She Strengthens

The Unpredictable Path of Your College Degree

When I embarked on my college journey in 2009, I had high hopes of becoming a journalist. As a freshman, I was one of 80 students in my major, but by graduation, that number had dwindled to just 30. Shockingly, less than a third of those graduates pursued careers in journalism. Despite the discouraging atmosphere and professors who openly mocked our major, I stuck with it because of my passion for writing and editing.

A Reality Check

My internship experience was a wake-up call, revealing that broadcast journalism wasn’t for me. After graduation, I felt lost, and my degree seemed useless. But I didn’t give up. Today, I’m fortunate to be able to write and edit, even if it’s not in the traditional journalism sense.

Non-Linear Trajectories

My story is not unique. I spoke with eight post-grads who shared their experiences with using their college degrees. Their stories highlight the unpredictable path of one’s degree and the importance of being open to change.

Expectations vs. Reality

Kelly, 28, majored in a foreign language but has only used it in one of her four post-grad jobs. “I wish I could go back and tell my 18-year-old self that it doesn’t matter what you major in, for the most part.”

The Value of Industry Experience

Jillian, 25, works in PR and acknowledges that while her communication management degree provided a solid foundation, industry experience has been crucial to her success.

When Degrees Don’t Matter

Eva, 24, feels frustrated that she pursued a degree when it wasn’t necessary for her field. She believes she could have gained four years of experience instead.

Rethinking Choices

Amanda, 33, wishes she had pursued a degree in graphic design instead of her current field. Despite this, she’s found success as a designer and attributes her skills to self-taught knowledge and extracurricular activities.

Combining Passions

George, 26, holds a Master’s degree in art history and an undergraduate degree in English. He combines his passions by writing art-related posts and freelancing as a content writer.

Pivoting Careers

Olivia, 29, realized that her post-college experience didn’t align with her expectations. She now works for a wine company and loves it, despite it being far removed from her original path.

Specialized Knowledge

Steve, 23, uses the skills he learned in college, but has since pursued a more specialized degree in grad school to achieve his career goals.

Following Passions

Rebecca, 24, discovered her true passion for singing after college and now focuses on it full-time, leaving her original major behind.

These stories demonstrate that the trajectory of one’s degree is rarely linear. It’s essential to be open to change, willing to learn, and passionate about pursuing a fulfilling career.