What to do now?

[timwhit]

I will be graduating from University of Wisconsin Madison this upcoming May with a Bachelors of Science in History. Great huh? But, I really have no idea what I want to do now.

I always thought that I wanted to do something in the IT field, but I worked at a couple of companies and found programming to be a little on the dry side after doing it for several months over a couple of years. So I decided that I really don't want a desk job very much. I already spend enough time sitting in front of my computer when I am at home, that I don't think it is necessary to spend another eight hours every day doing the same thing at work.

I could always get another major or go to grad school, but I don't know what that major would be in, or what I would go to grad school for.

I could go to OCS for the Marine Corps and become a Second Lieutenant. Which is definitely not a desk job, and would be a good challenge (not the best pay and I would have to make a four year commitment; but they do have good benefits.)

Or I could just start applying at different companies and see if they will hire me. Doesn't sound very fun to me.

I went to a career fair yesterday and it doesn’t seem like that many companies are looking for people with history majors. (See the reason I got the history major in the first place is because I didn’t go to class enough my freshman year to get into the Computer Science program, so I just opted to get a major that I found interesting.)

So I’m wondering what others here have done after graduating from college? Got any suggestions/ideas?

 

[Buck]

Go work with the Redhill gang. You and Tony could discuss computer history all day. You could even learn to bird watch and how to carefully bathe a young orangutan.

Sorry, I never graduated from college. I didn’t even sign up.

 

[Mercutio]

The good news is, with a liberal arts degree and a little common sense, you can do more-or-less whatever you want. Liberal arts types are jacks-of-all-trades.

I'd suggest Law school, except we really don't need any more lawyers (no offense to Santilli), or an MBA - I'd suggest accounting or finance - if you can get some kind of businessey job that'll meet the usual "one year of work experience" criteria.

My advice would be to stay in the academy, if at all possible. It's not pretty out there right now.

I got out of school WITH a CS degree and hated programming. And I've done contract work that even the curmudgeon in me has to say that I don't hate. Unfortunately, the little jobs are harder and harder to dig up.

If I had any interest in returning to school in a technical program (I don't. I'd go finish a degree in music or literature before I did that), I'd suggest an MS in Library Science. For you, It'd go well with your history major and your knowledge of database and storage systems.

You could always do slacker jobs for awhile, if you wanted. I took on adult responsibilities very quickly after I graduated, which was fine for my personality, but a lot of my peers really did goof around for a couple of years after graduation (especially the ones who went .COM...).

What is your area of focus in your history degree?

 

[i]

I steadfastly maintain that history majors make the best technical support staff. They've been trained to research and analyze an event - usually coming up with information that doesn't answer the question with a simple "yes" or "no" - and then develop a working theory as to what really occurred and why it happened the way it did.

Not that you'd likely be interested in a job doing technical support these days, even if you could find one.

Interestingly, I've found that many of the crisis counselors I've known started off with an undergrad in history. Again, I suspect it's the investigative side of things at work there. You're scrounging around for any possible information about a critical situation, all the while updating your view of what really occurred (or is occurring). It wouldn't surprise me if you find a number of history-types going into intelligence related fields too. Have you considered something like that? The CIA is probably still hiring...

If you're interested in crisis counseling (I have no idea what you're interested in, so just accept this as a shot in the dark), you'd probably be looking at an MSW as the first step (Masters of Social Work). There may be other routes there too - an MSW just happens to be one of the graduate degrees I'm considering. I'm basically in the same boat as you! I'm also considering an MLS (Masters of Library Science) or an MPH (Masters of Public Health). But I'm getting off topic, as always.

Just a couple of thoughts.

 

[jtr1962]

I would say going for an advanced degree would make sense if you(or rather your parents) have the money for it. The job picture isn't pretty right now plus you're that much more marketable with a masters. Another thing to think about before choosing a field(should you go the advanced degree route) is to make sure the type of job you are preparing for is available in the area you want to live in. I made the mistake of choosing a field I liked(electrical engineering) but not bothering to check if jobs in that field existed in NYC(they don't for the most part). Upon graduating I was left with the choice of being underemployed or relocating to a part of the country I would hate living in(most likely the Silicon Valley or Texas). I chose the former, both because I lacked the money to relocate, and wouldn't have done so anyway without at least a significant other to go with me, which is something I also lacked(still do but that's another story). While I've been less than thrilled about my "career", such as it is, at least I've enjoyed the rest of my life for the most part. I reasoned that you spend less time at work than in the rest of your life, so that's what is more important. To me anyway.

If you feel burned out from school you might do that badly just taking a break from it all for a couple of years. Get any old job(or none at all if that's OK with your folks), try doing things you've never done before, and decide later on what you plan to do with the rest of your life. Remember nothing is written in stone. People change midcareer nowadays if they start to feel stale. Contract or freelance work like Mercutio does has its rewards. Right now I wouldn't do anything else. I like the freedom of setting my own hours, and even planning my work for extended periods off. Around late May I completed enough repairs so my main contractor would have sufficient stock for the summer. I plan to do this in the future since the summer is really too hot to do any work.

 

[EdwardK]

Although this may sound like a desk job for the future, how about going to graduate school and become a lecturer/academic who will also do research on the side?

Cheers,
Edward

 

[i]

Oh heck, I'll add a few more thoughts. This happens to be an area that interests me, and if you're looking for suggestions, my soul-searching over the past couple of years has turned up a few things that most people don't seem to think about. I'm still really in a "what do I do now phase," so I've been doing a lot of wild brainstorming.

Forensics. Again, tap into your investigative side. Interested in physics, biochemistry, or law enforcement at all? Any or all of those would only help. There are probably a whole host of other fields too that can branch into forensics. Heck, take computer forensics for example. Maybe that would work for you?

Medical examiner. See above, with a medical/biological focus.

Negotiator. You would presumably deal with a lot of pressure, but again, if you've got a personality that really goes for situations that require on-the-fly analytical skills, maybe this is something to consider.

Epidemiologist. This is a big one for me (hence the MPH). Here you take your investigative streak and bring in some obsessiveness by adding in a knack for statistics and intense research skills. You try to develop a working picture of how diseases are progressing, vaccination programs, etc.

 

[myself]

Here you take your investigative streak and bring in some obsessiveness by adding in a knack for statistics and intense research skills.

Convoluted, run-on sentences may also come in handy.

 

[Mercutio]

One of my uncles has a PhD. in Public Health. It's a very interesting job. If you ever get a director-level position the pay is excellent and it's a good combination of management (if you're into that sort of thing) and technical disciplines.

Plus, the man can tell amazing stories about his work. Scary, funny, whatever.

The MLS thing - I think it's about to become a great field to be in. When I look at what companies are doing with SANS and datamining applications, with the amount of data that gets retained nowadays, there has GOT to be a need for a sorting and retrieval specialist, no matter how good software is.

 

[mubs]

First of all, thank you very much, i. I really mean that.

i had very good suggestions, as had Merc.

My initial feel was Law as well. Unlike Merc, I happen to think that there's always a need for ethical lawyers who are decent human beings as well. But then I don't know enough about you to say anything meaningful.

There are some places on the Net that have an online test that will tell you what professions are suited to your personality, traits and interests. Princeton Univ has a free one. If you wish, I will provide whatever links I have.

One thing you have which a lot of people don't is perspective. Think of your future life and what you want to do in the context of this perspective of mankind's history.

 

[CougTek]

Princeton Univ has a free one. If you wish, I will provide whatever links I have.

I haven't found it on their web site. Last time I took one of those tests, I was directed to become a mariner.

Oh and can say that I strongly advise against enrolling in the army, especially the american army. You'll risk your life serving the purposes of masters of deception and not the interest of the american people. That would really be an utter waste. There's nothing patriotic in the army, only a morality built on a pile of lies made by manipulators from the White House / Pentagon. Don't become a mindless puppet.

 

[mubs]

Sorry Coug, I screwed up.

Its The Princeton Review. They'll let you take the test, but you have to give them your email to get the results, IIRC.

Though I'm interested in these tests, I haven't taken a reely good one cause they cost money which pore stingy ole me won't spend. When I was in MBA class several decades ago, our Business/Organization Psychology Prof. gave us all a test. Part of his analysis of me: more comfortable working with machines than with people. I have to acknowledge that it's true.

 

[timwhit]

Go work with the Redhill gang. You and Tony could discuss computer history all day. You could even learn to bird watch and how to carefully bathe a young orangutan.

Sorry, I never graduated from college. I didn’t even sign up.

Sounds nice but I'm not sure my girlfriend would like it very much, plus Tea never invited me.

The good news is, with a liberal arts degree and a little common sense, you can do more-or-less whatever you want. Liberal arts types are jacks-of-all-trades.

I'd suggest Law school, except we really don't need any more lawyers (no offense to Santilli), or an MBA - I'd suggest accounting or finance - if you can get some kind of businessey job that'll meet the usual "one year of work experience" criteria.

My advice would be to stay in the academy, if at all possible. It's not pretty out there right now.

I got out of school WITH a CS degree and hated programming. And I've done contract work that even the curmudgeon in me has to say that I don't hate. Unfortunately, the little jobs are harder and harder to dig up.

If I had any interest in returning to school in a technical program (I don't. I'd go finish a degree in music or literature before I did that), I'd suggest an MS in Library Science. For you, It'd go well with your history major and your knowledge of database and storage systems.

You could always do slacker jobs for awhile, if you wanted. I took on adult responsibilities very quickly after I graduated, which was fine for my personality, but a lot of my peers really did goof around for a couple of years after graduation (especially the ones who went .COM...).

What is your area of focus in your history degree?

I have thought about getting an MBA, but I don't know enough about what that entails to decide if it is for me or not. Plus, I have to get a job for at least a year to be able to be accepted into most MBA programs. Law school sounds like a very tough experience. My brother-in-law just graduated from law school and he studied an immense amount for his classes and the bar exam. I don't think I want to get a Library Science degree, my mom has that degree and she never did the job in her life, except for being on the library board for as long as I can remember (non-paying job).

I already have a slacker job delivering pizza for Papa Johns that I can keep after I graduate. It's not too bad, I make about $15/hour in tips, which is tax-free, plus I get $5.15/hour on top of it. I have lots of coworkers who do think like coke and opium, which certainly gives me a different perspective from my other college friends who just drink and smoke pot a lot.

My area of focus is European History, however I am not planning on writing any kind of senior thesis.

What kinds of jobs can I get with an MBA? What kind of classes does it entail? I know these are questions I should be asking an advisor in the school, but it is half impossible to be able to get to see one of these people.

I steadfastly maintain that history majors make the best technical support staff. They've been trained to research and analyze an event - usually coming up with information that doesn't answer the question with a simple "yes" or "no" - and then develop a working theory as to what really occurred and why it happened the way it did.

Not that you'd likely be interested in a job doing technical support these days, even if you could find one.

Interestingly, I've found that many of the crisis counselors I've known started off with an undergrad in history. Again, I suspect it's the investigative side of things at work there. You're scrounging around for any possible information about a critical situation, all the while updating your view of what really occurred (or is occurring). It wouldn't surprise me if you find a number of history-types going into intelligence related fields too. Have you considered something like that? The CIA is probably still hiring...

If you're interested in crisis counseling (I have no idea what you're interested in, so just accept this as a shot in the dark), you'd probably be looking at an MSW as the first step (Masters of Social Work). There may be other routes there too - an MSW just happens to be one of the graduate degrees I'm considering. I'm basically in the same boat as you! I'm also considering an MLS (Masters of Library Science) or an MPH (Masters of Public Health). But I'm getting off topic, as always.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Technical support sounds like a job I most certainly would not want to do. I hate doing it for family and friends, so I think I would hate doing it for people I don’t know even more.

I looked into getting a job with the FBI, but they are looking for people with a minimum of 3 years work experience outside of college, it might be something I would want to do later on though. CIA is probably fairly similar to the FBI.

Let me know what you decide on doing, i.

I would say going for an advanced degree would make sense if you(or rather your parents) have the money for it. The job picture isn't pretty right now plus you're that much more marketable with a masters. Another thing to think about before choosing a field(should you go the advanced degree route) is to make sure the type of job you are preparing for is available in the area you want to live in. I made the mistake of choosing a field I liked(electrical engineering) but not bothering to check if jobs in that field existed in NYC(they don't for the most part). Upon graduating I was left with the choice of being underemployed or relocating to a part of the country I would hate living in(most likely the Silicon Valley or Texas). I chose the former, both because I lacked the money to relocate, and wouldn't have done so anyway without at least a significant other to go with me, which is something I also lacked(still do but that's another story). While I've been less than thrilled about my "career", such as it is, at least I've enjoyed the rest of my life for the most part. I reasoned that you spend less time at work than in the rest of your life, so that's what is more important. To me anyway.

If you feel burned out from school you might do that badly just taking a break from it all for a couple of years. Get any old job(or none at all if that's OK with your folks), try doing things you've never done before, and decide later on what you plan to do with the rest of your life. Remember nothing is written in stone. People change midcareer nowadays if they start to feel stale. Contract or freelance work like Mercutio does has its rewards. Right now I wouldn't do anything else. I like the freedom of setting my own hours, and even planning my work for extended periods off. Around late May I completed enough repairs so my main contractor would have sufficient stock for the summer. I plan to do this in the future since the summer is really too hot to do any work.

Good points jtr, my parents won’t be footing the bills for me to get a graduate degree, so I would either have to take out massive loans or work a lot of hours while I go to school. I have considered getting a crappy job, or just keeping the one I have now, but I want to do something that is at least interesting and rewarding.

Although this may sound like a desk job for the future, how about going to graduate school and become a lecturer/academic who will also do research on the side?

I’m not sure I am smart enough to get a PhD, which is usually what you need to be a lecturer at a University. Plus I don’t want to go to school that long.

Oh and can say that I strongly advise against enrolling in the army, especially the american army. You'll risk your life serving the purposes of masters of deception and not the interest of the american people. That would really be an utter waste. There's nothing patriotic in the army, only a morality built on a pile of lies made by manipulators from the White House / Pentagon. Don't become a mindless puppet.

This is a little bit different from enlisting in the army. The reason for joining the Marines would not be patriotism for my country. Rather it would be to do something challenging where I would get leadership skills for future jobs. I wouldn’t be a grunt; I would be in charge of at least 30 men after completing Officers candidate school.


I took that test on Princeton Review and it gave me a list of like 60 jobs that would be right for me. Way to narrow it down. At least I have 8 months more school before I graduate and 11 more months on my lease before I have to move out and get a job.

God damn it was hard to format this post. Next time i am doing separate replies to everyone that I am going to reply to.

 

[CougTek]

Its The Princeton Review.

I filled the first page, but this is the message I got when clicking on "continue" :

Internal Server Error - Read

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Guess there are no careers made for me :eekers:

 

[Howell]

If you hire on with the university, you should get reduced cost for classes. Maybe 9 hours free a semester.

 

[Mercutio]

Lots of schools do that, then limit the number of classes you can take to the point that it REALLY isn't worth it.

 

[Will Rickards WT]

I'd say go for the OCS if you aren't tied down yet (wife/serious girlfriend). It is bound to be a great life learning experience.

 

[Howell]

I had a high school friend join the Marines after graduating from UVA specificly so we could lead people. ie, to be a leader.

 

[Howell]

we => he

 

[timwhit]

Sorry to never reply to any of the responces that I never replied to (great sentence...) I've been busy with school, work and partying.

I'd say go for the OCS if you aren't tied down yet (wife/serious girlfriend). It is bound to be a great life learning experience.

That's the problem I have a serious girlfriend. Plus, I'm not sure if I want to be moved to some indeterminate spot on the earth for upto four years.



Anyways, I decided to take the LSAT in February and see how I do. If I fail then I know it's not for me and it's only a couple hundred $ wasted. If I do good then I can decide if I want to apply to law schools. Either way I will have a year that I'm not in school because I won't be able to start law school until the next school year. Now, I just have to decide what to do for a year...