Choosing a meaningless major?

College Majors
1

<p>I have been struggling for a while to decide what I want to major in. This fall, I will be a freshman in college. I know there is still time to decide but the decision ahead of me stresses me out.</p>

<p>Throughout elementary and middle school I always wanted to either be a writer, publisher, or literary agent. I assumed I would major in English because I loved to write, invent stories, and read. It seemed like the practical major for someone who wanted to get into one of the three careers above. I would even read about the publishing/literary agency industries and found the idea of working there fascinating. </p>

<p>Basically I'm conflicted because when I think about working with books for the rest of my life, I wonder how I'm really contributing to the world. I know books are important and I obviously know that I and a lot of other people love having books to entertain and take us away from the real world, but at the same time I feel I won't be making a real difference. </p>

<p>I keep thinking that I need to major in Biology/Neuroscience and do research or something so that I can help people medically. Even If I majored in a science, I don't know what type of career I would have. I don't want to be a doctor/nurse/physical therapist and I'm not sure I would like doing research my whole life. What are careers in research like? </p>

<p>I also am not sure I even love Biology enough to major in it. I took AP Biology, got a 3, which did not come easy to me. I didn't really love that class. I found it interesting at times but usually I was bored (but I am usually bored in all of my classes). Biological concepts and love/interest in what we were learning didn't seem to come to me as easily as it did to my classmates. I've also thought that being a Biomedical engineer would be cool because I could use technology to help people. I was always a good student but math was never something I loved or something that came easily to me. I honesty think I just like the IDEA of being an engineer. </p>

<p>I just want to feel as though my career is making contributions to the world and is helping people. Although I know I would love to work in the publishing industry, I just can't get past the idea that I need to be doing something more. Please, someone help? Is the fact that I feel so strongly about doing something to help those who are medically in need a sign that maybe I should drift towards the medical field? If so, what type of career should I pursue? Or should I drift towards what I know I'm pretty sure I would love doing? I know English isn't always seen as a viable major but I think I'd also major in Marketing or a Communications/Media major. I know getting a job in the publishing industry is hard, so worst comes to worst I could get a job in marketing or go back and get certification as a teacher which I think I would love doing too. Any advice? Have any of you been in similar situations.</p>

<p>*Note: I don't think careers that aren't in the medical field are meaningless....I just can't help feeling as though I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do with my life.</p>

2

<p>No need to stress. My son is starting school this fall and is undecided. What he is doing is taking classes in his potential majors to see what appeals to him. At this time, you don’t need to know what to do, but start down a pathway that can keep your options open. </p>

<p>Let me get marketing out of the way first. If you major in marketing, you will have to use quite a few credits on business classes. So for the practical aspects of getting a job and keeping flexibility to pursue more than one option in your studies, communications would seem to be a better major. I happened to have married someone with a communications degree who eventually became a VP of Marketing.</p>

<p>In regards to biology/neuroscience, you aren’t enthusiastic about biology, so I wouldn’t major in that. The neuroscience programs I have seen are part of the psychology department. You will be required to take biology and organic chemistry (of course that means general chemistry too). Also, you would need to cover all science requirements (calc, physics). But psych is also good for someone in marketing.</p>

<p>So I would look into a psych major (in the neuroscience track) coupled with a second major or a minor in communications. You could start with a couple science classes and a communications course, then let things sort themselves out from there. This is just one possibility. And by all means, meet with your academic counselor at school and talk to your professors.</p>

3

<p>I can sympathize with you, because I feel like I’m going through the same dilemma. My only advice to you before you actually start exploring your options through your college’s advisors, career center, etc. is to explore the combinations of your desires and talents. You could get a career that helps people and write on the side. </p>

<p>If you want to have a direct impact on people, I would avoid a career in research. From what I’ve read on other sites, it requires a lot of patience, things don’t always go right, etc. Plus, especially in the Biology area, it’s not a very well-paying career unless you invest in higher degrees. Still, it’s worth looking into as an undergrad. Another option I’m also considering is finding out whether your school has a Public Health program. It’s focused on studying health issues in communities and works to keep individuals and communities healthy through policies, programs, and education instead of healing them when they get sick or injured.</p>

<p>You could also get a writing-focused career and do community service on the side. There are also a few intersections between helping people and literature. For example, you could look into being an English teacher. And definitely look into journalism. Education is one of the best ways to contribute to society, give a voice to those who are oppressed or suffering, make people aware of their world, open doors to a better future, etc.</p>