Torn Between What Major To Choose?

College Majors
1

Hey Everyone,

As I get closer to senior year and the pressure of picking a major intensifies, I am starting to become torn between what to choose. I would like to pursue a career where I can travel/explore countries/cultures & talk w/ the natives. I also would like to maintain a successful career in architecture and maybe even some music gigs on the side.

Architecture and Foreign Languages are really what I’m torn between in terms of college majors (my singing interest can just be a part-time thing I guess).

Architecture:

  • love the design aspects, building models, overseeing construction (artsy)
  • would not want to design the included plumbing systems, etc. (the technicalities)
  • no experience with actual architecture courses/firms/internships
  • took construction/engineering/design classes throughout high school

Foreign Languages:

  • my main talent & strength, always traveled because my family was in the military
  • pick up languages lightning fast
  • passionate about communicating with people
  • LOVE travelling/exploring countries
  • love translating other languages

I am going to pursue AFROTC at college and become an officer afterwards, so I would love to do something with languages in the military! Maybe cryptological linguistics or some sort of translating/interpreting, but I would also like to try out architecture.

Should I pick one major between the two (if so, which?) or only apply to colleges that offer dual majors?

Thanks in advance!

2

Completing a dual major with architecture is difficult - it’s kind of like engineering in that way, possibly even more strict with the courses offered and the sequence in which you have to take them. So if you are investigating schools with both majors, I’d ask some specific questions about how feasible it is for you to actually major in both and complete them in 4-5 years (or however long it’s important for you to stay in college).

Foreign languages are considered critical to the Air Force’s mission. I will also say that you sound more excited about language and have ideas about actual career moves. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do architecture - just reflecting back what I’m hearing from you.

Since it sounds like you’re a junior, why not seek out a short-term opportunity over the summer - maybe some informational interviews with architects or an opportunity to shadow one for a week or two - to discover more about architecture?