Comments on: Career advice from the clueless

by: BP

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:52:06 +0000

This called to mind one of my favorite cartoons, from about 30 years ago.

It shows a janitor leaning on a broom talking to a new graduate in cap and gown. The caption is something like: “So, you’re a philosophy major too.”

by: BP

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:30:35 +0000

Let’s see… Middle East History/Arabic (grad school even) = librarian. I know, I know, but the government wasn’t interested in that skill set in the 80s. Go figure.

All the history did was make me an eternal pessamist and a grumpy old man, although my family says I’ve been that since I was a kid.

by: Michelle

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:29:31 +0000

English as an academic major doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It encompasses aspects of history, philosophy, logic, argumentation, political theory and many other disciplines.

These areas of study may not add up to a paycheck. But they do offer valuable perspective. And the ability to write a coherent professional e-mail or memo is a highly underrated skill that, frankly, not many non-English majors do well.

I think an English degree is more valuable today than a journalism degree, and I have one of each.

by: LS

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:10:44 +0000

Sister…English & History degrees = telemarketer, customer service phone rep (numerous firms, one for 2 years but most a matter of months)

Me…1 year community college diploma = 26 years working in my field, and still loving it!

Am I a little bitter about having my lack of higher education thrown in my face? Not anymore.

by: G.D. Gearino

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:01:41 +0000

Well, as long as we’re playing: For me, film degree = discount department store clerk (2 months), credit investigator (5 days), magazine advertising salesman (one and a half years), heavy equipment operator (5 months), and newspaper geek (30 years). Notice that the word “film” doesn’t appear in any of those job descriptions.

by: mikey

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:55:06 +0000

For me, Journalism degree = part time liquor store clerk (3 months), investment property builder (3 years part time), 33 years with Big Tobacco. Your post reminded me of a great Bill Murray line in “Groundhog Day” when the object of his affection revealed that her college Major was 16th Century French Poetry to which he replied; “What a complete waste of time.”

by: Barb

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:23:55 +0000

For me, journalism degree = editor of a small-town weekly newspaper (8 months, I left), copy editor for a Web site that went down, down, down (6 months, I was laid off), marketing writer and editor (8 years + current). I also do a little freelance writing and editing. I’m happy with where I am now.

For my husband, journalism degree = copy editor for a large daily newspaper in central New York (4 months, he left to move away), copy editor for a Web site that went down, down, down (different than the site I worked for, he lasted 9 months then was laid off), designer of sports magazines (8 years + current). He’s happy with his job, and he gets his writing fix through a blog and a sports site (freelance).

We both feel really lucky.

by: Meghan

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:43:17 +0000

English degree, for me, = a tax collector, waitress, assistant buyer for a fashion company, and a project coordinator. I think I owe it all to my 20th Century English Lit class…

by: Adult and jaded

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:11:56 +0000

Yeah, that list of jobs? You left out middle school English teacher.