MAJOR ISSUES

Tech has had its fair share of famous alumni over the years: famous astronauts, CEOs and Presidents have passed through Tech and left their legacy, often crediting their success to the preparation they received while attending Tech.

But for every graduate who feels that their major prepares them for the real world, there is a fellow graduate to the left and to the right who is far less sure of how useful his/her major will be once out of Tech's protective cocoon.

How one's major pans out after graduation is respective to each individual and dependent on many varying factors.

According to several alumni, an individual's pursuit of passion and self-fulfillment is key, even if his/her career is different than the major.

"Pick something you love and do the best you can in school because it all carries over into your first job," said Shelly Gasaway, a 2002 Tech alumna who graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

As far as her major's relevance outside the classroom, Gasaway is quick to point out that she has never done a time study (a mandatory assignment in many Industrial Engineering classes).

"Everything you experience at school is 180 degrees different than what you will encounter in the real world...no matter what major you choose, know that you will always transfer your skillset over, so in actuality your major really does serve a purpose even if you do not pursue a similar career path," Gasaway said.

In Stanton Lanier's case it took 15 years to transition from Chemist to professional pianist and composer. Lanier graduated from Tech in '86 with a degree in Chemistry. He spent the next 15 years pursing his MBA and working as a financial advisor before realizing that his true passion was in his music.

"I never regretted my path at all...that's the endurance we all learned from Tech. If I had done music at the collegiate level, I would have probably burned out," Lanier said.

Recently Lanier caught up with some of his fellow Tech friends from his fraternity and noted that almost all had careers in the fields they had majored in over 20 years ago. He also noted that the friends who balanced work and play and had great social capital were most successful.

Lanier's advice to future graduates is simple. "Some people have a sense of passion coming into college and it stays with them...but for most it's a process, and you have to stay open [to] the possibility that it will be revealed at a different time in each persons life," Lanier said.

As important as it is to learn from past students' experiences, there is much insight to gain from current Tech students as well. Ashley Abdulatif, a fourth-year History, Technology and Society major, is content with her undergraduate major even though she has no intention of pursuing a career associated with HTS.

Instead, Abdulatif will be applying for her MBA soon as years of working in the fashion industry has shown her that she has a natural inclination towards business.

"When I started the major I wanted to go to law school, but now after working several jobs in the fashion industry I'm much more interested in pursuing business," Abdulatif said.

Abdulatif boasts an impressive resume, working as an assistant manager for Karen Millen and a buyer for Theory. She credits her work experience as the biggest influence in shaping her career choices.

"Just because you studied a major for four years doesn't mean that's the only thing you are good at. A major shouldn't limit your career options, it should just make you a more well-rounded candidate," Abdulatif said.

On the other hand, some students' post college careers do not stray too far from their college concentrations.

Michael Burshteyn, who graduated in May 2007 with a Computer Engineering degree from Tech, is one of these students. Bursheyn is currently is a software developer in Dallas, Texas and admits that his job description now is closer to computer science than computer engineering.

"[Computer Engineering] definitely helped, but I'm definitely not doing what I should be doing with my Computer Engineering degree," Burshteyn said.

Burshteyn does not mind the slight deviation, as he cites he is being well compensated and is enjoying a new city.

While some students plan to deviate entirely away from their major, a solid number are planning on pursuing their major further.

Kevin Busbee, a fourth-year Management major has every intention of using the business knowledge he attained at Tech to further his career in business.

"I feel that my major gave me the tools I will need to pursue a successful career in business. Business is the foundation of any career I want to pursue, so I feel really prepared now that I have a business major under my belt," Busbee said.

Kevin plans on moving to California after graduation and is currently interviewing with various businesses.

He concludes by encouraging his fellow peers to follow their gut instinct.

"If you don't like what you've studied for four years, there's no point in being miserable for the rest of your life by getting a career in that field. I say, figure out what you're passionate about and explore the possibilities. College is just the beginning; it doesn't define your life," Busbee said.

Whether or not your major will be useful once you graduate and get a job in the real world, one thing is still clear: Tech manages to affect and enhance the thinking processes and other skillsets that transcend any career. To learn more about different majors and their relations to career paths, consider making an appointment with Career Services. Find out more information at http://www.career.gatech.edu.