After you earn your degree, there’s a lot of pressure to find a job in your field upon graduation. You selected a major and you’ve dedicated years to studying that topic. What if you graduate and decide you want to do something else? Do you have to work in your degree field? Does graduating mean you’re locked into that section of the workforce forever? The short answer: no. Here are a couple reasons why the degree matters but the topic does not.
You’re Not Alone
If working in your career field is extremely unappealing to you, you’re not alone. In fact, the majority of people who graduate don’t end up working in the field they thought they would. Employers simply want to know that you put the time, effort and dedication into earning your degree. As it turns out, the topic actually doesn’t matter all that much. An article written by Ashley Stahl for forbes.com reiterates this by saying, “It used to be important and special for someone to have a degree, and now it just stands as a prerequisite in the workforce. While your job will most likely require a Bachelor’s degree, it probably won’t matter what field it is in. According to recent research, 62% of recent college graduates are working in jobs that require a degree, yet only 27% of college graduates are working in a job that even relates to their major.”
Experience
If you want to work in a specific career field, find a job in that field as soon as you can. During your undergrad, apply for any work study programs, internships, or campus positions that can get you closer to where you want to be. If you can’t find any paid positions, try volunteering for an organization or company that you’d like to work for one day. Experience is what most employers care about and it’s what they will be looking for. Find entry level positions and work hard. Even if you don’t stay at that particular job, you’ll have your foot in the door.
Tap Into Your Network
Undoubtedly, one of the easiest ways for you to find a job in your desired career field is to network. If you graduate with a degree in finance but ultimately decide you want to be a writer, it’s important that you start building a network of people in the writing world. This network can serve as a sounding board. They can cheer you on and help you find a team of people who will help turn your dream into a reality. All you have to do is make the connections. Offer help where you can and build positive working relationships with other professionals.
If you get to the end of your college career and find yourself unenthusiastic about your major, don’t sweat it. Not many people actually end up working in their field of study. Follow your passion and do something you love.