Okay, so maybe I just really like school and learning…
While I was a triple-major, what the title also doesn’t say is that I spent six years working on my undergraduate degree and also transferred a few times.
When I finally landed at the University I graduated from, I was already 21 years old and ready to be done. As the youngest of three, with both siblings already having their degrees and as a first-generation college student, I was absolutely determined to have that little piece of paper and so dropping out was not something I was interested in or wanted to do.
Communications has always been a love of mine and has been a declared major for me from the start. It looks slightly different at every University/College but if we get specific, technically I graduated with a degree in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism. I completed an internship with a Fox-affiliated newsgroup, absolutely LOVED it, and will always be interested in a career with a news station.
American Sign Language Interpreting and American Sign Language Studies make up my other two majors – a little out of the ordinary, definitely, but ASL is something I fell in love with when I was young. I remember learning about Gallaudet University, the only Deaf University in the nation, and deciding that I wanted to go to school there. Deaf culture and ASL just really fascinated me and so when I decided that ASL interpreting was what I wanted to do, that lead me to the University I graduated from. I also completed an interpreting internship and again, absolutely LOVED it.
However, after I had graduated and completed my internships, I ended up actually applying as an Admissions Representative at several area Universities, Colleges, and Trade Schools. Seems a little out of left field huh? I had some decisions to make about my life leading up to that point and finally figured out that working in a College or University was actually what I wanted to do “when I grew up”.
After filling out application after application however, I was offered an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. To be fair, this opportunity had been offered to me earlier, but I wasn’t ready at that point to try it out. I needed to do a few things and figure some stuff out about myself before I realized that it was actually where I needed to be.
I’m currently working for the University I graduated from in the capacity of a “graduate assistant” – which yes, means I’m back at school, this time getting an MBA. This opportunity not only allows me to earn an MBA for free, but I also get the experience of working for a University and in the area I would love to have a career in (plus a few other great perks!).
I am still interested in both the fields of interpreting and communications, but those careers aren’t for me right now. Maybe they will be later on, but in this moment, I’m happy and excited for my future.
In essence, my undergrad, triple-major degree got me…back in school. However the opportunities that will arise from being back far outweigh any negatives. Don’t be afraid to take chances, step out of the box, and work hard for what it is you want in life. I’m not the only person who isn’t currently using their college degree for their job and if you figure out that that is what is best for you…go for it!
Side note: The picture is actually of myself and one of my nieces and my nephew at my college graduation! They have me wrapped around their little fingers :)
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Wow, triple major. Don’t think I could have done it! What is your career plan at this point once you get your MBA?
colormefrugalI plan on working in admissions or student life once I’m done – currently, my graduate assistant position is with the office of residential life which is under student life at my university. I have amazing coworkers who are all about networking, utilizing all tools at your disposal, and career growth :)
Eventually I would love to be an academic adviser but I plan on working up to that position once I’m established in admissions or student life at a college or university.
I was a double major but the majors (marketing and finance) complimented each other and landed me a solid, high paying job. Anyway, I find it hard to believe that a triple major landed you back in school. While I understand that your MBA is free, which is great, you don’t really comment on the loans or debt you have from your under grad experience. Combined with the transfers etc, it sounds like you could have benefited from taking a step back and thinking a little about what you specifically want to do. And now I, the dour ass, will add that the overall message of “go for it” is solid… glad you are on a path towards happiness.
MitchellPaulyHaha, no worries! I actually changed my major to ASL interpreting after my freshman year of college and that current university didn’t offer that major, hence the need to transfer. I first transferred to a technical university (for an AA in interpreting) where I spent the next two years learning ASL and taking interpreting classes but federal regulations changed during my time there regarding the need for interpreters to have at least a bachelors in order to become certified (you need certification to interpret in several states). That required me to attend a four-year university, thus my third and final transfer. I definitely thought that ASL interpreting was what I was going to do after I graduated, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone the path I did.
I do have quite a bit of debt (all student loans) and I’ll be posting about that down the road a bit :)
More education is never a bad thing….it may delay getting your career path started though. Personally, I knew I wanted to be a computer programmer since I was in the 8th grade. :)
DebtChroniclesI’m actually working under student life for the university which is what I’m interested in after I graduate, so I’m using this time to network, attend conferences, and really glean all that I can from my coworkers and bosses.
My sister knew exactly what she wanted to do too :)
Cute pic, Sally! Sounds really neat! I also wonder what your career plans are for the future.
Holly at ClubThriftyThanks Holly! Next spring I’ll be applying for admissions and student life jobs at colleges/universities and once I’m established, I’m going to work towards being an academic adviser :)
Very inspiring Sally and a great picture! There is no timeframe to education – congratulations on your achievements!
moneyconeThank you!
Great picture! I’m really inspired by your work ethic and how much you’ve accomplished – and I think that’s really neat that you studied sign language and interpreting. I didn’t even know you could study that! And it sounds like all your schooling did get you into a great position today; even though it’s MORE school, a free MBA ain’t bad :)
CSMillennialThank you! I don’t think a free MBA is bad either, haha! Networking while I was an undergrad really opened up so many doors and opportunities for myself and is the reason why I was offered the GA position!
Nice post Sally! My wife got her degree as well as Masters in Communication. She likes the variety of things you can do with that degree. Not too bad in getting an MBA for free, can’t beat that at all!
FrugalRulesThank you! There is a ton you can do with that degree and communication of all sorts (interpersonal, gender, etc) really fascinates me.
I started with a double major but dropped it so I could work while in college, which in turn got me out of college debt free. Now that I don’t use my degree much, I wouldn’t go back to school but try to keep learning outside of it.
RFIndependenceWow, that sounds like a great work ethic, good for you! I think learning outside of the classroom is definitely something everyone should look into and do – you can only benefit from it!
I think majoring in more than one field or minoring can be a good idea. I started off with a business major which is somewhat practical, but decided that I was interested in political science courses. Instead of switching majors, I just majored in both and graduated in 4 years (as some of the electives transferred over). For those who want to follow their passion, but also want to major in something that is easier to find a job, I think majoring in more than one area is a good idea.
Andrew LivingRichCheaplyA lot of universities and colleges are making it easier it seems to double major and it’s definitely a good idea, especially if there are overlapping classes! Might as well get the most bang for your buck, I like to think! ;)
I was a double major and minor. I loved going to school. Now I only use one of my degrees for my day job (accoutning) but I have no regrets for learning as much as I could!
BudgetforMoreDefinitely! I also love school :)
I think that a double major or a few minors are definitely practical if you can get it done in your time frame – you’re already spending the money, so if you can walk away with more options in career paths, then why not?
An MBA for free is a great deal. I think going to college is a great life experience that teaches you how to play the game of the real world without the consequences of being in the real world for the most part. However, it worries me when people run up huge amounts of debt to go to school when they have no idea or no intention of using the degree. Going to school just to go or because your parents want to you is not a good reason. Enterprising people can make most degrees work, though. I’m sure you could also get a teaching job in your other degree for sign language if you ever needed to as well.
I always wanted to learn ASL. I’m hard of hearing and always figured I should learn because my hearing just keeps getting worse, but I have awesome hearing aids now. Gallaudet was an option for me in high school but I didn’t want to move so far away.
When I read the stories about folks who have double and triple majors, I always feel like a bit of a slacker. I majored in engineering and got a minor in mathematics, which isn’t really hard to do when you major in engineering. That’s awesome about your major in ASL though. I have a cousin who is deaf and want to learn ASL so he can be included in the conversation when we visit. The time between visits though is so great that I rarely stick with it though. I usually just opt to use the phone’s text message to communicate.
Wow! Powerful post. How much did it all cost? Have you done any cost/benefit analysis?
AverageJoeMoney I think it would be far too difficult to write a cost/benefit analysis when you’re just out of college. It would take some pretty big assumptions to quantify it all.
It is never easy to do multiple majors in college but you pulled it. I will keep that face in mind in case it shows up on my TV screen in the future…lol…By the time you finish your MBA you will be very marketable so it is obviously a plus for you.
I was a double major in college because I couldn’t decide exactly what I wanted to do. I loved politics and debate but also loved the study of people and cultures. I ended up majoring in political science and sociology/anthropology and I think it was a good decision for my interests and career goals (I can “spin” my resume in a number of ways depending on the job I’m applying to. Way to go on the free MBA!