I just transferred to UC Berkeley this Fall 2016 and am a declared Political Science major. While I love what I am learning, I don’t think I’m GREAT at it. I don’t talk in discussion because everybody else seems to know what to talk about. My essay grades are average (B’s). I don’t know how to make it any better even though I’ve been to office hours plenty of times for help. I don’t even know how I’m going to get a job with this major. I feel like I chose this major to transfer with because the pre-requisites weren’t demanding at community college.
I’ve always been interested in biology or chemistry, even computer science, but I really cut myself short in community college because I was too scared to take calculus. Now, after finishing my first semester at Berkeley, I really wish I could go back and change my major. How do I do this? It seems too late because I’m already a junior, and already transferred. Where can I go from here considering how I don’t feel like Political Science is something I want to continue pursuing? I really want to try something technical. I don’t even know if I’ll do well in it, but I’ve been thinking about majoring in STEM for the past 2 years, but just couldn’t do it because of my fear of failing in a technical class.
I’m looking for serious advice. I’ve been having periods of depression or existential crises because of this.
@moremilkteapls We might have taken the same courses last semester.
I took three Rhetoric courses, wrote over a dozen essays total, and the B- that I received in PS144 was my lowest score. Essays grades are notoriously subjective. Most berkeley students are used to be high performing, but you should not let one semester of imperfect grades convince you that you are pursuing the wrong degree. Additionally, the people who appear to know everything in discussion WANT to appear that they know everything. Half of my rhetoric courses are spent by students trying to name-drop random philosophers who have nothing to do with the theme of the session. Likewise, if we all took the time to research the name of Truman's press secretary, then we could act as though we knew every detail about American history as well.
I highly recommend that you double major. Upper division Political Science majors rarely take more than two major courses each semester, so you will have plenty of room for a second major. Of course, it dependents on the major. STEM and similar majors will be virtually impossible for you regardless of whether you abandon political science. Majors that require sequential courses cannot be completed hastily. There are many majors in the LS college, however, that do not require sequential courses and can be completed in only a couple of semesters. Personally, I will be 60% of the way done with my Rhetoric major by Spring. Double majors also get 2 and 1/2 years to complete their degree if necessary.
Berkeley Political Science is only rivaled by Stanford on this side of the country. Employment is a concern for all young people, but you should be more worried about being turned down for lack of experience or poor performance in interviews. Prestige does not hide other flaws, but the truth is that a social science degree from a local university is regarded differently than the same degree from a world renowned university. Whether or not we think it is fair, the fact that certain graduates are privileged over others is a statistical fact. If you are worried about finding a personally satisfying job, then that is a different story. However, know that you will have many more opportunities than most unless you squander the next two years and wait for them to be handed to you.
So, about satisfaction. Most political science majors don't work in politics. I am likely to politically radical to work in politics. Most work in the private or nonprofit sector. Most employers will higher political science, economics, sociology, etc, majors over business majors because the workplace is highly specialized. Most employees are not jacks-of-all-trades. Most are hired to provide a specific set of knowledge/skills, or to be trained to do so. If you don't want to move to DC, Sacramento if you want to stay local, and work at the capital. If you don't want to balance budgets, or go to law school, you don't have to. If you want to work in scientific research, you can work in management, rather than in the lab.
My mother is a radiation therapist, who treats cancer and makes over 150k. Her first degree is from Sac State in psychology. She simply choose to pursue that career in grad school. My father is an executive at a Kaiser hospital after getting his MBA. Worked in the x-ray department when he was younger. No science degree. If you want nothing more in life than to be a surgeon, then I suppose you should follow your heart. But if you are afraid that you are going to be pigeon-holed in policy making or the legal system, don’t believe that for a second.
Goodness, I did not expect to write this much. Hope it helps!
You need to understand, the folks sitting next to you are really bright but, you earned your seat too. They may talk more but, trust me, they aren’t any smarter. Getting solid Bs at that level is something you should be proud of. I’d say speak your mind in class, you may be surprised at the reaction of those around you.
If you can afford an extra year +, you should look at a double major in something more sciency. Of course, you will find the same thing in those classes - really smart and motivated student who LOVE their field of study. And of course, the subject matter is harder.
Check carefully whether your school has a “maximum total credit” or “perpetual student” policy. In my state, you can be dropped from school for having too many credits without finishing any degree. They put you on the degree plan with the shortest path (usually general studies major) after you get close to the limit and you can only enroll in classes in that degree plan.
If there is a math placement test, you should go take it and see where you stand. You can use edready.org to prep for most college placement tests.
Also, talk to academic advising about the possibilities of changing or adding majors. Some majors may be really hard to get into, and you want to be realistic.