<p>I have almost no idea whatsoever as to what I want to do. Every time I decide on something I change my mind because I find something wrong with it. For awhile I thought I wanted to be an archivist, but then I did more research and it didn't seem right for me [I also had no idea what to major in]. I've also considered librarian, teacher/professor, baker, translator, medical illustrator, geneticist, architect, and horticulturist/botanist. When it comes down to it though, most of those aren't anywhere near being realistic or lucrative. I like science, reading, cooking, organising [I'm a neat freak], writing, learning [gawd, I love learning new things], and wishing I could do artistic things [there are few, if any, creative bones in my body]. It's not so much the career I get at this moment and much as finally picking a major. [Except for when my father asks me to explain in detail what I plan to do with my major. The man can find problems with majoring in engineering.] I'm at the point that I'm practically crying when I think about picking classes/a course of study. [I'm not an easy crier, it's just SO stressing.] I almost said eff it and majored in English, but the thought of having to analyse someone's writing for some hidden meaning seems ridiculous to me. [No offense to English majors, it's just not something I care for.]</p>
<p>I mean, I am a junior now. I should know what I want to do realistically. I have no niche. There are things I'm good at [writing, organising, reading, being super detailed], but none of those are lucratively useful. Most of the time when I take a class on a subject I find interesting I end up disliking it by the end of the semester.
I'm not unintelligent. [I got here for free because I'm poor and smart.] I'm just confused. Everything that I thought I was going to do in high school and my first year of college has gone down the drain.</p>
<p>What should I do though? I've talked to counselors and advisors, taken test and quizzes, everything. Giving up and leaving college is not an option though.</p>
<p>You really have a broad range of interests. Maybe there’s a common thread that might tie several of them together. Would really need more information to make some suggestions…
Ok, so you’re a junior? That means you’ve lost some time in getting the pre-requisities for any number of fields.
Artistic fields are out since you said you’re not creative.
From your comments, I take it that you’re looking at somewhat practical types of fields that are somewhat lucrative.
You say you like science. What math and science courses have you taken and how well did you do?
What languages do you know/have you studied? Level of proficiency?
In what fields have you completed the pre-requisites to enter?
Are you planning on study beyond the bachelor’s level? (you mentioned several fields that would require graduate or professional training—college professor, architect. librarian, etc.)
Is cooking/baking just a sometime hobby, or are you into it in a big way?
What kinds of things do you read?
What kinds of writing have you done/appeal to you? What leads you to say you’re a good writer?
What kind of school do you attend—a large state uni with lots of professional/vocational fields or more of a liberal arts type of school?
What types of suggestions were made by counselors or what turned up as potential fields via testing?</p>
<p>I’ve taken math up to and including Calculus 1 and I’ve taken biology and chemistry. [I did well in biology for no studying, but I had problems paying attention. Chemistry was…horrible.]
I’ve taken French and Spanish [retained more French], but nothing past high school. [My original major didn’t require a language.]
I have the prerequisites for Biology, Computer Science, and pasically any liberal arts field.
Originally, yes, I was planning on going to graduate school. Although right now it sort of depends on what I decide to do. [Ideally though, I’d end up in graduate school no matter what.]
Baking is mostly a hobby [I gave up the idea of culinary school a long time ago], I mostly just spend a really long time on foodgawker and like to bake thing for my boyfriend/family.
I read everything. The only real exceptions are romance, mystery, and crappy science fiction. [If an author puts out many books in a year, I generally won’t read any of their books.] Otherwise, it’s mostly on a book-by-book basis. I hate poetry though. I also like reading some magazines. Mostly Time and some related to video games.
I mostly like creative writing and essays. Preferrably nothing where I have to analyse another work or persuade you of something. I say I’m a good writer because I know I’m not a bad one. One of my essays was published in our school’s ENGL 101 textbook and my professors always say that my writing is good. [I’d like to think that they’re not lying to me.]
I attend a large state university. [WVU] Not my first choice, but hey, it’s free.
The one counselor I went to suggested things like librarian, editor, botanist. All the tests say that I should go into fields related to science, engineering, and other related jobs if they’re based on personality; and science and more liberal arts things if they’re based on interest [engineering, while interesting, isn’t what I’d really like to do].</p>
<p>Well, Soledad, you have a tough situation, primarily because you’re already in your junior year and that’s doesn’t leave much time to complete major requirements in the remaining time. Perhaps, you’re on the five-year plan?</p>
<p>OK, I’m not sure about biology, if chemistry was horrible for you.</p>
<p>Possibilities to check out are the Interdisciplinary Studies major or the Multidisciplinary Studies major. Both of these consist of three minors. So one of these could be the minor in Professional Writing & Editing. Another could be in a journalism or communications area (e.g., public relations). (If you do a journalism area, look at the possibility of getting some background in digital media as print journalism is a tough area job-wise.) A third minor either should be in a content area related to one of your interests (foods & nutrition?) to which you can apply your writing/communication skills; a minor that will prepare you for entry into a master’s degree (i.e., that will meet the admission prerequisites for an area should you make up your mind about what area); or, a “practical” area that will improve your employment prospects, e.g. a minor in business, computer science, economics, etc. All of the minors need not be in the same college or school at WVU.</p>
<p>I’m okay with being here a couple extra semesters. (Not really happy, but it’s not like I have much of a choice.)</p>
<p>I’ve considered Multidisciplinary Studies, but I’m worried that if an employer or graduate school sees it on an application they’ll just think that I couldn’t make up my mind or that I couldn’t handle a “real” major. (Although I’m assuming that the program tries to make it as in-depth and rigorous as a “real” major.) I also usually get stumped when it comes to picking three minors, I think of two and then I can’t come up with a third that I think matches the others. (I guess that they don’t have to all be completely related to eachother.)</p>
<p>I like your suggestions (minus journalism/public relations, I don’t do well with people), but I always assumed that a minor didn’t give you a strong enough background in a subject to major in it? Please, correct me if I’m wrong. Also, thank you so much for your help, zapfino. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>It occurred to me that Multidisciplinary or Interdisciplinary Studies might not look as good as a traditional major, but I wasn’t sure what else you might be able complete in a four-years timeframe. The manner in which you describe your studies on your resume can mitigate a negative impression somewhat, e.g., emphasizing skills in professional writing, etc. If you are able do a couple of extra semesters, of course, that would open up additional options. </p>
<p>I only mentioned a journalism minor because in combination with a professional writing/editing minor, it would expand a focus on writing without the necessity of trying to complete an entire journalism major (including some coursework that may be of less interest to you) in the available timeframe.</p>
<p>My initial thought was that you should develop a focus on technical writing and develop some niche content area to write about, e.g., foods, science, etc. </p>
<p>Two to three strong minors in related areas could provide the background for some types of master’s programs, depending on the field, of course. Certain other fields, e.g., nursing, could be entered at a graduate level as long as you have the pre-requisites, e.g., chemistry, micro, anatomy & physiology. </p>
<p>I’m out of suggestions for now. If any more occur to me, I’ll pass them along.</p>
<p>Hard science and engineering are both good and very similar in many aspects. Biology might as well be a liberal arts degree, same as art history, don’t take it if you don’t want to regret your life.</p>
<p>My recommendation: Physics. If you take a liberal arts major you WILL regret it for the rest of your life. You’ll always ask yourself “what if?” “What if I became a scientist or engineer? What if I had real technical knowledge of how the world works? What if I expanded my horizons by learning real quantitative knowledge?” Don’t be that person. Go for it.</p>
<p>I was in your boat about… 4 months ago. A rising SENIOR with a worthless degree (biology). Guess what? I bit down and decided to stay a few months extra for a real degree that taught me things that’ll be useful in the real world: chemistry.</p>
<p>If you take a physics degree, with engineering classes as electives, you can completely ignore chemistry and biology (the things you didn’t do well on) and focus on 2 things: math and physics. Physics programs are rigorous in that the classes are HARD, but not rigorous in that you have to take MANY CLASSES, at least at my school. There are only 2 required classes per quarter for physics in upper division, you can spend the time however you want, so its highly flexible and you can do anything.</p>
<p>a BS in physics is highly flexible though you have to know to sell yourself, but some areas that hire physics majors include petroleum exploration, semiconductors, optics, scientific programming and finance. you HAVE to take engineering classes relevant to your area of interest though.</p>
<p>You can always specialize in whatever engineering you want at the MS level.</p>
<p>soledad – does your scholarship run out after 8 semesters? Can it be extended beyond 8 semesters? People are recommending hard sciences, but it sounds like you only have Chem 1 and Calc 1 completed at this point towards that. I imagine you have all your GECs finished by now? Cramming all the necessary classes into the next 2 years without the easy GECs to balance it out sounds like a monstrous amount of work.</p>
<p>@LastThreeYears: I actually considered majoring in physics, but I was going to specialise in astronomy. (I really don’t have an interest in engineering outside of it being lucrative and somewhat prestigious.) I haven’t taken any physics courses here (except for basic astronomy), so I would end up having to be here for quite awhile (I think). I’ll still take a closer look at the program though, thank you.
I have to ask though, why do you see biology as being so useless? Most people I know/have talked to see it as a super useful degree (not usually on its own, although I do know a girl who is getting on fine with just a BS).</p>
<p>@fururecollegemom: I think most of my scholarships (I have two or three) are only for four years. One can be deferred for a semester or two before college in special circumstances, but I think that’s it. I’d have to do more research (which I will probably do later today) to know for sure. My grants, on the other hand, I may be able to extend. If none of this is possible, I’ve been here for free for three years, I won’t mind taking out a loan for an extra year. (Thank you for asking this, I’ve never really thought much to check if any of them could be extended.)
I have all my GECs. I finished them off this summer. When I was going to finish off my biology degree (with the aid of summer courses), this semester I would have had no GECs, all science (chem, physics, bio x2). Which, just being science isn’t bad, but all those labs (and chemistry, though I usually really like labs, I’m quite hands-on) and my heart not being entirely in it anymore kinda fizzled it for me.</p>
<p>Even if you go into astrophysics, you’ll be well prepared for jobs in quantitative fields. Finance loves astrophysics PhDs. Depending on what kind of astrophysics you can even end up in petroleum exploration, or aerospace engineering. Be warned, pure theoretical astrophysics jobs are extremely rare. Make sure to not lose sight of applications as while knowledge is important we also must eat. Application classes, whether it be computer programming for finance, a more planetary focus for petroleum exploration, or do more fluids research for aerospace, is very important.</p>
<p>As to why biology is not useful: Anything quantitative is better than anything non-quantitative. A physicist can work in finance but can a finance major work in physics? An engineer can be a businessman but can a businessman be an engineer? A chemist can also be a biologist but a biologist is no chemist. That’s why biology is not useful: it is not quantitative; it’s all memorizing trivial details. I was asked, on a final in an upper division class, how many water molecules are produced by glycolysis, with the choices being 1,2,4,6. Are you kidding me? Compare that to a question on my organic final: design a synthesis of methamphetamine starting with a benzene ring using all reactions we know. Wow! See the difference? One is memorization, one is creative design. One more example: One of my thermo midterm problems was, derive the relationship of entropy change dS and pressure change dP during isothermic compression of an ideal gas. One of my microbiology midterm problems was: what is the name of a bacterium that lives in burning charcoal? Hmm, mathematical derivation, vs. memorizing trivia. What do you think you’ll enjoy more?</p>
<p>In addition, it is narrow. It’s the study of homogenously catalyzed organic reactions between macromolecules in water. Doesn’t sound that broad now does it? Most people take biology to get into medical school. Medicine is a cartel. The US is unique among countries in that doctors purposely limit the number of other doctors so their salaries skyrocket. This is done by not granting undergraduate medical degrees. Most biology programs are focused on getting their students into medical school, and not into biology research or industry. My school’s biology program even said so right this year, if they said this earlier I wouldn’t be screwed. And this is a top 50 university too, imagine what others are like?</p>
<p>@futurecollegemom: Unfortunately, no. The idea of being a doctor is nice, but the actual doctoring and process of becoming one is not appealing to me. (I’m not good with people or needles and I’m quite squeamish.) Also, medicine requires chemistry, something that I am trying to stay far away from. Ideally my biology major was so that I could go to graduate school and eventually be involved in genetic research.</p>
<p>@LastThreeYears: If I major in astrophysics, I want a job in astrophysics. Also, I’m not entirely sure I want a career/major that is heavily quantitative. Sure, some is nice, and I definitely feel more useful and like I’m using my brain when doing heavily quantitative things; but I would much rather make a little less money and be doing something I enjoy/am passionate about. (However, seeing as I am currently stumped about what I’m passionate for, that sentence doesn’t really hold much weight.) I’m still going to look at the physics program here though, because I still find physics interesting.</p>
<p>Check a certain physicsforums (google it, first result, not allowed to post links) for information related to physics employment and homework; I’m not an expert in this.</p>
<p>Top of my head, astrophysics may be hired for defense jobs, NASA, or teaching… not much more.</p>
<p>Physics is going to be mostly quantitative. There are definitely physical concepts that you need to understand though, you won’t be doing meaningless number crunching all day, everything in physics has a real world meaning and application. Nor do you need to know much about proof based mathematics based on the curriculum I’ve seen.</p>
<p>Soledad, is chemistry the only reason you dropped the Bio major? How much chemistry have you taken? Maybe you were just used to being successful in high school with little effort put forth. You mentioned you did well in Bio without studying – have you never really had to apply yourself? Have you never had a class “kick your butt” before? You may have given up on Chem too soon. Chem is hard, you have to learn how to study, really study, to master it. I think you should give it another shot. Chem is kicking my son’s butt as well, here is a link I sent him. Words of wisdom from a Creighton University chem professor: [A</a> Guide To General Chemistry](<a href=“http://freitag.creighton.edu/guide/]A”>http://freitag.creighton.edu/guide/)</p>
<p>@LastThreeYears: I’ll be sure to google that. I’m fine with teaching though. Learning about something and then talking nonstop about it is something I really like doing.</p>
<p>@futurecollegemom: Chemistry is the biggest reason why I dropped the biology major, yes. That, and I was finding the biology classes a little boring. I didn’t do as well as I could have in the bio class, but for missing many classes/never studying, I did alright. (I think I had a really low B.) Nope, I have never had to apply myself. Ever, really. (I hate saying that, it makes me feel so pompous.) Prior to college, I had taken one semester of chemistry in high school and then upon coming to college I tested into the “pre-chem” class and got an A. (It was supposed to prepare you for the regular chem classes, basically it was high school all over again.)
I’ve been considering other science majors besides biology that are still similar, namely Plant Science (because I always thought botany was interesting, but I think it’s usually only offered as a grad degree), however, WVU does not have a PS degree, so unless I want to transfer that plan is toast. I’ve also considered nutrition. (Despite me eating poptarts for nearly every meal.)</p>
<p>I will take a look at that link though. Sometime before I graduate I will be retaking the chem class to get rid of my bad grade, so any help that I can get is super appreciated.</p>
<p>My son goes to WVU too. He has found the Chemistry Learning Center very helpful. He too is having to study for the first time in his life (he is in engineering). That’s your problem, you’re bored and not challenged, and the one class that DID challenge you you gave up on. Rising to the challenge will make you sooo much happier than sliding by without effort.</p>
<p>i have some opposite advice: if you find chemistry is like chewing glass, don’t do it.</p>
<p>i found Biology as hard as chewing glass and got a C in molecular. I kept going because I had the “Don’t give up” mentality. got an A in physiology, thought I was doing fine, turns out it was a “soft class” for premeds.</p>
<p>then I had development and got another C while getting an A in physics. i thought, this was a fluke, don’t give up. I got another A in micro, so I thought it was OK.</p>
<p>then I got consecutive C’s on Development Lab despite spending over 30 hours a week and not sleeping over it, C’s on Signal Transduction, and was forced to drop Immunology. Then I realized, I truly, truly hate biology, but it was already too late.</p>
<p>Memorizing details was seriously as enjoyable as chewing broken glass. Every single class was either tedious repetition of experiments, or tedious memorization of irrelevant trivia. Even classes I got As in, I felt like I learned nothing useful, not to mention classes with Cs.</p>
<p>If you have trouble, stop and evaluate. Do not blindly press forward. Otherwise, you may still pass, and might even get a relatively high GPA (despite my numerous C’s I still have a 3.38!), but it will not be enjoyable. If you hate chemistry and like physics/math better, WHY LEARN IT?</p>
<p>Lastthreeyears, soledad has never applied herself or worked hard at anything. She said it herself. There’s no way she’ll ever know what she can and can’t do until she does.</p>