I don't know what to major in, and I'm not particularly good at anything?

College Majors
1

I’m currently listed as a Spanish major, and I really enjoy Spanish. However, my parents, a former Spanish teacher, as well as some of my peers are telling me that I won’t be able to find a good job. I don’t really know what to do because I’m not particularly good at much aside from language. I’m in calculus and biology right now, and I really enjoy both classes, but I do so poorly on the tests because I can’t effectively apply the information I’m given. I can memorize concepts and how to do basic problems, but when given a hypothetical situation or a different, more complex problem I usually can’t do it.
The last time I checked, I had a B- in calculus and a B in biology.

My current class schedule is as follows:

  • BIO 1020 with lab (INTRO TO BIO DIVERSITY) - 4HRS
  • Calculus I (4HRS)
  • CHEM 1010 with lab - 4HRS - DROPPED
  • SPA 2010 (INTERMEDIATE SPANISH) - 3HRS
  • HONORS FRESHMAN SEMINAR - 1HR

I had to drop chem because the teacher was abusive in lab and graded ridiculously (took off 48 points for one question on a test).

Here’s my schedule for next semester:

  • ANT 1020 - 3HRS
  • SOC 1100 - 3HRS
  • PSY 1110 - 3HRS
  • ENG 3110 (WOMEN’S LIT) - 3HRS
  • SPA 3210 (SPANISH CONVERSATION) - 3HRS
  • SPA 3950 (LATIN AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES) - 3HRS

So this upcoming semester is more of a gen. ed kinda thing to boost my GPA and explore some more. I’m going to take a computer science class in the summer to see how I like it. I just don’t know what to do.

I’m interested in studying biology and computer science, but I’m so bad at applying information that I don’t think I can do it. I don’t know what to do. The head of the biology section is really convoluted from what I’ve heard. Apparently if you memorize a whole slide of notes and write them down verbatim, she will still find a way to take off an ungodly amount of points. I’m just so lost and confused. Any suggestions? :confused:

It’s not the hard material that frustrates me. I took 9 college classes while I was in high school (precal 1-2, western civ, composition, anatomy). I just don’t know what to study or do. I’m just not good at anything? I don’t know.

Please help.

2

Spanish teacher is far from the only job you could get as a Spanish major. Businesses and hospitals are as areas of employment where they need people who are familiar with Spanish cultures and language. Does your college offer business majors or minors that you could combine with your Spanish major? Have you spoken with faculty in the Spanish department about job and career opportunities?

3

Also, lots of students - probably most - get jobs that are unrelated to their majors. There are lots of jobs in businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, NGOs, small companies, etc., that you could get with a Spanish major that aren’t necessarily translation or teaching or speaking Spanish.

Go to your college’s career center. They likely have a list of what alumni have done/are doing with majors in all kinds of areas. But there’s no reason you should change your major from Spanish if you like it.

4

Yes, I was also going to suggest a business and Spanish combination.

5

There are actually a shortage of Spanish teachers and they are very high in demand. In the right schools, you can do very well. But as the other posters have said, there are many career choices with a Spanish degree. It’s a great skill/talent to have!