hey’ll be donned in flowing black gowns, slanted mortarboard hats and tassels with 2005 dangling proudly.
They will receive their degrees.
Yet their journey will be far from over.
For some graduates their degrees will lead them into promising job industries. But others will question what to do with their degrees.
While some people may wonder why students choose majors such as English, philosophy, psychology or other majors that don’t actually bear a specific job title, some know that both passion and hard work is involved. And there are job opportunities for those people.
Karen Schneider, department head of the English department said most people think of the English major as preparation for teaching English in public schools or universities.
She also said that knowing good writing and reading, critical thinking, communication and human experience skills are acquired through the course study. Additional training is usually taught on the job.
“There’s no limit to what you can do in English,” Schneider said. “It helps prepare you for whatever it is in life.”
But there’s a way for any students who may be weary about finding a job.
“There are opportunities out there,” Schneider said. “You have to be able to take a risk. Be a little adventurous.”
Paul Wozniak, head of the sociology department said the department provides a Web page with a list of possible occupations for those in the sociology major.
“Almost anybody contemplating doing it come in with the question, ‘What can I do with a sociology degree?’” Wozniak said. “These are topics they live with in their society. Studying them covers the whole gamut of social existence.”
John Long, head of the department of philosophy and religious studies, said that both majors won’t train for specific profession or job, but teaches students to become aware of things in the world, such as respect a variety of religious traditions.
“One can do whatever one wants with a religious studies degree,” he said, “It doesn’t train for any particular job area, but it gives you skills you can use in a variety of areas. I think it’s beneficial because you learn how to learn and that’s important for all your life.”
Students who study the programs that don’t offer a distinct position have most likely thought their position through and are confident about a career.
Paducah senior Amy Baird, a psychology major, said that when she chose her major a lot of people where skeptical.
“I get a lot of ‘What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?’ (questions),” she said.
Yet Baird had a plan when she chose her major. She plans to go through the master’s degree program for clinical psychology and maybe own a clinic one day.
She said there are numerous majors not designed for specific careers, but students who have a passion for what they do should pursue it.
“Other people may not understand it, but if it makes you happy then go for it,” Baird said.
She said people should leave the negative conceptions behind that no job opportunities exist for those in nontraditional majors.
The university has developed a service to try and aide students who may feel they are in this bind.
The Career Service Center offers a number of resources to students who are seeking career opportunities.
Along with helping students develop resumes, providing speakers, workshops, and a Web page, which posts job vacancies in all majors. The services are open to alumni and current students.
“If students would take the time to do some research about the kinds of jobs available for students in their major, they will find it a lot easier to locate jobs in the field they study or jobs related to their major,” said Carol White, associate director Career Service Center.
But people in majors that train for specific jobs do not always stay in the field they were trained for.
White said that many people who pursue jobs in their major may still seek change during their lifetime. She said the average person switches occupations seven times.
“Learning does not end when you get your degree,” White said. “Learning is lifelong.”
Reach Tavia Green at features@wkuherald.com.
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