Why major in finance or philosophy when you can choose one of these off-the-beaten-path undergraduate degree programs? They may sound wacky, but they’re worth a second look.

1 – Bagpiping

Yes, you can actually earn a bachelor of fine arts degree in bagpiping from the Carnegie Mellon School of Music (Pittsburgh, PA). The undergraduate curriculum is composed of studio time, theory, history, ensemble work, and general studies courses and electives. I suppose if I were hiring a bagpiper, I would want one with impressive credentials like these.

2 – Bakery science and management

I didn’t know baking was a science – then again, my version of baking is dumping brownie mix into a pan. At Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS), bakery science degree students can focus on production management (a business-oriented approach) or cereal chemistry (quality control or research and development).

3 – Costume technology

This is the next step after costume design. In the bachelor of fine arts degree program in costume technology at DePaul University’s Theatre School (Chicago, IL), students learn to translate designs into the actual garments actors wear. Costume technology students become theatrical craftsmen, drapers, cutters, and costume shop managers.

4 – Egyptology

If you’re into hieroglyphics and ancient history, you can major in Egyptology at Brown University (Providence, RI). Courses cover the spectrum of Egyptian language and literature, Egyptian civilization, and Egyptian history. I’d be interested to find out how hiring managers view this degree.

5 – Entertainment engineering and design

Consider this the science of the entertainment industry. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, students can focus on such specific areas of the entertainment industry as advanced visualization techniques, automation and motion controls, biomechanics and animatronics, entertainment venue design, and structural design and rigging.

6 – Family business

Students at Stetson University (Deland, FL) can earn a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in family business. Topics include family business dynamics; communications techniques; and strategic, estate, and succession planning. Upon graduation, students should have at least two job offers – beyond their family business.

7 – Floral management

Aspiring florists can earn a floral management degree from Mississippi State University. Floral management involves sourcing, purchasing, distributing, marketing, designing with, and selling floricultural products. Career opportunities for graduates include retailing, wholesaling, special event designing, and display gardening.

8 – Turfgrass science

I know turf management is everywhere, but it still sounds funny to me. A bachelor’s degree program in turfgrass science is even available online via Penn State World Campus. Turfgrass science covers pesticides, weed control, morphology, entomology, pathology, edaphology, and cultural systems, as well as business management and communication.

Post a comment if you know of any other wacky majors!

– Robyn Tellefsen

It’s amazing what kind of job-related reads you can find online when you know where to look. Here’s where I’m looking today – a roundup of the coolest career posts in the blogosphere.

1.    30 Plus Brilliant and Creative Resumes

All I can say is WOW. These 35 resumes put my boring old Word doc to shame. My personal fave is #8 – its beauty doesn’t diminish its readability. I’ll admit that the level of resume creativity should correlate with the field you’re in. Designers have much more artistic leeway than, say, investment bankers.

2.    10 Seeeeriously Cool Workplaces

I love the opening visual on this one, with the caption: “Where would you do your best work?” If given the choice, who wouldn’t pick wide open spaces?! And a conference bike instead of a conference room! P.S. I want to work at Red Bull London so I can use the slide between floors. Awesome.

3.    5 Best Things to Say When Caught Sleeping at Your Desk

This blog may not be as visually stimulating as the others, but it sure makes me laugh. Has anyone out there ever used one of these? My fave is #2: “Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?” It’s the only one I can imagine actually getting away with, aside from some kind of pregnancy/child excuse.

4.    51 Creative Business Cards That Will Make You Look Twice

Another WOW post. The 3D aspect of some of these designs is fun, but the pragmatic part of me balks at how expensive the “cards” are to make. Faves: The whoopee cushion is genius, as is the personal trainer rubber band. (Maybe I just like latex?) My inner pragmatist also loves the graphic design business card/ruler. But to be honest, this Lego business card takes the cake.

5.    15 Funniest Cartoons and Web Comics About Layoffs

A timely, humorous look at the unfortunate state of many Americans’ careers. Sometimes you’ve got to laugh, or perish. I dig #6 – will bloggers have the last laugh? Only time will tell….

Hope you find some career inspiration here – and a few laughs! Comment away…

– Robyn Tellefsen

In the digital age, cover letters are as antiquated and unnecessary as thank-you notes.

WRONG! (Thank-you notes are important too, but that’s another post.)

It does show some extra effort when you submit a cover letter. After all, anyone can make a bazillion copies of their resume and fax ‘em out to every agency that may or may not be hiring. A customized cover letter, on the other hand, conveys your interest in a particular company and can push your resume to the top of the pile.

Don’t believe me? Check out this excerpt from a recent New York Times article:

Ms. Piotrowski recently had a job opening at her small company, Career Solutions Group, and she was dismayed when about a quarter of the 200 applicants did not send cover letters. Most were within five years of graduating from college, she said, reflecting a more informal mind-set among younger people.

So consider this a mini-course in how to make your cover letter work for you:

>> Get a name.
How hard is it to Google a company and get the decision maker’s name to put on your cover letter? The extra few minutes it takes to procure that info can save your resume from the recycling bin with all the other “To Whom It May Concerns.” Take it from Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., creative director and associate publisher of Quintessential Careers, who wrote: “The largest employer in Central Florida tosses cover letters in the circular file if they are not addressed to him personally.” Wow!

>> Keep it simple.
Three or four paragraphs should suffice. In your first paragraph, explain why you are writing. In the middle paragraph or two, highlight why you are a good candidate for the position, convey a clear story about your career, and detail what you can do to help the company reach its goals. Your closing paragraph should indicate how you will follow up on your submission.

>> Send it twice.
Submit your letter once in the body of your e-mail (with your resume attached), and then go double-duty by mailing a hard copy of your letter and resume. It’s a proven strategy for success:

Attach a handwritten note that says, “Second submission; I’m very interested,” Ms. Piotrowski said. “I’ve had clients double their rate of interviews simply from doing that,” she said.

With a little effort (and lot of proofreading), you can write a cover letter that dazzles potential employers and gets you an interview. Best of luck!

-Robyn Tellefsen

When we were kids, my sister and I spent a lot of time singing in the backseat of our parents’ car. Much to her chagrin, I often made up lyrics to songs I didn’t really know. But sometimes we would purposely alter song lyrics together to suit our fancy. One of my personal faves is our overhaul of Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita”: “Last night, I dreamt of a bagel” instead of “Last night, I dreamt of San Pedro….” Good times.

As much as I still enjoy giving music a makeover (changing KT Tunstall’s hit to “Suddenly I see/Why the Bee, she means so much to me” for my daughter comes to mind), I never thought these kinds of silly songs could amount to more than a few laughs – least of all a career makeover.

Enter the Careereoki contest for anyone looking to advance their current career, prepare for a new field, or get training to reenter the workforce after unemployment. In the recent contest sponsored by the Orange County School Board; Workforce Central Florida, an Orlando-area job placement organization; and a local advertising agency, more than 60 career hopefuls videotaped themselves singing about their dream career (karaoke-style, of course) to compete for the grand prize – tuition for a certificate program at an Orange County, FL, technical school.

As proven by the contest winner, Nichole Nagy, a good singing voice was not a prerequisite for entry. Finalists were chosen for their originality, creativity, and humor. And as you watch Nagy dance around with her two little kids, crooning “Bad Case of Nursing Blues” to the tune of Robert Palmer’s “Bad Case of Loving You,” you’ve got to give her points for gumption. Anyone who can put their obvious lack of vocal talent on display for the world to see and hear in order to get a good career education gets my vote.

As she put it:

“I can’t sing to save my life, but I will go ahead and try this, because I am willing to do anything to get school paid for.”

Her grand prize, worth $8,000, includes a career training scholarship, personal and resume makeovers, and a $100 gas card. Two first-place winners also won tuition help, resume makeovers, and $50 gas cards.

Now Nagy can take a break from unemployment and finally afford the nursing education she’s been dreaming about. Makes me want to sing the Eurythmics: “Sweet (career) dreams are made of these/Who am I to disagree?”

-Robyn Tellefsen

Last night, I was thrilled to participate in a Twitter.com event with moms interested in going back to school, and I must say — I was impressed!!!

In this tough economy of ours, it was amazing to hear inspiring stories from adults who went back to school — whether it was via online learning or their local community college — to launch or advance their careers, all while setting a great example about the importance of lifelong education to their kids. Other participants discussed their desire to return to the classroom and sought general advice about college admissions as well, and we were happy to assist them with financial aid information, facts about online learning, tips for juggling family and books, and more.

If you missed the event, no worries. You can check out the post-event buzz. For specific resources on how to choose the right school for you, the importance of accreditation, and what adults need to know before they make the school commitment, you can head straight to the event portal page. Best of luck!

P.S. Are you following @collegesurfing on Twitter?