<p>I've always been told to pursue my life's dreams and to do what I love to do...but I'm not so sure that's true. Now that I'm declaring my major, I feel almost obligated to give up what I would love to become in order to be a social worker, since I see so much need there, especially where I'm from. I'm not so sure what to do, is doing what you know is right more important than choosing what you love?</p>
<p>What is it that you love? Many times there is a way to incorporate your passion with another career. For instance, music and art can definitely be used to help/counsel kids or to help adults recover from bad circumstances. Business or management skills can be use to make non-profits more effecient and to make most of limited resources. Political/language knowledge can help you to work more easily in other parts of world. Don’t give up on using all your skills to find a unique fit in the world.</p>
<p>When I was in high school, I dreamed of being in the Air Force or being a pilot. I wanted to apply to Embry-Riddle and get a CPL and all of that. Or join the USAF, serve for 4 years and become a US citizen, then go to college and do ROTC and become a pilot. Instead I first tried engineering, then undeclared, now business. </p>
<p>I wish I had pursued my dream.</p>
<p>What is is that you have to give up to become a social worker though?</p>
<p>asianamericanson—The best way to help others who are less fortunate or have “need” is to become successful in your dream! Only when YOU are living your dream are you in the best position to help others. Many corporations/organizations have active corporate volunteerism. You can help needy communities in MANY ways as a consultant, etc. With all due respect to social workers, they help to navigate people through the various government systems. YOU would be in a much better position to authentically help people being in the for profit world!</p>
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<p>There are also lots of other types of work one can do in the charitable or non-profit world. It depends on what one’s dream is. But if social work is not something one wants to do, it is probably not the right major and career choice.</p>
<p>I agree with bungalowdweller. Get poor people to sign loans with outrageous terms.</p>
<p>I never said such a thing, Soil! Why read into my comments?</p>
<p>You should choose the path that your heart tells you to follow. If you see so much need around you, there are other ways you can help besides becoming a social worker. A business person could offer jobs and internships to underpriviledged kids, or a musician could hold benefit concerts to support an after school program, etc. You can still help the world without sacrificing your career. YOU have to work at that job, so you better choose a career you enjoy getting out of bed for every day!</p>
<p>Don’t you think you are being a little bit melodramatic?</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you think being a social worker is the only way to help people in your community.</p>
<p>You can become a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a banker, a businessman…there isn’t any career out there that you cannot bend to help others.</p>
<p>For example, a major in econ or business…you can get into micro-banking/micro-lending, or open a business or training program to provide good employment in the area of need, you can work for non-profits etc.</p>
<p>journalists…so many ways you can help your community</p>
<p>lol, it’s not like my dream is to be WHATEVER…</p>
<p>I wanted to go into ancient philosophy (you know, Plato, Aristotle) which is basically useless for social work. And social work IS important for what I am feeling I should do, namely taking care of old folks in China where a lot of people have dumped their parents because they’re a burden.</p>
<p>You “want to go in to ancient philosophy”…and do what with it ? Do you want to teach? Write? Go to law school?</p>
<p>And what is to stop you from double majoring, taking all of the philosophy classes you desire while also pursuing a degree in social work? or nutrition, geriatrics, psychology? or an undergrad degree in philosphy, and an MSW?</p>
<p>Yeah, that double major route is what I’m thinking about doing but I’m already a junior so I’m not sure If I can really make the unlikely lateral.</p>
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<p>Classsics is a pretty pliable major. You could go into Psychology with a Classics major or do what Boys said and double major. While social work isn’t exactly competitive, having a double major would probably make you stand out.</p>
<p>I’m glad your interest lies in caring for the elderly in China. Most social workers who deal with kids in this country are pious, self-praise-seeking control freaks. When I was a kid, my friend went into foster care because his parents smoked weed, and the lady stomped all over their rights.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m leaning toward that direction. And I didn’t know social workers in the States were like that…lol, I only know one and she’s pretty laid back…</p>
<p>If you do what you think is right but do not like it, you may cause more harm than good. I study criminal justice and I see a lot of things with people in law enforcement getting burned out and then becoming corrupt. The same sort of thing happens in all fields.</p>
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<p>But how much does social work in the US apply to the social work type of problems in China? The 4-2-1 problem* is likely much more common in China than in the US.</p>
<p>*Means 4 grandparents and 2 parents that 1 person may have to (but have difficulty being able to) support in their old age, due to the one child policy that has been around for a few decades.</p>
<p>Why don’t you just volunteer some of your time while you do what you love for a job? I don’t understand the all or nothing mentality you seem to hold.</p>
<p>Because I have a problem with a mentality that says “I’m going to live for what I love and do what’s right in my spare time.” Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Shouldn’t it be “I’m going to live for what’s right and do what I love in my spare time?” Of course, the ideal situation would have both pursuits be one and the same.</p>
<p>I see your point. Perhaps pursue a job that is helpful to people and you enjoy? I hope to become an engineer. I enjoy tinkering and creating things, so I should enjoy the job. Hopefully I’ll help people at the same time by creating new devices that make people’s lives better. Water purification devices or better prosthetics, for instance, could do a lot of good.</p>
<p>Think about your future for a while. Perhaps after meditating on it you’ll come up with a better compromise for yourself.</p>