Hi! I am a rising highschool senior, and while I still have time to decide what I want to study, I would like to use the summer to write out my “why would you like the major in xyz” supplemental essays. My main issue is finding a career&major that allows me to pursue my passions of environmental protection & conservation as well as political science, while utilizing my strengths of writing and/or math. I would probably prefer a career with more writing than math, if I had to choose.
Without taking my passions into account, Ive considered majoring in English and becoming a tech writer. However, there doesnt seem to be a clear cut path to this career, and with so many concentrations and specializations, I cant help but feel overwhelmed. Im not sure if I should minor in something else to help me be more qualified for tech writing. If I go this route, I may apply to schools that specifically have tech writing majors, but I honestly am not sure if this is necessary, as an English major would probably suffice. Additionally, I will be taking a tech writing class this upcoming school year, which may help me decide if its for me.
I have also thought about accounting, as I also enjoy and have made good grades in math. I really like problem solving and finding patterns, but Im not really passionate about accounting, so I’m not sure if its a perfect fit. I am really
considering it, however I can’t really see where I would do a lot of writing, which I would enjoy.
My main issue is neither major really allows me to pursue my passions as mentioned above, as far as I can tell. Therefore, if anyone has ideas for majors that would allow me to pursue them while giving me the opportunity to use my writing skills, I’d really appreciate it!
Here are some ideas of what I would like out a future career, if it helps:
Im not sure if its too important, but Im interested in working and living around DC, a major southern city or Seattle (probably in that order) I’m very flexible on this though, but I do stay myself staying in an urban location.
I am introverted and work very well independently, as I am very internally motivated. I can work well with a group as well, I just feel I am more productive and enjoy my work more when I am in charge of it myself.
I would prefer not to be in charge of others; truthfully, I am not a natural leader.
I dont enjoy formal public speaking; I’d rather write the speech than share it. I really dont like being in the “spotlight.” Funny enough though, I have been told I am a very skilled presenter and speaker, so maybe I could overcome my aversion to it, if it was necessary for a job. I’d prefer not having to, though, at least not as a main part of my job.
I would like to feel that my job is purposeful and has a positive impact, even if its just making someone elses life easier.
I know that was a lot, but I would be extremely appreciative of any suggestions at all!
If you like math and have a strong aptitude there, but are passionate about environmental science, poli sci, and policy, then I would look for a program that leans toward the quantitative analysis side of public policy. Schools often call this “public policy analysis.” Good stats people for policy research are very marketable.
You can, of course, assemble this sort of thing yourself by doing a public policy or environmental policy major with a stats minor, or something like that. But in general, adding the stats/analysis piece is a great idea if math is a strength.
Environmental science or environmental studies. It is my understanding that the environmental studies major is usually more focused on public policy and the like. You could even launch from there to law school specializes In environmental issues.
Your major can be related to your future career, but it doesn’t fully determine it. You could major in environmental studies or science and end up in a career with lots of writing - or lots of math.
There are lots and lots of careers that are related to environmental protection and conversation. There are all kinds of earth/atmospheric/ecological/geo-sciences careers that could have you doing research for private, nonprofit, NGO, or government agencies/organizations. There are jobs in public policy and administration that could involve shaping laws and policies to help protect the environment; there are jobs to help understand the interaction between humans and the environment and use that information to shape people’s behaviors; there’s direct work with animals and plants in the environment; there’s agricultural/food sustainability work; work in museums and conservation societies…I mean, there are lots. Chances are in your life you will work in more than one of those careers, not just pick a single one and do that forever.
However, you can get into many of these careers with a major in environmental sciences/studies and/or political science. So since you already know where your passions lie, I’d lean towards selecting a major that matches your interests (environmental science, perhaps double majoring or minoring in political science, or related fields) and then use your time in college to try out different career paths and decide that later.
I’ll also say that there are lots of jobs that don’t have ‘writer’ in the title that require a lot of writing.
As a side note, I don’t know many schools that have the “why would you like the major in xyz” supplemental essay, other than perhaps a few that require you to apply to the specific major.
The closest Harvard comes is asking “how you hope to use your college education,” which is a different question. I looked up a couple of other selective schools and none of them have that question. TBH, I can see why; it’s not a super interesting question to get to know more about the 17-18-year-old applying to your college. Most of the questions are more about getting to know more about you as a person and some longer-standing interests and activities, vs. something you may have just decided last week (and may change next week).
Thank you so much for the thoughtful responses, everyone! Public policy analysis with stats actually sounds super interesting, I will for sure be doing more research into it. I think it might be my first choice as of now, but public policy seems to be a less common major, at least in regards to the schools I’ve been looking at, so I guess I need to refocus my search. I definitely will be looking into it though, it seems like a great fit!
As for environmental engineering, I’m not all that interested in engineering in general, but I have considered it before.
I’ve also thought about environmental science, and I just assumed that would lead me to either working as an environmental scientist or consultant (which I’m not completely opposed to). I think I would really enjoy doing an envir sci major and poli sci minor or vice versa, so I will do more research into where that can take me. I think I just have reservations about majoring in something where I don’t know EXACTLY what I will do, which is why I think I was clinging to accounting and tech writing. I think more research will help me though, so thank you for the suggestion!
And juillet, the question is required for the NC State and U Minnesota application, which I’m fairly certain I will be applying to. I might also be applying to IU if I decide on public policy analysis which requires it as well. Guess I just got unlucky if its not a popular question haha.
Again, thank you all for the great suggestions, I can really start doing more research and narrowing down majors now!