Ann Said:

Did any of you go into a career similiar to what you majored in? Or were the two paths different?

We Answered:

People can change careers, but it is fraught with risk. I switched from civil engineering to accounting and finally got my CPA. I was very happy that I made the change, but it was not very rewarding financially. Would I do it all over again? Yes, I'm happy. I know an education major who taught high school for five years and switched to sales for a large foundry company in the midwest. He got some further education in marketing, and ended up as VP of sales for this closely held company. He often used his teaching skills in his job. I know a gal who majored in education, but couldn't find a job in her field during a glut in teachers. She got a job with a shoe manufacturer selling expensive shoes to retailers. When a recession hit she got a job setting up national seminars. Life is a crap shoot. My cousin got a degree in business (accounting), got his CPA and a law degree. He hated it. He got a job as an inspector at a local manufacturing company. He ended up as head of the inspection department when he retired. He loved his work and was very happy.

Travis Said:

What career paths exist in public transit systems? Aside from customer svc, what else exits?

We Answered:

If management is your goal, an MBA will give one a leg up on the competition.

There are many other positions involved with any transportation system, including, operating, purchasing, marketing, maintenance, personnel, human resources, advertising, public relations and a slew of others.

I am thinking with an interest in the trains themselves, you may want to consider operating department employment, in which case a liberal arts degree may get you further than one with an MBA.

In most instances, commuter lines are municipally owned and operated, and those will have their own hiring guidelines to which they adhere. The others will undoubtedly be state or federal owned. Either way, one can expect pre-employment drug screening, and a clean driving record is nice to have as a part of one's resume, if looking at an operating department position.

Having letters behind someone's name is rarely a drawback, unless one falls into the category of "over qualified."

Good luck.