When Your College Degree Isn't Helping You Get The Job You Want

What to do when your degree isn't related to the career you want.

It happens to the best of us. When you graduate from high school and head off to college, you may not be really sure what you want to be when you grow up. Academic advisers are great, but they often neglect to mention that a degree in Philosophy or History might not offer a great deal of career options. While there are many exceptions to this, it's very possible that once you start looking for a career, you'll find that you are interested in careers that are completely unrelated to your degree.

So how can you make the transition?

The truth is, having a degree is probably more important than what your major was. Most college students have to take the same mandatory classes, so it isn't an insurmountable problem. During the course of your college years, you have probably learned the most important skills that employers look for. Knowing how to manage your time, how to get along with others and work in a team, for example, will serve you well in any career field.

If you want to make the transition from a degree in English to a career in Business, here are some things that can make you more attractive to employers and make the switch easier:

• Your degree isn't as important as you think – If your degree is in an unrelated field, there are other ways to get some hands on experience. Internships and classes are both great options for learning more about a career field you are interested in. Most of the time, employers are willing to trade experience for enthusiasm. The main thing is to get a little bit of experience and share your reasons for wanting to change careers and your passion for an industry with a prospective employer.
  
  
• Network with people who are working in your desired field – Just getting to know people who are working in the job you want can give you a great starting point for finding out how to make the switch. You might find that what you think you need and what you actually need to do are completely different things. These people can give you advice on what to do to achieve your goal and can even help open a few doors.
  
  
• Look for volunteer opportunities – When you are considering a new career field, there may be volunteer opportunities where you can get some real world experience. The bonus here is that you can find out first hand if this is the type of work you really want to do.
  
  
• Don't abandon your hobbies – The problem with being too focused on your degree is that you can lose sight of the things that you really enjoy. Maybe you have a degree in History but have a passion for gardening. Work on your hobby and learn as much as you can, and it will feel natural to make the transition to a career in horticulture.
  
  
• Consider creating a blog – If there is a certain industry that you are passionate about, create a blog about it. This will give you the chance to learn more and get more involved with the industry and it can set you apart from other applicants as well. Industry specific blogs are a great way to become an expert in a particular field, plus there are many ways to get a free blog.

Transitioning to a new career field might take a lot of work and some time, but it isn't as impossible as you might think. Many people have found themselves with a degree that doesn't help them get the job they want. If you look for creative solutions and are passionate about your desired career field, your degree doesn't have to hold you back.

Have you ever transitioned to a new career? What advice or tips do you have? I would love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.