Should I double major?

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I'm an senior environmental science major, and I'm having trouble finding a job. I need to live at my house after I graduate, so this really narrows my job prospects. Everything I've encountered so far is not in my area. After I graduate, given if I'm still unemployed, I think I may go back and get a math major as well. I live in a major city, so there must be a job for that major. I'll only be 5 classes off, costing me an extra $11,000, and taking me one extra year. I've been doing quite well in my math courses lately, and math majors do have better salaries than my current major. </p>

<p>I was going to take a gap year anyway to figure things out. And I would only have $30,000 of debt, not the nightmarish amount I see on Yahoo news. I can probably scrap together 10-15k doing whatever I can find to pay that and my loan bills </p>

<p>I'm trying to weigh my options now. thanks</p>

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<p>i would try to go for a business degree. that way with your combined environmental science major, you can work for new startups in the green business, such as tesla motors, eSolar, etc.</p>

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<p>Take all your math at cc when you graduate. Either do more bio or geo~physics/chem. Move and take state exam. Obtain your hazmat. Learn the compliance codes. Whats your strengths?</p>

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<p>I’m not sure how your school does this, but it seems to me that going back after you graduate would be a second bachelor, not a double major. There might be different restrictions for doing so. Might be better to just see if you can extend your expected graduation date to add in a second major. This is something you will have to talk to your academic adviser about. They will be able to provide you with information that you will not find here.</p>

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<p>If one hasn’t already declared a math major and are in their senior year, its not worth it. Just take the 7-course Calc based breadth anywhere as it really doesn’t matter at this point. Many rush their 4 years bach. then return to CC all the time to tie up loose ends. This person needs to find out what they want to do and may have to move, that is just the way it is today.</p>

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<p>According to the OP, they would only be 5 courses away, not 7. Besides that, I was just addressing the issue of a double major in general. I do know people who have declared a second major their senior year because they realized they were fairly close to completing it. This is actually a choice to give as a reason when requesting an extension of stay at my campus. Does not mean it is always granted, but it is a choice. I do also know someone who declared a second (and almost a third) minor close to their graduation. The third was not worth the extra two classes to her, however.</p>

<p>The “tying up loose ends at a CC” is often to either move on to take a masters/PhD program or to begin a second bachelor. I was questioning being able to complete a second major after one has officially graduated. From the reading I have done of my campus’ policies, this is not possible. It would be a second bachelor. However, perhaps the OP’s campus allows this.</p>

<p>The best option is to talk to an academic adviser above all else especially if the OP chooses to complete the math series at a CC. The OP needs to know whether they would be able to “tack on,” so to speak, a second major or if they would be going for a second bachelor. Otherwise why waste time taking the classes at a CC if they can’t go anywhere with it? Or if the cost would end up being significantly more than staying an extra year because it would be a second bachelor rather than a second major “tacked on” to the previous bachelor?</p>

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<p>A second bachelors do not increase ones chances at employment or grad school for one. Secondly, getting a math degree does not necessarily improve ones chances at earning more money than in this case, Environmental Science. This person has already vaguely mentioned they are a bit burnt out and disillusioned by the whole college experience. </p>

<pre><code> The complaint was they couldn’t find a job when hasn’t even graduated yet for one. Not to mention, this person has most likely not interned or volunteered or looked at the market and career options for Environmental Scientists. So far, by the information displayed they have only mimicked misinformation they either heard or read elsewhere.
</code></pre>

<p>This person needs to finish up their Env Sci degree, move out of moms and dads house, and relocate to where the jobs are at. If they are under 24, they can join Americorps for a year even to gain Env Sci experience and tuition reimbursement. </p>

<p>There are plenty of jobs for Env Sci if one has some idea what they want to do. If they do not have a single clue what they want to do with their degree, then griping about getting cut off and/or not finding a job is pointless and absurd.</p>

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<p>You read far too much into things ;). I was in no way supporting nor arguing against the OP’s choice. It is a choice to double major (or get a second bachelor) and I never once agreed nor disagreed that doing so would increase one’s job prospects. It is not for you nor I to decide whether a second major or second bachelor would be of benefit or not to the OP and I’m amused that your post addresses several points I did not make. You cheapen your response by responding to things that were not said.</p>

<p>Again, I was only answering the OP’s questions with the proper key answer to everything: the OP must talk to an academic adviser if they wish to truly “weigh their options.” As I have already had to repeat this more than once, I gather you are not actually reading anything I post so I will not waste my time on you any further. Feel free to get the last word in since it seems important to you.</p>

<p>OP: Seriously. You really should talk to an academic adviser. They will be able to give you a far greater number of options than you will ever hear from anyone here and they will be able to tell you what of your musings are possible. They are a great resource. Use them while you can and as soon as you can. Be prepared they may not give you an answer that will be to your satisfaction, though. Good luck with whatever happens :)</p>

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<p>

Exactly true! Even if the OP had a math major right now, it isn’t like employers are lined up to hire math majors. For most majors, with a few exceptions like engineering and nursing, a degree is only part of being an attractive candidate for a job out of college. Internships and other relevant experience are crucial. I’m afraid the OP is just going to sink farther into debt and have no better prospects than right now by pursuing the math major.</p>

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<p>What do you want to do in the math field? The math degree might help if you want to be an actuary. If this is something you are considering think about sitting for a test.</p>

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<p>I came in as a freshman as an undecided leaning heavily towards math. During my orientation, I had visited the dean to sign up for Calc 3, he asked me what I had an interest in and I replied math, and so he also signed me up for foundations of math, a sophomore level class. The first day, the teacher asked if there were any freshman in the class, and of course i knew I was the only one and didn’t raise me hand. then the first exam, maybe 5 weeks in, I failed the it 30%. I had no idea what was going on in that class, and being the stupid freshman I was, never asked for help. My adviser signed off on the drop papers, and told me it was good that I discovered math wasn’t for me. I wish he would have just given me encouragement instead since I was a freshman and was extremely homesick. I took Diff eq the next semester, got a C, and decided that math wasn’t for me. </p>

<p>At the time, i didn’t know what was wrong with me. ever since 9th grade, I’ve always been good at math. I passed AP calc with a 5. I always enjoyed math. Back in high school, when I had nothing to do, I would try to solve the difficult problems in textbooks, and I would succeed for the most part. I diddle daddled around sophomore year and decided on environmental science because it seemed everything was going “green”. </p>

<p>My junior year, i had to take a stat class, and for the most part, I did well. My math skills were extremely rusted, and I pulled of a B-. I worked up enough confidence to take that foundations class again, even used the same book from freshman year. That was my overload class, and I got a C-…only because I failed the 3rd exam, and I think the final as well. Being my overload and free elective, and also having 2 labs at the time, I didn’t put in any work for that class until the day or two before the exams. Had I had more time, i could have had a B or A. </p>

<p>Then just last semester, I took epidemiology, and I found that class to be extremely stimulating and enjoyable. I also took numerical analysis, which was tedious, but good. Having finally shaken off most of my rust, i got a perfect A in the class. Now, I’m taking a class on dynamical systems, and it’s going well so far. I do enjoy math more than environmental science. My rote memory stinks, which is horrible because that’s what my major depends on to get good grades. I honestly would enjoy sitting down and solving problems and proving theorems more, than what I’m doing now. I wish I could go back in time and advise myself to be a man and stick it out. I don’t think i can enjoy doing environmental science for the rest of my life. I don’t even believe in climate change, and my classmates are far too liberal. Although there are things I do like, the anthropocentric aspects rather than the intrinsic aspects :(</p>

<p>If i do double major, which i am still mauling over, I would need to take advanced calculus, modern algebra, linear algebra, senior seminar, and an elective. and on top of that, my school doesn’t accept CC credits.</p>