<p>i'm not going to lie. i'm lightweight insecure about choosing interdisciplinary studies as my major..</p>
<p>i'm interested in politics, international relations, sociology, and other stuff in social science and i thought this would be a good choice so i can mix and match classes and form my own major</p>
<p>so i'm curious of what people think of it? is it looked down upon? considered a joke major? respected at all? anyone know about this major, its positives and negatives? any input?</p>
<p>respect isn't everything, but i'm curious. thanks</p>
<p>Do you mean by other students, or by employers? I have a feeling being an engineering major will be more useful for getting a job after graduation than an interdisciplinary studies major, but that's just how skills are valued in economy right now.</p>
<p>As for among students, it really doesn't matter. I'm in what most consider the hardest major at Berkeley (EECS) and some comment about it being hard, but that's about it. I know plenty of English, history, and political science majors and don't make fun of them or anything for having an "easy" major. There is definitely a perception that certain majors are easier than others, but I have rarely if ever heard people say they look down on certain majors.</p>
<p>and ya i was directing it more towards students.
i plan on grad or law school so employment isn't a big concern with my undergrad degree....</p>
<p>i was basically wondering how students felt about certain majors...as in how people would react when i tell them my major..if the response would be condescending or negative...</p>
<p>i just dont like the title 'interdisciplinary studies' bc i feel like, although it gives a lot of freedom to mix and match and custom make a major...its also apparently a popular choice for athletes...and its not like anything specific or popular..i feel like i'll have to explain it for the rest of my life haha but i can't help feeling like it would fit me to some degree.. so iono just rambling..any more input?</p>
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I have a feeling being an engineering major will be more useful for getting a job after graduation than an interdisciplinary studies major
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<p>Depends. Not everyone wants to be an engineer. For me, the best thing would've actually been econ/accounting. C'est la vie.</p>
<p>Engineering is just a fast-track to decent paying employment with a bachelor's. It's not a golden ticket to any job in the world. Not that I think you meant that, but y'know...</p>
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i was basically wondering how students felt about certain majors...as in how people would react when i tell them my major..if the response would be condescending or negative...
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<p>It really depends on how knowledgeable the asker is about majors.</p>
<p>If you tell a crappy EECS student that you're an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you will probably be laughed at. If you tell the same thing to an EECS student with high self-esteem and confidence, you probably won't get any response other than something along the lines of "cool."</p>
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Depends. Not everyone wants to be an engineer. For me, the best thing would've actually been econ/accounting. C'est la vie.
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<p>Well, of course, I was speaking generally. I mean, if you just look at the statistics for employment and pay for various degrees upon graduation, engineering rates higher than most other degrees. That's not to say it isn't possible to be well-paid in a job you like with another degree, it's just that it isn't as likely.</p>
<p>If you tell an employer that you are an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you will be given a quizzical look, told that they will call you back, and be unemployed for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Thats if you have no work experience though.</p>
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If you tell an employer that you are an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you will be given a quizzical look, told that they will call you back, and be unemployed for the rest of your life.
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<p>Yes. Because no employers are willing to ask what it is. And all employers care about major. </p>
<p>ilovecalifornia - once you get to berkeley, you'll find that everyone has their own priorities and i don't think it's likely you'd run into students who are looking to put down your field of interest - different majors come together more than you would think. this is your college education we are talking about - why worry if your interests aren't aligned with an eng student's? they've got their goals and you have your own. from a practical standpoint, if you're going to go with a liberal arts major, i would consider choosing a solid stand-alone major in your area of interest - ie. poly sci, sociology, ir, etc rather than the mix-and-match interdisciplinary studies, simply because employers see more focus in the degree. you'll have plenty of room to explore in college without a make-your-own major. so basically, the only person who'll be judging the standards of your major is you. in the end, your choice will affect your employability and not anyone else's, so don't think in terms of what you think others may find 'easy,' but do think wisely in the context of career goals.</p>
<p>so why isn't a good thing? it can also be looked at as being very specific about what i want to study...</p>
<p>oppositely, i thought polisc students have less direction in general, since so many of them go for it bc its mainstream and very common for law school.</p>
<p>eventually, i want to go to grad school</p>
<p>so would grad schools or law schools mind the interdisciplinary studies degree, and think the same thing you guys claim employers will think?</p>
<p>If you want to get a PhD in poli sci, then no, a BA in interdisciplinary studies will be just fine. If you want to get a PhD in astrophysics... it might hurt. Law school? Just do well on the LSAT. B-school? Work experience and a good GMAT.</p>
<p>So many factors outside of your major will affect your future.</p>
<p>As long as you can get some damn good recommendations from Berkeley profs, I think you'll get into a top grad school for poli sci or international relations or english or anything else academic...provided you have good grades.</p>
<p>hmm i think they'll probably ask you why you chose that major... and you better have a good explanation for it:)
other than that, I say you major in what you want to major in and have fun with it.
if you told me you were "Interdisciplinary Studies" major, i would be like.. woooo cooooool:D</p>