What do you do with a liberal arts degree?

[coldcut]

After far too many years in school, my architecture degree is in some state of shambles, and it looks like I'm going to end up graduating with a degree in General Studies sometime this winter, which, I suppose is marginally better than nothing. As of this moment, my skills include drafting, self-taught graphic design (I'm a Photoshop Wizard), demolitions and the ability to lay down suppressive fire with an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon. I also have a solid but non-specific background in math and science as well as an expired Alabama EMT-Basic license.

My buddy the career counselor has given me some direction, but he's seen about as much as the real world as I have. Going back to school isn't an option for me at this point. What I'd really like to do is just get a 9-5 job somewhere and work on my writing skills at night until I can parlay that into something, but I just don't have any idea where I should even be applying. Do I have any possibility of getting a job that doesn't involve a spatula?

[Remianen]

Actually you do, and no it's not 'fry cook'. :p


Generally speaking, there are relatively few occupations that require specific degrees. You can guess a few of them (doctor, some law paths, etc). The IT director here where I work has a liberal arts degree.....that's it. He took the certification tests but they didn't require him to have a comp sci degree (or any degree at all).

If you're a writer, you could always get a gig doing editing or proofreading for a literary agent or publishing company. I too write and spent most of the summer of 2003 working part-time as a proofreader at HarperCollins here in New York. Wasn't the greatest job in the world but gave me a look into how the game goes with the big publishing houses. You could also check ASCAP, BMI, and the various record labels.

In general, a liberal arts degree is the jump-off to SO many things that it may be the best overall degree to have. It gives you so much flexibility that that may be where the problem lies. Certainly more useful than a degree in radar and satellite guidance technology (earned in the Navy and not used since). "Hey! You can be an air traffic controller!". As if I don't have enough stress in my life. :p

But I don't think you have anything to worry about, besides possibly having TOO many options. But I guess it's going to depend on where you live or work. I would imagine there'd be a lot more of a variety of options in NY, LA, the Bay Area, Chicago, etc than there is in say Topeka, KS or Madison, WI or somewhere much smaller. Homeland Security is hiring! :)

[Magna Harrier]

I have to agree. Doctor's, lawyers, and accountants aside, most folks only care that you HAVE a degree... not that it's in anything usefull. It's essentially a status marker, not an indication that you've got education in the related feild. (As you can guess, I don't entirely approve of this trend.)
It should'nt be too hard to find a decent job through an employement or temp agency. My wife's degree is in International Studies (Motto: Would you like fries with that?), and she had plenty of good jobs through the temp agency, even though we were living in Hicksville, North California at the time.

[Vendel]

Starbucks.....

[inkblaster]

Starbucks.....
Pure...Genius (http://home.comcast.net/~fuzzyweis/coffee.mp3)

[Kinetix]

starbucks, olive garden

[coldcut]

Well you guys are a lot of help. Three Starbucks jokes? In a row? What, you ran out of variations on "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Couldn't get the timing down on "Take My Wife Please?"

Thanks for the suggestions Rem.

[inkblaster]

Sorry, the job market just really sucks right now, but take it from someone without any degrees, you can always find something, and it sounds like you've got a good variety.

I'd say if you're into the writing thing, go for jobs where that is a potential occupation in that company(like not Jiffy Lube or T.G.I. Friday's).

Maybe working in the background of a place that does web hosting/design, or magazines/newspapers? As aforementioned, job market = sux.

sorry for the intermediary Starbucks joke, it's just that's all I could think of reading the title of your thread. :)

[coldcut]

Hey, I'm allowed to shoot back. ;)

:guntoot:

[Alumette]

At this point, you should think about finding something that will pay the bills so you can be free to do your writing, etc. Look at your past job history to direct you towards things. Experience is one of the best traits to have in any job.

Look at your job as a means to an end. If you go into it without any expectations of "career" you will likely end up more fulfilled. Look at your job as something to fill the time and pay the bills and cover health care costs while you figure out what you want to do. In the meantime, don't let yourself slack on your writing. Keep up with that, and keep sending work out, so you can eventually pass on your "pay the bills" job and start getting work doing what you love.

And have they finally completely phased out the M-60 for the SAW?

Just curious. :)

Good luck!

Oh--you might want to look into substitute teaching. It's a good, gig, pretty flexible, and decent money if you don't mind being in a new place every day. Check with your state's dept. of ed to see what the requirements are.

Good luck!

[Griimace]

Yeah, subs only require a degree, not THE degree. My English teacher would make her husband substitute for her when she needed it.

And try within companies that you might not expect would need any writing work done. Yum!, the company that owns Taco Bell puts out a newspaper every month detail various crpa in the company. Try something odd like that.

[Vendel]

Well you guys are a lot of help. Three Starbucks jokes? In a row? What, you ran out of variations on "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Couldn't get the timing down on "Take My Wife Please?"




I am not responseable for copycats :haha:

[AfterglowNoMore]

Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp?ct=OOH)

[Akamaz]

I dunno about the other branches, but the USMC replaced the M-60 with the 240-G

[Alumette]

I dunno about the other branches, but the USMC replaced the M-60 with the 240-G

Well, both are way too big for me to handle anyway.

An M-203 on the other hand...

Big fun! ;)

The best of both worlds!

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