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#1 2006-10-16 12:48 pm
- F041
- Member
- Registered: 2004-03-13
- Posts: 3239
Choosing a major?
I'm in my third semester at a liberal arts college. I'm still undecided what I want to study, and my credits are spread out over many departments, none of which I want to focus on. I basically need to take three or four credits a semester in whatever I will major in, starting next semester and continue that until I graduate. My thinking is… I haven't felt passionate about any departments after taking some classes in these first three semesters. I'm scared to pick a department that I haven't taken a single class in and take four classes in it next semester. If I do that and don't like it, I'm basically screwed and will have thrown away two years of college (that's how it seems to me). I want to go abroad as a junior, and my concentration needs to tie into that. I would love to get fluent in Spanish, but I don't want to study Spanish literature. I'm totally at a loss and would love some advice as to how to pick a major. No matter what your age or experience, I want your viewpoint! Also, when I graduate with a bachelor's degree in concentration X, what do I do from there? Do people go to graduate school in a field different from their bachelor's degree? I can't imagine myself getting a good job in whatever concentration I pick… the nice ones are for people who came into college focused (computer science, biochemistry, et cetera), which I definitely didn't do. I've been experiencing with a lot of different classes and subjects and nothing has tickled my fancy with a strong pull. And these are all beginner- or intermediate-level classes… I have no idea what I'll do when I start taking advanced classes. Anyways, please give me some guidance and advice as I try to figure out my next semester, college career, and life.
Thanks!
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#2 2006-10-16 11:58 pm
- Jayhawk
- Member
- Registered: 2000-06-21
- Posts: 4486
Re: Choosing a major?
Figure out what you'd like to get paid to do after college, and choose your major from there.
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#3 2006-10-17 1:31 pm
Re: Choosing a major?
I'm going the CS route myself. Just had to get instructor's permission to start taking the classes without the math requirement so this quarter is general stuff and an IT class.
MacBook Pro 15.4"
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#4 2006-10-17 4:33 pm
- The Godfather
- Mindcircus

- From: 116th and Riverside
- Registered: 2003-02-06
- Posts: 1365
Re: Choosing a major?
it really doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you do really well in those classes. Granted, you can't major in PE and expect an awesome job.
15" 1.67 Powerbook 100gb HD
2gb RAM
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#5 2006-10-17 5:17 pm
- F041
- Member
- Registered: 2004-03-13
- Posts: 3239
Re: Choosing a major?
The Godfather wrote:
it really doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you do really well in those classes.
How should I plan my post-graduation life if I'm not passionate about my major? I figure I might end up in a decent job and be able to climb a ways from there (I currently work at the computer help desk at college with no formal computer training but obviously I'm a Mac addict so I know what I'm doing a lot of the time), but I'm not really sure if I should or should not continue my schooling after graduating as an undergraduate. I would like to get certified in Education so that I can possibly become a teacher (and teach English abroad, and teach it well), although at this point, there is no way I can take enough classes to have a major and get certified in the Education field (it doesn't count as a concentration as my school, so everyone who wants it takes its classes alongside a different department).
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#6 2006-10-17 6:50 pm
- Shadowless
- LCpl, USMC

- From: San Diego, CA
- Registered: 2005-10-10
- Posts: 2969
Re: Choosing a major?
Haha, I'm a CS major right now, and I'm switching the smurf out ASAP.
After 2.5 semesters (and unfortunately too late now to add/drop courses for this semester, damn it) I realized I really didn't like programming. I'm just not passionate about it. smurf. Now I'm at square 1 after throwing away tons of money on CS. At the very least I can use my knowledge and make programming a hobby.
Anyway, I attend Northeastern University. After seeing an advisor today, he recommended for me to see our "Career Services" department. There, they have people who's sole jobs are to help you find a direction. I've got an appointment Monday, but until then I'm trying to think about what I want to do, what I'm passionate about.
I thought I wanted to do computer stuff 'cause I love computers and am really enthusiastic about technology and ideas. But there isn't any way to get an education in that sort of thing (Information Science is the closest thing, but still requires a big programming background). In the end I might do something with philosophy/psychology, but I dunno.
In opposition to what The Godfather said, what really matters are the connections you make and the opportunities you give yourself in college, not your grades. Granted, you still need to graduate, and sometimes there are scholarship incentives to get good grades, but The Grade should not be your focus. Additionally, don't think about Grad School right now. You aren't even a senior in college yet, and on top of that, you have no direction. Don't worry yourself about it now. Just find a direction.
I'll put up more later, but I think that's quite enough for now. Sorry for that long-ass smurf.
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#7 2006-10-17 7:59 pm
- The Godfather
- Mindcircus

- From: 116th and Riverside
- Registered: 2003-02-06
- Posts: 1365
Re: Choosing a major?
F041 wrote:
The Godfather wrote:
it really doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you do really well in those classes.
How should I plan my post-graduation life if I'm not passionate about my major? I figure I might end up in a decent job and be able to climb a ways from there (I currently work at the computer help desk at college with no formal computer training but obviously I'm a Mac addict so I know what I'm doing a lot of the time), but I'm not really sure if I should or should not continue my schooling after graduating as an undergraduate. I would like to get certified in Education so that I can possibly become a teacher (and teach English abroad, and teach it well), although at this point, there is no way I can take enough classes to have a major and get certified in the Education field (it doesn't count as a concentration as my school, so everyone who wants it takes its classes alongside a different department).
Well, I'm a history major, but it's not like I want to become a history teacher when I graduate. Study what you really want to study in undergraduate, get the good grades, then you will not have trouble finding a good job in most fields, trust me.
15" 1.67 Powerbook 100gb HD
2gb RAM
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#8 2006-10-17 11:52 pm
- Aqua OS X
- Shark Sandwich

- From: Oakland, CA
- Registered: 2000-06-05
- Posts: 12534
Re: Choosing a major?
The Godfather wrote:
F041 wrote:
The Godfather wrote:
it really doesn't matter what you major in, as long as you do really well in those classes.
How should I plan my post-graduation life if I'm not passionate about my major? I figure I might end up in a decent job and be able to climb a ways from there (I currently work at the computer help desk at college with no formal computer training but obviously I'm a Mac addict so I know what I'm doing a lot of the time), but I'm not really sure if I should or should not continue my schooling after graduating as an undergraduate. I would like to get certified in Education so that I can possibly become a teacher (and teach English abroad, and teach it well), although at this point, there is no way I can take enough classes to have a major and get certified in the Education field (it doesn't count as a concentration as my school, so everyone who wants it takes its classes alongside a different department).
Well, I'm a history major, but it's not like I want to become a history teacher when I graduate. Study what you really want to study in undergraduate, get the good grades, then you will not have trouble finding a good job in most fields, trust me.
Middle management cubicle here I come!
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#9 2006-10-18 7:09 am
Re: Choosing a major?
Just don't get yourself trapped in a major like mine, where it is absolutely worthless without graduate and/or professional school. Stupid biomedical science. Ugh, I am so ready to graduate.
"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras
"No act of kindness is ever wasted." - Aesop
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#10 2006-10-18 11:41 am
Re: Choosing a major?
You mentioned the possibility of teaching, learning Spanish (literature can be a means, it does not need to be the entire concentration), and going abroad to teach English. That sounds like you have some interest, something to pursue. Remember, there is a difference between "uninterested" and "disinterested"--you may be feeling the latter and confusing it with the former. In any case, grades are important, but they need not be the driving force in your decision (unless, of course, they are so bad they affect your entire education). It also sounds like you are putting a time limit on the completion of your education that may be creating the sense you are experiencing. Taking five or six years to complete the degree you want is no longer strike against you. If you do take the education path, expect to take even longer--graduate work is almost a requirement these days. I wouldn't consider courses you have taken to be wasted. They may not apply directly to your final degree, but there is always something to be learned. I've been teaching for 25+ years and I'm still learning. I don't expect to "graduate" till I die.
Cheers,
ptervin...with open eyes
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#11 2006-10-18 1:30 pm
- Zapata
- Member

- From: Madrid, Spain
- Registered: 2000-11-08
- Posts: 817
Re: Choosing a major?
PHUSMC wrote:
I'm going the CS route myself. Just had to get instructor's permission to start taking the classes without the math requirement so this quarter is general stuff and an IT class.
What kind of school lets you skip the math requirements? Surely it is a degree requirement.
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#12 2006-10-18 2:48 pm
Re: Choosing a major?
Find something that interests you. Also think about what you'd like to be doing after college, and find a degree that matches it. The Econ route is always popular.
Basseq is me, John Whittet.
(Finishing the remainder of the thought expressed in the post has been left as an exercise for the reader.)
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#13 2006-10-20 11:38 am
- pbcustom98
- high above the machy mach
- From: new york
- Registered: 2004-06-20
- Posts: 121
Re: Choosing a major?
also remember this...a LOT of people get a degree in something they like in college, but when it comes time to get a job, they dont even get it in the field they studied in for whatever reason...some people just graduate and get any BS degree, just to put it on their resume that they HAVE a degree.
good luck deciding.
Black Macbook
deciding between MBP & MP
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#15 2006-10-20 10:31 pm
- algogocom
- Member
- Registered: 2006-10-20
- Posts: 1
Re: Choosing a major?
:)Choose your major acording to your interests and your work.It is a important thing to choose a major.Because it can lead to your future life.Do you think so?
Wish every one coming here have a nice weekend!
Rgds,
(link removed by justine for having nothing to do with choosing a major)
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#16 2006-11-16 8:40 pm
- icebook1
- That college kid

- From: Virginia
- Registered: 2001-05-27
- Posts: 1379
Re: Choosing a major?
I'm going to college soon. I've sort of picked a major or two that look interesting merely based on what I enjoy doing. My thought process is if I major in something I like, eventually I'll have a job that involves that talent or skill... therefore, I will have a job that I enjoy. Duh.
For you? Just think about what you really like doing. What you could enjoy passing on to others. What you could contribute to society to help change the world. Heck, make a list if you have to.
Good luck deciding!
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#17 2007-01-09 9:08 pm
- Defunker
- Substance Abuser

- From: Bel Air, Maryland
- Registered: 2006-12-21
- Posts: 52
Re: Choosing a major?
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