So I decided to study Economics in February, but suddenly (yesterday) my parents are all against it, they want me to do STEM~ major. I am accepted in 2 majors : Economics and Econometrics.
I proposed to them that I study ECONOMETRICS, which is basically a STEM major, but my brother went on and told me that I am not prepared for it and it is too hard and that I would not pass first year. He wants me to just go for Computer Science major or something related to that as he thinks it is easier.
But keep in mind that, My brother is business graduate, he basically had no math during his studies, do you think that might have affected his opinion on Econometrics? I have more quantitative background than him definitely.
tl;dr
-Family is attacking my major (Economics)
-They want me to study Computer Science or something STEM related
-My brother thinks Econometrics is harder than Computer Science, and he thinks I will not make it
-It is JUNE already, so basically deadlines are OVER for good universities.
-I am above average at Maths, not excelling but doing fine.
-I am left here confused
What should I do? What should I tell my family?
Why do they want you to study something other than economics?
CS is not necessarily easier than economics, although it can depend on how good you are at writing software versus continuous math and statistics (and how much math and statistics is in your economics major). CS does require discrete math.
If your brother is math phobic, he may have had trouble with the economics courses in his business major, and may be thinking that CS has less math than it does (perhaps he is mistaking it for a less technical IT major).
I’m surprised that econometrics is a major, but presumably the students are encouraged to take additional stats and a bit of CS also. If you do, you should have decent employment opportunities.
@ucbalumnus I chose to stay in Maastricht and study Economics (got accepted in Econometrics too), I would go back to Data Science without second thought however since I dropped out (I dropped out in January) and passed some courses, I am not allowed to retake them next year, so I only have 50 credits left for next year, and I have to earn at least 45 new CREDITS so It is super risky to go for Data Science again so I switched majors.
My family basically thinks that all degrees in University are not worth it unless you do STEM/med
Economics is easier than Data Science, however Econometrics is definitely harder or on par with Data Science/CS
You had trouble with data science. I don’t see how CS is going to be better.
Economics is an excellent major. Your family have to trust that you know yourself. Anyway at this point you’re better off with an Economics major since most universities are done admitting students from CS now.
Can you just evade the issue? Or tell them that for now you’re registered for Economics and can’t just switch but will see if you can switch next year?