Pressured To Major In Something Lucrative

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I'm only in 9th Grade and I am already pressured to think about college and my perspective major. </p>

<p>Everyone who has graduated at my school has majored in something lucrative or not out of the spectrum of lucrative: chemical engineering, math, biology, biochem, business, finance, etc. For, at least, the last 5 years, no one at my school who went to college (which is everyone) has majored in something not lucrative, such as classics, language, history, english.</p>

<p>Another one is my parents. I'm Asian, and though my parents don't care what grades I get, they will care what I will major in and how the major measures up with how lucrative or how likely will I get a job with it. </p>

<p>What I want to major in is in a language. I don't want to become a teacher, so basically, I've been told by everyone that it basically worthless to major in a language, but is not willing to teach. </p>

<p>I would gladly join the army/ROTC or become a police officer, but all of my life people told me not to that as well, because I'm too small, too short, have a terrible vision, have terrible physical health, or some people just base it on the fact that they've never seen an Asian in the army or police force. I don't even know how true it is, but people have convinced me that only academics can save me.</p>

<p>This pressure and stress is so great that I thought I was having a ucler during the social studies final exam and now, I feel as if I am going through my midlife crisis. What do I do? Do I change my entire high school career and base all of my electives, my ECs, or whatever to do something I don't want to do? Or do I just take the risk of being poor and hated by my parents?</p>

2

<p>What you take in college will have an impact on your career options, not what you take in high school. For the time being, you should be focusing on getting good grades in a liberal arts setting. Don’t worry about a career until once you are already in college. </p>

<p>I realize this may be difficult, but for the time being, focus on what you are doing now, and not what you may or may not be doing in eight years.</p>

3

<p>You seriously need to slow down, you’re only in 9th grade. As the world is becoming more global the ability to speak multiple languages is also becoming more attractive. Why don’t you pair a language with something such as business. Many federal agencies require translators as well.</p>

<p>I’m Asian as well and considered joining the marines. Should you definitely choose to go down the armed services route, they will help you meet your physical goals.</p>

4

<p>Just do well in high school for now. Get into as good a college as possible. Then worry about your major.</p>

5

<p>I work in a global business and people who speak multiple languages are in high demand. I can only speak English and I am in awe of the people who speak multiple languages. for the past year, I hired someone to work for me who speaks the following languages: English (he is an American), Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, and Hebrew. (I needed him for the Spanish and Portuguese) He has a BA in languages and an MBA in Marketing (which he acquired in Milan) He needed to know about the business we are in, in order for those languages to be valuable. He has traveled to South America for me several times.</p>

<p>I also hire translators when I travel to the multiple countries. These interpreters need to know/learn enough medical terminology in order to be useful to me. We also hire people from translation agencies to translate documents- but I get the feeling that type of work is not very well paid.</p>

<p>Import/export business is a lucrative area for people who speak multiple languages.</p>

<p>another aspect of this is the culture end. You need to know enough about the culture of the country, not just the language, in order to operate successfully.</p>

6

<p>International business or international relations is something to look into. IB more so, because of its practicality.</p>

7

<p>Relax! :)</p>

<p>In college there are plenty of hybrid/joint programs that you can choose from. I know plenty of people double majoring in a language and something lucrative without being too stressed out, so it definitely is possible!</p>