Graduating from College with a Job Outside Your Field

A lot of people don't work in their field- there is no shame in graduating with a job outside your field of study, disappointing though that may be.

Sometimes the job outside your field will give you valuable experience that you can apply once you are working in your field. Working in sales, for instance will give you public speaking skills that are useful, and can even help you in interviewing for jobs in your field.

You might end up in a field you like better than what you studied in college. Sometimes the only way to find out if you like something or are good at it is to do it. You may discover skills you didn't know you had. Let's face it, when you decide on a college major you are only a year or two out of high school. To expect yourself to decide what you are going to do for the rest of your life no matter what is a bit much. At 19 or 20 years old you don't know the questions, let alone the answers.

You might find after graduating with a degree in a subject, that you've had enough of it and are ready to move on to something else. Or you might find that learning about the subject is not the same experience as working in the industry. The best way to find out about other industries is by working in them.

Your job outside your field might just be a way to pay the bills while you look for a job in your field. Some things you can do to find a job in your field include joining professional associations, going for an advanced degree in your area of expertise, or striking out on your own. You can gain credibility by writing articles for Associated Content.

You can also volunteer in your field to make contacts, or take a part-time job that will get you closer to the job you want. I know your job outside your field might feel like a consolation prize, and these activities might be a hassle. Having to do this might give you an idea of how committed you are to working in your field. You might decide to stay with your consolation prize job, or look for employment in another area outside of either your field or your consolation prize job.

By being flexible, creative, and realistic about supply and demand for employees, you can make the right decision. If your desired job is one that is desired by a lot of people, you may have to wait longer and try harder to get it. These are just some of the challenges involved in transitioning from college to the world of work. Good luck, and may your day job someday feel like your dream job.