<p>I am going to try and keep this as short and precise as possible without rambling so...
I am currently a junior level economics major at UC Davis. I have never really liked math but I said that I will suffer through it to get to the fun classes. Fast forward to current thoughts going through my mind "These upper division econ classes are basically just applied math". Unhappy with my current situation I found myself looking through the list of majors offered at my school.
Came across landscape architecture and thought that this was something that is really interesting. I looked through the major requirements and course descriptions and thought it sounded great. Added bonus - I have already completed the math requirements whereas I am currently taking my last calculus class for econ major (doing terribly). </p>
<p>So my question is what should I do, continue on the path of an economics degree or switch majors to landscape architecture?</p>
<p>On one hand, switching majors will pretty much guarantee I stay an extra year and job outlook/salary wise economics looks to be the smarter choice. But on the other hand I can really see myself excelling in the curriculum, enjoying the classes, and ultimately becoming a landscape architect. With economics I have never really had a job in mind after college, I have just assumed I would in my own words, "go into business or something".</p>
<p>Also, I am not basing my decision solely on any replies I receive. I would just like some advice from a different perspective which is why I am asking this in the parents section. I will also take this question to my academic advisors, my own parents, and of course put into action the age old advice of "sleeping on it".</p>
<p>Just to add, It would be hard to double major in both as my college has a total unit limit which would not accommodate both with my current amount of units completed.</p>
<p>To clarify, I kind of undersold my level of interest. It doesn’t just sound “really interesting” after reading a description of the major. I think landscape architecture plays to my strengths really well and going over it in my head it makes sense and feels like a really good fit. </p>
<p>I am a community college transfer who came to the decision of economics because it was basically the only class I really liked or was good at in high school. Landscape architecture was never really an option that was thought about as my community college didn’t have any classes and at that time economics was still the only thing I was good at. But this was still rudimentary economics and I have since realized that the stuff I like most about economics (economic history, behavioral economics) isn’t likely in my career path.</p>
<p>Switch! You don’t sound like you are on track through interest or aptitude to be great in economics. When you find something that appeals to you like that, go for it!</p>
<p>Hmmmm… An extra year or two to complete a major that excites you and that will lead to a lower paying career that gets you outside, assessing, designing and overseeing art made of plants and hardscapes, or graduate on time and spend your life slogging away mostly at a desk, doing the work that you do not find appealing at all. Gee I don’t know…</p>
<p>I don’t think you should continue with economics because 1) you don’t like it, 2) with bad grades you will most likely not get a job. At the same time, I think you should shadow a landscape architect before you decide to switch. </p>
<p>What about finance instead of economics? Economics can be challenging for some people because it is more theoretical. More often than not, you don’t need to know that much economics to work at many business.</p>
<p>I agree with late major changes. If the extra time in school is affordable, it’s best to be in something you can enjoy as a career. I believe that landscape architecture at Davis requires a seperate application and portfolio submission. You can apply in Feb. for a fall 2015 start. Can you finish all the pre- landscape architecture required classes before next fall? I have heard it is fairly competitive to get in, so have a plan B. </p>
<p>I think there are some Davis faculty involved with behavioral economics … at least at the graduate level.</p>
<p>Landscape architecture is a really competitive field (like non-landscape architecture) in which relatively few people earn a good living. Getting into a landscape architecture program is no piece of cake – for one, I think you usually have to submit a drawing portfolio. A woman I knew some years ago, who decided in her mid-20s that she wanted to pursue landscape architecture, had to take drawing courses for months just in order to be able to apply to a master’s program. And she was already a highly artistic person – a filmmaker who as an undergraduate had been in the joint program between Columbia and Juilliard (piano).</p>
<p>And that’s another thing – I don’t know anyone in the field who only has a bachelor’s degree. (I live near a bunch o them; my neighborhood is like the world center of landscape architecture.) Here’s what one program’s site says:</p>
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</p>
<p>This program – Penn’s – offers a two-year master’s to people with a related undergraduate or graduate degree, but otherwise it’s a three-year program. In other words, to actually enter landscape architecture, you will need not only the bachelor’s degree, but also a professional degree beyond that, as well as a period of (typically low paid) apprenticeship.</p>
<p>Definitely discuss with an advisor. See people at your career advising center. There are interest and aptitude tests you can take which may open your eyes to more options. It is better to switch now than to feel stuck for decades in a field you dislike. You need plan C- not econ, not landscape arch, but another option if you can’t get into the landscape architecture major. This is where the career center advising and testing can make a difference.</p>
<p>Definitely talk to an adviser at your school! In regular architecture there are undergrad professional programs where you get a B. Arch and can get licensed without further schooling, or you can get a BA with a major in architecture which will require going on to grad school for a Masters. You can also get a Masters in Architecture with an unrelated undergrad major, but it usually means at least an extra year in the Masters Program. I would guess that landscape architecture is structured similarly except there are far fewer programs, and I suspect that landscape architects have an even tougher time finding good paying jobs. Studio courses are no joke - I have never, ever worked so hard, or pulled so many all-nighters as the years I was in architecture school. And suffering through blistering critiques on no sleep is not for the faint-hearted. That said, I’ve had very few regrets about my career. It’s a nice combination of using both analytic abilities, art and dealing with people. Lots of variety in what I do each day. </p>
<p>Thank you all for the replies. I went and spoke to an advisor this morning and she said it would take me 4 years to complete an undergrad degree for landscape architecture (It is a BSLA that one goes straight into the field with, no masters required). It takes transfers 3 years because most of the lower division coursework required isn’t offered at other schools. Being that it is such a small major and I am already 1 quarter in, there are foundational courses that I need to take which aren’t offered until next fall.
One option the advisor said was to major in sustainable environmental design which I could complete in two years. Following this I would still need to go into a two year masters program for landscape architecture.</p>
<p>To address a good point @csfmap pointed out “I have heard it is fairly competitive to get in, so have a plan B”. I asked the advisor about the competitiveness of the major because I read that only about 29 people are accepted each february. She said that it is not competitive. They only accept about 29 each year because not many students are in the program, acceptance rates are usually 90-100%. </p>
<p>Finances are a bit tricky, I currently have enough financial aid from the school that I am only paying about 4.5K out of pocket this year. This is being paid with a college fund my parents/family created for me a long time ago. I will have about 5K left over for next year. However next year I will almost surely be paying full tuition as my parents income has changed dramatically (From ~55K last year to ~160K this year). Full tuition plus living expenses comes to about 24K next year or any subsequent year I remain. My parents/family will pay for my tuition next year and would probably subsidize school if I were to stay in undergrad longer.
I have two younger siblings that are both currently juniors in high school who will be attending college following next year. </p>
<p>After writing this I believe the better decision is to grind it out through my econ degree taking the path of least math resistance and adding a psychology minor to get sort of a behavioral economics education. From there I guess i’ll just be happy to graduate without student debt and try to find a job I don’t despise. </p>
<p>I just want to point out that most of the higher level undergrad econ courses at Davis are not calculus based. You need it for internediate micro and then macro, but the general idea is that the econ major becomes more fun as you are able to choose electives in your area of interest such as labor economics, public finance, etc., neither of which require calculus at Davis. I would continue with the econ major and then add elective courses from the sustainable environmental design if possible to help prepare you if you want to go into landscape work in the future. Behaviorable econ is fashionable and interesting to study, but there aren’t really jobs in that at the bachelors degree level.</p>
<p>“After writing this I believe the better decision is to grind it out through my econ degree taking the path of least math resistance and adding a psychology minor to get sort of a behavioral economics education. From there I guess i’ll just be happy to graduate without student debt and try to find a job I don’t despise.”</p>
<p>This is the saddest statement I’ve read in a long time. </p>
<p>Edited to add: not wanting student debt is a fine thing, but jeesh. If the best thought you have about your major is “try to find a job I don’t despise”, this is the wrong path for you. </p>
<p>Life, if you are lucky, is long, and nothing is longer than working at a place or in a profession that the best you can say about it is “Well, I don’t despise it.”</p>
<p>I agree with eastcoacrazy - this is so sad and I think many students find themselves in the same situation. Classes and majors are impacted, classes are only offered once a year, students are looking for a vocation, and financially it is hard to change majors because it can add another year. </p>
<p>Maxsays, I do understand your reasons for sticking with economics, but I hope you at least seek a compromise. Look at the managerial economics mentioned by mom60. You mentioned trying to get a minor in psychology to get a design-your-own behavioral economics degree; check out sociology and polititical science, too. They are often paired with economics. Consider the option given by your advisor, environmental sustainable design. Maybe it would be a possible minor. Just keep considering possibilities. Don’t give up on finding something you can get excited about. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I work part time for a landscaping company (happen to be an econ major, but I’ve been out of school and a stay at home mom for ages and ages). From what I can see, there are plenty of people in the landscaping business, doing design work, without a degree in landscape architecture. One approach might be to stick out your program with the econ degree, but look for jobs in the landscaping industry. It may not be the highest paying job out of the gate, but I think a single person could certainly manage. Learn about landscaping and hardscaping, how it’s done, see if you love it. Work in the office as well if you can to learn the business side (which has its own complexities - - that’s what I am doing). Perhaps you could start your own landscaping company! There’s lots of unscrupulous and poor landscapers out there, so just by being honest and providing really good customer service, you have a good shot at building a decent business. Economics teaches great problem solving skills which are useful to apply to any venue. </p>
<p>Also, a number of years ago, in a different state, I had a different landscaper who was only 19 years old. He worked very hard, and I thought he was terrific. Now (10 years later), he owns a HUGE business with 15 trucks and a store. It can definitely be done. </p>
<p>FWIW, I have a friend who got a certificate in landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden. She took the courses part time after her kids were out of the house.</p>