to pursue a unique independent major or do a standard major

College Life
1

<p>Hi,
I'm a junior pursing an engineering degree. As of now, I am in my 3rd semester of pursuing a self designed curriculum which I have called Computational Social Sciences. The way the independent major works is that I am basically completing a major in Operations Research with a minor in Social sciences, but in a more connected, interdisciplinary fashion; it combines engineering with quantitative social sciences (economics, parts of sociology). Basically, I am really interested in networks (think facebook or air transportation, but there are many other places networks show up) which is what made me decide to come up with this major. This is actually growing field as people come up with endless data (thanks to the internet) about how people and things are connected. </p>

<p>The trouble is, it is really hard to explain what I'm actually doing. I'm worried that as much as it is interesting, it is also a deterrent for potential employers or grad school. Career wise, can see myself going into a more traditional engineering field, like supply chain management. If I go the grad school route (probably master's, I don't think I'm cut out for a PhD, but I'd consider it), I think I can go either way, traditional or have a similar focus to what I have now. </p>

<p>I really like the curriculum I have created, but I also like the OR curriculum at my school. My advisors and professors have lauded me on the interdisciplinary nature of my major, but it seems to confuse employers. Switching back into OR wouldn't delay graduation, in fact I could probably graduate early. </p>

<p>So should I stick out my independent major or switch into the traditional OR major.</p>

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<p>You say that your independent major is pretty much a regular major in OR and a regular minor in social sciences, but more connected. In which ways is it more connected? Are you taking interdisciplinary independent study courses instead of the regular OR or social sciences courses?</p>

<p>Computational Social Sciences sounds interesting, but if you closely follow the traditional OR curriculum with some social science classes added, why not just complete a regular major and make the extra classes a minor (if possible and desirable)?</p>

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<p>I’d go with the OR major since recruiters will actually know what it is. Just take the extra classes you’re interested in and use them as a talking point during your interviews as to what sort of things you’re interested in and how you’ve furthered your interests in the field.</p>