<p>I know what I want out of a career. It has to be something purposeful. Something that helps improve the world and make it a better place. Something that when I age and near death I can look back and feel like I made a difference. </p>
<p>That being said, I'd also like to make money. I've grown up in a middle class family that has slowly sunk to what I'd consider lower middle class levels. I worked moderately hard in high school and it's paid off. I got into my first choice school with a healthy award. I feel like because I'm going to such an expensive school, where my parents are still going to be required to take out about $50,000 in loans over 4 years, that I should major in something I know I can have a decent career in.</p>
<p>I don't want to make millions or anything of that sort, but... eh... I would like to make six figures. Who wouldn't right? I was planning to major in International Studies since I love politics, government, and history. However I guess that's not a very practical degree. I feel like none of the degrees I'd like to get are very practical. I don't like business or economics, I don't really care for science or math either. So I'm left with liberal arts. I thought about getting an IS or Poli Sci degree and then going to law school, but I don't know if I can afford that.</p>
<p>I think people put way too much weight on which major to choose. Deciding which ones are the most valuable, that is. Outside of math and science, all the liberal arts degrees are the same. If you get good grades at a good school, it's valuable. If not, then it's not. That simple. Employers won't care how good at international studies you are, just prove you're smart.</p>
<p>Have you ever tried taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or a similiar personality test? You can find plenty of free ones online, and they can help you narrow down options and figure out exactly what you want in a career (outside of six figures; we all want that!), careers that fit that list, and consequentially your major.</p>
<p>Sort of to reiterate what el duque said, it's not the major that counts, but the job. Go into International Studies. You'll learn what you need for a job that can make a difference. If you have some goal in mind, look for a major that will give you the education you need. A major, after all, is nothing more than a set of classes that leads in a particular direction. Gain subject knowledge, experience, and wordly knowledge, and you can make the difference you want.</p>
<p>You're not going to make six-figure salary in an entry level position in public serivce. That would pay more in the range of 30-35K per year. Studing the arts and science will allow you to learn and apply those skills to a broad array of careers. They aren't "practical," but they will suit your needs.</p>
<p>So you only want to do an undergrad and make a lot of money and change the world? No wonder you feel stuck. </p>
<p>Most undergrad degrees are not useless, even though they don't create six figure incomes nor prepare you to change the world. That usually requires much more hard work (either more school or a convoluted career path of hard work). If it was THAT easy, don't you think everyone would be doing it?
(you are not unique in wanting to make a lot of money AND having meaningful work).</p>
<p>Why don't you work backwards from the kinds of jobs you see people doing that you envy? I dunno, a scientist finding a cure for AIDs, a national politician, a lawyer defending civil rights cases, a doctor working in Africa. There are many ways to change the world, big and small and have a comfortable life. Figure out wha tmeaningful jobs fit YOUR interests and abilities, and THEN find out how those people got there. Don't look at majors and work your way up the line; look at the jobs and work your way down.</p>
<p>It is pretty rare that a undergraduate degree will make you six firgures anyways. No degree does that automatically. If you do international relations and get a stellar GPA you. There are a bunch of degrees that don't have a literal application. It would be a lot easier for you to decide how you want to change the world and what exactly that would entail, then work backwards to see what kind of training you will need.</p>
<p>i'm sorry, but it sounds like you just want a lot for a little.</p>
<p>no math/science, undergrad degree, six figure income, helping to change the world, no grad/professional school...
i guess the only part of that sequence that baffles me is the six figure income bit...why six figure? what's wrong with 80,000 or something? anyway, as student35 said no entry-level position (even as a resident out of medical school) gets that...if you get that after 10 years and you're not in I-banking or medicine or law or something similar, then you're one of the lucky ones. but yeah, trust me, i've looked for a major that can give the things you listed. in addition, i've heard from many people that employers view the bachelor's degree in the same way that a high school diploma used to be viewed---basically everyone has one and it doesn't make you stand out. i'd say get a lot of work experience NOW while you're still in school and that will definitely give you a boost and move you to the place where you want to be in the future :)</p>
<p>I say study what you want to study. If you love history, politics, etc., study it, even if you or most people around you don't think it's practical. The truth of the matter is that a certain major just doesn't give that information. For example, being a history major doesn't mean that all you can do is rattle off dates and names of wars;it also signals that you are analytical, a good write, etc. In that sense, it's very practical.</p>
<p>"It is pretty rare that a undergraduate degree will make you six firgures anyways. No degree does that automatically. If you do international relations and get a stellar GPA you. There are a bunch of degrees that don't have a literal application. It would be a lot easier for you to decide how you want to change the world and what exactly that would entail, then work backwards to see what kind of training you will need."</p>
<p>Bingo... Best Advice yet, thus why I am doing what I am doing now... </p>
<p>I felt the same way after getting a different one before (i.e. going after a good paying job in IT) then working in an unfilling job... so much so that I was working for several NFP's on the side. </p>
<p>now I am doing a B.S. in Political Science at a top school to add to my experience and plan to do an MPA after that (working for an NFP) it took a LOT of research into what I could do and what majors and schools offered what I wanted to do, but think I found it now. </p>
<p>Also with the right things, there will be perks to this type of job... free travel, free food, socializing with good people etc... I was working for an NFP on the side and got around a 10,000 dollar trip paid for me to go to Europe and Africa. </p>
<p>I had thought about IR, but... it is too competitive mindset for me, too concerned with wealth and largely too restrictive to DC/NYC. I think the MPA is much more applicable, as well as the Poli Sci degree, much more quantitive in nature than IR curriculums I have seen...</p>
<p>grapico, Which organizations are you involved with? What kind of work do you do, and how does it pay? What was it that you disliked the most about your previous career in IT?</p>