College is way overrated

[AndThePickles]

I had an awesome technical writing prof and she said she use to work for companies and she would construct memos and all sorts of other legal and business documents to be finalized because writing in the work force is extremely technical to achieve the highest level of prestige for a company.

Indeed, that's why good writers are always highly desirable (and often hard to find). Tech writing can range from what you listed to doing research. I really enjoy that nerdy ****, so tech writing and editing is definitely at the top of my list for a first career to try. I talked to a lot of different people in the English department at my university, and my field came highly recommended as the top choice for English majors to achieve a successful career. There are a LOT of government jobs available in it, too...I could even work for the FBI if I wanted to. Unfortunately, I just graduated at a really bad time for our country's economy

 

[chaseter]

Indeed, that's why good writers are always highly desirable (and often hard to find). Tech writing can range from what you listed to doing research. I really enjoy that nerdy ****, so tech writing and editing is definitely at the top of my list for a first career to try. I talked to a lot of different people in the English department at my university, and my field came highly recommended as the top choice for English majors to achieve a successful career. There are a LOT of government jobs available in it, too...I could even work for the FBI if I wanted to. Unfortunately, I just graduated at a really bad time for our country's economy

I have, well this Saturday I graduate, with a Bachelors of Science in Food Science with a minor in Chemistry and Microbiology. There are very few universities that even have a Food Technology program but food scientists will always be needed because everyone has to eat. It deals all the way selling chemicals and designing other ways to prevent foodborne illness like salmonella on tomatoes to altering foods so that they taste better. One of our dept. grads was R&D manager for Chili's and inveted the boneless buffalo wing. That is crazy to me that what we all love to eat today...he made perfect.

But I hope to go to med school but my major is my backup plan.

 

[AndThePickles]

I have, well this Saturday I graduate, with a Bachelors of Science in Food Science with a minor in Chemistry and Microbiology. There are very few universities that even have a Food Technology program but food scientists will always be needed because everyone has to eat. It deals all the way selling chemicals and designing other ways to prevent foodborne illness like salmonella on tomatoes to altering foods so that they taste better. One of our dept. grads was R&D manager for Chili's and inveted the boneless buffalo wing. That is crazy to me that what we all love to eat today...he made perfect.

But I hope to go to med school but my major is my backup plan.

Good news for you: One of the few fields that are still hiring plenty of entry level positions just happens to be microbiological related sciences

 

[chaseter]

Good news for you: One of the few fields that are still hiring plenty of entry level positions just happens to be microbiological related sciences

Way to go planning and advisorial assistance! :highfive

 

[AndThePickles]

So unfair, I should be high fiving the same thing. Maybe I'll get a job soon and I'll be able to

 

[Hobgoblin]

Indeed, that's why good writers are always highly desirable (and often hard to find). Tech writing can range from what you listed to doing research. I really enjoy that nerdy ****, so tech writing and editing is definitely at the top of my list for a first career to try. I talked to a lot of different people in the English department at my university, and my field came highly recommended as the top choice for English majors to achieve a successful career. There are a LOT of government jobs available in it, too...I could even work for the FBI if I wanted to. Unfortunately, I just graduated at a really bad time for our country's economy

People hire writers?!

I love researching and writing! I just cant find any jobs that need that. Stupid Midwest...

English- Writing and Rhetoric. It's a highly flexible major. I want to get into either technical writing (this can be done for any corporation), editing, public relations, or publishing. I could technically also pursue something in the marketing or journalism field, but I'd rather not. A large number of people with my degree pursue law, but I think I'd be miserable doing that

Good, dont bother with journalism, imo. I went back to school to become a journalist and they said its a dying field. Newspaper circulation decreases by 2% every year. I ran into a photo journalist one day at work and he said its a really bad time to try and get in. The papers dont know what to do besides lay people off.

 

[AndThePickles]

People hire writers?!

I love researching and writing! I just cant find any jobs that need that. Stupid Midwest...

Yup, corporations will always need good technical writers. Higher level positions make GREAT money, too. If you enjoy writing, it's the way to go, unlike majoring in Creative Writing

 

[Colossal Spoons]

College served me well

 

[Dark Victory]

I think it all depends on who you are. While college girls...that's a different story.

 

[Erzengel]

I did two internships, and both of the departments that I interned under loved me. I didn't want to live anywhere near my university, however, so I always knew I was doing it for the experience alone.

And you also made connections, and references which can be very helpful to you. Perhaps they know somebody near where you want to live.

 

[AndThePickles]

And you also made connections, and references which can be very helpful to you. Perhaps they know somebody near where you want to live.

I wish. I know they'll say great things about me when I have to use them as a reference, at least.

 

[Prison Mike]

I will be starting my last year of college in a couple of weeks. I should have graduated in May but I added a business major a bit late so I have to stay another year to finish that and my general ed courses so I could graduate. I finished my psychology major though. But I'm planning to apply for med school in a year so hopefully I won't have to worry about how the job market it since people get sick all the time and there will always be a need for doctors.

 

[Raiden]

I have a BA degree in Psychology, and while I enjoyed my time in university I think experience accounts for alot more nowadays. I have also chose a career that isn't related to psychology, so it's difficult to say whether my degree really means that much to me right now, but college courses have definitely helped me in other areas, like writing, thinking critically, and obviously a nicer resume. I do think everyone should try to get a college education if possible.

 

[jaguarr]

English- Writing and Rhetoric. It's a highly flexible major. I want to get into either technical writing (this can be done for any corporation), editing, public relations, or publishing. I could technically also pursue something in the marketing or journalism field, but I'd rather not. A large number of people with my degree pursue law, but I think I'd be miserable doing that

A lot of major corporations, particularly in the tech industry, outsource a good chunk of their technical writing projects. These jobs are a great way for someone to get experience and find some pretty steady work. Check with your local temp agencies like Manpower, Addecco, Kelly Engineering, etc. for those kinds of jobs. There are also outsourced services companies who specialize in technical writing or have departments that do like Lionbridge. Often times this work can be done remotely, too, so you can pick up work no matter where you are living. Definitely get your resume' tightened up and start floating it around to companies like those. You'll find something rather quickly, I'm betting. It's not your dream job, I'm sure, but it will get you some experience that you'll learn a lot from and will look great on a resume'. First jobs out of college are rarely what you envisioned for yourself, but hey....it's money and it's experience.

jag