My white-chocolate pumpkin cheesecake recipe is ready to be whipped out and put the sweet finishing note on holiday diners. That’s what I’ve been talking about in conversations with my family and friends since the Halloween costumes were put away –  Thanksgiving potlucks and holiday dinners and parties.

One of my 30-something friends would love to become a personal chef, and she displays a natural talent in the kitchen, creating the most difficult Martha-esque recipes quickly, while mine are disasters. So it’s amazing to learn about the types of culinary training available for her and others pursuing that goal in the growing field.

Look at the backgrounds of celebrity chefs and restaurant owners in major cities competing on popular shows such as “Top Chef,” and you’ll find an array of education experience.

One of my “Top Chef: Las Vegas” favorites, restaurateur Kevin Gillespie of Atlanta, cooked part-time at eateries while attending the Art Institute of Atlanta.

The stars of Food Network also demonstrate different paths to a culinary career. Bobby Flay attended the French Culinary Institute while Giada De Laurentis earned a degree in anthropology from the University of California in Los Angeles before focusing on food and training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, as did Sandra Lee.

The entertaining Guy Fieri route’s was a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, then working in and owning restaurants before being named “The Next Food Network Star” a while back. Iron Chefs Cat Cora and Michael Symon are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America.

You could leave those schools with associate and bachelor’s degrees as well as the in-depth instruction and hands-on experience that will propel you to succeed in your next kitchen, whether it’s in the glare of the TV cameras or delighting small groups of diners every night.

-Lori Johnston

OK, maybe college was never uncool. But in this recession, college attendance among young adults is the highest it’s ever been. Ever.

Here’s proof: In October 2008, close to 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released data from the Census Bureau. That translates into almost 11.5 million young adults in higher ed.

Of course, a majority of the college enrollment growth has come at community colleges, where enrollment tends to rise as the economy worsens. After all, who can afford a pricey private college education when community college offers a good education for a fraction of the cost?

But it’s not all about money. Even though the most growth has been seen at community colleges, enrollment at four-year colleges has remained steady despite annual tuition increases that outpace inflation.

So why is everyone flocking to college? In a downturned economy, going to college can seem counterintuitive – who can afford tuition when they can’t find a decent paying job? But the adage “you have to give something to get something” might put the situation into perspective.

During this recession, the national unemployment rate has been at its highest level in more than 25 years. We’re all feeling it, but many young adults are bearing the brunt of the strain. Just 46 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were employed in September 2009, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the lowest percentage since 1948, when the government began collecting this kind of data.

Recession Redemption
The choice for college speaks volumes about the anticipated and proven outcomes of a college education. If young adults can’t find work now, and therefore decide to go to college, they must be doing so because they believe education will help them get a job. And not just any job – college education translates into higher positions and salaries than high school diplomas do.

When you think about it, the data paints a picture of hope. Instead of bemoaning the current financial situation, young adults are taking their future into their own hands by pursuing higher education. They’ve determined that their lives can be better than what they know today, and they’re turning that possibility into reality.

So maybe the recession hasn’t been a total loss. If it has motivated people to do something good for themselves – something that might have otherwise escaped their list of priorities – the economy might just be redeemable after all.

What about you – have you been able to redeem the recession? It’s evident that young people view college as a worthwhile investment. Have you thought about the benefits of pursuing higher education, especially in tough economic times?

The fact is that whether you’re out of work, in need of a promotion, or ready for a career change, choosing college is always a smart move. Is the recession what it will take for you to make a change? If so, take advantage of the opportunity to make a better life for yourself. Education can always take you where you want to go.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Here’s some encouraging news out of my home state of Georgia: Record numbers of students are enrolling in technical colleges, inspired to try new career fields and seeking to quickly gain the knowledge needed to land those jobs.

Data from the Technical College System of Georgia shows a 24 percent increase in 2009 enrollment compared to 2008, with 110,254 students in the state’s 28 technical colleges. The previous record: 91,838 students, in 2003.

Officials say the enrollment increase is due to the downturn in the economy. The education provided by technical schools can provide marketable skills that open doors to jobs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business and office technologies, and computer information systems.

You can gain that knowledge faster than at traditional four-year colleges and universities.  In Georgia, its 600 certificate, diploma, and degree programs can be completed in six months to two years, depending on the program. That’s much like other areas of the county, and the costs are low ($2,100 is the annual tuition and fee average in Georgia).

And the interesting thing is that technical colleges have a diversity of ages among the students enrolled. The schools in Georgia are seeing an increase in students under 21, with recent high school graduates joining experienced workers in the classrooms. Having that diversity of ages in programs is beneficial to everyone, preparing you for a multi-generational workplace.

You may be among those who have lost jobs or are just ready for a different career path, and technical colleges are an affordable route worth considering.

-Lori Johnston

While health care reform is grabbing headlines, health care is one of the more secure job sectors.
Some professionals in hospitals and physicians offices are seizing the moment to earn degrees. If you’re a registered nurse, you may be considering a bachelor’s in nursing, which could lead to promotions or higher-paying jobs. You also could teach future nurses.

And there are plenty of choices for nurses, with more than 700 nursing programs offering degrees at the bachelor’s level, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some are available online.
You’ll join a growing number of students – 145,845 as of 2008 – enrolling in baccalaureate nursing programs, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Here are three questions to ask when considering a nursing degree.

1. What additional skills will I acquire with my BSN?
Students can learn the skills to work in a range of clinical settings and provide comprehensive nursing care to patients and their families. Expect to gain knowledge to make decisions quickly in health care settings, collaborate with other professionals on issues of health and wellness, and develop management skills. Officials at Jacksonville University (FL) also report that a BSN degree can be beneficial for those seeking to enter into high-demand fields such as critical care, cardiology, dermatology, ob/gyn, and oncology.

2. How will earning a BSN impact my career?
It can. Jacksonville University, which offers one of the online bachelor’s of nursing programs, reports that the degree enables nurses to move from the technical level to a professional practice. It cites a 2007 earning survey in RN magazine that found salaries are increased from 50 cents an hour to $3.20 an hour. A nurse with a BSN also could receive a specialty pay differential, the university says.

3. Is a career in teaching possible?
There is a great need for nursing teachers. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing found 32,617 qualified applicants in 2008 were not accepted due to factors including the shortage of teachers. The association’s CEO and Executive Director, Geraldine “Polly” Bednash, says: “Increasing enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs is a critical first step to correcting an imbalance in the nursing student population and reversing our nation’s diminishing supply of nurse educators.”

In short, there are many career roads for those with a BSN. Which one will you take?

-Lori Johnston

I love reading articles about college major trends because that’s a good way to gauge which career fields are up-and-coming and eager to hire. Lucky for us, writers at The Chronicle of Higher Education did some legwork in yesterday’s story, “5 College Majors on the Rise.”

Not surprisingly, all of the majors they list have something to do with making ourselves and/or the environment a little healthier, and finding new ways to solve problems. In fact, each field can be classified as “higher” education in some way, since they each have a higher purpose than just simply memorizing facts, performing calculations, or appreciating some type of art.

Take a look…

Sustainability — A few weeks ago, I actually had to look this up — no joke! That’s how new an idea this is when it comes to education and business. If you’re wondering what it is (which is nothing to be ashamed of), I’ll tell you. It’s the concept of making something more “green” or ecofriendly. Many businesses today are sustainable businesses. So college students, be sure to at least take a class on this because it’s the hottest buzzword in the workplace today!

Service Science — This is another buzzword that may not be what you think it is. The article describes it as cultivating “‘deep problem solvers’ who understand the economic, human, and technical dimensions of complex systems.” Yikes! That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? The idea is to improve productivity and encourage innovation in various service industries. In other words, these grads will help find more efficient ways of doing things. That sure is a good skill set to have.

Health informatics — The idea is to take each person’s tons of health data and digitalize it. The Feds are totally behind this initiative, and so a new field has emerged that will demand lots of technological know-how with a health care twist.

Computational science — Math meet science. Science meet math. Together, you’ll solve problems. At least that’s the gist of what computational science is all about. I’m not a techie or a number cruncher so it’s a bit beyond me, honestly, but the article says this: “Companies have used computational analysis to increase the absorbency of disposable diapers and to tweak the shape of potato chips so they drop into packages rather than fly off the conveyor belt.” OK then, moving on…

Public health - If the swine flu epidemic has taught us anything, it’s that public health is an expansive field. Students who merge the biology stuff with the public policy stuff will be huge commodities in our society.

Intrigued by any of these up-and-coming fields? They are definitely worth paying attention to for anyone interested in entering a viable industry. One day, they may even be as commonplace as English literature or psychology, so get studying!

-Dawn Papandrea

And now, a roundup of fun sites, blogs, and articles that’ll keep you busy and entertain  you before you hit the books in a few weeks…

Unigo.com’s Back to School College Guide – This time of year, many sites tout their back to school coverage, but what makes Unigo’s unique (say that fast three times!), are the cool interactive components. Our faves: Watch grads on camera giving freshmen advice, or get money tips via “what I wish I’d known about my college budget.”

Snapple Real Facts — Want to always have fun facts at your disposal? Great for making small talk at a campus icebreaker or even an informal job interview. For example, did you know that every ton of recycled paper saves about 17 trees? Tell that to your environmental science professor for some extra credit!

Speaking of saving trees, for all of you “green collar” workers out there, check out CareerBuilder’s new site GoingGreenJobs.com. Good resource articles, and of course, a job search engine — all related to working for a sustainable company. And, at least you know you won’t be making copies all day!

Even if you do spend time at the copier, filing, or even prepping for the SAT,  “paying your dues” job can have a lot more value than you think! Elizabeth King tells you why you shouldn’t look down on drudge work. “Lots of things that aren’t necessarily fun lead to great things,” she says. Next time you feel like you’re doing work that’s “beneath you,” click in here and you’ll see that you’re not necessarily wasting your time or talents.

Finally, if you’re anticipating the sinking feeling of signing away your savings on a tuition check, check out CollegeBound.net’s “25 Things You Can Gain From College Beyond a Degree.” Lots of fun and funky returns on your investment for sure!

Happy Surfing!

** This just in: The latest edition of the Carnival of College Admissions is live. With tons of links from the top college bloggers in the biz, you’re on track for lots of afternoon procrastination surfing. Just be sure your boss isn’t looking for you!

The blogosphere is abuzz with a story about the girl who’s suing her college because she’s jobless after graduation. Check out what our sister blogger at U. Got It? had to say about it:

After taking out $70,000 worth of loans in order to earn a bachelor’s degree from Monroe College, Thompson graduated this April only to find she had no job. Four months later, and the 27-year-old is still jobless, but now she’s too busy filing a lawsuit against her alma mater to bother sending out resumes.

The whole thing is hysterical to me, starting with the fact that the girl expects her alma mater to pound the pavement for her. Nothing is owed to you! College is about getting an education, not about getting you a job. Sure, career services can help — my husband actually got his first job out of school that way — but it’s up to you to do the legwork and market yourself. Of course, now that she’s made headlines, some dopey employer will offer her an opportunity that she doesn’t deserve. Even worse, imagine if she found a sympathetic judge or jury who wanted to make a statement against high college tuition? Stranger things have happened…

It got me to thinking that maybe I’m missing out on lots of lawsuit opportunities that could net me lots of cash. Here are some things I can sue my college for:

1. College was not the best four years of my life. So many people promised that it would be, but I can honestly say I liked high school better. And I enjoyed my graduate school experience even more than that. I was mislead and I demand to be paid!

2. I graduated second in my class, but companies did not come to me with job offers. Maybe that myth isn’t around much anymore (well, except in Trina’s case), but when I attended college, there was always rumors about graduates walking away with their diploma and near six-figure job offers. Recruiters would mysteriously swoop in — apparently having heard about all of the super term papers you wrote — and the next thing you’d, you’d have a corner office! Of course, this does not happen in real life. And now my college must pay me for loss of wages and mental anguish (I’m still not over the rejection!).

3. I never got to wear a toga, or throw up out of a dorm window. Just saying… More false advertising that college would be full of wild times. At the very least, someone owes me a keg. Bonus: I’m now well beyond the legal drinking age.

4. No one warned me about the Freshman 15. Sure, you all know about it now, thanks to informative articles on the Internet, but the Internet was practically new when I was a freshman. And those darn cafeteria cookies and french fries were there, luring in calorie clueless students like me. I think my college should be held responsible for my muffin top, and pay for a personal trainer and chef.

5. Textbook robbery. Why is it that after paying $100 for a new textbook, I only got $15 when I sold it back in near mint condition, yet you tried to sell me tattered and torn used books for $60? Isn’t that illegal, like ticket scalping? Or price gouging? Whatever you want to compare it it, I think I’m entitled to some of those profits.

I figure one of these can be my ticket to big bucks — which do you think is my best shot? And, hey, if you want to share some bitter college memories worth suing about, I’d love to hear them!

-Dawn Papandrea

Well, readers, I’m thrilled to once again be hosting the Carnival of College Admissions, and sharing with you 32 — yes 32! — amazing posts from the best college bloggers in the business. Did I mention that we have one more blog post than Baskin Robbins has ice cream flavors?! Speaking of ice cream, what’s a summer Carnival without ice cream?!

Come explore the (calorie-free!) flavor counter with me… Let’s see, so far in putting together this edition, I’ve sampled some college essay tips, had a taste of student credit card advice, got the dish on what today’s college students are eating, devoured the cool post on college urban legends, savored the debate about technology’s role in the classroom, and enjoyed every last link included in the list posts below. And that’s just a few of the blog flavors I tried!

Now it’s time for you to go get your Carnival scoop! In fact, go nuts and make it a double with hot fudge. When you’re done, please do share your thoughts in the comments below… Enjoy!

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Admissions & Apps > The Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl

Wondering if your involvement in your school’s band, volleyball team, and math club will help you get into college? Katherine Covino gets to the heart of it in her post, Importance of Extracurriculars on College Applications at College Jolt.

Bored this summer? James Maroney has an idea for you. Learn why Getting Started on Your College Essay is a good idea, at the AdmissionHook College Essay Blog.

And just in case you needed more proof about the importance of spending time on your college essay, Adam Epstein, a senior assistant director of admissions and blogger spells it all out in The All Important College Essay. Check out his blog here.

Perhaps the most dreaded admissions exam’s most dreaded section is That SAT Sentence Completion.  Daille Nation-Ashley tackles the test tension, and offers tips at her CEOmum – Parenting is a Full Time Job blog.

“Turning down an Ivy is easier said then done,” says Risa Stein. She should know — she did it! Read about her experience in Weighing the Ivy Option posted at myCollegeBLOG. “This article explores the weight of prestige when compared to the actual benefits of an Ivy League education.”

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College Money Matters > The Value Scoop

Whether you’re a parent of a college-bounder, or a teen getting ready to go off to college, Leanne, aka Mrs. Bankrupt, offers many great money tips in her post, Raising Financially Smart Adults, What Can You Do Today?. Check them out, along with her blog, Mrs Bankrupt.

How much does matter factor into the college decision? Risa Stein discusses that topic in here post When Financial Aid is the Final Word at the myCollegeBLOG.

If ever there was a point in time when college kids needed some credit card advice, it’s now. Start with Jim Wang’s Best Student Credit Cards posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.

Need some quick spending and saving tips for when you go off to college? Check out Tyra’s tips and tricks to save you money during your college years in her post Dorm Life – Cheap College Living Tips at Billeater.com.

Eric breaks down a very important new economic policy in his post Summary of The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act at Dream Strategy. See how the new bill will affect you!

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Campus Life >  Sundae With the Works

Over at our sister blog, College — U. Got It?, Robyn Tellefsen takes a look at popular graduation urban legends that have sprung up over the years. Which are true and which are false? You’ll have to head over  to see for yourself!

Think you’ll miss mom’s cooking when you’re off to college? Maybe not. Mark Montgomery dispels the myths of “mystery meat” in his post Campus Cuisine–It’s Not Your Standard Cafeteria Fare Anymore over at Great College Advice.

College drinking stats are scary. Candice Arnold ponders those, and the question of whether or not lowering the drinking age to 18 is a good idea in her post, “Party Schools” and Binge Drinking Have Parents Concerned at the CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Admissions Counselors Blog.

Don’t just float by in college. Lynn Mattoon tells you How to Get the Most out of Your College Experience posted at My College Admissions Blog – MyCollegeCalendar.org.

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Careers and Grad School > One Giant Waffle Cone

Think a college degree won’t help you in your future career? Well, if so, you’re wrong — even the President thinks so! Check out The Prez and the Power of Education, right here at the CollegeSurfing Insider blog.

“Finding the right internship can make all the difference in launching a promising new career,” says Khan, “and not only for young people!” Take a look at his post Finding the Right Internship at Higher Education and Career Blog.

What exactly is a post-bac degree? Find out from guest blogger Theresa Davies-Heerema, Ph.D in the post How Can a Post-Baccalaureate Program Help You Matriculate into Medical School at Accepted Admissions Almanac.

“For the student who wishes to become a doctor, the BS/MD accelerated medical programs may be a good choice,” says Todd Johnson. Read about the programs that allow a few students to gain acceptance to medical school right out of high school in BS/MD Programs at College Admissions Counseling.

If writing an essay is optional, should you write one? Dagny presents some myth busters and tips in her post  Effective Ways to Write an Optional Essay at TotalGadha GMAT.

If you’re considering applying to Harvard Business School, here’s a good read for you. Adam Markus presents HBS MBA Questions for Fall 2010 Admission posted at the Adam Markus: Graduate Admissions Guru blog. And, there’s more where that came from: “This is the first in an eight-part series of blog posts analyzing the HBS MBA essays,” he says.

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Thinking Ahead to College > The Kid Scoop

Technology in the classroom is English teacher Jamie Reaburn Weir’s passion. Check out the innovative teaching ideas in her post Planning for the 09-10 School Year at the Ms. Weir’s Musings blog.

From the boarding school trends department comes Peter Baron with his interesting post, Taking Girls Education Online: An Experiment. Check it out and learn more about boarding schools at  AdmissionsQuest.

“If you’re sending your child off to college in the fall, you’re probably wondering if you’ve taught them everything they need to know,” says Elizabeth Kraus of the myUsearch blog. See how ready they are in her post: Parents: What Your College Bound Students Should Know.

If you can’t make it to visit all of your potential colleges in person (who can?), college fairs are the next best thing. Diane presents College Fairs: A Fun, Easy Way to Get the Facts posted at ULS Blog for International Students. “College fairs let you get lots of school information in a short amount of time — and give the opportunity to ask questions face-to-face,” she says.

There are lots of reasons to pursue a college education, and there are some bad ones, too. OnlineCollege examines a few of each in Why Should I Go to College? posted at UniversitiesAndColleges.org.

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Online Learning > High Tech Dippin’ Dots

Ready to join the technology in education debate? Margaret Garcia discusses the pros and cones in Educational Technology – Do We Teach the Tool or Teach Literacy? posted at Accredited Online PHD Universities.

If you’re thinking of schooling online, you may have heard that you need to be self-motivated. Easier said than done? No worries… Nesher tells you How to Gain Motivation Studying Online posted at the Online MBA Study blog.

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Just for Fun > Loaded with Sprinkles!

Willpower is a complicated thing, but Daniel Goleman may have cracked the code for harnessing it. Check out Yes, You Can Build Willpower posted at SharpBrains and give your brain a boost.

Want to make money off of the courses you took in college? Alvina Lopez presents 100 Places to Sell and Share Your Knowledge on the Side posted at Best Colleges Online. See, and you thought some of those required courses wouldn’t help you some day!

I love lists of helpful iPhone Apps (not that I have one). But if I ever get one, this is one that I’d consult: Allison Johanson’s 25 Essential Free iPhone Apps for Lifelong Learners posted at Top Online University Reviews. Ooh, there’s a SpellChecker app!

Here’s one that’s way over my calculus-baffled head, but if you’re a number lover, don’t miss it! Emma Taylor offers a list of the 100 Best Websites for Mathletes posted at Online Universities.com.

I always said that if I could go back in time, I might go to law school. Thanks to Elisha Knackwood’s post on 25 Excellent Open Courseware Classes to Learn About the Law, I can do a good job of pretending I did. Check it out on the Best Court Reporting Degree blog.

When the reality of the real world slaps you in the face after college, you’ll feel better after surfing through some of the  100 Motivational Blog Posts for Disgruntled Grads. Thanks to Anne Simone of Online Colleges for the cool compilation!

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Well, that wraps it up for this very sweet edition of the Carnival of College Admissions. You can submit to the next edition by filling out our super simple submission form.

On behalf of all the talented bloggers, thanks so much for your support! Thanks to Mark Montgomery for sharing the hosting duties with us. And please spread the word — Stumbles, Diggs, Linkbacks & Tweets are always very appreciated!

Enjoy the rest of the summer,
Dawn Papandrea
@collegesurfing

We’re officially in the time of college graduations. Speakers are getting their inspirational speeches together, while the anxious Class of ‘09 — with or without jobs — is feeling a little uneasy at the prospect of beginning their new lives.

So you’ve made it. You’re about to graduate from college. Now what? Well, here are some tips on what to do before you join the ranks of the real world. Don’t get us wrong, you probably love that lava lamp, but are you really going to keep it around after you move your tassel?

Here, Jason Ellman presents to you his Top Five List of Money Makers and Time Savers for your last few days in college…

1. Savor the last few moments you have before entering the real world!
Graduating college is a BIG deal. It’s an occasion you want to share with your friends, family, loved ones…but all those invites and thank you notes can eat up the precious little time you have left! (Not to mention the cost!) Thanks to SendOutCards.com, you can send a few hundred announcements and never have to hand address or sign a single one. The online website lets you upload your entire address book, personalize the cards, and click send. They’ll print, stuff, stamp and send your cards for you, and for CHEAP.

2. De-clutter your bookshelves.
Because textbooks are reissued in new editions frequently, the last few weeks of a semester or quarter is the best time to sell your old books and get the most value back. Bookbyte.com is easy to use and gives college students the best bang for their buck. Best part: the site pays for your shipping and ensures you receive your payment within five business days.

3. Free Airfare Miles for making the family proud.
Other than a grad check, what else can your academic transcripts get you? According to StudentScrooge.com, help with that trip to Greece (or anywhere else, for that matter). United Airlines offers graduating students a 10,000 Mileage Plus bonus, which is roughly 40% of the way to a free domestic flight. Just send in your transcript, email address, and United Mileage Plus account number, and they’ll immediately deposit the bonus miles. See United Airlines for details.

4. Retire that lava lamp.
Or any other dorm furniture that screams “undergrad.” Facebook and other social networking sites is a great way to sell your dorm furniture to underclassmen – simply utilize Facebook’s marketplace application to post your offer. Don’t forget to take advantage of status updates and designated groups to get the word out. You may just get enough cash to fund your next rite of passage into adulthood: You’re very own, personal health insurance policy, aren’t you so proud?!

5. Counteract senioritis.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to spend their LAST month of school sorting through a daunting pile of loose notes and indecipherable scribbling for upcoming exams. With sites like MyNoteIt.com, users can organize and share notes and study tips with fellow classmates saving tons of time. Disclaimer: MyNoteIt is merely tool created to save time and is not responsible for how ‘said’ extra time is applied, be it either constructive or destructive in nature. Enjoy!

-Jason Ellman

Jason Ellman, 26, is the co-founder of Barnett Ellman, a PR and marketing firm focused on the millennial generation. More information on Jason and his organization can be found at http://www.barnettellman.com.

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