<p>I hope somebody here can help me out a little bit. I'm having trouble figuring out what I really want to major in, and I can't really decide which colleges I want to shoot for until I figure it out. I really enjoy math, I'm kind of a nerd about it I guess. I find myself learning extra little things outside of class just because I think it's interesting. After taking two years of chemistry I've also decided that I really enjoy that as well. Next year I will be taking AP Physics, and I have a feeling that I'll like that too. I don't care for much else, like English or history, and I have found that I really don't like biology. Based on this, I've only considered a couple majors, which are engineering (leaning towards aerospace, but I'm open to anything), chemical engineering, chemistry, and phsyics. The problem is I really don't have any idea what kinds of jobs I will be able to get with majors in these fields, or if I would actually enjoy doing any of these jobs. Anyways I know this is kind of vague, but are the majors I'm considering likely to lead me to jobs that I would enjoy? Based on the things that I'm interested in in school, are there any other majors appropriate for me?</p>
<p>First of all, I don't suggest you choose Aerospace engineering until you have a firm understanding of what it entails (i.e after taking physics). Secondly, from what I can muster, the courses you enjoy correlate exactly to an engineering degree. There are always opportunities available in the engineering field. As long as you enjoy math and science (and hopefully creating something out of nothing) you will enjoy engineering. </p>
<p>A good way to get an idea about each major is to visit a university website you are interested in and read their departmental websites. This will give you insight on what they focus on in each department. </p>
<p>Hope this helped.</p>
<p>A chemistry degree, according to one chem e. professor, is useless unless you intend to go to grad school and get a Phd in chemistry. I'm also interested in aerospace, but the major is not offered everywhere, and many people say it is too specific a job and too unstable an industry to major in that when you can major in mechanical, which covers most of aerospace's topics. At some schools, like Cornell, you can major in mech and concentrate in aerospace.
I'd recommend mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, and even electrical.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses so far. Does living in Southern CA give me a bigger advantage in the aerospace field, since it's pretty big here? What can I do with a Phd in chem, and is that insanely hard to get?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I am not the most creative/innovative thinker ever. Would that hurt me in engineering? The idea of "something out of nothing" intrigues me, but I don't know if I have what it takes to do it, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>With a Phd in chem, you could only teach at a university. you cant do much with a bachelor in chem except for lab technicians.</p>
<p>mercinator im in the EXACT same situation you are in right now........the resemblance is SCARY.........im also vacillating even after choosing architectural engineering as my major a week ago during my college advising ......you dont have to decide on a specific engineering major in your freshman year.........its towards the end of your first year that you have to decide(at least in penn state)........</p>
<p>like you, i love math and chemistry a lot....took ap calc and ap chem in high school....but i wasnt sure if having strengths in these subjects should be a reason to pursue chemical engineering........</p>
<p>i also infer that theres no career that you've been passionate about since your childhood....theres nothing that you are particularly "driven" to.......same with me....</p>
<p>hiko, with a Phd, according to the prof, you could get a research position with a big pharmaceutical.</p>
<p>OK, so it sounds like I should probably steer away from a chemistry major. Mechanical engineer sounds pretty good. What exactly does a chemical engineer do? And what kinds of jobs could I get by majoring in physics?</p>
<p>I know three physics majors, all of whom who worked for aerospace companies at one point (I live in LA). Thus, getting a job in industry with a physics major should not be too difficult. There may be a difference in the jobs of engineers and physicists, maybe not. Try to find a physicist in industry.</p>
<p>this is how i would break it down. do you enjoy actually finding solutions to problems that include using math&physics to solve these problems. OR do you enjoy the more theoretical aspects of math&physics. for example are you more interested in proof & theory than application. if you are the former, i would suggest an engineering field. if you are the latter, i would suggest a science major or perhaps engineering physics. if you pursue a science degree you can definitely find work in engineering firms (many physics majors or applied math majors go on to engineering grad school). however after college if your STILL more interested in theoretical aspects, then i would consider going into academia.</p>
<p>"for example are you more interested in proof & theory than application. if you are the former, i would suggest an engineering field. if you are the latter, i would suggest a science major or perhaps engineering physics."
You have it backwards.
If you prefer theory and proof, pursue a science degree.
If you prefer application, pursue an engineering degree.</p>
<p>o whoops. that's what i had meant.</p>
<p>Yes, application of concepts to real-world problems is MUCH more interesting than theory. I never particularly cared for proofs and the theoretical aspects of math/science. Sounds like engineering is the way to go. Thanks everyone for the help.</p>