Having Second Thoughts on Major

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Hi everyone,

For the longest time, I thought that I’d want to major in computer science because I enjoy programming. However, thinking about it carefully, I realize that I’m not really interested in super theoretical topics or research; I’m more interested in how I can use coding in real world situations.

I’m thinking of attending ASU Polytechnic. They have a Software Engineering major, which seems more aligned to my interests than the CS major in Tempe. However, there’s another major at Poly that’s caught my eye called Technological Entrepreneurship and Management (TEM). It combines engineering and business and supposedly “prepares students to launch technology-based ventures and tackle social and corporate issues to impact the world around them.”

In addition to engineering, I have an interest in business, particularly in entrepreneurship and the start-up scene. However, I’m a little afraid to commit to this major for a couple reasons: one, it doesn’t require as much advanced math as the Software Engineering major, which might prevent me from applying to some jobs; next, it’s a brand new major, so there’s not much guarantee that the classes will be excellent, and there’s no way for me to determine if this major will actually prepare me for the real world; finally, I still love to program, and it’s a marketable skill at the moment, but this major’s course map doesn’t really include any CS.

Neither of these majors is offered as a minor, and I’m going to be in Barrett as well as some other academic programs so I don’t think I’ll have time to double-major. Poly seems to have a lot of resources for student entrepreneurs, regardless of their major.

If anyone has any insight into the following question, I’d greatly appreciate it: would it be better to do the TEM major–which seems the most interesting to me, but has risks–or do the Software Engineering major–which I find fairly interesting, and is probably safer in the long run?

Thanks

2

You should look at the college catalog to see what exactly are the courses you would be taking in the TEM major. I suspect that there aren’t a lot of upper division, rigorous engineering classes in that program. If so, you would be forsaking engineering for basically a degree in business with a little engineering flair. Not sufficient to get a good job in engineering. Is that where you want to start your career?

What job do you envision yourself doing and you have to ask yourself the question; “Who is going to hire me and why me?”

3

All of your majors of interest should have some introductory class. You can try to take an introductory class in each of them and that should help you get a sense of whether or not you like it. For many engineering majors, if you want to graduate in four years, you are most likely going to have to decide no later than at the conclusion of first semester sophomore year.