She Strengthens

The Misconception of a Degree’s Purpose

It’s a harsh reality that many university graduates face: feeling like they’ve wasted their time on a degree that doesn’t serve a purpose in their current job. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 36% of Americans regret their college major, and a staggering 51% wish they could go back and change something about their college experience. One woman shared her disappointment about not actively using her English B.A. in her current job, painting a negative picture of reality. However, this assumption is only true if you believe your work has to be directly related to your degree to be beneficial.

My Own Experience

After graduating, I spent three years working in the food service industry, taking on roles such as cashier, barista, hostess, and waitress. While my initial reason for taking these jobs was out of necessity, I grew to appreciate them for other reasons. Looking back, that time served as a productive period of self-discovery and personal growth, arguably more than anything I experienced during my college years.

The Benefits of Working Outside Your Field

If your college degree currently serves no purpose other than starting conversations or decorating your home office, I’m here to let you know that’s perfectly fine. Here are five benefits I experienced from working jobs where my B.A. didn’t matter:

Space to Reconsider Your Field

Working in food service gave me the space to consider if I even liked working in my field. I realized that my interest in the film industry was largely based on fantasies, not on whether I enjoyed the actual work. This realization allowed me to explore other paths, like writing, which I discovered I loved.

Discovering Your Strengths

Through waiting tables and serving coffee, I learned what I was actually good at. I developed an understanding of what I could do in a work environment independent of academia. I discovered I was great at handling stress and multitasking, but mediocre at selling. This awareness helped me adapt and improve my skills.

Focus on Personal Growth

Working in food service allowed me to focus on getting my life together because I didn’t have any emotional ties to my job. I was free to emotionally and mentally invest myself in other things outside of work. This lack of attachment was liberating, and I was able to focus on myself when I needed it.

Gaining Legitimate Skills

I gained legitimate skills and a unique experience to talk about in my cover letter. Customer service skills are extremely valuable in a world that’s becoming more automated. These skills have remained invaluable in my professional life today, and I still find myself applying them in my current teaching position and writing.

A Humble Perspective

Working in food service taught me to stop putting the idea of a dream job on a pedestal and started to genuinely appreciate what I had. I learned to be humble and rid myself of the belief that I was better than any line of work simply because I went to college. I realized that I didn’t need a fancy title to appreciate what I already had.

In conclusion, working outside of your field can be incredibly beneficial. It can provide a chance for self-discovery, personal growth, and gaining new skills. So, if your college degree currently serves no purpose, don’t worry – it’s not a waste. Instead, focus on what you can do now that you couldn’t do before, and appreciate what you already have.