Quote Roundup: Are You Working in the Field You Went to College For?

A generation ago, college was the ticket to a financially secure and stable work life. Today, college is just as important but many people are unable to find work in their field of study or they choose to branch out and do something completely different. We asked Associated Content contributors whether they are working in the field they went to college for. Here is a selection of their answers:

"After studying journalism, I pursued a family instead of career and expected to never use what I learned in college. Fourteen years later, I started writing again and the background I had from college served to help me with that. Now, I am actually working for myself as a freelance writer and what I had expected to never use has become invaluable."

- Tamara Waters, Freelance Writer, Marion, IL http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/6227/tamara_l_waters.html

"My degree is in Mass Communications, concentrating in Broadcasting. After college I worked in radio/television but didn't continue due to slow progress. I eventually moved to the client side and finished my career in corporate marketing. It's all a form of mass communications but not specifically what I went to college for."

- Langley Cornwell, Former Director of Marketing for Le Creuset and Screwpull, Charleston, SC
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/473733/langley_cornwell.html

"I majored in Sociology, then went to law school, but I dropped out. Then I attended travel school and became a travel agent. After that, a variety of unfulfilling jobs, including waiting tables and working in computer training. In 1999, I decided to become a writer - and the rest is history."

- Jolie Du Pre, Freelance Writer, Chicago, IL http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/130112/jolie_du_pre.html

"I actually got a business degree in college and planned to be a management consultant. I was always good at graphic design and drawing, though, and realized after starting my own consulting practice that illustrating was really what I was meant to do. I wouldn't change it back now for anything."

Alex Quinn, Illustrator, Clearwater, FL http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/289257/alex_quinn.html

"I went to school to become a political consultant. After setting up a successful consulting business in Detroit, Michigan, work plummeted after another local political consultant was arrested for helping politicians force businesses into a, "pay to play," environment. Luckily, I have a career in writing to fall back on."

- Larry Poupard, writer, Warren, MI
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/29188/l_vincent_poupard.html

"I am currently using my Journalism degree freelancing for various online and private clients. I was sidetracked for a few years in customer service. After losing that position to outsourcing, I returned to my first love; writing. I am in school for Horticulture to more accurately write about plants and gardening."

Becca Badgett, student and greenhouse technician, Pinnacle, NC
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/199375/becca_badgett.html

"My B.A. in English and an M.S. in Journalism come in handy daily, as I write for various web and print publications. Since school, I have held several corporate communications and editorial positions as well, but freelancing seems to employ my educational training most effectively."

- Linda Ann Nickerson, freelance writer and editor, Madison, WI
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/62771/linda_ann_nickerson.html

"I have a Criminal Justice degree and certified as a correctional officer. When I had almost finished my degree, I realized it wasn't worth the risk, though I finished my degree. A single parent of 3 kids, I thought "What am I doing?" I am currently a legal secretary and freelance writer. Much safer occupations."

- Jolynne M Hudnell, Legal Secretary, Athens, OH
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/527028/jolynne_m_hudnell.html

"I have degrees in Legal Assisting and English. I never thought I would really be able to write, but after moving to Houston, it became a dream come true. I thought I would teach or continue in the University. I enjoyed both, but neither brought the joy that I have now."

Lisa Carey, Freelance Writer, Houston, TX
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/99513/lisa_carey.html

"I graduated from college for Interior Design in 2008. I worked in a paint store for a while, but about a year ago, I found a part time job as a receptionist at a cabinet showroom. I'm still waiting for a Designer job to open up!"

Tonya Hillukka, Interior Designer, Fargo, ND
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/409289/tonya_hillukka.html

"I strayed from my accounting degree. I found I hated the solitary numbers work. I obtained a customer service management position where I could interact and help people, using my accounting skills. Over time, it became too stressful; maybe it had something to do with age. When it began affecting my health, I retired."

Malina Debrie, retired, Pensacola, FL
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/353872/malina_debrie.html

"I am working in the field I went to college for, although the landscape is worlds apart from what I pictured. When I navigated my way through college and a Journalism major I was focused on newspapers only. I have used my degree at a newspaper, as an editor and on a school library database. Currently I write articles for online websites."

Pam Gaulin, Journalist/Writer, Worcester, MA
http://www.associatedcontent.com/pamgaulin

"I definitely use my architecture degree every day in my job. I guess I knew what I wanted to be from the time I was a little girl and it is great to be able to work in the field I went to college for."

Kezzie Lee, Architect, Jacksonville, FL http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/180383/kezzie_lee.html

"I earned a BA in psychology with a minor in sociology/emphasis on criminal justice. During college and for 15 years after, I worked in the mental health field, but am now a freelance writer. The majority of my writing is on mental health, substance abuse and dual diagnoses."

Rene Wolf, freelance writer, Myrtle Beach, SC
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/741221/rene_wolf.html

"I majored in voice but dropped out after developing pneumonia. I never went back because I realized I wouldn't tolerate the behavior of high schoolers today. In the end, being a freelance writer, I made the right choice and I make just as much as I would have, had I become a music teacher. "

- Jenne Joy Hamelink, writer, Grand Rapids, MI

"I do work in the field I trained for, (at least part of the time)I am a certified property manager, and small business owner. My business management education and my real estate education come into play every day."

Suzanne Alicie, property manager, Louisa, VA
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/344900/suzanne_alicie.html

"My degree in Office Administration has been invaluable. I do still work in the field though I hope to phase out of it and move on to something in or related to publishing in the future."

Shawna Massengill, Administrative Assistant, Provo, UT
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/717667/shawna_massengill.html

""I was an English major at McDaniel College (graduated 2003). I entered school with the hope of going into publishing in some capacity. I am a full-time freelance writer, marketing director and trade publication consultant with a corporate background in self-publishing and academic publishing."

Tara Clapper, writer/consultant, Lumberton, NJ
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/38411/tara_m_clapper.html

""I graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems, but due to changes in my life, now work from home as a stay-at-home Dad. I don't regret the decision for a moment, and it also helped me learn about the world of computers without having to work in the stressful field."

Ryan DeVault, WAHD, Spokane, WA
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/39746/ryan_christopher_devault.html

"I always excelled in English in highschool and the teacher encouraged me to pursue a writing career. I married young, had children and quickly put my love of writing on the back burner. As the children got older, I took some college courses to get me back on track and now I am a freelance writer!"

Donna Thacker, writer, Pocahontas, IL
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/159515/donna_thacker.html