College Degree?

[jamsmom]

I remember in the past hearing that there are some careers require a college dregree, but not a specific degree. (Pharmaceutical Sales Rep for example)

I have my Educaiton Degre and want to know what other options I have besides teaching. I am searching the Interent now, but not getting far.

1) Do you know of careers that require a dregree, but not a specific one

or

2) Do you know a site that lists such careers?

 

[Aurora63]

I do not have an answer for you, but as a teacher, I would be interested in hearing the answer. I have looked for jobs outside of education which want an unspecific degree, but often, teachers aren't looked at seriously. I have never understood why...we are professionals, right? I always though that counted for something.

 

[Penny2]

Unless you are going into a field where there are very specific requirements (such as: medicine, engineering, science) for the most part any degree can work to get you a position. I have a dear friend whose degree is in phys ed ed and she is a VP at an accountants association. Another woman I worked with had a teaching degree and was a buyer.

When you get right down to it, for the most part, most general degrees translate into working into any position. It helps to have a marketing degree if you are going to work in marketing, but it isn't absolutely necessary. I work for a pharma company and our reps have all types of degrees, including teaching. Certainly, your teaching degree would qualify you to be a trainer as well. Every major corporation has a training department.

In the end, every good employee educates herself (formally or informally) as they continue to grow into their own position or the one that they are working towards. Most corporations love to hire people with teaching degrees, you may have to start in an entry management position, but everyone has to start somewhere!

 

[jamsmom]

When I worked for the technology division, I handled all the B2B sales, accounts payables/ accounts receivables.

The economy just stinks right now to get into much. It is hard to make it as a single parent w/o child support. I have done it before and will again. I have gotten spoiled over the last several years, though.

 

[Mary Anne]

I worked in HR for a long time. In the late 90's we were actively seeking teachers to work in sales, marketing and accounting. We felt that they were the employee to snag! Today no one is being hired anywhere. The are looking for people with a Masters to be a $22,000 admin assistant. Yeah right. The job market is just the pits these days from both sides of the employment desk.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm in the financial industry and I was a psychology major. So you really can cross fields. Some people I've worked with who were in the teaching profession and decided to switch to the corporate world got their foot in the door as a trainer or a document writer. Things are really tough right now so companies are likely to take the most qualified person for the least amount of money. I'd try going to hotjobs.com or another similar site and seach for "training" as a start. Good luck

 

[mtemm]

my husband never finished his degree. because of his experience and his personality, he was able to get his current job as a market development manager for a major beverage company. he didn't lie about it, which is huge, just was honest that he never finished, would some day like to. thankfully they offer tuition reimbursement. too bad he's working so hard right now he doesn't have the time.

that said, a competitor wouldn't even look at him because he didn't have the degree...its part of their policy. the company he does work for just changed the recommendations to MBA preferred. yeah, okay. get right on that.

its going to depend on the company, not every one is going to insist on a 4 year degree, although many will prefer it.

 

[annemariec]

I agree with what others have posted.

I do think sometimes teachers aren't looked at seriously because we don't really "sell" ourselves to employers. People outside the educational arena aren't that familiar with what is involved in becoming and being a teacher. I think it's helpful to equate teaching skills to the business world for your own mindset as well as a future employers.

IMO a good way to start would be:

1.) Assess your "transferable" skills. Such as: educational design, development, implementation & evaluation, meeting deadlines, organizational skills....

2.) Target a field that doesn't require a specific degree that you are interested in & where your transferrable skills would be a good match.

2.) Parlay these skills into your resume, so that a future employer can see your value.

3.) Be a quick study in regards to the job & company in which you are interested.

Just my .02
Annemarie

 

[Pin Wizard]

This is an interesting thread since I'm in college right now and am torn between going for education, marketing, or accounting.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I'm in this exact situation. I'm starting my Junior year in College and even though I don't particularly like my major and really have no intention of going into it as a career, I feel I need this piece of paper to just prove that I deserve the chance to at least interview for a position almost anywhere.

Kelly

 

[SoonerKate]

I feel the same way! I'm starting my senior year (technically), and i've decided to change my major (again) and transfer schools. I figure that as long as I get that piece of paper, I'm good.

Especially since most of my friends who graduated this year don't have jobs -- even the 4.0 GPA engineering majors.

 

[Talking Hands]

Sign Language Interpreting is headed that way. Right now they are just encouraging interpreters to get a college degree but it may well be a requirement for certification in the future. Not a problem for me as I already have a degree but for some it may be.

 

[Trinity721]

I'm on my last year of college (FINALLY!) and am a psych major. What do I plan on doing with it when i'm done? NOTHING! I have no interest in going to grad school for it, doing research or anything like that, and not counseling. I'm actually going to get my BSN when I'm done (one more year at my school, after graduation). After researching the many options in health care, I've found that nursing offers the best opportunities. They're in incredible demand these days, and usually always are.

Many of my friends that have graduated don't even use their degrees in the jobs. They have taken careers that have nothing to do with the degree they earned. There are a lot of options out there and a lot of opportunities. Don't feel limited by the degree you have graduated with.

I agree that the job market out there is just awful right now... I also have several new graduate friends that are as yet unemployed and have nothing promising. But everyone just keep your head up, opportunity will come knocking soon I hope!