College major

[KaiineTN]

So I'm just about done with my associates/transfer curriculum through the local community college, but I still haven't decided what to major in when I actually do transfer to a four year school. I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about the various fields of interest and the employment potential in each.

Basically, some majors I am interested in and am considering are: economics, business, finance, chemistry/biology double major, chemistry/chemical engineering double major, psychology, and mechanical engineering. Graduate school is also a possibility.

Do any of you know much about the jobs available in various industries with an education in any of those areas? Good/bad? Suggestions?

Also, what did you major in if you have completed any degree(s)? Or what are you currently majoring in? What do you have to say about it?

[Tikker]

chemistry/biology double major just about killed me, pretty much one of the heavier curriculums you can take(tons and tons of lab work, and you still have to take all your maths, statistics, physics, etc)

[Snero]

I started off with biochemistry/chemical engineering program, and it was rough. I would say steer clear of pure sciences unless you plan on going into either teaching, or going all the way to the phd level. You really can't do too much with a bsc

[Tikker]

yup

masters in chemistry/biology just qualifies you to wash someone else's test tubes, wuwu

[Ginzburgh]

Just get a business degree, go into Marketing and get your company to pay for your MBA.

[Tikker]

best commercial ever:

some black chick is leading a polished looking white dude (in a suit) down to the warehouse, leads him over to a terminal and tells him about their new shipping software, saying "it's so easy anyone can use it np"

the guy kind of smiles smugly, holds up his briefcase and say, "erm, I have an MBA"

the woman is a bit stunned, but recovers quickly "You have an MBA?"

another smug smile, "yes, I have an MBA"

She replies, "well in that case I'll have to show you how to use the shipping software"

[KaiineTN]

MBA's seem so common, that's the only thing that is making me hesitate over it. Is there even much employment potential with it? I mean, if I owned a business, I don't even know what I'd do with a fresh college graduate with an MBA, that doesn't necessarily tell me he/she any management or leadership skills.

I suppose a minor in accounting/finance or something would help?

[Harrison]

Psychology if you want to slack HARD and party the entire time.

[KaiineTN]

If I did Psych I'd want to go for a PhD, partying quite limited ;p

[Harrison]

Pfft, a PhD in quackery...

[Gargamellow]

liberal arts and science associates..36 hours from a board of trustees bachelor's

do what you love...it will be a success if you love doing it

[KaiineTN]

Well, to be honest, I'd love to get into a research/cutting edge field, like bioengineering, stem cell shit, robotics, possibly cybernetics experimentation, things like that (terminator inc, blame Flink). I think it'd be cool to work on something like mind reading technology, for example, stick some wires to your head, think "blue" and have a screen show blue. I don't see that sort of thing being all that far off (or has it been done already? I don't know), either way, getting involved in something like that would definitely be something I'd love.

I don't even care much about what role I play in the process, I could be the janitor for all I care, as long as I'm around it and can contribute. I just want to be a part of something more meaningful and fulfilling than EVERYDAY LOW PRICES AT WAL-MART!

[Diekan]

If you wanna make money - go engineering / business / marketing.

Your MBA is really only good to get promoted within the company once you're already working for them.

[Jay]

If you wanna make money, find a stable income, take a risk and go on a business venture. Find some solid partners and organize your ideas into a report form so that you can present yourself and gets loans and find investors and venture capitalists.

[KaiineTN]

Actually Jay, entrepreneurship it my ultimate goal. It's in my blood, both my Grandfather and Father owned/ran their own businesses. I will continue the legacy!

[Gargamellow]

I think you have some great ideas there, K! Good for you for having such awesome goals in life.

Now, biology is definately cool. If you go into that field, you must email me all the cool websites your teachers send you to!

[Lyion]

Basically, some majors I am interested in and am considering are: economics, business, finance, chemistry/biology double major, chemistry/chemical engineering double major, psychology, and mechanical engineering. Graduate school is also a possibility.

Do any of you know much about the jobs available in various industries with an education in any of those areas? Good/bad? Suggestions?

College is about theory and not on the job training. Are you interested in these things because you enjoy studying them, they look cool, or because you think they'll make you cash? If the latter, you are making a big mistake.

The absolute most important thing for you is to study what you enjoy and what makes you passionate. I doubt you are posting what your passions are, since you veer from chemistry to engineering to economics. Take it from me, that's a mistake.

Your goal out of college should be a degree. That's it. If Biology provokes interest in you, then go for that. If history, go for that. If you kick ass at college and come out well educated the cash will come.

[KaiineTN]

Actually it is all my own interests, not really motivated by cash potential. I just find it incredibly difficult to focus on one because I feel like I'm limiting myself so much, or maybe I just haven't even found my true passion yet? Who knows. I've been all over the place so far in college, I've had fun in engineering classes, digital media design classes, Psych/sociology/human relations, tons of business classes, etc.

[Gargamellow]

hi i love sociology

[Jay]

Maybe you can do anything and your real passion has nothing to do with your occupation.

[Gargamellow]

maybe life is full of tough choices and deciing on money rather than happiness is one we all have to make at some point

[Diekan]

Basically, some majors I am interested in and am considering are: economics, business, finance, chemistry/biology double major, chemistry/chemical engineering double major, psychology, and mechanical engineering. Graduate school is also a possibility.

Do any of you know much about the jobs available in various industries with an education in any of those areas? Good/bad? Suggestions?

College is about theory and not on the job training. Are you interested in these things because you enjoy studying them, they look cool, or because you think they'll make you cash? If the latter, you are making a big mistake.

The absolute most important thing for you is to study what you enjoy and what makes you passionate. I doubt you are posting what your passions are, since you veer from chemistry to engineering to economics. Take it from me, that's a mistake.

Your goal out of college should be a degree. That's it. If Biology provokes interest in you, then go for that. If history, go for that. If you kick ass at college and come out well educated the cash will come.

This is actually quite true. Take science (namely biology) for example. A lot of people think that going to an R1 institute (a research type school like Ohio State / etc) is better than going to a smaller school - I used to be one of those people. The reasoning, while misguided, is that you get "hands on" with the latest and greatest technologies. For example - a school like Ohio State can afford the best electron microscopes, while a smaller college cannot. However, it is your grasp of the theory behind the electron micrscope that employeers care more about. Trust me on this, 99% of the labs "out there" are not going to let you waltz in on day one and start using their multi-million dollar e- microscope - aint gonna happen. Hell, 99% of the time they're going to make you go through their in-house training on how to conduct your work THEIR way. Pretty much all labs have an SOP for every piece of equipment they have.

You actually get a better quality of education at a smaller school anyway. Try really learning something in a classroom with 300 other students. Anyway, the only time going to a big name school really matters is when you apply for a job and the hiring manager attended the same school - shit like that.

[10sun]

Learn SAP.

[Gaazy]

double major in thermonuclearaeroastrophysicsradiographyphsychodynamicradiationbiochemomathemmembronicalcellmolecularsociology engineering and art history

[Durothil Skyreaver]

Win the lottery. Problem solved.