I have no idea what major I should go into.

College Majors
1

<p>So, for a while now, I've been jumping around a bit. I really have no clue where my life is headed...</p>

<p>(LONG BACKSTORY, SKIP IF YOU WANT)
My initial ideal major was in the medical field. When I was 10. Of course, young dreams die young unless the young one happened to be of a persistent breed. Alas, that was never me, and from my ashen dreams, a thousand more birthed.
From middle school to my sophomore year of high school,I aspired to be a great businessman in the conventional sense. A trigger in my mind said that it was too "risky" and neigh impossible, as for every great mind there are ten thousand forgotten. Junior year showed me an innate ability to speak in public. Somehow I established a connection between this and journalism. I quickly dismissed it after a month, and then thought about political science. Clearly, that would fit a man of my skill set! But, I had no idea where to even start. Discarded among the rest, the process grew nauseating as I had not a single future plan that actually fit a pragmatic frame. Senior finally came, and I had no idea what to do. I applied for environmental engineering for unknown reasons.
(END OF BACKSTORY)</p>

<p>So, I've decided I'd ask for some opinions. Below is a list of what I desire, what I can do, and what I am disposed to fail at!</p>

<p>Desires:
-Money. It's not a shallow desire! A job where opportunity and success may characterize it is definitely a plus.
-Independence. "Government jobs" that don't deal with the politics are hard for me to stomach; my uncle happens to do accounting work for the country and he has to relocate whenever it wills him so and he will **** when it says he will. That's not a life I'd like to live. Also, the job is a bit dead-end.
However, when I say "to an extent", I mean that working for an accounting firm isn't murderous to me. As long as I can travel, have sufficient freedoms to where I won't feel chronic stress, and am not locked into a dead-end position, I'm golden.
-I aspire to have my name somewhere, where it isn't lost to history. They aren't dreams of grandeur necessarily. Just, my name can't be tossed aside into the dust. Maybe when a lonely man just happened to be surfing on Google and spots me. Or, the scholar searches through Wikipedia and brushes over my name. I don't even need my own article, I promise!</p>

<p>So what can I do?
-Public speaking comes naturally to me.
-I am a huge fan of debate, and in turn, critical thought.
-If philosophy paid well, I'd major in it. There's something magical about it.
-I'm decent at math.
-I'm empathetic.
-I like social contact.
-I can write well.
-I enjoy working with others, but don't like RELYING on others.
-I am politically active.</p>

<p>I'd like to avoid:
-Extremely difficult math. I'm looking at you Calculus II and Math Theory.
-Application of sciences when they are intertwined with math somehow. I'm looking at you biology, chemistry, and physics!
-I'm not much of an artist...
-If it ties me to a single city permanently for whatever reason, I'm not going to enjoy it.
-Practicing research doesn't bode too well with me, though I am interested in reading others' research.
-I would not want to work in laboratories.</p>

<p>The majors I've considered (and in parenthesis, why I leaned away from it):
-Medical field (tied down, no ambition)
-Entrepreneurship (risky, too high a chance of failure)
-Journalism (low average pay)
-Political Science (don't know where to start)
-Law (there are a lot of lawyers already)
-Engineering as a whole (it combines the two things I hate most: complex math and application to the world)
-Psychology (low pay until doctorate, issue of unfulfilled ambitious behavior)
-Architecture (my drawings are terrible, but it's somewhat appealing, physics)</p>

<p>I'm willing to bear with some things... it's a large cost-benefit analysis. Do any of you have ideas? I'm open to all of them!</p>

2

<p>I’m sort of in the same boat as you, with all the same desires. I previously thought of law or journalism (too bad journalists don’t make all that much). Law does seem like a good fit for you…but have you thought of foreign affairs or international relations? It’ll include travelling, possibly history-making, gov work = money, working with people, must be aware of issues around the world. Anyways, that has been my latest option of a major. My only drawback would be that it is probably difficult to work your way into a highly distinguished position. Hopefully, I’ll be able to work my way into the United Nations.
Which college are/will you be attending?</p>

3

<p>Maybe Politics? Quick way to get your own spot on wikipedia would be to become a state senator or representative.</p>

4

<p>Believe it or not Entrepreneurship is not that horrible if you have a lot of money to risk. Even if you fail and all the money you invested is gone forever, entrepreneurial experience is a VERY interesting topic to employers. I say go for it. If it goes well, there you go. If it goes sour, think of it as paying for experience that other occupations may like.</p>

5

<p>i’m very similar to you, and ultimately i chose to major in journalism. money is a valid concern, but if you write well, enjoy politics and philosophy, want to travel, want to avoid math, and dislike being chained to a desk in some office, then journalism is perfect for you. do what you love and do it well, and the money will follow.</p>

<p>and you can always go into politics or law after majoring in journalism.</p>

6

<p>@RABB
Ah, this is one of the reasons I ask about my major. I made it into Cal Poly SLO for environmental engineering, but I have been having second thoughts. If I don’t end up enjoying it whatsoever, I’ll be stuck at a school that does not cater well to my needs. CPSLO is predominantly a working man’s college, established on the colleges of architecture and engineering.
My other choices aren’t worth considering. If I don’t choose Cal Poly, I’ll end up attending a community college, which I see has a lot of benefits in my eyes (CHEAP, literally 5 minutes from home), but also a few negatives (no freshman/sophomore experience, expensive, possibly not my place)
International relations is something I never even thought about, but that sounds extremely appealing. And then, you bringing up the United Nations convinces me you are of a kindred spirit. Those dreams are far away, though, for the time being.</p>

<p>@mm99
If I only knew a way into politics… I’m plagued with doubts of success. :[</p>

<p>@nov9th
I see what you’re saying, but I can’t bring myself to do it… perhaps if I double majored in engineering AND business would I have the confidence (hah).</p>

<p>@senor
I see what you mean, and I’ll definitely think about it.</p>

<p>Anyone else, feel free to post comments. Every bit is appreciated.</p>

7

<p>I guess politics is a risk, but you said that:
-Public speaking comes naturally to me.- A needed skill in politics</p>

<p>-I am a huge fan of debate, and in turn, critical thought.- Also a big part of politics</p>

<p>-If philosophy paid well, I’d major in it. There’s something magical about it.- You could use some philosophy sounding quotes when talking to constituents</p>

<p>-I’m decent at math. But don’t want to take Calc- You would only need basic math for budget talks</p>

<p>-I’m empathetic.- Relating to voters</p>

<p>-I like social contact.- Lots of that in politics</p>

<p>-I can write well. -A big plus</p>

<p>-I enjoy working with others, but don’t like RELYING on others. - Sounds like a politician</p>

<p>And of course-
-I am politically active.</p>

<p>A career in politics has what you want and avoids what you don’t want. for not being tied to one city, you would have a home in one area and work in a capitol city. You said you don’t know where to start, but you also said you were politically active, plus there are always more elections coming up.</p>