Hey guys, I recently changed my major from International Business to International Studies. I’ve always had an interest in learning other cultures and had goals for study abroad. I’m not a STEM person at all. I’m more of an English and history person. I have been told that my writing is pretty good. I didn’t want to go with business since my university requires three to four course in math. I am dyscalculic, and it is very unrealistic that I can pass those math courses with business as the main major. My dream job is to become a teacher. If I am outside the U.S, I am happy to teach English in a foreign country. My backup job is in the UN. I also studied six semesters of Japanese language in high school and also continuing another course of it in college (if any of that helps). So what should I double major in? I was thinking either: Political Science, Econ, or English. I also do not want to be employed after college; I want to go with a major that can both fulfill my interests and possible careers. Any advice on what should I do?
- Lost freshman going into second semester of college.
Some comments:
-Political Science and Economics overlap somewhat with International Studies and coursework in those fields usually
is required as part of an IS major.
-IMO, Economics is considered a more solid and respected subject than political science or IS, especially for work in an international organization.
-At a minimum, Calculus and Statistics are required for most Economics majors. As an Economics major you’ll be dealing with quantitative data on a daily basis. Much more math is required for advanced work in Economics.
-A foreign language and a regional focus usually is required for an IS major. Since you already study Japanese, you can continue to increase your proficiency in that language, or you can start another language used in another country/region that interests you. Another UN language or a language spoken in a country where you might want to teach English might be a good choice.
-If you’re interested in teaching English abroad, a teaching credential could be useful, especially if you want to teach in an international school. If you only want to teach English outside a regular school setting, a certificate in TESL would be useful. You can get this as part of an English major at many universities, or you can obtain this a stand-alone certificate or minor combined with a major in another field. You also can get this via a post-grad Master’s or certificate program. English majors at some universities offer a track with an emphasis on English language/linguistics (as opposed to a literature emphasis), which you might want to consider.
-Some majors besides English to consider: Professional Writing; Technical Writing; and Communications. Technical Writing might be a good combination with Japanese.
-Have you considered the Peace Corps?
Thanks for the info! Very helpful. Peace Corps? I’ve heard of it and I’m looking into it now haha @zapfino