Not really passionate about my major

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi,

I am an year 2 undergraduate student studying in a pretty good university. My major is Electronics Engineering.

After finishing high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. So I decided to major in Computer Science (I have had no previous background in coding).I partially took it because you apparently get jobs relatively easily after graduation. Within a year, I realised that CS is not for me. I just couldn’t become that good in coding and probably its my fault that I didn’t put more effort. So, I decided to change my major and Electronics Engineering seemed to be the least worst option(I hate mechanical and civil engineering and what they study). I pretty much like electronics at times but I am not that passionate about it or love it as much as some of my other friends.

Even when I do like it, I feel that I am not as good as other students. For example, I am very bad at lab work and I just don’t feel that I am as good as them and at times even as interested as them to do it.

And regarding some of my courses, I pretty much like studying about circuits and all. But we have a course about computer organisation and microprocessor which I absolutely hate. I can’t stand that course. Now I feel scared that if I am already having such feelings then what will I do for the next 3 years and in turn for my whole life.

I have no idea what will I do after 4 years and even if I like Electronics enough to pursue it for the rest of my lives. I just feel that the other students do have an idea (at least to some extent) regarding what they like and what they want . I don’t love Electronics and neither did I love Computer Science and now I have this feeling of uncertainty regarding what my future holds.

And I just don’t know what to do. Any advice?

2

This is JMHO but I think your feels are very normal and very common. You are young and really, I think its rare to have that, “this is what I want to do the rest of my life and I’m passionate about it” feeling at your age. Many go through their whole lives without the answers to the questions you pose. You didn’t say what year in school you are so I’m not sure how invested you are already. One thought I have is to suggest you try to separate the course work from the potential future employment. Have you been able to explore actual jobs in your field? Have you talked with anyone or been able to shadow someone for a day who does what you could be hired for? If so, how did you feel about that job? We all have to get through coursework we don’t like and don’t feel passionate about. But I think you have to ask yourself if you could be happy or happy enough with the type of job you can land out of college with this degree. If you can, then I think you’re in as good a shape as anyone. If you’d be miserable, well then, maybe you need to make some changes. The fact of the mater is that you will probably get a masters degree and there are all kinds of options with that which could take you in a different or more satisfying direction. Good luck and try to breathe and relax. You aren’t alone in your feelings.