You’re about to start your senior year of college, and you’ve finally figured out what you want to do with your life! There’s just problem: it has nothing to do with your college degree.
Not to worry! Tons of famous and successful people got degrees that have nothing to do with what they do now. The people on this list went to college and followed their interests before realizing they’d rather be doing something else. Check it out—your hero may be on this list!
Anna Selezneva
Job: Model. Modeling for Balmain and Ralph Lauren regularly, while appearing on the cover of Vogue numerous times as well
Degree: Psychology, Moscow State University
Ava DuVernay
Job: Director and screenwriter. The creator of the award-winning film Selma. DuVernay is currently working on A Wrinkle in Time and a Netflix miniseries based on the Central Park Five
Studies: English Literature and African American Studies, UCLA
Aziz Ansari
Job: Actor, comedian, producer. Creator and star of the Netflix hit Master of None, Ansari is currently taking a break after a very successful season two
Studies: Marketing, New York University
Ben McKenzie
Job: Actor. Currently giving life to Jim Gordon on Gotham—and that’s not his only foray into the world of DC’s moodiest caped crusader! McKenzie recently voiced Batman in Batman: Year One
Studies: Foreign Affairs and Economics, University of Virginia
Danny Granger
Job: NBA player, formerly of the Indiana Pacers. Despite suffering multiple injuries during his career, Granger has been able to play for a variety of teams in the NBA
Studies: Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico
Eva Longoria
Job: Actress, director. Most recognized for her role in Desperate Housewives, this reputable activist is currently directing the TV show The Mick
Studies: Kinesiology, Texas A&M University; MA in Chicano Studies, California State University Northridge
Galen Hooks
Job: Choreographer, dancer, and producer. Well-known for choreographing the videos to Bishop Briggs’ “River”, Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain”, and many others; she also recently produced and directed Wait For Me, a short dance film
Studies: Pre-Law, Penn State University
J Cole
Job: Rapper. This strong lyricist has multiple platinum albums with no features
Studies: Communications with a minor in Business, St. John’s University
Joan Smalls
Job: Model. The first Latina model to represent Estée Lauder cosmetics, Smalls has modeled for Fenty x Puma, Alexander Wang, Moschino, and more
Studies: Psychology, InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico
Mayim Bialik
Job: Actress, writer. Most recognized for her role on Big Bang Theory, Bialik is currently prepping the release of Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold, and Brilliant, the boy version of her book Girling Up: How to be Strong, Smart, and Spectacular. Bialik actually did work as a neuroscience researcher, but after receiving her PhD she returned to acting so that she could spend more time with her family
Studies: Neuroscience with a minor in Hebrew and Jewish Study, UCLA; PhD in Neuroscience, UCLA
Myron Rolle
Job: NFL Player for the Tennessee Titans. Talk about a well-rounded individual: Rolle retired from football around 4 years ago and is currently fulfilling a neurosurgery residency at Harvard Medical School
Studies: Exercise Science, Florida State University; MSc in Medical Anthropology, Oxford University
Sam Fuld
Job: MLB Player for Oakland Athletics. Fuld recently participated in Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic
Studies: Economics, Stanford University
Sorah Yang
Job: Choreographer. In addition to teaching internationally, she also trains teams formed for special guest performances at dance showcases. Yang mentors her special teams of dancers in what amounts to a mini-intensive dance program
Studies: Marketing and Business Administration, University of Southern California
Steve Aoki
Job: DJ. Heavily involved in EDM, Aoki is known for his collaborations, the latest being “Just Hold On” with Louis Tomlinson
Studies: Feminist Studies and Sociology, UCSB
Cool, right? Do you see yourself pursuing multiple interests? All of the people listed above have had major accomplishments. These people pursued their dream degrees and their dream jobs. #Goals, right? After all, why stick to one world when you can explore the universe?
Ting Ting Chen
Kyla Rain
Christiana Birch
Charlotte Entwistle