<p>I'm an incoming freshmen. My major major is chem e. I can't decide if I want to double major or minor or both.</p>
<p>Possible second area of study are:
math - because recruiters usually look for strong math background
mech e - because I might get sick of molecular structures and yearn for something mechanical
aerospace e - ditto; plus it's interesting.
writing (minor) - because it will be helpful for me throughout the rest of my life (and it's kinda fun)
stats - because my parents want me to. apparently, it's really easy for a smart guy to get a job in this area because all you do is solve problems and the pay is nice. but it could be boring.</p>
<p>any suggestions?</p>
<p>btw. I took a com sci class last semester. I don't know if I should give com sci some more time, but so far, it sucks major balnonkas. Someone said that I should give java a couple of more months. So maybe....</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, after talking to many of my graduated friends. A minor does not help you that much on finding a job. As far as deciding for your second major, find something that you are interested in. It is personal.</p>
<p>someone my parents know was a chem e major and a stats minor. He ended up getting a job on stats and he now earns around 80k/year.</p>
<p>As for something I’m interested in. I’d rather go pro in tennis or soccer and play in a grand slam or FIFA world cup, because that’s what I’m interested in. Before, everything seemed interesting, now, I don’t have as much passion about knowledge and science anymore, so I’ll take anything that will set me straight on a good career path. All successful engineers are suppose to be stressed. I mean work is work, it ain’t suppose to be fun right?</p>
<p>anyhow, I’m strongly considering the math double major, because that might help me the most.</p>
<p>Why don’t you take some exploratory classes as a freshman and then try to make a path between something that is a solid career and that is interesting to you? Life isn’t about money (to the extent that if you’re comfortable, it’s enough - so anything over $50,000 is fine by me, no need to get way up there), and you’re going to spend a LOT of time at work and even more time THINKING about work. It should be something you half way enjoy.</p>
<p>What about sports medicine? What about becoming a doctor with a goal of working with athletes? What about being an exercise-focused nutritionist? What about going into sports business (not science related, though)?</p>
<p>For example, I’m pretty interested in international relations and political science. Compared to other liberal arts degrees, these are pretty marketable. That said, maybe (I don’t know, I haven’t paid much attention to the job market) international business is MORE marketable. It would combine something I like with something that’s marketable. If money is what’s important to you, go for it. If it’s a secondary concern, find a compromise. If it’s not a big deal above and beyond being comfortable (however YOU define comfortable), paying the bills, and having some fun, don’t worry about it. Money isn’t THAT big of a deal for me, say, but it never helps to have something practical as a double major or secondary interest.</p>
<p>It is hard to advice you what you should major in, since it is very personal.
But do as “applicannot” suggested. Take intro level classes in the areas you are interested in double major. Do keep in mind that double major is not an easy thing for engineer, unless the two majors have a lot of overlapping. I graduated with a degree in BME, and I can tell you that I spent most of my night in front of computer and working on problems, or writing. Parents, including mine, tend to ask kids to double major or finish early. It is easy to say, but very hard to do (if you want to graduate with a >3.5 GPA at college). Pick your first major first, try it out, if you think you have time to study a different area, then you decide.</p>
<p>p.s. someone from the family always knows somebody has done something big. It is your education, and your path. define it yourself.</p>