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Being a prospective university student and a soon high school graduate, a serious question that I have always pondered lightly, has escalated into a serious area of concern that has been the source of anxiety, stress and even sleepless nights. This is a common dilemma that is not limited to students but extends to practically everybody. Should you pursue a career/do things that you enjoy versus do it because you are simply good at it? This is an increasing problem for me because I have already applied for faculties and schools that I see no foreseeable future with.
Heres my situation: I am very good at the sciences, took all three IB science (physics, chemistry, biology) in highschool and got outstanding achievements(7 predict in each of them). I have always found science easy and took it in high school because it was something I was good at. However, I do not enjoy it, it almost seems like a chore to me, all the memorization, conceptualization and understanding of the matter, personally seems to be unengaging and boring.
On the other hand, social sciences ( history/english) has always been a problem for me. Maybe it was my poor writing skills or inability to think 'outside the box'. Nevertheless, I loved the subjects and had more interest in it than my strong area of science.
Now, when considering the situation, the most logical answer would be is to pursue a degree in science. However, because of my distaste in sciences even at a highschool level, I fear that when i hit 3rd or 4th year University, I'll get so bored of it and eventually drop out/ switch my degree.
But on the other hand, if I pursue a degree in the social sciences, sure I might love it and really enjoy it, but I might not be very successful in it and end up ruining myself later when I try to get a job or apply my knowledge into the world. When being practical and understanding that despite burning human aspirations, goal and hard work, human beings will always be limited and because of their shortcomings and simply, their inferiority of others.
Ultimately, I realize that theres a risk in both and that theres no 'perfect solution' but I was wondering if anybody on TL is or has been in a situation similar to mine, what they did and how they ended up.
Much appreciated.
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I would strongly suggest going to a school that you could pursue either social sciences or sciences at and then use your electives your first 2 years to explore both paths (and other stuff too, you never know what you might find.)
I was kinda like you in that I was good at math/physics/economics in highschool, so I decided to go into engineering (Architectural Engineering/Construction Management). 1.5 years into my engineering degree I realized the only class I had enjoyed was chemistry...so I switched schools to pursue chemistry/biology (now just biology) and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
Also changing your major is not the end of the world, tons and tons of people change their majors at least once during college.
Yeah just dabble in a bunch of stuff for your first year or two at college and by then hopefully you will have a good idea of what you want to do.
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It depends what you want to do. Pick a career path first and then choose the right degree to go along with it. For example, I know people who wanted to be nurses, and ended up doing nursing in college even though they did not enjoy the classes.
Also realize each path has different requirements.
For example
If you want a job in computers, a BS is enough.
If you want a job in HR, you need a masters.
If you want a job in science, you need a phd.
I would just say, pick any major since the odds of you changing it after the first year are really high. Do all of your electives early to see if there is anything else you like.
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sounds like you'd like economics trollolololol
scientific methods for social sciences
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Sounds like there is a chance you simply aren't challenged enough by highschool level science classes. I'd recommend you not take any science classes your first semester at college then your second semester take the science class that everyone seems to think is the hardest. You may find it rewarding once it is finally hard work. That's how I was with history - yawned my way to almost perfect grades in highschool, loved it when it was kicking my ass in college.
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In general, it doesn't matter what you get your undergrad degree in, as long as you get one. Jobs just want the paper and don't really care what's on it. Sure it matters for some jobs, but not for most... so even if you go to school for social sciences, you can still end up in a highly technical job simply due to electives and out side knowledge.
If you are a good enough candidate, a job will teach you what you need to know to keep you... and there are few things that you cannot be taught to do at a job... the few exceptions are those that require graduate school or are a technical trade... but even with technical trades, you can learn them as you go in an apprenticeship... and they don't care what you took in school.
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Social science can be interesting but it really depends if you are super interested about it. I'm pretty sure a lot of the social sciences majors at my university take it because they think its easy or that they're "good with people" or some bs like that, but end up just dragging through it and hating parts of it but just want to be done with it. On the other hand, I know a few nerds who absolutely adore social theory, economics, and anthropology just because they love subject.
Same thing goes with science - there are people who just do it because they think they have to, but end up hating up but its too late to switch.
IMO all first year classes sort of suck so its during that time you really need to go out on your own and find out what interests you about the subject. Talk to your professors about the research they do and see if it engages you, and then pursue that path. Science classes in college were a lot better than the ones in HS.
If you're worried about where your degree will take you - if you really want a specific job you can eventually get into it or a related field. Classes don't teach you how to do a job - they teach you to think about problems in certain subjects and how to approach and solve them.
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One thing that I, or anyone, would recommend is to just get out there. Get some really valuable experience (i.e. joining clubs, talking to more experienced students/professionals, applying for internships, taking different classes (KEY WORD IS DIFFERENT), etc etc). The message to take home here is GET OUT THERE AND DO STUFF. Even if you don't think you would like a job in a particular field, if you get an opportunity to explore it, just seize the opportunity. You really cannot go wrong here.
It's okay to be unsure of what you want to do. Even if there are numerous factors to consider, I'm sure that you will figure out what career path you want to take. And I mean that things will work out without you getting screwed over in some manner. So yea, take it easy! Don't stress out about it. If you just can't get your mind off of the matter, take that stress and put it to good use (ie do the things listed above).
I, for one, am very unmotivated when it comes to looking for or seizing opportunities. Luckily I had an internship recently that made me realize that I didn't want to go into that field, and has steered me towards the medical field. I still don't know for sure if this is what I want to do but heck, why not try it out? Live and learn, you can always steer the present to make the future what you want it to be.
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EPT
