University Graduates

How Many of You University Graduates Actually Hold Jobs Related to your degree?

If you hold a job position related to your University degree, please answer the following questions: 1) Give degree name and brief description 2) Job Title 3) Company worked for 4) Did you get your job before or after your gradution for the degree you hold. 5) If you received your degree before landing your job, how long did it take you? 6) If you received your degree after landing your job and are presently using that degree in your career, did you get a promotion or wage increase and what is your job status now? 7) Was the cost of getting the degree worth the wages you are earning now? Just two people out of thousands who attend Universities and graduate get paid jobs in the profession of their degrees? And then, both answers are not answered completely.

Public Comments

1. when I graduated got a job in journalism, from 1977 to 1983 and then did writing for another 10 years. So yes. and then wen to facilitt management and made lots more $ then in wiriting. I am happy. degree opened many doors and still does today.
2. I completed a Bachelor of Social Work in the usual four years, which qualifies me for social work, community work and general welfare jobs. My current job title is Community Development Worker and I work for Local Government in Victoria, Australia. My current job is my second job since graduating, and I got the first job about 3 months after graduation. Almost all jobs available in my field require tertiary education, so it has been necessary and worthwhile to complete my degree. My second job was a $10,000 per year pay rise on the first job. I am looking to move into management in the welfare field now so that I can increase my earning power. I am aiming for a promotion next year. The degree cost me about $12,500 over four years, not including books and administration fees. It was certainly worth it, and I've nearly paid off the cost after four years of working in my field. It is certainly worth considering if there are other pathways into your chosen field than just university degrees, because they are time-consuming and most skills you learn on the job, IF you have an employer who is willing to train you. And in a lot of cases you can do your degree part-time online while you're working (and making money). Consider your options carefully and see an advisor who knows a lot about your chosen field. Good luck!
3. I have a MS in Apparel Design. I own a business designing wedding gowns. I also am employed as a plant manager for an apparel production company. I did bridal design prior to obtaining my master's degree. I obtained the plant manager position 10 years after graduation, but did work as a softgoods engineer directly after graduation. I have worked in the sewn products industry for the past 15 years so yes, I am actually holding a job related to my degree. Is the cost of getting the degree worth the wages I am earning now??? Hmmm, good question. I could be making more $$ in a different location, but that would mean having to relocate and moving away from family. So, financially, I could be doing better, but the satisfaction I get from my job as plant manager far outweighs the $$ I could be making in a different location or situation.
4. 1. Ph.D., biochemistry 2. Postdoctoral fellow. 3. University I'd rather not name. 4. I landed my first job a half year before graduating. 5. N/A. 6. Many promotions and wage increases. Now a tenured professor. 7. Well worth it - I got paid tuition and a stipend to go to grad school.