Help choosing a major

[OGBoardPoster2005]

I am to enroll at the University of Maryland-College Park this August. My only issue is I am still uncertain about my major due to bad experience with it years ago at my previous school. Right now I am considering:

Communication - Public Relations
Computer Science
Education
Government and Politics
History
Journalism: Broadcast
Journalism: Multi-platform

Problem is I don't know how much of a college education is required in each of these career fields and the status of professions. I don't want to major in something I don't need to major in and while I feel each of these play to my strengths, I'm uncertain what road is best for me. Any advice from anyone already in these fields or is studying?

[Red Impact]

Communication and Journalism you should be fine with a bachelors. I was a journalist once upon a time and you can get by with a bachelors, although people do go to get masters. Having a degree in journalism helps with getting into those fields, however they're not that strong of industries to be getting in to right now.

[Welfare Willis]

Okay you're going to hear a lot of bs on the internet about some of those majors. Liberal arts majors tend to get that, and half the internet thinks if you're not in one of STEM fields than your degree is worthless. They're wrong as ultimately it's what one does with their experience that matter. Enroll in extracurricular activities, build relationships, and most importantly GO TO CLASS. You're on the right path. While some say college is too expensive the truth is employers still look for that degree and you'll make more money the more education you have.

My advice? Think about what you want to do, what you are passionate about, and go for it. Would you rather have a degree in something you hate or a degree in something you enjoy? Luckily you're just about to enroll in school. Enroll in some different classes and see what you enjoy. You don't have to declare a major right off the bat.

Here's some sites to help you:
www.onetonline.org/
www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/09/19/5-ways-to-pick-the-right-college-major
blog.chegg.com/2011/05/31/how-to-pick-your-major/
www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/2015/05/11/stem-fields-benefit-from-liberal-arts-skills

Right now I'm in my senior year and about to graduate with degrees in Political Science and Economics. I know my degrees are a good start, but more than likely I'll need a master's or law school to really get where I want to go (federal government job). I don't care because I love the subject matter. You spoke of a bad experience long ago, it happens. I had a bad experience at a college years ago as well. Learn from it and you'll be okay.

[bigjohnsons]

Computer science




There's so much money to be made it's crazy

[Deleted]

May 26, 2015 14:33:41 GMT -5 Welfare Willis said:

Okay you're going to hear a lot of bs on the internet about some of those majors. Liberal arts majors tend to get that, and half the internet thinks if you're not in one of STEM fields than your degree is worthless. They're wrong as ultimately it's what one does with their experience that matter. Enroll in extracurricular activities, build relationships, and most importantly GO TO CLASS. You're on the right path. While some say college is too expensive the truth is employers still look for that degree and you'll make more money the more education you have.

My advice? Think about what you want to do, what you are passionate about, and go for it. Would you rather have a degree in something you hate or a degree in something you enjoy? Luckily you're just about to enroll in school. Enroll in some different classes and see what you enjoy. You don't have to declare a major right off the bat.

Here's some sites to help you:
www.onetonline.org/
www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/09/19/5-ways-to-pick-the-right-college-major
blog.chegg.com/2011/05/31/how-to-pick-your-major/
www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/2015/05/11/stem-fields-benefit-from-liberal-arts-skills

Right now I'm in my senior year and about to graduate with degrees in Political Science and Economics. I know my degrees are a good start, but more than likely I'll need a master's or law school to really get where I want to go (federal government job). I don't care because I love the subject matter. You spoke of a bad experience long ago, it happens. I had a bad experience at a college years ago as well. Learn from it and you'll be okay.

This wins. Not just for being sound advice, but for being hilarious imagined coming out of Scott Steiner.

That could've been a fun tweak for him. No changes to his core character. He's still all "Heh!?" and all that, but you get occasional backstage segments of him having heart to hearts with people about how to handle serious life changes with sappy piano music in the background.

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

Computer science by far. This is coming from someone with a journalism masters degree from an Ivy League school by the way.

[StormanReigns]

If I were you I would not declare right away. Take a variety of courses and choose what you like best.

You need a certain amount of general credits anyways, so not declaring right away won't hurt you

[Deleted]

May 26, 2015 15:25:57 GMT -5 @lesscra said:

May 26, 2015 14:33:41 GMT -5 Welfare Willis said:

Okay you're going to hear a lot of bs on the internet about some of those majors. Liberal arts majors tend to get that, and half the internet thinks if you're not in one of STEM fields than your degree is worthless. They're wrong as ultimately it's what one does with their experience that matter. Enroll in extracurricular activities, build relationships, and most importantly GO TO CLASS. You're on the right path. While some say college is too expensive the truth is employers still look for that degree and you'll make more money the more education you have.

My advice? Think about what you want to do, what you are passionate about, and go for it. Would you rather have a degree in something you hate or a degree in something you enjoy? Luckily you're just about to enroll in school. Enroll in some different classes and see what you enjoy. You don't have to declare a major right off the bat.

Here's some sites to help you:
www.onetonline.org/
www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2011/09/19/5-ways-to-pick-the-right-college-major
blog.chegg.com/2011/05/31/how-to-pick-your-major/
www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/2015/05/11/stem-fields-benefit-from-liberal-arts-skills

Right now I'm in my senior year and about to graduate with degrees in Political Science and Economics. I know my degrees are a good start, but more than likely I'll need a master's or law school to really get where I want to go (federal government job). I don't care because I love the subject matter. You spoke of a bad experience long ago, it happens. I had a bad experience at a college years ago as well. Learn from it and you'll be okay.

This wins. Not just for being sound advice, but for being hilarious imagined coming out of Scott Steiner.

That could've been a fun tweak for him. No changes to his core character. He's still all "Heh!?" and all that, but you get occasional backstage segments of him having heart to hearts with people about how to handle serious life changes with sappy piano music in the background.

The guy would've owned TGIF in the 90s.

[Square]

Write a list of 10 jobs that you can see yourself in for 20 years
Write a list of 10 jobs that you want to be in 10 years time
Write a list of 10 goals that you have
See what overlaps

[Welfare Willis]

May 26, 2015 20:13:36 GMT -5 Square said:

Write a list of 10 jobs that you can see yourself in for 20 years
Write a list of 10 jobs that you want to be in 10 years time
Write a list of 10 goals that you have
See what overlaps

Yeah, but the field is way too competitive for owner of a candy factory ran by big breasted hookers.







...Let's see that on TGIF.

[cackles]

May 26, 2015 19:13:14 GMT -5 StormanReigns said:

If I were you I would not declare right away. Take a variety of courses and choose what you like best.

You need a certain amount of general credits anyways, so not declaring right away won't hurt you

This. I remember when I transferred to a uni from community college, many of my peers who were taking 300 and 400 level classes with me still hadn't finished all of their general education credits. It really is best to get them out of the way ASAP so you can spend your last couple of years focused on your major. Plus, there's always a section of credit requirements that are just electives. Go take some classes that might not be from that list of majors and see if you like it.

Don't worry about the "status of professions". Go with a major you would love to study and you'll find a career that suits that knowledge. College will be way more enjoyable that way.

[Red Impact]

May 26, 2015 20:30:53 GMT -5 cackles said:

Don't worry about the "status of professions". Go with a major you would love to study and you'll find a career that suits that knowledge. College will be way more enjoyable that way.

See, having been there, I sort of disagree. One things colleges here tend to do a poor job of is being honest with students about what options are out there after they get out, and pretending that everyone who studies something will find a career in it when the reality is far from that. It sucks getting out of school and finding that the industry you studied for has thousands of grads applying for hundreds of jobs, and knowing that you're easily replaceable if you want to advance. Thinking about the real world application of what you're studying is very important, because undergrad lasts for 4 years, the rest of your life hopefully for much longer. And back to school loans are extremely expensive.

And I'm not one who believes that you should only see school as a means to get a job, and by all means, study something you enjoy. But do your research and find out what you're getting yourself in to when you do, because colleges typically don't do it very well. And you don't want to be the person trying to pay off student loans one a book store salary.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

May 26, 2015 20:13:36 GMT -5 Square said:

Write a list of 10 jobs that you can see yourself in for 20 years
Write a list of 10 jobs that you want to be in 10 years time
Write a list of 10 goals that you have
See what overlaps

Strangely nothing seems to over lap with "watch as many movies and play as many video games as I can, and hopefully die painlessly."

[cackles]

May 26, 2015 20:59:30 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

May 26, 2015 20:30:53 GMT -5 cackles said:

Don't worry about the "status of professions". Go with a major you would love to study and you'll find a career that suits that knowledge. College will be way more enjoyable that way.

See, having been there, I sort of disagree. One things colleges here tend to do a poor job of is being honest with students about what options are out there after they get out, and pretending that everyone who studies something will find a career in it when the reality is far from that. It sucks getting out of school and finding that the industry you studied for has thousands of grads applying for hundreds of jobs, and knowing that you're easily replaceable if you want to advance. Thinking about the real world application of what you're studying is very important, because undergrad lasts for 4 years, the rest of your life hopefully for much longer. And back to school loans are extremely expensive.

And I'm not one who believes that you should only see school as a means to get a job, and by all means, study something you enjoy. But do your research and find out what you're getting yourself in to when you do, because colleges typically don't do it very well. And you don't want to be the person trying to pay off student loans one a book store salary.

Definitely not arguing with you there. Some majors definitely have an over-saturation right now, which makes job hunting hard. But the list he had seem pretty safe at the moment career wise. That and most sites will tell him all of those majors on his list are worthless.

Still, you're right. Research is important and that list Big Bag posted will definitely help. I just think having a high interest in your major is just as important as career opportunities.

[Red Impact]

May 26, 2015 22:14:09 GMT -5 cackles said:

May 26, 2015 20:59:30 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

See, having been there, I sort of disagree. One things colleges here tend to do a poor job of is being honest with students about what options are out there after they get out, and pretending that everyone who studies something will find a career in it when the reality is far from that. It sucks getting out of school and finding that the industry you studied for has thousands of grads applying for hundreds of jobs, and knowing that you're easily replaceable if you want to advance. Thinking about the real world application of what you're studying is very important, because undergrad lasts for 4 years, the rest of your life hopefully for much longer. And back to school loans are extremely expensive.

And I'm not one who believes that you should only see school as a means to get a job, and by all means, study something you enjoy. But do your research and find out what you're getting yourself in to when you do, because colleges typically don't do it very well. And you don't want to be the person trying to pay off student loans one a book store salary.

Definitely not arguing with you there. Some majors definitely have an over-saturation right now, which makes job hunting hard. But the list he had seem pretty safe at the moment career wise. That and most sites will tell him all of those majors on his list are worthless.

Still, you're right. Research is important and that list Big Bag posted will definitely help. I just think having a high interest in your major is just as important as career opportunities.

I'll say that some seem safe. Journalism degrees are definitely not a hot commodity (I'm a former journalist for a reason, and feel bolstered by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! 's remarks). The internet has destroyed traditional media outlets, so it's going to be tough to get into it, and while broadcast is often a bit better, it's still hard if you don't get to the top. The number of traditional outlets are decreasing even as the number of j-school grads is high.

The stuff like Government and History could have some prospects, but he'd need to see what is typically available and how many of those require advanced degrees. Education is the same way, largely. Bachelor's are good for some levels, but for higher ed or more prestigious secondary positions he'll need a Masters or higher.

Computer science is usually good, but even some usually good degrees have had trouble in recent years (the job market for lawyers and architects has tanked in recent years). PR is often available, as everyone and their dog seems to need PR people with the internet, but again, it's important to see what's really required and what skills are necessary.

It's always easier to look at a field of study and think of all the great things you can do with it, but opportunities often look alot different if you're not prepared. I can't tell you how many people I went to class with who wanted to be a film critic at a paper, only to find that those positions don't really exist at 99% of publications. Studying what you love is great andcollege is the perfect time for it, it's just important not to be the guy who got an English degree, doesn't want to teach, and now tries to pay student loans by taking orders at a Starbucks.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

See one of the advisors at your school instead of asking a bunch of strangers on the Internet would be my advice.

[Red Impact]

May 26, 2015 23:32:20 GMT -5 Citizen Snips Has Left said:

See one of the advisors at your school instead of asking a bunch of strangers on the Internet would be my advice.

From my experience, college advisers don't necessarily have the best answers to "How likely am I to get a job in this field?" or "Do you really need to major in X to do Y?" They're there to help you find a field that you will enjoy studying in and telling you what the school has to offer you, but certain questions are better answered by people outside of that bubble (or at least from those in the bubble that have experience in that particular area and will be fully forthcoming."

[OGBoardPoster2005]

Thanks guys!

[thetower52]

Probably late to the party but I'll tell you what my college advisor told me.
Don't major in anything the first term.
Most people end up switching majors and it becomes a pain in the ass.
Better the explore early and get the required basic classes done while you find the right major for you.