What Major for someone like me?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone!
Please move this topic somewhere else if the category is more appropriate. So far I found only this forum...</p>

<p>First of all, I'm from Europe but I very likely would like to study in the USA. I finished our "high school" and I'm preparing for SATs so that I may do a gap year and apply for 2007.</p>

<p>Secondly, after so many years I'm still unable to figure out what subject I really want to study at university (wherever I want to study, in Europe or USA...)</p>

<p>I'll be frank and short:
I tried all interest assessment test, counselling, etc.
I've heard all possible things about "follow what you really like and you really enjoy" etc. but they lead me to nowhere.</p>

<p>The problem, in my humble opinion, is probably the fact that in addition to our high school system (which aims at covering literally all subject fields - I graduated from our highschool with 13 subjects...) I am by nature someone with an eclectic personality. I'm interested in everything and I sometimes "suffer" when I feel that in specializing somewhere I'm distancing myself from another subject...
And well, I must also admit that I used to be (and still am?) a "typical" nerd kind of person, a walking encyclopedia, with maximum grades in all subjects (even sports, mind you!).</p>

<p>What is THE subject for a person like me? What is typically recommended for masochist people who want to torture themselves with the hardest Majors to study? Which is the most comprehensive subject?
e.g. Medicine requires all natural sciences... but I'm not sure whether becoming a doctor will allow me to work in a bank when I want. Or as a natural researcher...
What subject has the things that I like, i.e. "all"?</p>

<p>I have (for years now) not found an answer to this... If you can take me further here, I would be very greatful.</p>

<p>In the meantime, I did a further step of thought...</p>

<p>Since I cannot answer "What do I really like to study at uni?" (since I tend to like and enjoy everything...), I pass on to the next question, which - I know well - is a strategy not loved by many advisors...</p>

<p>"Which major/career will be more beneficient towards me?"
Which major will allow me to be flexible in my interests and career just as when I was "young"?
Obviously I cannot afford to switch from brain surgeon to aerospace engineer... but at least I can dedicate myself more to learning everything that I want, developing myself... if I am financially secured!</p>

<p>When we were children, we could change school or buy whatever we wanted depending on our parents income... now we have to be independent, and very probably also maintain our OWN family.</p>

<p>How can I expect to maintain myself and my family if I freely switch from one interest/career to another every two years?</p>

<p>My only answer is (maybe a bit superficial): find a career/major that will surely secure you financially, and afterwards do what you want...</p>

<p>Is this a convenient process of reasoning?</p>

<p>I know: it's like indirectly saying the typical "Which major will give me more money?" </p>

<p>But it somehow seems the safest way for a confused/eclectic person like me...</p>

<p>In trying to answer this, instead of asking what I like I first asked what am I best able to do? In which skills do I have most experience and what distinguishes me from others? etc.</p>

<p>In my case, it is the fact that I know nearly 7 languages out of which 5 perfectly; I often do lot of public speaking and such sim stuff with international relations;
.... hence I came to the conclusion that my best placement in the world of jobs would be something international, e.g. international diplomacy or business...</p>

<p>But when I imagine myself in those clothes... I already feel the great distance to the subjects that I'm abandoning (science, arts, etc.)...</p>

<p>Please advise me. </p>

<p>Thanks...</p>

2

<p>mathematics is a pretty comprehensive major</p>

<p>and can lead to lots of different careers if you so choose</p>

3

<p>Maybe look at a college like Brown which allows you to build your own curriculum?</p>

4

<p>I think math is an awesome choice (but I'm biased). Although it may sound like a slack-off major, general studies can be pretty intense at some schools, so you might want to look into that to take whatever subjects you want in college, but it won't leave as many doors open as a math degree will.</p>

5

<p>most people go to college with no clue about what they want to major in, and even more change their major at least once. freshman year and first semester sophomore year is time to take classes that sound interesting from a wide variety of departments.</p>

6

<p>You might look into schools that have a lot of interdisciplinary majors, like Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PP&E at Yale). One of my daughter's friends is double majoring at Yale in (1) Art History, and (2) Math & Philosophy. Someone with very broad general interests can major in Humanities. Many colleges have combined areas of interest as well as broad subject areas in which you can major. And don't worry about it too much yet, if you go to an American school. They usually don't require you to declare your major until the end of your second year. Explore!</p>

7

<p>Thanks everyone! :) I really appreciate your help!</p>

<p>Indeed, mathematics can be applied almost every field of our life.</p>

<p>However, I also meant something else:
which profession/major DRAWS knowledge from almost every field?</p>

<p>In my opinion, it could be medicine, since a doctor must know well all natural sciences, biology, chemistry, physics... and many other things... this implies that he must also know maths, computer, etc. etc.
Right? </p>

<p>Or something like Biomedical Engineering?</p>

<hr>

<p>I know, one of the drawbacks in most European universities is the fact that we must state our interest in a course immediately. At least we must define our faculty (the most "flexible" over here is, in my opinion, Sciences Po Paris, where the first three years are Humanities in general, and the last two years a specialization e.g. Finance, Sociology, Int. Relations, etc.).</p>

<p>In case I do a gap year, I can immediately do as you suggested, but I'm also considering the possibility of doing one year in Europe and then transfering to the U.S.</p>

<p>Therefore, I must already decide... I'm almost 20 years old :(</p>

<p>:)</p>

8

<p>Well psychology is one thing that can be applied to almost anything. Natural sciences helps you understand biological factors, there's math and statistics involved, social sciences can give you a broad outlook on the world and the humanities can not only help with writing but psychology concepts can be applied to it. Human factors also has connections to engineering and there are many kinds of subfields that go in all different direction. The thing to think about with it is that you would want internships and other practical experiences in it as it doesn't prepare you for a specific job unless you do graduate school. A lot of liberal arts majors like it will give you skills that you can apply to any setting. I would ask what are your interests as well, what would you dream of doing along with discovering what you are best at.</p>

9

<p>If you are interested in business, but don't want to box yourself in, psychology, history, and English would be good.</p>

<p>I also think geology is a great natural science major because it is so interdisciplinary.</p>

10

<p>I think many people don't take geology seriously, and psych is often considered a blowoff major because it is so popular. I think biomed engineering probably draws knowledge from more areas than any of the other majors mentioned, and math is extremely self-contained, you don't see any pre-reqs for understanding math classes, only prior math. Math is often THE prereq for other classes, so you were very wise in pointing out that while math can be applied to just about anything, it does not require knowledge of anything else really. I think the only majors that require a knowledge of many different areas are interdisciplinary in nature to begin with, so you may just want to check out ID majors offered by a bunch of universities and see what applies to you, although biomed engineering would be one that is naturally interdisciplinary. Then again, I'm not sure the <em>most</em> ID major is necessarily the best one for you. There's something to be said for specialization or application (like math).</p>

11

<p>Philosophy
Math
I think a really cool interdisciplinary major is Cognitive Science... can combine psych, neuroscience, computer science, bio, chem, and philosophy
Or just do 1 major and something like 2-3 minors... or don't even go for minors— just take every class that looks interesting to you.</p>

12

<p>Years ago I had a friend like you. She first tried architecture (combination of math, art, engineering), but eventually she ended up in government. I think government is a great career for a generalist. You have to know a lot about a lot of different things to govern well. You have to know history and science (think global warming) and political science and economics. One year you can work on one kind of bill and the next year a different one entirely without changing careers.</p>

13

<p>Your best bet might be to study a few things in different fields (humanities, social sciences, hard sciences). I highly recommend philosophy, as it can go many dirrections, as can mathematics. Go to a generally strong school, take various classes, and see who itnerests you, what interests you- you'll fine yourself going some dirrection.</p>

14

<p>I wonder why chibearsfan says geology isn't taken seriously? Every time people check the weather, they're consulting geologists/earth scientists. I think knowing if a hurricane or earthquake is coming is pretty important, myself. You wouldn't get too far in oil/gas exploration without geologists, either.</p>

<p>Have you considered anthropology? It's an excellent "subject" for those interested in an interdisciplinary course of study. At one end of the spectrum anthropology incorporates the very latest methods of DNA sequencing, molecular biology, and ecology (biological anthropology). At the other end of the spectrum anthropology involves the study of people, how they interact with their environment, and how they live (which includes everything from food to literature to clothing to oral history to ethnomusicology). You can even have a scientific bent, like geology (archaeology) or biology (ethnobotany, which is becoming very important with pharmaceutical companies). If you like being practical, applied anthropology deals with everyday issues- advertising, urban crowding, violence, pollution, and lawmaking. Anthropology is one of the most versatile and useful majors out there. It provides an excellent background for law, medical, or business school if you choose to go one of those routes.</p>

15

<p>Brown sounds good...biased though.</p>

<p>I have the same problem...I have a love for about 4 fields and I cant narrow it down</p>

16

<p>Hi and thanks again for all your advice. Sorry for replying after so many days :)</p>

<p>One thing I'm sure about in my career is that after I graduate or even have a job, I want to enter and represent it in the field of international relations, or in international organizations.</p>

<p>Psychology.
I have personally been enthusiastically engaged in using information and discoveries from the world of neuroscience to support my arguments in my way of life, politics, social and current affairs, business, at debates, and tackling the darker sides such as subliminal influence, mass communication etc.
I have read several divulgative texts on neuroscience, and I must say that I prefer placing scientific discoveries (evolution, genetics, neuroscience) into a wider frame of comprehension of the world, rather than using it as a tool for therapy for individuals and personal life (the latter is what Psychologists generally do).</p>

<p>While searching a bit on Google, I found this course/track (and I think also some other universities offer it): <a href="http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/psych/ug/requirements/LifeSci.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/psych/ug/requirements/LifeSci.html&lt;/a>
and find it quite interesting.</p>

<p>However (I may be influenced by the European stereotype), I'm also looking for something "utilitaristic".
I may research for years and discover that neuroscience biologically proves that a legal or economic system is the cause of all human unhappiness, or that God can be proven by the brain (just a banal example - inspired by Ramachandran and Dalai Lama, for those who know a bit about recent developments in brain science :P), but it would be a useless discovery in today's time. I would either end up in the pile of ideologists, philosophers, quack pseudoscientists, antisocial failed researchers... or even in prison. I would not be able to maintain my own family anymore :) You got my point?
"Research is a sweet and discoveries can change the world, but you must be lucky, and in the right context of history. If you want a financially secure life with a wife and children, don't try to change the world" ~ that's what my conscience says. But my conscience may be biased and that's why I'm writing here :)</p>

<p>It's also because of the above reason that I - after long pondering - thought that it might be better for me to enter directly the field that I want to help improve/work on (diplomacy, international relations, economics), in order to be active from the beginning... and while working read natural science publications in order to promote those discoveries ----> becoming a sort of philanthropist.</p>

<p>Anyway: would you study Psychology (or even the above course), because of the above mentioned interests (not therapy and counselling, but... hmmm discovering, "explaining the world")?</p>

<p>Geology
I have had a great interest in Earth Sciences, especially when combined to discoveries of prehistory or astronomy, life habitats, etc.
However, I don't grasp why you call it interdisciplinary. ?</p>

<p>Biomed Engineering
Even in this case, my point of attraction to the field is what I read about it in scientific magazines or even wikipedia. Brain implants, prosthetics, MRI etc.</p>

<p>The conclusion I draw from everything I wrote above is that I place a lot of interest on current developments in the fields of science. Research, new discoveries, etc. are what fascinate me.
And I like to talk about them, discuss them, spread it to the world, also for practical reasons (e.g. help government decisions based on scientific discovery; regarding education, consumer protection, medical, but also more serious things like security, development, etc.)
But also research and new discoveries are very much based on luck... what if everything about the brain will be known once I graduate from psychology/neuroscience?</p>

<p>Can I easily switch from Research to a normal Job?
[How] can I enter the field of international relations, international organizations bringing something from Psychology or Cognitive Sciences?</p>

<p>The last advice by kemet: anthropology.
I didn't consider this subject very much since I was used to see rather social-sciences oriented courses, and not much natural science. Since you mention biology, I should inform myself more about it.
Anyway: isn't anthropology a bit too "lightweighted"?</p>

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<p>How about Environmental Science? I was just looking at a course catalog under Enviro Sci and you have to take classes in Bio, chem, geology, physics, economics, politics, and philosophy. I think enviro sci would be an excellent choice for the future because there are a lot of opportunities within the field and the environment is going to be a very hot (literally) topic in the next few years and they are going to need some experts. The fact that there will be so many opportunities, but it's not as popular as IR, econ, psychology, and engineering is something to consider. Oh, and the environment can be the most international of all issues. We need to bond together as a world to help improve our Earth.</p>

<p>Edit: Watch An Inconvenient Truth, now. Regardless of your feelings on Gore.</p>

18

<p>I used to be interested in Environmental questions in my earliest teens and even founded an activist group (which was obviously laughed at by most of my co-aged people :P )</p>

<p>Environmental Engineering does indeed have many subdisciplines, but I'm not sure whether these are generalized or only directly concerning the envinronmental issue.</p>

<p>And you are absolutely right: this is probably the most valid scientific field which will allow one to enter a diplomatic/international role.</p>

<p>However, hmmm... what else do environmental engineers do?</p>

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<p>Philosophy</p>

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<p>I highly recommend that you research Sarah Lawrence College (it is co-ed, though it may not sound like it...). Students don't have "majors" per se and can change their course of study without having to make up requirements. They do a lot of highly unique, interdisciplinary study. It's in the NYC area and is very small and artsy. You get a lot of one-on-one time with professors and you have a "don" (adviser) who helps you decide what to study, what profession to go into, etc. Like you, I am interested in many disciplines, so I am seriously considering SLC.</p>