Colleges!

[liv]

I know nothing about the American college system, but I will say that if you find a major you like, pursue it full-throttle from the first day of classes. I just finished my first year in Marine & Freshwater Biology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and just by emailing tonnes of different profs that were working on stuff that interested me, I got a position volunteering in a fish research lab my first month of university, and another second semester. Now, even though I'm really young, I got a summer job in my field that I can return to every year and then transition to full time after I get my masters. It takes 3 minutes to compose a short email asking about openings in a lab, but it will help save you months (or even years) of trouble after you get your degree scrounging around for references and jobs. Long story short, my advice is that you don't need a degree to get involved in your field!!

[Lolo76]

I began college at University of Oregon, but found the party atmosphere was too tempting - as reflected in my pathetic GPA. So I dropped out and moved to Lake Tahoe, took a few classes at the local community college (to boost that horrible GPA), and later transferred to University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. I ended up doing much better there, and graduated with a BA in English Literature. About a year later I entered San Jose State University for graduate school, where I earned the Master of Library & Information Science in 2006 @ the age of 30. So I guess you could say I took the scenic route, but eventually ended up where I wanted.

For the record, my BA was as useless as it sounds... but I'd planned from the beginning to continue post-grad, so I knew it wouldn't really matter. My advice is to think "employment potential" (in addition to what you enjoy) when choosing a major, especially considering the economy may not recover before your graduation. As the daughter of a librarian, I knew it was a strong and stable field, which also happened to suit my personality/skills to a tee. Consider what you see yourself doing, in terms of a realistic profession, and take whatever educational path is necessary to achieve that. Good luck!!

[Bellatrix_LeSnake]

I went to a smallish liberal arts college on the East coast of the United States and double majored in English and History. I wanted to go to America because the more flexible education system appealed to me for undergrad and I wanted a bit of an adventure. I liked it that I could take a bit of everything and have the first year to figure out my life and major, as when I first entered college I couldn't decide if I wanted to major in Biology or History. I really support the liberal arts creed and feel like I graduated with a pretty well-rounded skill set and knowledge.

Now I'm pursuing a doctoral program in the United Kingdom (where I'm actually from) in Medieval History. Not exactly the most practical course of action in the world, but I love it.

[Mike41793]

For the record, my BA was as useless as it sounds... but I'd planned from the beginning to continue post-grad, so I knew it wouldn't really matter. My advice is to think "employment potential" (in addition to what you enjoy) when choosing a major, especially considering the economy may not recover before your graduation. As the daughter of a librarian, I knew it was a strong and stable field, which also happened to suit my personality/skills to a tee. Consider what you see yourself doing, in terms of a realistic profession, and take whatever educational path is necessary to achieve that. Good luck!!

x2. Agree with this. Some people do NOT get it either haha. Theyll learn eventually though i guess.

Thats exactly the dilemna im kinda going through right now. Trying to find something to major in that ill enjoy but also be able to get a job in the field after graduation.

[Bellatrix_LeSnake]

x2. Agree with this. Some people do NOT get it either haha. Theyll learn eventually though i guess.

Thats exactly the dilemna im kinda going through right now. Trying to find something to major in that ill enjoy but also be able to get a job in the field after graduation.

I agree with this to an extent but not entirely. Although I personally chose to continue on immediately to postgraduate study, most of my friends (2010 graduate) went on to jobs. Their experiences have not been at all predictable. I have Economics major friends who are underemployed and Anthropology major friends with great jobs, an English major friend who is making six-figures and an Engineering friend with no job. What has seemed to correlate extremely strongly is GPA / overall success in their chosen program. Friends who did really well in college mostly seem to have jobs two years out that they are happy with and relate in some form to their majors. Friends who didn't do as hot aren't fairing as well.

Do I think that a Math major with a 4.0 is going to find a job more easily than a History major with the same GPA? Absolutely. However, if you choose a major purely based on employability and you hate it, the chances you will do well are severely diminished. At the moment, its very much a buyers' market when it comes to recent grads and they will choose good students 9/10. You should pick a major that will be practical for the type of job you hope to have as well as something that you will be excited to study for 3-5 years.

To round off this long-winded comment, I think practicality will only take you so far in a recession market.

[Mike41793]

I agree with this to an extent but not entirely. Although I personally chose to continue on immediately to postgraduate study, most of my friends (2010 graduate) went on to jobs. Their experiences have not been at all predictable. I have Economics major friends who are underemployed and Anthropology major friends with great jobs, an English major friend who is making six-figures and an Engineering friend with no job. What has seemed to correlate extremely strongly is GPA / overall success in their chosen program. Friends who did really well in college mostly seem to have jobs two years out that they are happy with and relate in some form to their majors. Friends who didn't do as hot aren't fairing as well.

Do I think that a Math major with a 4.0 is going to find a job more easily than a History major with the same GPA? Absolutely. However, if you choose a major purely based on employability and you hate it, the chances you will do well are severely diminished. At the moment, its very much a buyers' market when it comes to recent grads and they will choose good students 9/10. You should pick a major that will be practical for the type of job you hope to have as well as something that you will be excited to study for 3-5 years.

To round off this long-winded comment, I think practicality will only take you so far in a recession market.

I agree with you good point.

I was more talking about people who go to a $50K a year private college and major in drama then complain about student loans lol. I didnt specify really though so your point is very valid too.

[Wh00h0069]

University of Phoenix, Associates of Arts in Information Technology & Bachelor's of Science in Software Engineering. I loved every minute of it! It is expensive, but totally worth in, IMO. Since I was able to work my classes and homework around my schedule, there was never any reason to miss classes / not have homework completed, and I was able to focus. I earned very good grades in all of my courses because of that, and learned a ton.

A few months before I graduated, I started putting my software engineering knowledge to work at work. After I graduated, I was asked to help on a project for corporate once they saw the work that I was doing. I was invited to visit the corporate office of the company that I work for, and I believe they are going to offer me a position shortly once they get the OK to create the new position.

Distance learning is a great tool, but it takes a certain mindset in order for it to be beneficial. Since there is no one to guide you, you have to have a lot of self-discipline.

[abrunsen]

I am at the University of Iowa as well. Im going to be a junior and i am double majoring and getting a certificate (like a minor). I am doing graphic design and communications with a certificate in entrepreneurship. I have been a Hawkeye fan my whole life so I might be a little biased but I really love the college and it is close to you. And A LOT of people from Illinois go here. We call it a "Suburb of Chicago". Hope this helps.

-Alex

[Kodieh]

To the guy who went to OU, I'm sorry you saw the bad side of Oklahoma! Haha. But seriously, Oklahoma State University is GREAT if you want to go into Accounting/business, vet med, math, or sports. There are better schools for my major, Computer Science, but it's still a good program in my opinion.

Campus life is great during football and basketball season, but spring and summer are sparse. And I mean, who wouldn't want to go to the over all number two school in the nation from last year? Tide didn't deserve it! Haha.


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[Mike41793]

But seriously, Oklahoma State University is GREAT if you want to go into Accounting/business, vet med, math, or sports.

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Can i major in sports with a conc in football lol? How exactly does one major in sports?