When I left school, I felt obligated to study further. I was a good scholar and this was expected of me. I’m not saying that I didn’t have the desire to study, I wanted to, but I did feel a rush to make my decision on “what I want to be when I grow up”. In my rush of figuring out what to study, I decided upon Psychology, out of all the choices that were brought to my attention, this one seemed the most interesting.
So, I delved right in and started studying towards my BA Degree in Psychology. I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to major in counselling or social work at first, eventually I chose counselling. Not because this is what I wanted to do, but because I was working part time and to take social work as a subject I would have to do lengthy practical’s, which I couldn’t fit into my schedule – looking back I sometimes wish I had made the time!
While studying I was working at a school as a nursery teacher. I really loved this position and started doubting my career choice. By this time, I was already in my 2nd year, only one more year to go and I would have my degree, so I decided to just follow through. In 2010, I graduated in Psychological counselling, I did really well too! BUT, I now had no wish to be a counselor. Just two days after my graduation ceremony, I got married!
My husband had started his own web design business and he roped me in to helps with the accounts and some social media marketing. I got to work from home, at my own pace and I could spend time on the multitude of hobbies I had. I also loved to volunteer at a local baby home, so this way I could dedicate time their too. 7 years later our company has grown into a full-blown software development company with a team of 10! I work half day at the office and I have the afternoons free to spend with my two-year-old kids – yeas, I became a mom!
I love what I do, how I do it and when I get to do it. Many people don’t understand why I never put my degree to good use, or furthered my studies in the field. My answer to them: it IS put to good use! Never did I think that a Psychology would help with Marketing Strategies, how to deal with clients and employees as well as nurture a happy family – but it does! I often refer back to what I learnt and use it in my everyday life.
While I do wish that I had taken a year or two to discover more career options (you never know what could have been), I don’t regret for one-minute spending 3 years studying Psychology. As I have said, I am happy where I am career-wise. I have learnt all about business, technology, marketing, accounts and customer relations – this would never have been something I would study, but I thoroughly enjoy practicing it, I think I do a good job!
Anyone else here who studied Psychology but went into a completely different field?
Much love - 