<p>Hi Parents,</p>
<p>I have a problem trying to figure out what I should major in. Well, currently, I'm heading towards engineering. However, my interests lie mainly in pure math, music, philosophy, and art instead. Should I continue to pursue engineering? Which field in engineering should I go into based on my interests? Or should I change major? What should I major and/or minor based on my interests?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Take a hard look at engineering jobs. Talk to engineers. You need to get a realistic feel about the career. Are you currently in college? What year? Your problem is a tough one. Maybe computer engineering and algorithms?</p>
<p>I agree that its too soon to say until you intern at engineering firms. Some math/engineering types experiment with economic classes.</p>
<p>Pretty much all of the engineering majors are math heavy. Regarding which engineering field to go into (assuming you want to), think about what sounds appealing to you - engineering bridges/buildings (structural eng.), designing electronic circuits (EE), working with radio waves in the area of cell phones, microwaves, etc. (EE), writing computer programs and architecting software designs (CS), designing artificial limbs or biomedical devices (Bio Eng.), engineering autos, robotics, etc. (ME)... </p>
<p>A math degree coud prepare you for many practical career fields - teaching, engineering, etc.</p>
<p>Music is great but it can be difficult to make a well-paid career out of. It might be best as a major interest rather than a major but you'll have to think this one through. If you pursue music, what area would it be, how would the major help you, what kinds of careers are you likely to have in it?</p>
<p>Philosphy is okay as an undergrad degree but it doesn't have much in the way of career choices directly related to it. It can be used as an UG degree for a more directed grad degree. </p>
<p>Art lies in the same area as music. </p>
<p>You really need to think through what you can do with the degrees regarding employment and what you picture yourself doing day to day after you enter the job marketplace.</p>
<p>It is not surprising to hear math/music /philosophy together (think of the number relationships in music and the logic of philosophy). Do you prefer hands on projects or theory? Look at what interests you in general- do you like taking things apart, building them or do you prefer the abstract? Do you have a practical streak? Do you like physics? Do you prefer the problem solving or the theorem proving most in math? Engineers are applied scientists, not everyone enjoys the problem solving and attention to detail required. Consider Applied Math and Physics if you can't picture yourself as an engineer.</p>
<p>Some time ago, I looked up the Brown Math department. It had a list of careers that math majors had gotten into.</p>
<p>One question I have concerns your statement that you love pure math. Do you mean math as opposed to engineering? Or pure math as opposed to applied math? The careers opened to the latter are more numerous than for the former. Investment banks recruit heavily among math majors; actuaries make very good salaries.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, parents. I'm a freshman in college right now. Well.... I was considering minoring in philosophy, but was concerned about the potential workload if I was to major in Engineering and minor in philosophy. Also, out of my classes so far, I'm doing the best in my math class. As for my other interests, I will most likely be able to take related classes if I was to change major, since my schedule will not be as crowded.</p>