<p>If your parents are paying, they’re allowed to have a say. Maybe propose double majoring- one in a subject you like, the other in something the rents like. My dad doesn’t like my major, and I tried out Econ but didn’t like it. However, I plan on attending law school so my major doesn’t really matter. You probably cab reach a compromise, maybe give him examples of good careers in the field you want to major in.</p>
<p>Social work may be ok for a the first couple years, but once you get older and your responsibilities grow, it doesn’t offer much. Not only is the pay low, but it has few promotional opportuinities and no clear pathway for advancement. </p>
<p>I would suggest nursing.</p>
<p>Also, I agree about Psych.</p>
<p>Without graduate and PHD work, Psych is pretty useless. Most just become social workers or institutional workers. </p>
<p>It use to be decent for HR jobs, but not anymore, especially if you don’t pursue internships in that field.</p>
<p>I’ll be another supporter for the “realistic” side, aka your fathers. I support going into nursing, engineering, whatever the other posters have said. </p>
<p>I see too much of this these days “I want to do something I will love. It’s more important than money.” That view is much to idealistic. Inside we’re all a little idealistic with our “dreams” and all, but the fact is that a lot of people live mediocre and unfulfilled lives. What can you do with 60k and a dead end job? Not much. </p>
<p>I say, and this is my opinion, that you should be realistic. I can say this kind of from experience. My father had passion for medical research and did not become a doctor. He’s making 1/3 the money he could have made, and his job is unstable - he lost his job 3 times because of the nature of the job and because of the recent economy. My family can’t fully support me for college (like many other families) and would be able to had my father been a doctor. That’s life. If you were to ask my father “was it worth it?” He’d definitely say no.<br>
(not to make it seem like I’m poor, I’m middle class, but I’m just trying to make a point)</p>
<p>I just find it funny when people talking about doing what they are “passionate about” or what they “love.”</p>
<p>The things you are passionate about change as you get older. Sometimes it’s not a certain field or subject, but a challenge or opportunity.</p>
<p>Eventually, everything just becomes work. Better to do it in a good environment that pays well, and provides a good quality of life.</p>
<p>Find a job that provides you with a lifestyle that you can pursue what you’re passionate about outside of work, whatever it is.</p>
<p>I enjoy outdoor recreation and wildlife photography, should I become a wildlife photographer? No, stupid. But, I have a job that gives me alot of vacation time, decent pay and weekends off so I can pursue it on my own.</p>
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<p>exactly. good post</p>
<p>if you are truly passionate about something you will succeed. <- thats the ideal outlook</p>
<p>unfrotunately you need to be more pragmatic and realize that you should do something that greatly increases your chances of making good money</p>
<p>jym, why was my post explaining why I don’t want to go into nursing rude and ignorant? My post was far from rude.
And tiff, I am paying for my own college.</p>
<p>^ Wait, if you’re paying for your own college, then why are we even having this discussion? Follow your heart since it’s your pocketbook.</p>
<p>cheshirecat-
I have no idea which post you are referring to. What number post are you inquiring about?</p>
<p>**Oh wait-- are you referring to #52? That was a response to DCHurricane, not you.</p>
<p>“Each of the professions means a prejudice. The necessity for a career forces every one to take sides. We live in the age of the overworked, and the under-educated; the age in which people are so industrious that they become absolutely stupid.” -OW</p>
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<p>Why are you telling me this? I know all of this and more. At what point in my post did you somehow think I was claiming a BA in psychology qualified someone to call themselves a psychologist or work as one? A psychologist is just one of many career paths in the field of mental health - and a BA or BS in psychology is a great place to start if you are interested in that path.</p>
<p>Another interesting option for someone interested in a related pathway but wants less years of schooling is to become a psychiatric nurse practioner. Excellent pay and can prescribe meds.</p>
<p>Hmm… seems some posts have been edited or removed. My comment in what is now post#51 refers to what is now post #50 (not #49). And #52 is now someone else’s post. Understand why you are confused, OP.</p>
<p>And peter-
The posts seem to have been truncated so hard to follow the conversation, but as you said, your post about advanced degrees in healthcare and mental health was oversimplified. It was also inaccurate… and not very nice. But it appears to be gone, so no matter…</p>
<p>What about a degree in public health? That way you can do any number of things - not just social work. My sister-in-law is a social worker, and she tells us the most incredible stories. It’s NOT a safe job. She had to drive one kid to visitation with the dad, who didn’t have custody. He slugged her then stole the kid from her. It was a month before the mother got the kid back, too.</p>
<p>She says that the only way a social worker can get a decent job and pay off their student loans is to get a <em>Master’s</em> in social work (MSW) and then NOT work as a social worker. :/</p>
<p>Jym- it’s on the top of page 4 and not inaccurate at all. You should felt like starting arguments for no reason. Carry on.</p>
<p>^^ Not interested in arguing at all, peter. No need to be confrontational. Your opinion is your opinion-- not based on factual information or experience. IIRC, there was some rude post that I reported, and it is gone. No matter. Lets move on. This isnt a thread about the healthcare system. And to clarify, IIRC, what I posted was explanatory, to correct inaccuracies about grad school in psychology, etc. It wasn’t “telling you something”. Purely informational. Chill. It was several days ago-- again, lets move on.</p>
<p>To the OP – I haven’t studied up much on the aspects of social work but I decided I wanted to major in Psychology, maybe become a counselor, or maybe research. If it’s what you want to do, go ahead and pursue it, Psychology AND Social Work are both fine fields. These people that are like “Ooooh, you need a Ph.D or Psy.D to do anything” Um… yeah, most people who get into the field realize that. Like Peter said, an MD alone will make you a Psychiatrist, and it’s just one more step to getting both of those. After I become more of an “activist” so to speak, I decided I wanted to use my degree to help the LGBT community. I’m… honestly really sick of these self-righteous people who seem to take umbridge with Psychologists… It’s really kind of offensive the hate that Humanties courses seem to bring out in people.</p>
<p>^^Itachirumom,
Nice post. Impressive that you have used your advanced degree is such an important way. And I agree too about your observation and comments about psychologists. Gotta wonder why some people are so threatened.</p>
<p>^I actually haven’t earned it yet ^^, I’m still in the process of getting it, I just already know what I’m aiming for is all, but thank you all the same. I’ve read extensively about the injustices levied against the LGBT community (although “injustices” is putting it far far too lightly, and being gay myself it disgusts me. There are a few key things I plan to do regarding child abuse laws and LGBT youth.</p>
<p>^^^ You don’t need a psych degree or a sociology degree to be an activist, or some kind of LGBT over-lord.</p>
<p>You could have majored in any practical major and done the same work.</p>
<p>Itachirumon,</p>
<p>Good luck with your graduate studies. You will find being a clinical psychologist very rewarding.</p>