What did you study in college?

[Cadence]

Started off double majoring in physics and math at UIUC. After not making it to many of the huge lecture sections in physics during the first two semesters I switched to just math, although the grades were ok (in that physics way where a score well under 50% might still be a B). Two years into my courses in the Ph.D. program in math I saw a seminar in statistics and thought "wait, we can work on problems directly related to the real world?". Not sure if I would have been able to pass the other qualifiers in math anyway, but didn't need to since I jumped ship to stats. First job out was a tenure track job in stats, and have been plugging away at the holy trinity of teaching, research, and service ever since. Not much influence on my ttrpging from it. (If Gauss was a 3rd gen antediluvian then I'm 12th generation. Even counting for dilution, this apple has fallen far from the tree.)

 

[Arilyn]

I have a degree in General Studies, which was fun because it let you choose classes from a wide range of topics. I focussed a on English, sociology, history with a smattering of science. This degree then acted as a prerequisite for entering the teaching program at a UBC (University of British Columbia) satellite centre. I received my teaching degree and have spent many years teaching primary school, and working as teacher/principal at a small band school. I'm currently teaching adults. (Special Education Teacher Assistant and Community Support Worker).

 

[TheAlkaizer]

In Quebec we have another school level between High School and college. I studied Computer Science for two years.

Then I did a bachelor composed of a minor in Video Game Studies and a major in English Literature. Following that, I got a second cycle specialized degree in Game Design.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Undergrad: Trinity University (San Antonio)- Majored in Evonomics & Philosophy, with minors in Art/Art History, English, and Religion. Came up 3 classes short of earning 2 BAs…and I dropped 3 classes in my 4 years. The double BA would have been nice, but I dropped those classes for VERY good reasons and do not regret doing so.

Post-Grad: JD from UT Austin School of Law, MBA (Sports & Entertainment Marketing) from University of Dallas, certified in Mediation through UT Arlington.

…plus assorted other college-level classes I’ve taken just because. I think I took some kind of class every summer from 3rd grade until I graduated from law school. Some of that was to fill curriculum requirements, some for self-edification. And of course, I still have to take continuing education courses to maintain my license.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Let's make sure to keep this discussion respectful and not lay any judgment on folks' degrees, college experiences, or choices to go or not to go to college.

Amen to that!

I’ll just say that the man who gave my Dad a Rolex for his med school graduation had a 3rd grade education and ran a VERY successful blue-collar business. All legal work is worthy of respect.

 

[Campbell]

Michigan Tech (1 year, did not graduate) - Computer Science
Art Institute of Colorado (2 years, did not graduate) - Film Production
United States Army (4 Years) Network Switching Systems Operator /Maintainer (Counted because of substantial technical training)
University of Colorado (3 years, graduated Sigma Cum Laude) - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Concentration in Information Science)

I currently work as a Software Engineer

 

[Ryujin]

In Quebec we have another school level between High School and college. I studied Computer Science for two years.

CEGEP. Depending upon when you went to school, you might have worked on some computers that I was responsible for making work. (HR logo on them)

 

[Tonguez]

I started doing a Bcom/BA but got bored with economics so didnt get the Commerce degree though I did get some Marketing papers in my BA (Anthropology). Then a few years later did a Postgrad Diploma in Education

 

[thirdkingdom]

Traditional wooden boatbuilding.

 

[MGibster]

I majored in history as an undergraduate with a minor in anthropology. I went to graduate school for history where most of my studies were concentrated in American history from 1877-1939 and spent an awful lot of time on prohibition and lynching.

 

[reelo]

I have studied several years of archeology, main focus Middle East (Sumerian up to Late Babylonian), secondary focus European Prehistory, as well as Sumerian philology.
I didn't earn my degree, though, I got cold feet at the last minute. It was around the time things got serious with my gf (now wife) and I realized chances of employment were very slim, outside of academia.
I now work as a public servant, ground property tax. Money sure is better than as a freelance archeologist.
In hindsight, it was a great time, though mostly wasted on WoW and weed.

 

[Tonguez]

Traditional wooden boatbuilding.

Wow, really? My great grandfather was a traditional boat builder and my grandfather a cooper before he joined the merchant marines. Amazing skill to have these days

 

[CleverNickName]

I have an art degree from Oklahoma State University (B.A. Technical Illustration), and I have an engineering degree from Portland State University (B.S. Civil Engineering) with a minor in Geology.

 

[thirdkingdom]

Wow, really? My great grandfather was a traditional boat builder and my grandfather a cooper before he joined the merchant marines. Amazing skill to have these days

Huh, interesting. I went to trad college for a year before dropping out and working construction/cabinetry for a couple of years, and then ended up out in Port Townsend, Washington at the school of wooden boatbuilding there. My grandfather was in the merchant marines, as well! During WWII.

 

[Ryujin]

Huh, interesting. I went to trad college for a year before dropping out and working construction/cabinetry for a couple of years, and then ended up out in Port Townsend, Washington at the school of wooden boatbuilding there. My grandfather was in the merchant marines, as well! During WWII.

Beautiful area. Seems like the perfect place to leave a skill like boat building.

 

[Umbran]

In undergrad, I majored in Physics, with effectively a minor in Renaissance Drama. My biggest extra curricular activities were in theater.

My graduate studies were also in physics. My thesis was on simulating the propagation of quantum mechanical spin in high energy physics events.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Rocket Science.

 

[Retreater]

Started with History then changed my major to English with a focus in Creative Writing. Took some time off to decide if I wanted to get my Masters in Comparative Mythology or Creative Writing, but ultimately got a full-time job, got married, and never got that Masters degree.

 

[Kobold Stew]

First degree focused on Greek and Roman history and archaeology, as I wanted to be paid to scuba dive off the coast of Greece. In grad school, I ended up studying Greek poetry because I can scuba dive if I want to in any case, and this lets me read and talk about ancient plays as well.

I love it, and am very fortunate that I get to make my living teaching the stuff.

 

[Parmandur]

Great topic, love the variety of backgrounds here.

For my undergraduate, I got a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in English with a Medieval Studies focus. Almost got a Minor in Celtic Studies, but didn't feel motivated to get the full requirements for that. I've worked in some odd jobs since then, but writing and communicating have always been vital skills.

After graduating right into an economic collapse at the tail end of the Bush administration, I pursued a few years of Studies in Philosophy and Theology with the Dominican Friars at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. I didn't get a degree, but I learned to be Stoic about my life circumstances.

After several years of working in Silicon Valley in Customer Support, I'm just finishing up a remote study degree in Lobrary & Information Science from San Jose State University, and we'll see where that goes.