I need help deciding something...
 

What to major in?!

Right now I'm going towards an engineering technology program at my current school, but once I'm done I'm probably going to transfer to a four-year school, but I have no real idea what I should do (or even if I should go on to bachelor's level).

I've heard this question a lot: "What is it that you like to do?"

Well......I like to sleep, play video games, watch movies and shows (good ones), read the occasional good book, research, and well...learn. =p

Other than that, I don't know how I would translate that to a specific major. So....any advice would be great :)

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

I went through the exact same thing a few years back, and was becoming really stressed about it, when one day, while I was on vacation, I talked to a random stranger, who offered some simple advice: "Something I've observed as I've seen myself and all my friends go through college: Initially, you go with what makes sense, then later on you figure out what you like."

Turns out he had his masters degree in mathematics, and his current job was teaching Karate. I initially started off looking at Aerospace Engineering, but as I get farther in school, I'm leaning towards becoming a math major, with the intention of being a teacher. I've slowly found that I love math, both doing and teaching it, but I never would have thought of that when I was in high school/starting college.

Not super helpful advice really, but I'd just say don't stress out too much about it, just go for something you think you wouldn't mind doing for a living, if you actively pursue internships or opportunities involving the field your interested in, you'll figure out pretty quickly if you could do it for the rest of your life. :)

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Funny thing, I'm actually really considering a math major =p

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Naz's suggestion is a good one. If you go with something broad, especially English or maths, then when it comes to choosing a career, you won't be pigeon holed into something specific - all because you chose palaeobotany during a moment of fleeting interest in something obscure while you were at school.

Qualifications in English and/or maths have broad applications in virtually any subject, which you can build upon when you do eventually decide on a career path. Because none of us end up doing what we thought we'd be doing.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

I think its really difficult to decide it is partly one of the reasons I did not go on to further education. Doing something you like is mostly a good idea as it means that your more likely to put the hours in.

However If you want it to translate into something involving video games, personally I would study a programming course perhaps with marketing joint honors as there is always lots of marketing to be done for Games.

Hope this gave you some thinking points.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

It very much depends. Are you a person who quickly jumps from one interest to another? If so, it might not be a good idea to solely base your choice on what you like. I'm not saying one shouldn't choose something he likes, but you certainly have to take into consideration other factors, such as whether what you're going to choose is actually going to help you in the future.

In fact, the most important and probably best thing to do would to write down a list of things you like or wouldn't mind doing, followed by a search of jobs that incorporate these specific interests altogether [or most of them, if you will] and are [or are predicted to be] high in demand.
Par exemple, there was this woman I recently watched on YouTube. When she was young, she had absolutely no clue as to what to choose as a major. Her parents suggested to write down what she liked (general Science, Chemistry, Astronomy) and didn't like as much (Mathematics).

She happened to stumble upon the NASA website. It turned out that the NASA mission specialists and astronauts incorporate all of her interests. And whilst she didn't like Mathematics as much, she learnt to respect it more and more as she saw the correlation between Chemistry and Mathematics.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

I'd suggest talking with a career councilor at the school you are/and or will be attending to get some incline of what might be something you could see yourself doing in a few years and then talk with people in that field to get their perspective.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Plus, they really never use all the math they learn in school; while necessary to understand what is happening, ultimately they either have computer programs or math majors to do all the math for them. (This is a reason I'm leaning away from the Aerospace field, I love the heck out of math.)

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Let it be known, typically your only option with a straight mathematics major is teaching.

I, now, find the "do what you like" argument to be a pipe dream for most, if not all people. Does anyone really like working? Regardless of the field? The pressure, the cronyism, the late nights, the long weekends, missing special moments with your family. For me, it really comes down to what you are best at, can see yourself doing 30+ years without killing yourself and gives you the income to actually do what you like.

Sorry if I'm a downer, but college sells you on a lie and I bought into it too. Now, I'm not saying don't go to college, college is basically the prerequisite for doing anything anymore. But, don't let them sell you on this "if I go to college I get to do what I love" nonsense.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Plus, turning your hobby into work can severely constrict your enjoyment of that hobby.

Do what you love, hate what you love.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

You could look job postings. Look for jobs that sound interesting, then look what is required. It helps to talk to people with some experience in a field (although they may be biased). Sometimes it is also helpful to look at companies rather than job descriptions.

In general the more difficult your subject is the better, assuming that you manage to get a degree with decent grades from a good institution. HR looks at education as an indicator of how likely it is that you are intelligent and disciplined, difficult subjects are better in that respect.

In any case, learn to program, chances are that you'll need it at some point.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

That would probably be the ideal career for me.

I'm currently getting help through my local Good Will chain. My current program has some classes in programming, but once I transfer I can also get certification in computers through the school.

But I don't think I'd go for a computer science major at this point =p

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Don't be afraid to change majors if it doesn't suit what you are doing- I went in undeclared, went to Chemistry than Biology, then focused into Pharmacy after getting an opportunity to check out a pharmaceutical lab. There are financial concerns always, but it's better to try and get out early if you're not too crazy about the field, that way it's easy to transition to other majors as a lot of them share the same core requirements. Otherwise if you decide late it's likely you'll have to do a lot of things over and end up paying more.

It's good to do what you are interested in- don't force yourself into a degree you have no care for, but be mindful at the same time that not everything's going to be pleasing to an employer once you graduate. Some degrees don't have much traction, unfortunately.

Most universities also have a career center like aldaja said. They're helpful people, and they can give you an idea of what you can do with your particular degrees and when to expect to get opportunities for internships and research opportunities, as well as how it is applicable to a professional field.

Re: I need help deciding something...
 

Try to make your self creative and worthy! So later you can have a challenging carrier!! Cheers