Hello all, I have a super specific question that might only apply to me but any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Right now I’m a high school senior and I’ve narrowed what I want to major in to either economics or some type of cellular or biological engineering. The reason that I’ve chose these 2 is because they are obviously both great majors (from what I’ve read online) and I’m pretty decent at math, analyzing data and text (I got a 34 on ACT reading without studying at all), problem solving, and anything involving logic. Also, I’ve always loved molecular biology and becoming a cellular engineer sounds like a dream job. However, I’m not sure if Ill be able to take the course load or even get into a college that has a decent program. I’m a pretty hard worker and good at managing my time, but I feel like I’ll be really busy in college and it sounds like a lot. Soooo, on the other hand I could major in Econ and then try to get into law school. I’ve always loved to argue/debate with people, and I’m pretty interested in politics so this seems like a smart path. It also seems like it would be a bit easier for me since it’s less math and more analysis and writing and all that. Basically I would like any input on if my skills/ interests seem better suited for one or the other, which path is more feasible, and which job might make me more happy overall (bc that’s the end of all human good according to my man Aristotle). I know this is a weird question but ANY feedback would be sweet. Thank you.
Have you ever taken an economics class?
Yeah it was pre-ap, but I aced it pretty easily. It was kinda boring but it was just the basics so I think that’s why.
I think you will find that the conventional wisdom would be to shoot for the Engineering degree. If you find the work not suitable, you can get your masters in Econ and then do a career shift. Engineering will provide you with a strong math background that can be used in many many ways.
If you have a degree in engineering, you will find that businesses will be willing to hire you for any number of quantitative positions, whether they relate directly to engineering or not.
If you have a degree in economics, you will probably not be able to get a job in the sciences.
So if you’re undecided and would like to preserve your options, take the engineering route. If you decide that you don’t like it, you’ll probably still be able to switch relatively easily, and the courses you’ve taken may fulfill your math/science requirements if applicable.
This, of course, only pertains to schools that allow a student to switch majors/disciplines, but it would seem that is something you should prioritize when making your selection in the next month or so.
Engineering and law are not necessarily incompatible. You could major in engineering and go to law school.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you are very interested in engineering but only scared off because it sounds like it might be difficult and a lot of work. But anything worth doing is difficult and takes some work. If being a biological engineer sounds like a dream job, don’t get scared off before you’ve even tried it because someone once mentioned that it’s a lot of work. Try out a few classes and see if you like it enough to pursue it. I’ve had some engineering students before who really loved what they were doing and didn’t mind doing problem sets or senior design projects because that was their passion.
But economics is a good choice, too (although you don’t have to go to law school just because you major in economics - there are lots of other options).
And remember that not all forms of law are involved in politics or arguing/debating. Many lawyers spend most of their time trying to keep their clients OUT of the courtroom, and much of law involves long hours reading and writing documents, not arguing. There are many law positions that have absolutely zero to do with politics. Conversely, there are lots of positions outside of law that actually do involve debating and politics. For example, you could become a science policy analyst, an economic analyst, a lobbyist, a public relations representative - with either major.
Also, if you like writing and science, look up technical writing/communication.
RE: getting into a college that has a decent program
Most of the schools with the best biological engineering programs will be safeties for you:
Senior? What college will you attend?
Thanks guys and probably Texas A&M after I do some junior college to obtain residency. Is it a bad idea (in regards to money and time) to take some bioengineer courses, see if I like it, and if not switch to economics?
^If you are not currently a Texas resident, doing junior college in Texas is unlikely to help you obtain residency. It sounds like you are a senior in high school; if so, and you are a dependent of your parents, your parents would have to live in Texas for you to become a resident. Furthermore, if move to Texas for the purpose of enrolling in college, you’re not considered a resident - so you can’t go to Texas, attend junior college, gain residency and then get in-state rates at Texas A&M.
Check out requirements here: http://www.admissions.txstate.edu/future/residency/residencyrequirements.html
That aside, it’s not necessarily a bad idea to take some engineering courses to see if you like it first, and then switch to economics. In fact, that’s a really good idea in general. Time-wise, it may mean that it takes you a little longer to graduate depending on how many engineering classes you take and whether you can take any economics courses at the same time, as well as how many credits and in what sequence your engineering and economics courses are.
Honestly though, if you are really interested in economics and engineering, you may be well suited to majors that combine elements of the two - like industrial engineering, operations research and supply chain management. TAMU has majors in industrial engineering, supply chain management, and industrial distribution (which seems like a sweet spot between the two).