Jobs in fields where you did not receive your degree.

[corinthos]

I suspect many of you have had jobs that weren't in your field of study (like you work in computer/tech field but got your degree in the liberal arts).

If so, I was wondering how you may have approached the following:

If your workplace is like most, where few people (or none at all) have the time to give you an introductory training course on the fundamentals, and there are no well-organized or complete central repositories of training documentation or literature that is written under the assumption that its audience is starting pretty much from square 1, how did you go about ramping up as it became increasingly important to your success that you had a certain level of technical understanding (computer HW architecture, memory models, software stacks, and specialized areas of focus where information may not exactly be readily Googled for independent study? Let's also say there isn't really any special time given to you for independent study, and you already have several tasks and responsibilities assigned to you that take up the bulk of your time...

It would seem that in such a situation, getting truly ramped and developing a sound fundamental background in the areas needed would be incredibly slow-going.

Just curious what people have done in such situations to enable themselves to step up to the next level.

 

[Rakehellion]

Most of what I know I learned on my own.

If there's something out there you want, just go for it. Reading a book doesn't teach you how to do a job.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

My dad got his bachelors and masters in hardware engineering and then he taught himself coding. Been working at IBM for 25 years now.

 

[shortylickens]

Naval Electronics (comms, radar, cryptography, routers, multiplexers, AV), microchip photolithography (Hynix), design, construction, repair (Tektronix).

Keep in mind college doesnt actually teach you how to DO much of anything. You need to get a job to learn that.
But most jobs require experience.

Thats why the Navy was such a good deal for me.

 

[ImpulsE69]

My wife has a degree in Mortuary Science....and now manages a porn store...

they do both deal with stiffs...:hmm:

 

[highland145]

Comp E...free ride...I was an idiot...2.3 GPA and a 4.0 in Budweiser.

Consumer finance(small loans)...sucked balls for 18 years until I saved/begged/borrowed enough $ to open for myself. Could do the job out of H.S.

 

[1sikbITCH]

I suspect many of you have had jobs that weren't in your field of study (like you work in computer/tech field but got your degree in the liberal arts).

If so, I was wondering how you may have approached the following:

If your workplace is like most, where few people (or none at all) have the time to give you an introductory training course on the fundamentals, and there are no well-organized or complete central repositories of training documentation or literature that is written under the assumption that its audience is starting pretty much from square 1, how did you go about ramping up as it became increasingly important to your success that you had a certain level of technical understanding (computer HW architecture, memory models, software stacks, and specialized areas of focus where information may not exactly be readily Googled for independent study? Let's also say there isn't really any special time given to you for independent study, and you already have several tasks and responsibilities assigned to you that take up the bulk of your time...

It would seem that in such a situation, getting truly ramped and developing a sound fundamental background in the areas needed would be incredibly slow-going.

Just curious what people have done in such situations to enable themselves to step up to the next level.

This story is played out over and over every day. College degree, nobody is hiring. Don't sweat. All you're gonna need to remember is #1 is Big Mac. #2 is QP w/cheese. #3 is Double QP w/cheese. I think #5 is Fish sandwich. Been a long time since I worked or ate at a fast food joint but you'll pick it right up. Plus I seem to remember a video presentation you could watch to beef up your skillz.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Everyone learns about things by applying themselves to the task of learning those things. I learned most of what I know by what I can only describe as osmosis, but was probably just a combination of doing things until I worked out the best way to do them, reading about what could be done, and listening to other people who already knew. All I can say is if you want to know how to do something that you feel is vital to your success; go try and understand it with the resources you know about. Those resources will undoubtedly lead you to other, more precise tools. I'm not so sure you even need the "well organized or complete central repository" you speak of. There is literature on every subject in every degree of technical precision available to everyone. You only have to put in the time to find out what you're looking for.

 

[rudeguy]

I prefer to be thrown to the wolves.

I never got a fancy college degree but I spent the majority of my life doing sales. I finally quit and ended up with a job that let's me do things that I really enjoy. From working on complicated networking issues to playing with hardware to problem solving billing software issues.

There is no training for what I do. There is no manual. I once tried to document something that took me 20 minutes to do and it turned into a 75 step process that no one else cared to even try.

My point is that it sounds like you are in a situation where you are expected to be a self starter when it comes to learning. Its not up to the company to give you dedicated time to learn, that's part of your job.

 

[homebrew2ny]

Degree in electronics engineering, profession in sales, and now operations. Truth is most all educations have transferable skills and what college really fleshes out is ones ability to learn. This is sometimes more important that what you are actually learning.

 

[highland145]

Degree in electronics engineering, profession in sales, and now operations. Truth is most all educations have transferable skills and what college really fleshes out is ones ability to learn. This is sometimes more important that what you are actually learning.

From a book. My bro has reading and math issues but back in the 60's..."he wasn't trying." That SOB is smart and capable. And wealthy now. Plumber.


Fully agree about skills transferring. It's like a collage of "you".

 

[DrPizza]

This story is played out over and over every day. College degree, nobody is hiring. Don't sweat. All you're gonna need to remember is #1 is Big Mac. #2 is QP w/cheese. #3 is Double QP w/cheese. I think #5 is Fish sandwich. Been a long time since I worked or ate at a fast food joint but you'll pick it right up. Plus I seem to remember a video presentation you could watch to beef up your skillz.

No, you don't have to remember anything. You push buttons. The screen tells you what to stick in the bag.

Anyway: degree in applied mathematics. Occupation: teacher
(Though, a math teacher (and physics)).