I have been pondering on my thoughts and this is my 2nd year at a jr college. I still don't know what major to go in. I was wondering when did you tl'ers decide on your major and how did you decide on it.

lilsusie

3861 Posts

October 05 2009 05:04 GMT

I started with CS because I heard it was good for females to get into. Bombed it. Then I tried education and hated my student teaching. Then it was psychology because I was interested but got stopped by a stats course (I hate anything that has to do with math and numbers) and so finally I went to what I enjoyed: reading and writing. I majored in English and Psych in the end (only because after the Stats course, it was smooth sailing) and now I'm working in educational consulting which utilizes both my majors.

Take a bunch of odd courses outside of your expected major to see what you like. You might surprise yourself.

Astrogation

United States477 Posts

October 05 2009 05:11 GMT

lilsusie sums it up really well. You should pick an arbitrary major - something that you think you might find interesting. At the same time, take courses that are completely unrelated to it. It's probably not a good idea just to take random courses without a general focus, but some breadth will definitely give you a better insight on what career path is best suited for you.

AcrossFiveJulys

United States3612 Posts

October 05 2009 05:12 GMT

this isn't going to be very helpful, but I chose CS because I liked programming my TI-83 calculator in high school, and needless to say I made the right choice because I'm doing a graduate degree in CS now. Try to find a subject that you enjoy the work of, and hopefully the results of too, because not only will you enjoy it more, you will probably do better as well.

Railz

United States1449 Posts

October 05 2009 05:17 GMT

I started with Astronomy because I was big into Theoretical and Astrophysics. Unfortunately liberal arts school make you start with the basic natural science foundation for any science major, and I couldn't really stand it. I played around in Multimedia and Design and loved it - hard part was looking for a major that stuck with it. I dabbled in CS but it was all theory and I wanted application, hands on stuff. Information Systems is what my school offers now as a broad management and IT department.

ForTheSwarm

United States556 Posts

October 05 2009 05:18 GMT

It's all about $$$ man. All about $$$...

Just joking, find something you aren't only interested in now, but feel would be interested in when your 40.

520

United States2822 Posts

October 05 2009 05:19 GMT

I chose Computer Engineering solely for job security and as a safety net. It is not something I want to do, at all, honestly. If I didn't have talent in logic, maths and science, this is a field I would not even imagine doing. By the time I realized how much I loathe the field, it was already my 3rd year of college. I'm going to stick with it until I get my Bachelor's degree, but probably not get a job in the field (maybe teach English overseas or something that requires a degree of unspecified type). I will likely be doing my Master's degree in some sort of regional studies, perhaps East Asian studies, or Linguistics.

BalliSLife

1339 Posts

October 05 2009 05:20 GMT

On October 05 2009 14:18 ForTheSwarm wrote:
It's all about $$$ man. All about $$$...

Just joking, find something you aren't only interested in now, but feel would be interested in when your 40.

Wow, thank you that was life changing advice

Deleted User 31060

3788 Posts

October 05 2009 05:21 GMT

senior year of high school, had to audition for it (classical saxophone performance)

and then decided on two more majors once I got here just because I like the subjects (biology and biochemistry)

meeple

Canada10211 Posts

October 05 2009 05:25 GMT

#10

I decided my major in third year... but I was going the chem/math route anyways... so if you have an idea what you want to do there's always a bit of leeway with the courses...

Comeh

United States18919 Posts

October 05 2009 05:39 GMT

#11

I started as an economics major as a "placeholder" until I could try to transfer into the business college of my school. Unfortunately, I failed to get into the business college...so I looked at the current college i was in for a major that I might like better. After looking through it, econ was the only major I was slightly interested in, and now that I am at (more) advanced level classes, I am starting to like the major more.
Moral of the story: its really fucking hard to find a major you will like. Try to find something you are interested in, and less about what has tons and tons of money. Try to find a balance.

bakalol

United States7 Posts

October 05 2009 05:44 GMT

#12

Just be undecided if you're not sure yet. Going on an internet forum about Starcraft for help deciding your future is stupid. Some universities have course called 'undecided' (my school does at least), where you're not sure what you want to major in, but you still take classes in certain areas making it easier for you to switch into a major of your choice later. Throughout you time as an 'undecided', peer advisers and counselors help you out a lot. Call the school you're going to transfer to and ask if they have undecided course work. If they don't, then just major in biology. It's badass.

TheOvermind77

United States923 Posts

October 05 2009 06:04 GMT

#13

I'm going to be a pessimist compared to these people and tell you that money matters. At least partially.

Let's be honest, if you really love painting but you suck at it, and you decide to go to school and then end up living in your parent's basement waiting for that breakthrough masterpiece for the rest of your young life, then you know you are to blame.

Many people don't agree with me, but I'm a strong believer in a tandem what you like vs what makes money thought approach. This is practical.

I LOVE astronomy. But I knew that wasn't going anywhere...what could I do? Become a theoretical physicist in the sea of PhD's, teaching at a college, making shit money and hoping I'd have an Einstein moment to push me onto the forefront? I also LOVE spanish, but I'm not native and would suck as a translator and barely make ends meet. I also love medicine (maybe not as much as astronomy), and so I'm going into the medical field. It also has money. So it's a win win.

Perhaps it's shallow, but I've seen too many of my friends pursue bogus career paths because of what they truly "love" only to end up bagging groceries at Walmart. I'm not saying do something you hate, but definitely consider that the primary reason you get a job with your degree is to feed and clothe yourself and your family. Hobbies are a great way to do what you love on the side, if it doesn't happen to 100% correspond to your job.

Mastermind

Canada7096 Posts

October 05 2009 06:22 GMT

#14

I started off in chemistry. I did that for 2 years before I could not longer stand doing lab reports. I love theoretical chemistry still, and lab work, but the lab reports were fucking hell, so I transfered into math. I always loved math and was good at it, but as part of my degree I had to take a CS course. I fell in love with programming and transfered majors yet again. I graduated in the spring and am very happy with my decision.
I would recommend trying a lot of different subjects, and hopefully you will find one(or more) you are passionate about.

eMbrace

United States1300 Posts

October 05 2009 06:48 GMT

#15

well ima sophomore right now and i chose CS because it sounded like a safe field.

currently in the midst of learning C++, it's actually a little interesting =p

bellweather

United States404 Posts

October 05 2009 06:58 GMT

#16

I took a bunch of seemingly random courses during my first two years of college to get a feel for what I liked/ didn't like. Decided on applied math and economics, but took a bunch of philosophy, political science, and physics courses along the way. Something to note, if you think you like a certain subject or feel like you fit well in it, don't give it up after one bad course. Discounting an entire department after a particularly bad weed-out course or shitty professor would be a shame, especially if you end up enjoying the rest of the coursework.

Zapdos_Smithh

Canada2620 Posts

October 05 2009 07:11 GMT

#17

Just this year. I had to declare major to take certain courses. I am second year as well by the way and majoring in psych. Most don't have to declare till third year though. Depends on what you are taking.

MrHoon

10183 Posts

October 05 2009 07:20 GMT

#18

I decided my major at 9th grade

but then I switched it as soon as I got to college lol

Humbug

United States264 Posts

October 05 2009 07:21 GMT

#19

On October 05 2009 15:04 TheOvermind77 wrote:
Perhaps it's shallow, but I've seen too many of my friends pursue bogus career paths because of what they truly "love" only to end up bagging groceries at Walmart. I'm not saying do something you hate, but definitely consider that the primary reason you get a job with your degree is to feed and clothe yourself and your family. Hobbies are a great way to do what you love on the side, if it doesn't happen to 100% correspond to your job.

FUUUU Right when I was about to consider majoring in technical theater too...T__T. First my mom tells me I won't be able to find a job, and then this...

eMbrace

United States1300 Posts

October 05 2009 07:29 GMT

#20

On October 05 2009 16:21 Humbug wrote:

Show nested quote +

FUUUU Right when I was about to consider majoring in technical theater too...T__T. First my mom tells me I won't be able to find a job, and then this...

If you're boss at it then go for it.

It's just that a lot of dumb people try to major in glorified things that they are terrible at.

I mean, look how bad journalism is today.