Josh Hester always wondered why people are the way they are. But after graduating from MSU, the psychology graduate tried his hand at everything from teaching to politics.

Louisa Matzke, an avid reader, once eyed a career in the publishing industry while at MSU. But now the 23-year-old English graduate edits leasing contracts for a shoe company in Colorado.

These are the post-graduation tales of MSU alumni who choose nontechnical degrees — theater, art history or film studies, to name a few.

For these graduates, work after college is more difficult because there isn't a clearly defined career path or corporate ladder to climb.

Their love for what they do must be enough to sustain them through the struggles of job searching. If it doesn't, many MSU humanities graduates move on to a different field altogether.

"They have to go out and try something in the labor market to find where they best fit in," said Phil Gardner, director of MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute. "Usually they have to wander around a bit."

These types of graduates usually settle down in a career five to seven years after graduation, Gardner said.

And that's OK with many facing this situation.

Hester, a 2004 graduate, wasn't sure what to do after college — but he wasn't worried. Life, he figured, would just fall into place.

"I wasn't going to pick a major just so I could find a job," the 24-year-old Lansing resident said. "It's been a continuing process finding where my heart lies and what I want to do."

He is not alone among psychology graduates. Only 7 to 10 percent of undergraduates nationwide go on to get a doctorate in psychology, said Sarah Handspike, coordinator of advising and undergraduate services for MSU's psychology department.

Instead, many get a bachelor's degree and work as case workers or day care supervisors, or work for government agencies or nonprofits, she said.

"There's a lot you can do," Handspike said. "The key to getting a job with any of those majors is a student has to have experience. They have to have an internship. They have to get out in the community."

Unexpected turns

Since college, Hester has taught at a Nashville community college, knocked on doors for his political internship, helped children with disabilities in East Lansing and worked as a substitute teacher in the Lansing School District. He is not a psychologist — and that's fine by him.

If he returns to MSU for a second bachelor's degree this January, Hester plans to study interdisciplinary studies in social science and community relations so he can teach government and social studies.

His unorthodox road to find his calling worked out for him.

Others aren't as confident about their degree choices.

Matzke chose to be an English major at MSU because she loved to read.

"I don't think there's anything greater than buying a new book. It's something that makes me happy," the 23-year-old said.

Her parents were both teachers, so Matzke planned to follow in their steps and combine her English major with College of Education classes. But after her "very first" teaching class, she realized it wasn't for her.

"I changed my mind and went for the straight English degree," said Matzke, a Denver resident. "Now I'm kind of second-guessing that."

Two weeks after her 2005 graduation, Matzke picked up and moved to Colorado, where her older sister lived, hoping to find employment. Through a friend, she landed a job at Crocs Inc., a shoe company that makes popular clog-like shoes.

Instead of reading her favorites — "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison and the classic "The Scarlet Letter" — Matzke looks over the company's leasing contracts, double-checking numbers and their legality.

"I'm happy to be a part of it, but I never pictured myself in this type of work. My ideal job would have been a huge publishing company," she said. "But it never fell into place. I don't know what's next to come."

In her first year out of college, Matzke said she's learned her major doesn't really matter. In the professional world, you have to work your way up from the bottom regardless, she said.

"It's not a matter of what your certificate says," said Matzke, who recently started pulling out her books again after a six-month break from her favorite pastime.

In the spotlight

Where Matzke and Hester have veered away from their degree fields, some have found ways to succeed.

Meredith Tierney doubted her chances of making it in show business when she was a theater major at MSU. But now, one year after graduation, the 23-year-old has found her stage — however small.

"Being in a tiny town in Kentucky isn't where most people think to go for theater," said Tierney, who found her start as a stage manager in Murray, Ky., with a theater company that performs out of a warehouse. "(But) it's a professional theater. It'll look good on my résumé."

Now she lives in Memphis, Tenn., working 14-hour days, six times a week at another small theater. She does everything from leading rehearsals to running the soundboard.

"I never thought I could do it in theater," Tierney said. "I always worried I wasn't going to get a job."

The real test for Tierney's theater career, however, will come when she moves to Chicago next year, she said.

"At this point, it's a sink or swim," she said.

Looking ahead

While some degrees can lead to post-graduation uncertainty, the next generation isn't deterred from treading a similar path.

Justin Fuller, a studio art sophomore, said he's not worried about what lies after college.

"I've been drawing since the third grade," said the 19-year-old, who keeps a sketchbook with different characters he's created.

Fuller, who draws cartoons and anime, plans on landing an internship this summer at an art company. One of his dream gigs is to work for Marvel Comics.

"I have a plan, and I'm going to try and make it happen," Fuller said.