If there was no society...

College Confidential Community
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<p>In the complex process of trying to decide what major to take, one thing I tried to do is ask myself: What would you do if there was no society?</p>

<p>If there were no social pressures, the need of getting a job and a salary, social recognition, a family, a career... - plain: if only you existed and you could chose to do/learn/study whatever you want (given that you would still like to study/do something with your life!) what would you study?</p>

<p>What would you really be curious to learn about this world, whether it is a study fostered by an institution such as an university or (as humans did in the past) something totally "self-taught"?</p>

<p>These questions are very idealistic and trigger many counterquestions (e.g. if there's no society then what are you actually living for?, etc.), but imagining them may help in revealing ourselves a better picture of what we REALLY like to do in our life, and where our innate curiosity and interests lie.</p>

<p>And as a consequence a proposed way to consider your college major, and after that, your career.</p>

<p>Personally, in today's existing society and world with universities, in which a certain extent of "survival of the fittest" is required if you want to have a balanced life, I would directly choose "what I am best at" since I have most opportunities to success mainly in these.
But "what I am best at" is not necessarily "what I like" or "what I would like to do NOW".</p>

<p>...</p>

<p>In my case, my friends who know me since more than 10 years stereotype me as a typical science, technology and computer freak. I master certain things of the computer field more than the average (where I live) Computer Science student. Most of my friends and my parents would see me at my best in the I.T. field or in media production.</p>

<p>However, if I had to say what I REALLY like in this moment, what I would like to research and be able to DO... I'd like to work in international relations, promote development in developing countries, participate at debates, do lot of public speaking, social policy etc. I actually see myself as both a overall diplomat for the U.N. or as a Minister for Foreign Affairs, solving problems between... societies.</p>

<p>And if there were no problems at all in society, and I really had no personal drive that has anything to do with doing something for other people, if I were stranded and alone on an island but could do whatever I want...
I would like to know how to build a plane or a spaceship... and fly it.</p>

<p>--> Aeronautical Engineering</p>

<p>Funny.</p>

<p>When I look back at "reality" though, I think I would never "survive" or reach the life standards I want as an aeronautical engineer...</p>

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<p>there's a damn good question...insufficient time to answer...</p>

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<p>Please, pay a lot of attention to what you like. People, including yourself, are "good at" a lot of things, so just that doesn't mean that you have to pursue that thing. Also, try to put together a list of the intangibles that you like and are good at. Mine are using deductive logic, diagnosing problems, and getting along with people. Why rule out aeronautical engineering? If you like it- you can do it. Your skills and characteristics may be very well suited to jobs in that field. The people who are best suited for the academic work are not always best suited for the jobs. And they also may not LIKE the jobs.Take computer science- my field. Many of the computer jobs have a strong customer service component, but high school and college kids do not know that. A lot of it involves pleasing users or sponsors, schmoozing them to find out what they really want, developing relationsships with them, so that they approach YOU with new requests. Who would know that? People think it's all logic and hexadecimal, but it isn't.</p>

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<p>You are right on the dualism academic conditions and job conditions, OneMom. That's very important, in my opinion, when deciding "what you like".</p>

<p>How to define my intangibles? If you are referring to those numerous career-tests and personality tests, I have ceased believing in them because I know that many things depend on the situation, and many things can totally change depending on the subject. One who "hates people" because of some bad experience in a specific situation can also start loving them...
There might be a situation in which I completely "loose" my intangibles due to an environmental/social factor, for example.</p>

<p>But I'll try to find my intangibles.
Whether I do something for society, in arts, creative writing, in a scientific competition, debates, etc. one of the most common "traits" is that I'm crazy/creative. I like to break rules, braking patterns, being original.
"He's crazy, but what he said/did is fantastic".
Especially when it comes to social and political activism.</p>

<p>But I may totally loose my craziness/creativity if I loose enthusiasm and motivation for something that has nothing to do with the subject... and suddenly see the world from a totally different point of view (making laws, patterns, etc.)...</p>

<p>Or maybe I didn't understand what you meant =)</p>

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<p>Yes, you understood my meaning. Being able to use creativity, innovation, and initiative seems to be the imporant thing. I also know what you mean about losing enthusiasm- nobody can stay creative 24/7. You sound a lot like my nephew who is brilliant but a little ADD- he's either totatlly engaged or (in school) just stagnating. If you could find a career that has a stable base, but also an outlet for creativity, it would work. For example- say you went into architecture- you might remodel or build basic condos for money, but also have an incredible creative project on the side. Just an example. Writing is one thing that can provide a creative outlet to any career. Like medicine- to me that field has little creative outlet, since you have to be so careful and the field is so narrow and regulated. But that doctor Scott Peck- what did he do- he started to write really good self-help books for the public (he is a psychiatrist).</p>

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<p>Actually, I think I would keep with what I plan on majoring in, even if there were no social or career pressures, History/Anthropology. :)</p>

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<p>Hi again, OneMom,</p>

<p>In the case of aero-engineering, I love to know, to learn about flying, and I would also like to build my own plane to fly in :P
But as I look at the jobs/careers around, I would never want to work in that area. Too closed environments, no new people. At least, in the majority of cases.
Unless you become an astronaut and have to attend conferences and interviews... ahhh :)
I can't stay in a closed environment for too long, while knowing that so many things are happening outside.</p>

<p>Whereas in the case of something like social sciences/int.rel. I would like many different areas. I would like both researching, questioning people, convincing, debating, in few words: The outcome of any decision will depend on the way I behave. I also did a lot of drama throughout my life, so maybe I have a kind of inclination to speak around with totally different people all the time.
And I have the motivation to solve the problems!</p>

<p>But in almost all social sciences (economics, politics, etc.) I somehow don't see enough substance in the stuff you learn about them (before being creative you must also know what already exists and how they function). There are too many fixed rules in social sciences that are - in my opinion -... too fixed. Too "works only within the system, but wouldn't work anymore if there was an earthquake that destroyed the country/system".</p>