Getting A Job Unrelated To Your Degree

Here’s the situation - towards the end of your teens, you were put in a position to make a big decision for your future. This decision would then leave a big impact in your life. As someone who just completed secondary school, you may already have your mind set on a course you would like to pursue for your undergraduate studies. Three to four years in, you are now a fresh graduate and you realize what you’ve been studying is not what you want to do. Did you just waste four years of your life and now your degree is worthless?

Fret not. Statistics all over the world have proved that about half of graduates work in jobs unrelated to their degrees. Plus, the skills and knowledge you’ve gained could be useful for your new job, be it related or not.

There are many reasons why you may want to get a job unrelated to your degree. Perhaps you want to gain some experience in a certain field, or you need to earn some extra money which you can only find in a different profession. Whatever your reasons, there are a few things you should consider first.

1. Consider your skills
When you're looking for a job, it's important to consider the skills you have to offer. If you're not sure what they are, take a look at your resume or ask your friends and family for their input. If you're considering a job unrelated to your degree, you may need to brush up on your skills or learn some new ones. You might have majored in Medicine but you’re actually a people person, so brush up those PR skills and go get that bread in a creative agency!

2. Consider your goals
What are your long-term career goals? If you're not sure, that's OK too. But it's important to think about what you want to do with your life. If you're considering a job unrelated to your degree, make sure it's something you're interested in and that it won't interfere with your long-term goals.

3. Consider the company
Whether it is a role related to your degree or not, working for a company you don’t feel good enough is going to be just that - something that won’t work in the long term. So do your research on the company you're considering working for and make sure it is one you're comfortable with. Always remember that the reason you’re applying for a job unrelated to your degree is because you genuinely enjoy it.

4. Consider the pay
Are you willing to take a pay cut because of your lack of experience (this is something that is most likely when you are applying for a job unrelated to your degree!)? Does the learning and opportunity outweigh the monetary benefits? If so, we say by all means go for it. But if you have to take a pay cut and not learn anything, you might want to consider skipping it this time round and wait for better opportunities.

5. Consider the hours
Same goes for the hours too! Sometimes when you are in an unrelated role, you may end up having to spend more time picking up the ins and outs compared to your colleagues who already know their stuff. Make sure you are aware of the sacrifices you may have to make (longer hours at the office, taking more time to complete a task) and see if it will affect your personal time. If it is making you work all day, all night and all weekend, you may want to reconsider if it is really worth it.

6. Consider the long-term
Can you see yourself doing an unrelated job for the long term? Yes? Then go on, grab the opportunity! No? You may want to reconsider or just wait a bit to figure things out. Who knows, you may realize that you do want to do what’s related to your degree after all!

Photo by SOULSANA on Unsplash