<p>I'm sure this question comes up a lot but I would appreciate any advice you can give me.</p>
<p>Here is my situation:</p>
<p>Both of my parents are what you could call "science/math people". In fact they both have PhD's in Chemical Engineering.</p>
<p>I am a great student and have lots of activities
I have taken/are taking AP Courses in Euro, US History, Gov, Lit, and Lang, as well as in Chemistry and Calculus.</p>
<p>My problem arises at what school to go to and what to major in. My parents are trying to push me in a science math direction. (Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, ext)</p>
<p>I think I would go insane if I had to live my life studying numbers and chemicals. I much rather study something (in my mind) that is worthwhile and involves people. </p>
<p>The major I'm intent on is International Relations. I find that learning about other cultures and politics is the most fulfilling study. This also comes hand in hand with studying abroad which comes HIGH on my list of things to do. I feel that people (Americans) know nothing when it comes to other countries, and that really makes me depressed.</p>
<p>Here's the catch:
"The Job markets down and you can't get a job"</p>
<p>I know there are jobs in IR but they are hard to come by and usually require advanced degrees and internships. I plan to go to college in Washington DC and intern. Definitely planing on grad-school (maybe even in Europe). I also am looking in to learning another language to boost my credibility. </p>
<p>Am I too "romantic" in my approach to a college education? How can I tell my parents something they don't want to hear? My mother even tried to compare International Relations to a degree in Theater Arts. Ughhhh..</p>
<p>If anyone has been in a similar situation or has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>psychology might be a good compromise if they really hate your current choice of major… nevertheless you should never pick a major to please someone else.</p>
<p>Use numbers to impress the number oriented. There are several “find your major” books. Find one at your local bookstore and have a look at International relations. See what the employment forecast is. Check out the various math, chemistry and engineering forecasts (interestingly, not all engineering forecasts are good. Too many of the US engineering jobs are being sent overseas. Depends on the type of engineering . . .)</p>
<p>If the forecasts for International Relations are grim (or grimmer than even Theater Arts), then show some maturity and come up with a plan. It might not be THEIR plan – but come up with something concrete. For instance, if you planned to study Arabic (hard), you might be more employable than if your competency was in French. Or perhaps you could add in training in computer security systems . . . or something else that would make you of interest. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that most people who do well in International Relations have had their feet in two or more countries all their lives (State dept. kids, missionary kids, international corporation kids). You will be competing against people who are bilingual (or multi-lingual) from childhood. If this is not you, then your parents may be trying to tell you that you do have a childhood heritage (Chem Eng.) where they have knowledge and connections. </p>
<p>They may be worried that you DO have a romantic notion of what your life will be. For instance, if you are not yet bilingual (fluently!), then you really do not know what it will take to get you to fluency in another language – or even if it is possible (some folks learn quick, others not so much). How are the high school language classes coming?</p>
<p>Please don’t become an actuary if you hate numbers – but do research, research, research so you can be nimble and clever and informed. If you can make it clear to your parents that you know the path, know the pitfalls, know the options, know the typical starting jobs and know what special features that could get you hired are, then they should (hopefully) start to see where your path could work.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Students sometimes combine International Relations with another field, with the intent of pursuing that field in the international arena.</p>
<p>For example, a combined background in international relations and business could lead to a very interesting career.</p>
<p>Your idea of going to school in Washington, DC, in order to take advantage of internships is a sound one. It’s often easier to get part-time Washington internships during the school year than to get full-time ones in the summer.</p>
<p>You can combine science with International Relations. Dig into the UN or WHO website, there are global issues that would benefit from a lot of different “sciences” - environmental, agriculture, geology, engineering, architecture, healthcare…
Our eye doctor is very active in the UN & WHO. She takes off a few weeks out of the year and volunteers - sort of like Doctors without boarders. Last year she traveled with a group of health care workers to a remote part of Mexico.</p>
<p>Well, as a parent with a chem eng degree and a D studying international relations, I have no problem with it. Hillary Clinton (along with Robert Gates) spoke at George Washington U last week and repeated the line that the State Dept is hiring. I agree that you can do some research to see what’s available, but a lot can change in 4 years, and even if engineering would be easier to get a job, what’s the point if it is not what you want to spend your life doing?
I’m not too worried about my D getting a job, because the skills she is learning will apply to many jobs in international business as well. I saw a link once that listed where Georgetown’s foreign service students ended up, and very few of them went into pure international relations fields.</p>
<p>Heh, my sister’s in theater and she got a good summer internship without much of a problem, despite the economic downturn.</p>
<p>I agree with the people who said come up with a plan. Come up with a plan, and come up with evidence that it has a reasonable chance of success. Then come up with a plan B that you could live with that has a higher chance of success (again, with evidence to back it up). Then present both plans to your parents.</p>
<p>This, of course, depends on your parents being basically reasonable, just worried about your future. If they are not reasonable - if nothing you could do, no matter how sound, will convince them - and you depend on them for tuition or other money, then you may have to do something like double major in a science and IR, or major in a science and minor in IR, or find a compromise major, or go financially independent and take out loans.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t have this argument with my parents and this is why…</p>
<p>I’d start college, and I’d say, “let’s see how this goes.” Then, I’d take classes that fulfill my Gen Ed requirements. I’d do my best, but likely I wouldn’t be able to score as high in classes that aren’t “my thing”. That, in the end, would speak for itself, and my parents would then have to accept the inevitable.</p>
<p>There’s more than one way to skin a cat.</p>
<p>BTW…when you’re in college, you don’t need your parents permission to select a major; you just “do it.”</p>
<p>At some point, if it later became an issue, I’d remind my parents that they each chose the major that was right for them; now you need to choose the one that’s right for you.</p>
<p>My dad really took issue with my political science intentions, but at least started keeping his reservations to himself once I proved I had thoroughly researched the matter, was aware of the difficulty I would face, and that I had contingency plans. I plan to go to law school, if I can’t get in/pay for law school I plan to pursue a graduate degree if I can find a focus that interests me that would make it worthwhile, or I will go back for a teaching certificate and teach high school. I’d be perfectly content with any of those. I have a few potential careers outlined within poli sci even if I just stick with the bachelors. That has shut him up about it for now, though I know he would have preferred computer science or business. (<em>gag</em>)</p>
<p>The world’s full of fine technicians who know how to do something. What’s in greater demand are technically-competent leaders who know what to do and why and when to do it. They generally develop those insights which pursuing liberal arts degrees and wind up supervising those with only technical expertise.</p>
<p>True, but if the parents have made financial support contingent on the choice of major, the fact that the college does not require parental approval for this decision is pretty much a moot point.</p>
<p>The fact that IR jobs are hard to come by should not deter you from majoring in IR at all, it should only encourage you to work harder and prepare better in school. </p>
<p>The truth about IR jobs in any economy is that they go to the graduates who have the best prepared resumes and have made the strongest connections in the field. It’s good to see that you already understand how vital interning is for this. For IR you really need to do good internships every summer, and if you can do a semester in Washington that’s even better (obviously since you’re planning on going to school in DC, that’s void, but you should think about term time internships there as well as summer ones. Fall interns make the best connections cause they stand out from the crowd of summer hires). </p>
<p>Also, you’re right, studying a language is really, really important. Doesn’t have to be Arabic or Chinese either, any language spoken in multiple countries or in very strategic countries will boost you. Being fluent in French for example, can be a real asset. </p>
<p>And as someone else said, it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. Show them how IR will help you do things like join the peace corps, where you could work as an agriculture or health volunteer. And even though you are an IR major, it’s still a good idea to keep up your math and science skills, or at least study economics, so that you will be prepared for grad school. After all, one of the fastest growing fields in political science or IR is polling, and you need math and science to design good polls. Studying what you love doesn’t mean giving up on what they consider to be practical skills. </p>
<p>It’s normal for you and your parents to be anxious, especially if they don’t have experience in the field. The best thing you can do is keep repeating to them that this is your future and this is what you want, and try to demonstrate that you’ve thought about this seriously. If push comes to shove, focus on going to the college you like best and tell them you’ll decide on your major later. Whatever you do, remember that college is for you, not them. ANd while it’s good to listen to their wisdom and guidance, in the end you need to make your own choices.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your wonderful suggestions. I’m really glad I joined CC, there are actually really smart responses!.. Unlike some forums (Yahoo answers <em>cough</em> <em>cough</em>)</p>
<p>After doing some basic research I agree that I need a plan and preferably a second area of study. </p>
<p>Considering I receive credit for my AP scores: (4-Euro, 4-Language, 5-US History. Expecting a 4 or 5 in Gov and Literature.) Do you think I will be able to double major without to much stress?</p>
<p>How do these combination’s sound? :
International Relations + Economics or
International Relations + Business Administration</p>
<p>I’m leaning towards Economics because of the versatility and uses.</p>
<p>Language requirements come along with most respectable IR programs so that’s covered.</p>
<p>I’m a political scientist. When my son was about to enter college, he expressed an interest in majoring in political science. He was very skilled in math. I asked him to give science a chance (he did). But then I told him that if he were interested in doing political science for a career, he should major in economics and then take as many courses (or even minor) in political science. I still think that’s the smarter way to prepare for a career in IR or politics – whether you continue in academia or go into a career such as law or business or journalism/communications.</p>
<p>In his case he ended up majoring in econ, taking a ton of stats and math courses, spending a year abroad at the London School of Economics. And now he makes his career as a statistician/journalist (and blogger). No graduate degree, but the approach I described is a good one, I think.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that most college students change their minds about majors. Preferences stated while in high school are just that. You will have many opportunities to broaden your outlook–who knows what you may ultimately decide. So I wouldn’t make such a big deal about this right now. Unless you are going into engineering, I think you have some time.</p>
<p>Choose schools that have excellent departments in many areas, including IR. Explore IR-related courses through your gen ed courses. Take rigorous courses to fulfill your science and math requirements and do well. Then decide when you have more information.</p>