<p>Ok, ok,...I know I'm about to embark on plebe summer, and some of you may think I am putting the cart a bit in front of the horse. However, as I look to validate certain courses and fill out my CABS for the Academic Dept., I can't help but wonder: What in the heck am I going to focus on for the last three or so years at USNA? My father's greatest fear was that I would major in political science and minor in history (both of which I love) and be the most overqualified salesperson at circuit city. I know that I won't have that same problem finding a job (I'm pretty sure the Navy will make sure I am employed for a while) as if I went to State U, so I guess it's ok to do polisci (actually the largest major at USNA last I checked). However, what about after the Navy...whether it be 5, 10, 15, 20 years down the road. Then what??? I know the experiences at USNA and as an officer in the Navy combined with a history or political science degree will get you much more than just a State U degree, but exactly how much? What do USNA history and polisci majors do if not career military? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE resist the temptation to blast me for thinking about getting out of the Navy already. I am well aware of what I am getting into. I do want to be an officer. However, let's face it, many of you graduates out there (I assume) are doing something besides Navy. Also, I have read many great books and talked to people who have families, other goals, ambitions, etc. and felt that they satisfied their committment to the Navy without having to go 20+ years. Sorry for such a long post, but I guess my question is...what will a USNA history or polisci degree get someone in the civilian world?</p>
<p>Well as I have learned recently Economics and Politcal Science are the easiest double majors combo.... Teaching would fit pretty well with those degrees, but so would being a politician or working elsewhere in the government.... I personally plan on majoring in Chemistry if I attend USNA. I think that you should probably slow down and see what sparks your interest at the Academy before you start deciding. And believe me there will be plenty opportunities for jobs with any degree from the USNA.</p>
<p>You have plenty of time to think about this. You will be able to attend informational sessions on the various departments and talk to plenty of people before you make that decision. Depending on how many classes you validate, the first two years are pretty well laid out for you. You will declare your major in the spring of your plebe year. Plenty of other things to focus on right now. :)</p>
<p>I'll take a stab at this as a political science major myself and the father of two others(one at CGA, one at a civilian school).</p>
<p>My son for example would like to get into the intelligence branch of the Coast Guard. After service he is thinking CIA or NSA. There is also FBI, Homeland Security, State Department etc.</p>
<p>You could become a teacher, lawyer, lobbyist, civil servant, writer, journalist, congressional staffer, politician, dare I say President?</p>
<p>There are plenty of opportunities for the Pol Sci major.</p>
<p>Ah yes. . . ask a legitimate question and get toasted for it;oh, and don't get an answer in any event. The CC way.
A question that ol' guys like Z and the dinosaurs can actually help answer [can't wait till I'm one] and you get no response.
I'll take a stab.</p>
<p>From what I have seen, your major makes no difference to the Navy. That's the beautiful thing abot attending hear: You can actually study something you want to study and not worry about getting a job!</p>
<p>Afterwards? From what I've seen and heard, a "liberal arts" major from hear is something like it is somewhere else. Except you come with five years of management experience! So, I've heard of guys going into mid-level management jobs at big companies. The same type of companies that would hire any college graduate into their management training program.<br>
Government, obviously, is a big possibility.
Major corporations are alwasy looking for managers.
Clearly, a history major is not going to be hired into research and development, but there is no reason a USNA history major could not go into marketing or as a division manager of, say, Kraft.
I was at a meeting where a young guy--well, say about 35--had left the Academy and, now, was working with an internet company as a team leader of some sort. I think he was not a techical major.<br>
Now, the same problem applies to History majors from USNA as any other college these day. No advanced degree, not a lot of demand. I think you have to figure the advanced degeree in there somewhere. For example, getting an MBA or something like that.</p>
<p>On the other hand, USNA grad seem to have a huge leg up on other 27-year olds because of management experience, etc. Exposure to world ports, etc.
At the end of the day, I don't think the degree is a huge issue; especiaally when you factor in an advanced degree.</p>
<p>As my dad keeps telling me: If he did not have to pay for the education and I have a job guaranteed coming out. . . then study whatever I wanted to. The rest of life will work itself out.</p>
<p>2 more years!!!!</p>
<p>I just met a guy who had a job title for which I bet a USNA history/poly-sci major could have a shot:</p>
<p>Explorer, National Geographic Society.</p>
<p>What a great job!
I would echo, however, the need for an advanced degree.</p>
<p>I'm way too young to be answering this, but I found this on the naval academy website: "Upon graduation, a bachelor of science degree is awarded regardless of major, because of the technical content of the core curriculum. Those in the top 10 percent of their class graduate with distinction. Those who have completed special honors programs in one of six selected majors graduate with honors." </p>
<p>So I believe you'll graduate with a bachelor's degree in science also. I'm not quite sure if that helps you at all...</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help. JamTex...thanks for taking the time to look at my question and consider thoroughly.</p>
<p>Being a history major and recent grad, my basic approach is to use my degree to get into grad school. However, even without grad school, its not too much of a problem to get a great job coming out of the military. My advice would be to do what you enjoy. If you pick a major that you don't legitmitally enjoy, then why would you ever get a job in that field?... Also, for validation, make sure you seek out any opportunities possible to validate classes. There are obviously validation tests, however for the classes that don't have the tests you need to seek out profs in those departments and they will take it on a case by case basis</p>
<p>Not a bachelors degree in science...a Bachelor of Science degree in whatever you choose (There really is a big difference) i.e. BS History, BS Math, BSME etc! as opposed to at a Liberal Arts school where your history degree is a BA.</p>
<p>It is good you are thinking about it especially if you are fortunate to validate a lot of classes as then you will have some choices to make second semester before you actually pick your major. The Plebe advising program is very good. You will be assigned an advisor during Plebe summer (half of your company will have the same advisor) If you look around the academic deans page at usna.edu you can find the info on Plebe advising, who the advisors have been and what departments they came from. If you validate alot of courses then there is a special advisor for that handful of Plebes that will deal with the plebes who will have decisions to make prior to picking a major. Once you pick you major just befor Spring Break you will be assigned an advisor within your department.</p>
<p>Over PPW there will be tables set up in Alumni Hall with info about all of the departments and majors. There will be faculty at all of thoses tables and your parents can get all of their info there. They will walk away very very comfortable that you are in great hands for your academic future. </p>
<p>Also My Mid had some great faculty first semester that sealed the deal for his chosen major. Every one at USNA wants you to suceed academically, contrary to the popular belief of "flunk out" courses.</p>
<p>We had our State Picnic yesterday and almost every Mids piece of advice was to take care of the academics. They all attested to the fact that there are many people who want to see you suceed. The also all agreed that your major will have nothing to do with service selection but remember you have 4 years of "college" before you hit the fleet and you have to like what you are studying. They picked you because they know you can do it!</p>
<p>Again, a good thing to have on your mind especially with validation test coming up. If your are thiking about a division III major, then you also need to be thinking about Language validation tests. Do you best, be comfortable and know that you really are in great hands.</p>