College Students/Graduates / Past and Present

-Luka

-Luka

TRUE ALASKAN
Just thought it would be interesting to hear from users who graduated in their chosen subject/career and has it had any positive or negative situations? Such as, for example, being told too overqualified, not enough experience etc.
Has anyone ever gone back to college/university and studied something else because maybe job market has been tough?

Current Students: what do you like/dislike about your chosen studies? Do you have worries about future etc re career? Backup plans? Let us know. Older users may be able to help and advise etc. (non patronising of course; I’ll roar at them.)

If you’re happy to share, please feel free. Age is irrespective as title says past and present; share thoughts experience and can see the changes of today compared to back then. Just a bit of fun, please don’t post names of universities etc, standard rules apply.

I’ll post in a bit — having a whisky 👀
PS: only posted this here as subject of topic is college- anyone can join. 😀
 
I am completing two master's degrees and am grossly overqualified for most jobs I apply to or work for. The ones I do qualify for often turn me down, for a lack of experience, so I'm forced to work my way up from the bottom, salary wise - which sucks!

I dislike how mechanical course layouts have become, and redundant - and predictable. Exams are still hard for some courses, and discouraging at times. Overall, I'd say graduate experience is 10/10 for the quality lessons on grammar, analytical skills, problem-solving, and emphasis on logic.
 
I have an associate of applied science with a major in medical laboratory technology. I am currently back in school for my bachelor's in medical laboratory science. With my focus on studies in lab science, I am qualified strictly for the position I have now, but if I wanted to venture out or try something new my education would be worthless. Kind of a crappy thing to realize lol. I don't really enjoy any part of the school, never have lol. When I'm doing classes that focus on doing hands-on stuff for the lab I enjoy it more, but like right now I am taking some missing gen eds and it's painfully boring!
 
Ks_guy said:
I have an associate of applied science with a major in medical laboratory technology. I am currently back in school for my bachelor's in medical laboratory science. With my focus on studies in lab science, I am qualified strictly for the position I have now, but if I wanted to venture out or try something new my education would be worthless. Kind of a crappy thing to realize lol. I don't really enjoy any part of the school, never have lol. When I'm doing classes that focus on doing hands-on stuff for the lab I enjoy it more, but like right now I am taking some missing gen eds and it's painfully boring!
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Doctor, my leg, so sore... @Chopper didn’t look what he was doing and injured it....
 
just finishing up my BA in primary teaching - it is very specific so if i decide after a few years that i can't cope with the never ending workload i'll prob be fucked. hahahah

in all seriousness, cannot wait for september when i'll hopefully get my very own class as a qualified teacher. if it does go down the route of not being in love with it i'd probably make a swift career change and go into child safeguarding or post 16 teaching in childcare/ education

who knows what the future holds!

hate studying, love teaching x
 
I’m currently researching social care avenues into uni. I have a post grad degree in something unrelated and i would like to have a total change of career direction.
 
I began working in the medical field right after graduating from high school. My license has opened many doors and provided me with numerous opportunities for advancement. Because of my experiences and skills, I was able to transition occupations without difficulty while earning my Ph.D. in psychology. Anyone interested in working in healthcare should start as a CNA, CHHA, or MT while still in school. Some people have difficulty obtaining work after receiving a psychology degree, however, this is due to a lack of prior experience and skills.
 
I graduated with a degree in Popular Music as a singer, with the idea that I'd go off and be a singer/songwriter (a job that, for the most part, needs literally 0 qualifications) and very quickly realised I didn't have the drive to do it anyway.

I'm now a singing teacher and vocal coach (another hugely unregulated career which really needs 0 qualifications to do really), but that takes a huge amount of researching the subject of singing that was never covered by my degree because it never specialised that directly.

Occasionally I think about doing some sort of MA in something vocal technique based, but honestly I'd only be doing it for myself, and it would probably take time away from actually teaching, so for now that's a box that will stay unopened.
 
So I graduated from Uni in 2012 with a 1:2 in Mathematics and Statistics - worked part time in a shoe store then Tesco always customer service facing so that became my experience. I was fortunate i was educated in Scotland where university is free (i dont know about now but then it was) - to this day I still think it’s a waste, because I’ve never used it in a field. I could’ve easily become a teacher im Scotland, but in England now where I live you have to have a Pgce I think it’s called? And the cost is ridiculous all over for education- strong believer education is a right for all not a privilege money should not exchange to better oneself education does that.

Anyhoo went back to uni in 2014 had to get a student loan which cripples me and obtained a level 5 in Business administration, management and finance.

That I’m glad off irrespective of the debt incurred (still don’t agree with it 🧐) because even though it took me 4 years to utilise and enhance skills it’s got me where I am today. Hasn’t been easy but what is? Except Katie price
 
Luka said:
So I graduated from Uni in 2012 with a 1:2 in Mathematics and Statistics - worked part time in a shoe store then Tesco always customer service facing so that became my experience. I was fortunate i was educated in Scotland where university is free (i dont know about now but then it was) - to this day I still think it’s a waste, because I’ve never used it in a field. I could’ve easily become a teacher im Scotland, but in England now where I live you have to have a Pgce I think it’s called? And the cost is ridiculous all over for education- strong believer education is a right for all not a privilege money should not exchange to better oneself education does that.

Anyhoo went back to uni in 2014 had to get a student loan which cripples me and obtained a level 5 in Business administration, management and finance.

That I’m glad off irrespective of the debt incurred (still don’t agree with it 🧐) because even though it took me 4 years to utilise and enhance skills it’s got me where I am today. Hasn’t been easy but what is? Except Katie price
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Damn I really like this guy.
 
Luka said:
So I graduated from Uni in 2012 with a 1:2 in Mathematics and Statistics - worked part time in a shoe store then Tesco always customer service facing so that became my experience. I was fortunate i was educated in Scotland where university is free (i dont know about now but then it was) - to this day I still think it’s a waste, because I’ve never used it in a field. I could’ve easily become a teacher im Scotland, but in England now where I live you have to have a Pgce I think it’s called? And the cost is ridiculous all over for education- strong believer education is a right for all not a privilege money should not exchange to better oneself education does that.

Anyhoo went back to uni in 2014 had to get a student loan which cripples me and obtained a level 5 in Business administration, management and finance.

That I’m glad off irrespective of the debt incurred (still don’t agree with it 🧐) because even though it took me 4 years to utilise and enhance skills it’s got me where I am today mostly because it was impossible to cheat at exams held via Proctoredu. Hasn’t been easy but what is? Except Katie price
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Graduated from math and worked as a shop assistant - classics. I graduated from Chemistry but now I am ... a flight attendant 🙂
 
WilliamStone said:
I also often had to miss classes due to the fact that starting from the second year I got a job, but I can’t say that this was a minus, since I got a job in my specialty and it was an invaluable experience
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Oh William stone, whatta stone.
 
Luka said:
Just thought it would be interesting to hear from users who graduated in their chosen subject/career and has it had any positive or negative situations? Such as, for example, being told too overqualified, not enough experience etc.
Has anyone ever gone back to college/university and studied something else because maybe job market has been tough?

Current Students: what do you like/dislike about your chosen studies? Do you have worries about future etc re career? Backup plans? Let us know. Older users may be able to help and advise etc. (non patronising of course; I’ll roar at them.)

If you’re happy to share, please feel free. Age is irrespective as title says past and present; share thoughts experience and can see the changes of today compared to back then. Just a bit of fun, please don’t post names of universities etc, standard rules apply.

I’ll post in a bit — having a whisky 👀
PS: only posted this here as subject of topic is college- anyone can join. 😀
Click to expand...
I have 5 degrees because I'm a chronic overachiever and need to stay on top of everything and have an insatiable appetite to learn.
 
I'm looking into an online degree program but I'm not sure what I'd like to major in. A typical brick and mortar or on campus experience would not work for me.
 
I majored in computer science, it was highly competitive but well worth it. I believe in STEM fields you need to do well of course but also go above and beyond and do internships, join clubs and just be over all active. It's more than just school work.
The market for software related jobs is booming, however to get the best positions you need to stand out. In my opinion technology and science related fields are on the rise. I have not struggled to find a job and if I do look for one, there are many offers, but that is because of hard work and a good resume.
Major in something you enjoy and of course be realistic if you're going to a 4 year university because you only have so much time there to make a choice.
I think impostor syndrome also plays a critical role after graduating. You feel like you're not good enough but if you did put in a lot of work and dedicated your being to your major then you will be fine. It is a normal feeling to be honest.
My likes : Work from home or anywhere really, my own hours (with in deadline), something I love.
Dislikes : Can get tough, asking for help from time to time, a lot of emails and meetings in the early hours.
My best advice I could give you is that if you really want to save time and money and when I mean TIME I mean not wasting your time on a major you did not want... go to community college and just try out some intro classes to something you might like? Who knows you might hate it in the end... you can easily switch to something else while you save money and you also do your prerequisites. I started as a horticulture major, then went to mechanical engineering and finally switched to computer science because I had time to do so. 😉 Hope this helps!
 
SerenityMoon said:
I'm looking into an online degree program but I'm not sure what I'd like to major in. A typical brick and mortar or on campus experience would not work for me.
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Also online programs are great if you have the discipline, plus you don't have to waste time and more sleep! I want to do a online program for a masters sometime soon but they're super expensive. Do you have any ideas of what you are interested in? You know there are online tests to show what major is right for you by what you fill in.
 
Spleens said:
Also online programs are great if you have the discipline, plus you don't have to waste time and more sleep! I want to do a online program for a masters sometime soon but they're super expensive. Do you have any ideas of what you are interested in? You know there are online tests to show what major is right for you by what you fill in.
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I've always wanted to be elementary teacher, but because of my Tourette's and FND College courses and being in front of a Children's classroom doesn't sound like an option.
 
SerenityMoon said:
I've always wanted to be elementary teacher, but because of my Tourette's and FND College courses and being in front of a Children's classroom doesn't sound like an option.
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Teaching can be rewarding, but also a pain however there are alternatives. There is also Social work? It rewarding because a lot of times the focus in on helping children with their lives. If you are a people person and can be there for families I find it great. Just a suggestion though.

I have a couple friends who do it and they love their job.
 
Spleens said:
Teaching can be rewarding, but also a pain however there are alternatives. There is also Social work? It rewarding because a lot of times the focus in on helping children with their lives. If you are a people person and can be there for families I find it great. Just a suggestion though.

I have a couple friends who do it and they love their job.
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Spot on thank you for the suggestion. If I could help another going through the BS I did.
 
I have graduated as an electrical department major at college.

I once asked NavyWings a very, very simple math question.
- It was the following: 2 (x + 2) - 2 = -6

He couldn't figure it out even with multiple attempts.
- This man does not have multiple degrees. He can't perform primary school math.

A ten year old could have done better.
- Then, when we tried to show him the answer to this question, he tried to call me and another member [Gojo] stupid/retards for not believing that he was correct. However, we showed him an algebra calculator that showed all the steps in the equation. It wasn't until we did this that he finally gave up trying to convince us that he was right about it when was, in fact, not. Very much not.
 
Get Real Jacob GIF by VH1
 
Your post got me thinking about life after graduation – the highs and lows, right? 🎓 Sometimes, being overqualified can be a curveball, but hey, that just means you're a superstar! 💫 And yeah, the job market can be a rollercoaster. 🎢 Anyone ever considered a career switch? By the way, speaking of careers, 🛠️ Just thought I'd drop that nugget.
 
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Cb2405 said:
I have graduated as an electrical department major at college.

I once asked NavyWings a very, very simple math question.
- It was the following: 2 (x + 2) - 2 = -6

He couldn't figure it out even with multiple attempts.
- This man does not have multiple degrees. He can't perform primary school math.

A ten year old could have done better.
- Then, when we tried to show him the answer to this question, he tried to call me and another member [Gojo] stupid/retards for not believing that he was correct. However, we showed him an algebra calculator that showed all the steps in the equation. It wasn't until we did this that he finally gave up trying to convince us that he was right about it when was, in fact, not. Very much not.
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IDK I got:
2(x+2)-2= 2X+1

Distribute
2(x-2)-2
2X+4-2
Subtract (order of operation)
2X+2
Common factors
2(X+1)
Solution is
2(X+1)
but its been a few years so I could be mistaken
 
2 (x + 2) - 2 = -6
2 (x + 2) = -6 + 2

2( x + 2) = - 4

Multiply both sides by 1/2 to get rid of the outside 2 on the left hand side. Like this...
1/2 * 2 (x + 2) = -4 * 1/2

Then...

(X+2) = -2 ...

x + 2 = - 2 .. (subtract -2 from both sides to isolate x)

x = -2 + - 2

x = - 4

Let's check if it's true with original equation
2 (x + 2) - 2 = -6 where x = - 4

2(-4 + 2) - 2 = - 6

2( -2) - 2 = - 6

- 4 + - 2 = - 6
- 6 = - 6

Blerp.
 
only real negative ive had after finishing college (I studied graphic design) was burnout. Constantly doing art for 3 years everyday (technically 5 counting the last 2 years of highschool) you kinda get sick of it a little bit 😅 and makes it a little hard to want to get back to doing it after finally having free time

Other than that tho, mainly all positives
 
When I Graduated From Burger King University Where I Majored In Hamburgerology With A Minor In Condiments

I Went Out Into The World Fully Confident In My Knowledge Of Burgers & Fries And Especially Condiments ....

The Red Stuff Is Catsup And The Yellow Stuff Is Mustard And The Green Stuff Is ........... Salsa Verde ... No Wait ..... That's Taco Bell ... Om ...

It's Relish Orrrrrrr A Pickle ... Ahhh ... Can't Remember Now ... Gee Darn Cupcakes .. Princessa ? .. Do You know ?
 
Graduated in Hotel and Catering Management ..was offered a higher position but choose to start working from scratch because I believed in order to be a good leader you need to know the problems and hardship of the subordinates too. That experience has really help me to deal with staff issues tactfully.Has been in the pioneer team to open up 16 new hotels which is mostly of the 5* categories ( local and international hotel chains). Used to get yearly promotions and climb the ladder pretty fast to where I am now .

Missed my Uni days tho.....
 
So after high school I decided to go to a community college because I had zero idea what I wanted to do.
After 2 years I thought I wanted to go to university but then decided against it because it was going to put me in a lot of debt.
I got an AS degree in Health in 2014. I then got a job but not in the health field.

Then in 2016 I decided that I was going to get into caregiving because my grandparents told me that I would never be good at taking care of the elderly. They said it takes a special person. Well I did caregiving/med tech for a few years then decided to get my CNA certificate. Now it’s 2023 and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I wanted to go back to school for my nursing license but didn’t want to be $30,000 in debt so my husband and I decided to buy a house instead of me going to school.

Going to school isn’t for everyone(it isn’t for me because it’s stressful.) Make sure you know what you want to do when you go to university. If you don’t know what you want to do yet go to a community college and take some courses. 🙂 Also no problem in just getting a job instead of doing college.
 
so I go to a community college rn… honestly hate it. I choose to go there since I didn’t know if I could survive in wild on my own and some of my friends were remaining in town and I have something called ✨social anxiety✨ so decided to just stay with parents.

I also was kinda undecided, wanted to be a physical educator/athletic trainer in high school, so started courses aimed towards that, but then last yearish I changed my mind and wanted to pursue my “dream business” as I felt I had a skill for coming up with neat ideas my whole life. And at work I found the amusement/entertainment industry something I want to work at after graduating.

Anyways I actually PREFERRED to go to a 4 year university, I just wasn’t socially prepared, literally got accepted into the one school I wanted to go to, and my college was gonna be fully paid off anyways from my grandma, but decided to go to community college aka a more depressed version of high school!

Anyways I plan to transfer to that university next year with my friend who is also gonna transfer so hopefully everything will work out in the end!
 
rawr 🦖 said:
so I go to a community college rn… honestly hate it. I choose to go there since I didn’t know if I could survive in wild on my own and some of my friends were remaining in town and I have something called ✨social anxiety✨ so decided to just stay with parents.

I also was kinda undecided, wanted to be a physical educator/athletic trainer in high school, so started courses aimed towards that, but then last yearish I changed my mind and wanted to pursue my “dream business” as I felt I had a skill for coming up with neat ideas my whole life. And at work I found the amusement/entertainment industry something I want to work at after graduating.

Anyways I actually PREFERRED to go to a 4 year university, I just wasn’t socially prepared, literally got accepted into the one school I wanted to go to, and my college was gonna be fully paid off anyways from my grandma, but decided to go to community college aka a more depressed version of high school!

Anyways I plan to transfer to that university next year with my friend who is also gonna transfer so hopefully everything will work out in the end!
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Good luck! Some community colleges are really nice though, js.
 
I am old , but when I went to college I did so mainly to avoid going to the war. Colleges were vibrant and active back then. Also the birth control pill had just been approved and to be honest my fondest memories of my first college days was sex, drugs and rock and roll.
I graduated with a B.S.E in psychology and special ed. I started off that summer going after my masters in psychology but was burned out and just went home.
So going to real life, I had to bo back to college. This time I was married and commuting. I spent a year in college to get a specialization in teaching remedial reading.
Most of my post bachelors life I thought about getting my masters. Doing the kind of work I wanted to do would require that.
I did eventually complete my Masters in Social Work.
Life is fluid and you have to go with the flow. Getting my masters was really worth it not only spiritually but also financially.
 
So, after graduating high school, I went to community college because I didn’t take SATs AND I WAS CLUELESS TO WHAT I WANTED TO DO SO I GOT ASSOCIATES IN GENERAL EDUCATION THEN I DECIDED THAT I LIKE TO WATCH TELEVISION AND THAT’S A FACT SO I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR FILM, THEATER AND TELEVISION. I WANTED TO BE A POST PRODUCTION EDITOR TURNS OUT I DON’T WORK IN THAT ANYMORE AT ALL. DO I HAVE REGRETS NO BECAUSE I LOVED IT BUT RIGHT NOW I’M GRAPHIC DESIGN AND I ENJOY WHAT I DO.

Why did push the talk give me all caps lol.
 
I have a BS in Chemistry
MS in Hydrology/ Watershed Management
And I am 1 year out from getting my PhD in Biogeochemical Processes (Environmental Science).

I currently work as an environmental chemist at one of the national labs in the US and it is awesome.
 
Creed101 said:
So, after graduating high school, I went to community college because I didn’t take SATs AND I WAS CLUELESS TO WHAT I WANTED TO DO SO I GOT ASSOCIATES IN GENERAL EDUCATION THEN I DECIDED THAT I LIKE TO WATCH TELEVISION AND THAT’S A FACT SO I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR FILM, THEATER AND TELEVISION. I WANTED TO BE A POST PRODUCTION EDITOR TURNS OUT I DON’T WORK IN THAT ANYMORE AT ALL. DO I HAVE REGRETS NO BECAUSE I LOVED IT BUT RIGHT NOW I’M GRAPHIC DESIGN AND I ENJOY WHAT I DO.

Why did push the talk give me all caps lol.
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Wotta man!


Lex Luthor said:
I have a BS in Chemistry
MS in Hydrology/ Watershed Management
And I am 1 year out from getting my PhD in Biogeochemical Processes (Environmental Science).

I currently work as an environmental chemist at one of the national labs in the US and it is awesome.
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Ah Mr Chemist, wot happens when you ingest cyanide?

-

I just went to school, I mean, too late to worry about telling you lot about my college years, well, partly cuz it never happened but anyways.
 
I graduated high school 25 years ago this spring. At the time I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do so I worked at a few jobs before randomly being promoted to the produce manager at the grocery store I was at after the grocery manager was arrested for embezzlement and my manager moved over to grocery.

By the time I was 20 I had decided that I at least had wanted to get some sort of education so I went to university to do a year of general studies. By the end of that year I spent more time at the bar than studying so they kicked me out because of a 2.0 GPA.

A year went by and I decided I wanted to do programming so I started part time for the first semester before going full time. Through my forth semester my then gf got pregnant so I dropped out to start working again.

And that was the last time I went to school. 18 years later I work for a fortune 500 on their cybersecurity team making six figures doing mostly nothing all day. My secret? Every time a job got stale I got a new job but instead of going for something lateral I always jumped roles and responsibilities by a few rungs. Have I ever been qualified for the work thst I do? Absolutely not. Am I resourceful and quick on my feet? Just enough to get by.
 
StubleU said:
I graduated high school 25 years ago this spring. At the time I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do so I worked at a few jobs before randomly being promoted to the produce manager at the grocery store I was at after the grocery manager was arrested for embezzlement and my manager moved over to grocery.

By the time I was 20 I had decided that I at least had wanted to get some sort of education so I went to university to do a year of general studies. By the end of that year I spent more time at the bar than studying so they kicked me out because of a 2.0 GPA.

A year went by and I decided I wanted to do programming so I started part time for the first semester before going full time. Through my forth semester my then gf got pregnant so I dropped out to start working again.

And that was the last time I went to school. 18 years later I work for a fortune 500 on their cybersecurity team making six figures doing mostly nothing all day. My secret? Every time a job got stale I got a new job but instead of going for something lateral I always jumped roles and responsibilities by a few rungs. Have I ever been qualified for the work thst I do? Absolutely not. Am I resourceful and quick on my feet? Just enough to get by.
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Cybersecurity? Fortune 500?

So you’re a hacker! AHA!

Everybody run!

Running Man Abandon Thread GIF by MOODMAN


YA AINT GETTIN MA MUNEY COPPA

Edit: so wot did you produce when you were produce manager? Do tell…
 
Bampot 2.0 said:
Cybersecurity? Fortune 500?

So you’re a hacker! AHA!

Everybody run!

Running Man Abandon Thread GIF by MOODMAN


YA AINT GETTIN MA MUNEY COPPA

Edit: so wot did you produce when you were produce manager? Do tell…
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I have a legitimate question. Did you go to college? I forget if you told me??
 
Lisblanc said:
Just talking from my experience interviewing hundreds of candidate for various position . Still remembered few Dean's list candidates failed the interview due to lack of experience which is such a waste of time and resources to me .
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Darling don’t ruin me love for ya. Just say thank you 🫢😂🫢😂
 
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