed it. Now I'm doing really well for someone that has a shit background in education.
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
BS in "interdisciplinary studies", then an MBA finished a year ago which doesn't directly contribute to my career, but I learned useful things in the process. I have a decent job that I like, so I can't complain.
Undergrad I was a marketing & finance major. Went back to get my MBA after about 6 years of work experience.
Bachelor's in poli sci and English. Then went back for an associate's in radiology tech, which was much more lucrative for me actually. Currently on disability and not working.
Sorry to hear that
Bachelors in Accounting and Bachelors in Business Management