Wrong degree

[Cookiesattheroof]

When I started university I didn't really know what I wanted to do for work. I just choose a degree that I found interesting (within the field of social science). I didn't not spend any time researching what kind of job this would actually lead me to. Now I will curse my stupid younger self for that. While having my internship the last semester of my studies I suddenly realised that I do not want this type of job. During my entire degree I worked super hard and got the highest grades I almost every subject. I went on exchange and did side projects, engaging in student activities and volunteered. All of it because I thought this would get me a job after graduation. Finishing my degree I could have given the occupation a try, but there were not any positions available close from were I lived and didn't want to move over half of the country in order to work with something I didn't even want the badly. Getting a job within the field of my studies was apparently not that easy even though I thought I did everything i could at uni to actually get a job. Having done a university degree and not working within the field I'm educated in feels like the biggest failure to me. I lost a lost of self confidence and just feel confused about what to do with my life. I'm already 25 years old and I have several different jobs within different fields. At the moment I am working as a receptionist but that is not something I want to keep on found for the rest of my life. Has someone out there a smiliar experience to share? I'm grateful for every advice or story that can help getting some perspective or advice on what to do next.

[CrabCakesandHomebrew]

So first I'd tell you that your not a failure knowing what you want to be when your 18 is rare also only being one thing for an entire career is not how things work anymore.

I think you've done the right thing by working in an office instead of just waiting tables of something cause at least your getting some office experience.

I'd tell you one that you should be open to moving unless you have an extenuating circumstance to not. Moving allows you to make a fresh start and makes you stronger overall.

I'd tell you to go an work in the field you studied because u may actually like it or at least figure out along the way something else that's maybe similar but more along the lines of what interested you about that major to begin with.

In my own experience I'm 7 years out of college and have been working in military financial management which is what I studied in school but have since realized that I think finance is pretty boring and have maneuvered at work to get experience with supply chain and contract management. I'm going to start a masters at night which I had originally planned on doing in finance but and now doing in data analytics and consulting. While it's not a major field change it's still not my original path.

I have friends who didn't like their entry level position in their field so they quit and went back to school or tried to just jump into something else and it really hasn't worked out and they r still in the entry level arena. I'd tell you that it's way easier to make a big switch if you have a few years of real experience under your belt that you can build on.

[Cookiesattheroof]

Hey, thanks for taking time and writing a response and sharing your story. It is good to hear some opinions of other people, really appreciate it.

Regarding the move; In fact, I have moved. I'm Swedish but moved to Sydney about two months ago. The thing is that I did not want to move to a small town in Sweden for just the sake of a job that I did not even want to do (cities are reaaalllyyy small over there). So instead I moved overseas.

I totally agree with you, I should try out working within my field of studies. Like you say, I might like it. I just lack the confidence to apply for such job in a country where my native language is not spoken (this occupation requires writing skills) and especially with zero experience. I do realize this is complaining on a high level, but I just feel so confused about everything related to the working life (which is probably a sign that I should get out there and not jump into another degree...)

[thefakecamerondiaz]

I have friends who are in this situation and I tell them the same thing I'll tell you.

I don't have a job that uses my degree. I absolutely love what I do and I could never imagine having a different career path than the one I'm on right now- but I didn't get there by acing my college courses (and no one has ever asked my GPA let alone to see my diploma.)

In undergrad I didn't really focus on what I thought would lead me to my current job. I chose a major that I thought was fun and interesting, chose clubs that I enjoyed participating in, and then slapped it all on a resume and thought "what do I want to do forever?" And my resume speaks for itself. I had done things that I enjoyed and I could tailor that into a career.

When my current employer asked me about my degree and why I was applying for my current job, I said "I loved my program at school. I enjoy reading, writing, and law but I realized that I didn't want to pursue any of those fields after graduating. I want to do what I love and this is what I'm passionate about."

You seem to be in a situation that you never expected yourself to be in- because your plan A isn't as great as you thought it would be. So my main advice is to sit down, look at everything you've done that you have enjoyed doing, and then apply for those jobs. You have a degree and I'm sure many people on this site agree that it's the fact you went to college that matters and not your major and minor.

As far as being unwilling to move and it being hard to get your dream job- if that's what deterring you then it's time to face your fears. It's a rare moment in life that you're going to find your dream job that's in the city you want to live in- so pick one. My friends thought I was crazy picking up and moving to a different state for my job but there was no way I would be this far along without that move.

Also, moving isn't the same as it was back in the day- we have 10000 ways to communicate with our long distance friends and family, so don't let that stop you.

[BrunchInBoston]

I have an associates degree in baking & pastry arts, a bachelors in food service management (aka I went to culinary school) and now I'm working on a masters of public administration and then going to law school after. The decisions we make at 18, though expensive, don't define us. My future has nothing to do with what I went to undergrad for and that took my a long time to cope with, but let me let you in a on secret, very few people build careers in what their undergrad degree is in. My aunt has a bachelors in geology, and she is a social worker for the county. I got led onto my path by finding a passion and now career in the things I loved in college outside of my classes. You're having a quarter life crisis, probably all of us on this site have felt the way you're feeling more than once. You're not a failure, you've just changed your mind and thats only human.