<p>Hello,
I am a Junior in high school, and I'm wondering what would be a major for me.
My mom wants me to go medical but my dad tells me to go to something I like.</p>
<p>I really like dealing with math and equations, so I looked at engineering, but my friend said to consider economics as well.</p>
<p>Which would be good for me?
Sorry if this seems like a stupid question,
thanks.</p>
<p>Well try an engineering program first. I did one with my local community college and it really sealed engineering for me, just look around. I know northwestern, carnegie, MIT and tons of schools have engineering summer programs, your state school probably has one. How do you like physics? Computer programming?</p>
<p>For engineering, you will want to take physics, algebra, advanced math or calculus, and chemistry in high school.</p>
<p>take physics and calc in school and take ap economics</p>
<p>AP Economics isn’t really math based at all, so it might sour you a bit in that regard. Some engineering programs require an economics class to be taken in their second year I believe. I think once you take a physics class and a calculus class you’ll know for sure if it’s what you like to do.</p>
<p>I like Physics, I like the concept behind it about solving equations and solving what you have to solve in it.
The only bad thing is, my teacher was and is not too good at explaining and he slurs his words so you can’t really understand him all the time.
That kind of drew me away from Physics.
Same thing for Pre-Cal, I LOVED Algebra, but my Pre-Cal teacher is horrible, our math and science is combined at my school and my Pre-Cal teacher hasn’t taught much yet, (which concerns me on how I’ll do on my math 2) so I’m concerned on how I’ll do in Calculus…</p>
<p>What are some Algebra based careers?</p>
<p>I wanna say look at computer engineering/science.</p>
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<p>Heavy calculus.</p>
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<p>Doesn’t sound like engineering is the right field…</p>
<p>bigtrees, why do you say that? He has a strong interest in math, definitely an interest in physics. I’d say that’s enough to make engineering an ideal career for him.</p>
<p>Knew I’d miss it. Just going off of linear algebra in computers. Eh.</p>
<p>But I don’t figure you can predict a proper major off of bad teachers and high school subject preferences. Try engineering programs, medical ones too if you want. Get a feel for the majors, talk to engineers and such. I didn’t really decide engineering till I took that summer program past summer and built a robot and took ENG101. Then I loved it. Just feel out, till then just put down math major? Check out schools that have strong STEMs for sure.</p>
<p>I’ll be Job Shadowing/interning Engineers and Economists to get a feel for what I’d like…
Thanks for your helps.
Other people, please input your thoughts if you still wish to.</p>
<p>Calculus is a different math language (at least it seems that way to me). As long as your are solid on your algebra, I would not be too concerned about calculus. Precal should touch up on some trig that you need to know for calculus. If your teacher does not cover that well, then try to get a self help book or just use your text book. The subject matter should not be too difficult to understand. </p>
<p>Also, in my experience, there are not very many great high school physics teachers out there (at least not at my school) therefore I would not judge your aptitude for physics on one years experience. I had to basically self teach myself AP Physics B, and it was a bit of a struggle at times, but now when I look at my friends homework to help out, I can solve things relatively at ease. It definitely makes more sense the second time through, and the harder concepts of the course are now easily understood.</p>
<p>As for AP economics, it is not math intensive at all at my school. If anything, it is mostly common sense. After taking that class, I know for sure that I do not want to pursue anything related to economics. Give it a try though, if you enjoy it then that might be the path you wish to take.</p>
<p>Engineering looks to be a good fit for you though even though you have had some interesting high school experiences in physics and math. As long as you enjoy the subjects, that’s all that matters. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>thechinese, I might be able to help you here. I have experience in both…</p>
<p>I have a ChE degree and an MBA in finance and accounting, having taken many courses in economics both in college and business school.</p>
<p>Engineering in general, and ChE specifically, is the perfect blend of Chemistry, Physics and Math. If you like these subjects and are good at these subjects, you are going to love engineering. At the end of the day, what you learn in engineering is how to solve problems - this is why so many Business Schools accept engineers as students. For instance, Stanford Business School, the best business school in the country, has about 30% of its admitted students that are engineers.</p>
<p>Economics at the more advanced levels requires a high degree of math ability, so it would be an area you might want to pursue. However, nothing can prevent you from first proceeding with an Engineering degree and pursuing economics while in college as a minor, or switching majors altogether by sophomore year if you really like economics and want to take that path.</p>
<p>At this point I can tell you that for me the area of finance/economics is just as fascinating as Chemical Engineering was during my college years…</p>