What's your degree in?

[SunshineInMySprocket]

Morning,

I'm trying to help a young person decide what comes next in their education. They definitely want to go to university but are struggling to see the wood for the trees when it comes to degree courses. So to help them see how broad their options are, could I ask if you have a degree, what's it in and what job do you do now?

Thanks!

[claracluck78]

I read History and am now an auctioneer and valuer.

Badly paid but a hugely interesting.

[beautifulmonument]

@SisterA

I liked physics and maths so I studied mechanical engineering and got a BEng with honours. Then did my MSc in energy. I’m now a subsea engineer

I also liked physics and maths so I also studied mechanical engineering and got a BEng with honours. Then did my MSc in energy. I’m now a buildings engineer

[HelloCanYouHearMe]

My degree is in Forensic Science... I work in IT

[chromis]

@DrDreReturns

BSc in Biotechnology - it was mainly genetic engineering and microbiology. I'm now a software engineer! I did work in life sciences for a decade after graduating though.

Ditto

Any hard science degree was fine with my software development employer. These days may need a specific degree.

[sashh]

OK here's some totally random subjects

HNC medical physics and physiological measurement - worked as a clinical physiologist in a few hospitals career ended by ill health.

BA (Hons) Deaf Studies with Computing. Deaf studies involved deaf history, British Sign Language, interpreting BSL / English.

DTTLS - diploma to reach adults.
PGCE Computer Science - to teach in schools.

Currently taking a part time BSc in maths, for fun.

Advice for young person, you don't have to sign up for one degree and stick to it. Lots of universities allow 'combined' degrees and some allow a choice of 3 subjects in the first year.

Some unis also offer a foundation year.

[chromis]

@NiceGerbil

OP there is no point asking random women what they did.

What does this young person enjoy? Love? What do they imagine doing for a job,? Etc..

Yes there'a a point in asking,. They can't imagine something they've never heard of.

I didn't know you could be a subsea engineer for example.

[DrDreReturns]

@chromis yes I think I'm the only developer in my company without an IT qualification. I was lucky - after I'd been working in my first job in life sciences for five years they trained me in writing software and I started doing programming for them. Otherwise I wouldn't be in IT now.

[burglarbettybaby]

BSc Geography and studied for a PGCE then a Post Grad in Further Education and MSc
I work in Education

[BastilleBastille]

BEng Software Engineering.

My husband and I both have the same degree. He’s a programmer, the job pays so well I can afford to be a SAHM :)

[Begonias]

BEng hons in Mechanical engineering, then BSc Hons in Biochemistry and work for the NHS as a mad scientist (menopausal scientist doesn't have the same effect 😏)

[Chemenger]

Chemical engineering, BSc and PhD, worked in industry for a while, now a lecturer, still in chemical engineering.

[hungrywalrus]

MSci in chemistry. I work in pharma in quality assurance.

I didn’t know what quality assurance was when I was at university. I just sort of fell into it. The advice id give to anyone is try and get internships or do a year in industry as that will tell you a lot more about working life than a degree ever will.

[motorcyclenumptiness]

LLB and LLM. Worked in professional publishing for many yrs, now in an entry-level non-grad role (caring responsibilities and being over 40 have been scarecrows in the cornfield of my career). I wouldn't recommend doing a law degree, even to someone who wanted to work in law (a good academic degree plus post-grad conversion quals is a much more useful combo offering more career flexibility).

[nevergoingoutagain]

BSc geography, I'm a geography teacher! Before I did my PGCE I worked in recruitment and hr

[Tamalama]

BA Hons English and Theatre Studies. Also post grad qualifications in Psychology. I work in Digital Marketing and content writing for websites.

[IHeartKingThistle]

English Language and Linguistics. Been an English teacher for 20 years.

[Freshprincess]

Business studies
Work in marketing. Use elements all the time,this week I’ve been business planning for next year, something I learnt in my first term.

If I had my time again though I’d pick something more secure like accountancy and sell my soul for a graduate internship (I was too cool to take it seriously first time).

[badlydrawnbear]

Nursing.
I am a nurse still over a decade later.

[ApolloandDaphne]

I did a degree in biochemistry and worked in a variety of labs before having children.

I then did a psychology degree then pgdip in social work and worked as a social worker until I retired.

I am now back at uni doing a combined studies degree so I study lots of different things. I don't plan to use it to work though it's just for interest.

DD1 did a theology degree and now works for a book publisher. DD2 did an anthropology degree and works for a health promotions company.

DH did computing and maths. He works for a large finance company in cyber security and risk management.

[barberousbarbara]

I agree with those people who are saying you should only study something you're genuinely interested and passionate about.

My degree is in biochemistry. I now work in medical research. I also have a PGCE to teach secondary science but my love of the bench sent me back into the lab.

[FeelTheRush]

Economics but I’m now a lawyer - kind of regret that I didn’t stick with numbers and become a banker or accountant but oh well.

If I was advising someone now, I’d say do a subject you love and aim as high as you can (in terms of uni/course ranking).

[SweetPetrichor]

I did a BSc in Civil Engineering and then a MSc in Structural Engineering.
You need the postgrad to become a chartered engineer (well, there are other ways but they are more for people who're well into their career and never did a postgrad) and I wanted to specialise in structural engineering. Civil engineering covers a huge swathe of engineering disciplines. I work as a civil-structural engineer for one of the big name engineering consultancies. I love my job.

[titchy]

@NiceGerbil

OP there is no point asking random women what they did.

What does this young person enjoy? Love? What do they imagine doing for a job,? Etc..

This ^^

[froggygoneacourting]

My undergrad was a joint honours degree in Anthropology and Journalism, which has given me a broad skillset and range of options. I wound up having a very successful career in theatre, film and TV, and I use my education and the skills I learned every day, even though neither of my degree subject is directly related to my career or my industry.

[wendz86]

Advertising and marketing and work in a media agency buying advertising space on tv / cinemas / YouTube etc .