Hi, I’m currently a highschool senior and was accepted to the College of Engineering (Undeclared), but I’m having mixed thoughts about what to major in. I’ve thought hard about what I truly would like doing in the future and I feel engineering might not be the best option for me.
I’ve never really decided on a specific major I want to pursue in the future because I’m pretty picky and a bad decision maker. Math has always been my greatest strength in school, so I applied for Engineering to most of my colleges in hopes of boosting my chances. However, now that I’ve been accepted to my top school, engineering seems a bit “eh” because I am HORRIBLE at Physics and I can’t imagine myself being an engineer in the future, like designing and building things.
Finance seems more appealing to me, working with numbers/money and no physics involved. However I’ve never taken a single Finance class before.
Computer Science also seemed like a good option for me because I like working with computers, but I took a programming/logic Java class sophomore year and HATED it. So, that’s out of the question.
I’m indifferent to the medical field at the moment. But it could be an option. I’m basically flustered and open to any suggestions right now.
I’m just looking for any opinions/insight on what I should do and what would work best for me at Northeastern. I don’t want to make a wrong choice and have it affect me for the rest of my life.
Should I just give Engineering/Physics another try? What other options do I have? What careers are sustainable after college that I would enjoy having?!
Any information regarding finance or engineering or whatever you think may suit me would be great! Please forgive my ignorance.
I think switching to undeclared and trying out a few different directions your first semester / year would make sense.
In general, I say just relax
You have time - the average college student switches majors 3 times - I think if you start undeclared and take classes across different areas, a path with become much clearer. All of these fields have solid departments at NEU - no major will be significantly better/worse.
Plenty of fields will give you a good career - while practicality is something to keep in mind, don’t let it force you into something you won’t enjoy.
I agree that switching to undeclared is probably your best option. It would give you the most flexibility to try out classes from some of these different options without falling behind if you change your mind. The undeclared advisors can make sure that you’re taking classes matching your interests that will keep you on track for whichever of those majors you choose (as long as you don’t wait three years to decide your major or something).
That’s tough. What happens if you opt out of engineering and go undeclared? I think I’d just stay in engineering and try out different electives. My D is in the same boat, although a college freshman (she is in a LAC so not really the same). She has changed her mind now three times and she’s just picking out her 3rd semester classes today. She went in advanced STEM, thinking Bio/Math (almost took a specialized Bio program at our instate flagship but glad now she didn’t). After the first semester, she was thinking Math/Chem. Third semester she is now aiming at Math/CS, possibly engineering. What we found was Engineering would be hard to begin half way through sophomore year.
Since math is a strength, you might want to look into actuarial science, applied mathematics, logistics or supply chain management.
I would build on your strength, read up on other possibilities, and explore with an advisor.
An acquaintance of ours got a dream first coop in her desired field. Her mom told me she hated it! When I started to sympathisize, she stopped me mid-sentence and said they were thrilled. She had a very realistic eye opener as early as her sophomore year. Switched gears, graduated on time with a different majors and other coops. Gainfully employed.
My daughter had a great experience starting NEU in the undeclared program. They do a great job of advising and helping you decide on your strengths. She declared her major the end of freshman year and is graduating in 4 years (with 2 co-ops).
However, I think engineering is the one major where you can’t catch up easily if you don’t start in the program. I believe all engineering students do a common freshman year and then specialize starting their second year.
If you start undeclared you can explore CS, Math, business, etc. and then pick your direction.
