Best and worst majors

[dukebound85]

not so fast, some majors do cost more than others

for instance at my old school, the most expensive classes were those in buisness followed by engineering classes and such forth.

they actually implemented that policy during my time there

 

[CalBoy]

What difference does it make?

None really, and that's the entire point.

I was trying to put the shoe on the other foot, if you will.

not so fast, some majors do cost more than others

for instance at my old school, the most expensive classes were those in buisness followed by engineering classes and such forth.

they actually implemented that policy during my time there

I've heard of that in some other cases and I think it's terrible. Unless a particular major really needs a lot more materials to be taught, all classes should cost the same.

 

[IJ Reilly]

What's the old saying, do a job you hate for the money and you'll feel underpaid no matter your salary; do a job you love and you'll never feel underpaid.

If you don't understand this principle when you're in your 20s, you probably will by the time you reach your 30s or 40s, especially if you find yourself having worked for 10-15 years in a profession you don't care about. Been there, done that.

Which profession consistently rates job satisfaction among the lowest? Lawyers. They make some of the highest salaries, but they hate their jobs far more often than average. Some people do attain happiness in life pursing wealth. But in my experience, far fewer than we might imagine get both.

 

[NAG]

I don't think not understanding the whole "do what you love" thing is the problem. I think the whole facade of everyone pretending to know what they're doing is the problem. Everyone at that age pretends that they know what they want to do and have it all planned out (this is really a problem with people wanting to become doctors when the graduate high school). That plan is usually what they think is expected of them and prevents them from trying out stuff and finding something they like.

 

[dukebound85]

I don't think not understanding the whole "do what you love" thing is the problem. I think the whole charade of everyone pretending to know what they're doing is the problem. Everyone at that age pretends that they know what they want to do and have it all planned out. That plan is usually what they think is expected of them and prevents them from trying out stuff and finding something they like.

i agree there. i think it would be in most students best interest to take a year off between hs and college so they can get an idea of what they actually want to do

too many kids just go to college becase that just what you do in a sense and therefore not having a set plan and proceed to throw away a year or so taking classes that dont contribute to any goal

theres a difference between taking elctives to explore interest and having your entire schedule being randon with no focus and paying for it at the same time

 

[mactastic]

not so fast, some majors do cost more than others

for instance at my old school, the most expensive classes were those in buisness followed by engineering classes and such forth.

they actually implemented that policy during my time there

My degree cost more than others, but that was due to the unit requirements (5 years worth of units for my major versus 4 years for everyone else), not because certain classes were more expensive than others.

I've heard of that in some other cases and I think it's terrible. Unless a particular major really needs a lot more materials to be taught, all classes should cost the same.

That's what lab fees are for dammit...

Although there is something to this argument. The college I went to had 3 of the 4 costliest majors to teach (mine, of course, being one of them), the only one we were lacking was nursing. They are costly because of frequent equipment upgrades and the need to keep instructors current on the unique emerging aspects of the profession.

Obviously a college like that, with multiple high-cost majors, will be worse off financially than one that has none of those majors available if all other factors are equal.

Still shouldn't affect the cost per unit to the student, but it does cost more to teach nursing than English lit, just as a matter of course (pun intended).

 

[iShater]

My favorite tee-shirt ever.

"I have a degree in Liberal Arts.... Would you like fries with that?"

I have a BA in computer science, so I miss your point. Liberal Arts mean that you have a diverse class work and still finish everything needed for your major. It doesn't mean you skip studying all the requirements for a technical degree.

I disagree about being locked into a specific field with an engineering degree. Engineering disciplines are easily adapted and interchangeable with other fields.

I disagree. If the position is not specific to a field, it might mention "engineering degree", but anything that requires experience will probably care.

So, again, it's the people not the major.


Lethal

It is the ability to perform critical thinking, and after you get experience in whatever career, the personality and what you learned along the way is important. I have mathematics majors who ended up in software development. I also know english majors who got into Quality Assurance for business software and they picked up the technical stuff and are lead QAs. You bet they didn't learn any of that in college.

not so fast, some majors do cost more than others

for instance at my old school, the most expensive classes were those in buisness followed by engineering classes and such forth.

they actually implemented that policy during my time there

Yes, because universities figured they can get away with it because they expected those graduates to make more money and be able to pay it off sooner.

 

[dukebound85]

My degree cost more than others, but that was due to the unit requirements (5 years worth of units for my major versus 4 years for everyone else), not because certain classes were more expensive than others.

yeah, when i started school each class costed the same credit hr wise. then they implemented this crap

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Registrar/HighCostPrograms.html

those costs go on top of this cost per credit hr (link is in state tuition costs)
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Registrar/FA08.tuitionundergraduate res.htm

with that said, these measures were put in place due to colorado's rough situation concerning higher ed funding

fees! FEES! FEEEEEES! not cool lol

I have a BA in computer science, so I miss your point. Liberal Arts mean that you have a diverse class work and still finish everything needed for your major. It doesn't mean you skip studying all the requirements for a technical degree.

yea if im not mistaken, BA's are also awarded for majors like math and physics and such. However, those majors, including CS at my school were in the college of natural resources. The college of liberal arts had majors like history, journalism, poly sci, philosophy, etc

 

[adroit]

Can an electrical engineer really expect to get a job after 10 years in another field of engineering without schooling?

Why would the company hire that individual over another engineer who has more training in that specific type of engineering?

I would have to disagree....

I am an Electrical Engineer currently working as a software developer. So yes, you can definitely get a job in another specific type of engineering. It is actually quite easy to go from one type of engineering to another. The thinking process is the same.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I would have to disagree....

I am an Electrical Engineer currently working as a software developer. So yes, you can definitely get a job in another specific type of engineering. It is actually quite easy to go from one type of engineering to another. The thinking process is the same.

it still depends. If you want to work as a PE (professional Engineer) you can not switch because your stamp would worthless..

A EE can only stamp the electrical stuff, structural can only stamp structural stuff and so on...

 

[adroit]

it still depends. If you want to work as a PE (professional Engineer) you can not switch because your stamp would worthless..

A EE can only stamp the electrical stuff, structural can only stamp structural stuff and so on...

Yes and no, this might be different depending on where you are but here you can stamp anything discipline in which you have sufficient training or experience in. For example, I would never dare to stamp anything that involves civil/structural but a mechanical system with significant control/embedded/automation systems would be fine.

I think what you said is very true for someone who is working in the fundamentals of each discipline. However, most R&D projects are multi-disciplinary and the boundaries between each are blurred.

 

[dukebound85]

it still depends. If you want to work as a PE (professional Engineer) you can not switch because your stamp would worthless..

A EE can only stamp the electrical stuff, structural can only stamp structural stuff and so on...

most engineering jobs do not require a PE for one thing lol

with that said, im thankful i got the FE out of the way just in case

 

[samiwas]

I don't think not understanding the whole "do what you love" thing is the problem. I think the whole facade of everyone pretending to know what they're doing is the problem. Everyone at that age pretends that they know what they want to do and have it all planned out (this is really a problem with people wanting to become doctors when the graduate high school). That plan is usually what they think is expected of them and prevents them from trying out stuff and finding something they like.

Many times, there is pressure from the outside as well. I grew up from a very young age loving lighting, mostly for theater & concerts, etc. I worked nonstop in the high school theater and other local productions, and I wanted to major in theater in college.

My father balked at the very idea, and coerced me into Engineering, saying it was a much more lucrative career. I found quickly, however, that I had no passion at all for crunching numbers (although I love crunching numbers otherwise, weird). I needed to be creative, and to have an outlet for all the ideas in my head. I decided to drop engineering and major in theater, and ended up with a BFA.

Now, I don't know how much the classes there really prepared me for anything, as it's a career that is built mostly on practical experience and who-you-know. But I wouldn't give up the college experience for anything. It gave me so many other opportunities.

In the end, I am the only one of my siblings who followed his passion instead of doing what he thought would be a career. I am also the only one who truly loves his job (one hates every job she has ever had, and the other is going back to school to try something new). I make good money, am the only one not in debt, and work only as much as I want to.

College shouldn't be solely about "finding a career". It should be about finding yourself, having fun, and pursuing what will make you happy.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I don't think not understanding the whole "do what you love" thing is the problem. I think the whole facade of everyone pretending to know what they're doing is the problem. Everyone at that age pretends that they know what they want to do and have it all planned out (this is really a problem with people wanting to become doctors when the graduate high school). That plan is usually what they think is expected of them and prevents them from trying out stuff and finding something they like.

Not everyone, clearly -- or we would not have this thread.

Sure, a lot of young people imagine that they know precisely how they want to spend their entire lives, and some of them actually get it right. Not many perhaps, but some.

If fact in my case, if I'd have "followed my bliss" from when I was a teenager, chances are I'd be doing pretty nearly what I am doing now, without having taken that long educational and professional detour in between. I think it's quite possible to know where your interests and affinities reside, even before college. The trick possibly is knowing what to ask, and of whom.

 

[mactastic]

it still depends. If you want to work as a PE (professional Engineer) you can not switch because your stamp would worthless..

A EE can only stamp the electrical stuff, structural can only stamp structural stuff and so on...

Yes and no, this might be different depending on where you are but here you can stamp anything discipline in which you have sufficient training or experience in. For example, I would never dare to stamp anything that involves civil/structural but a mechanical system with significant control/embedded/automation systems would be fine.

I think what you said is very true for someone who is working in the fundamentals of each discipline. However, most R&D projects are multi-disciplinary and the boundaries between each are blurred.

To address both of these points at once... Just because you aren't stamping drawings doesn't mean you don't have significant responsibility for putting them together. So yes, an EE with sufficient skillz could prepare structural drawings or civil drawings, or even architectural drawings. Then you just team up with someone who's got a stamp. Happens all the time.

However, your value is greatly increased as a licensed professional if you can stamp and sign drawings within your discipline. Thus, if you're going to be a drawing preparer who uses others for a stamp, it would behoove you to get your license / certification if for no other reason than the fee you've got to pay someone else to sign the drawings (and accept liability for them) should be in your pocket anyway.

 

[definitive]

I majored in engineering when I went to college, but now I do porn for a living. Pays good, and I get tons of ***** without even having to try.

Life is good.

 

[SFStateStudent]

I received Baccalaureate Degrees in Native American Studies and Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and will receive my Masters Degree in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University this spring '09. I'm truly surprised that the thread discussion hasn't taken into consideration from where we are receiving our degrees. Many employers that I've worked for, place a stronger emphasis in their hiring decision on a degree from the University of California, Berkeley v. a degree from Heald College, (Nothing against Heald College). When I applied to graduate schools, my GRE score of 1100, met the requirements for many schools, and though I chose San Francisco State University, it was on the basis of their Broadcast Communications Department's reputation and my desire to stay in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Sure, USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley were choices I considered, but based on the reputation of the BECA Department at SFSU, my choice was rather simple for me to make. IMHO...

 

[dukebound85]

thats a very good point.

 

[rhsgolfer33]

I received Baccalaureate Degrees in Native American Studies and Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley, and will receive my Masters Degree in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University this spring '09. I'm truly surprised that the thread discussion hasn't taken into consideration from where we are receiving our degrees. Many employers that I've worked for, place a stronger emphasis in their hiring decision on a degree from the University of California, Berkeley v. a degree from Heald College, (Nothing against Heald College). When I applied to graduate schools, my GRE score of 1100, met the requirements for many schools, and though I chose San Francisco State University, it was on the basis of their Broadcast Communications Department's reputation and my desire to stay in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. Sure, USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley were choices I considered, but based on the reputation of the BECA Department at SFSU, my choice was rather simple for me to make. IMHO...

My experience has been the opposite, employers, other than some of the more prestigious places, could really care less were you got your degree from. I go to a very small, fairly unknown school, but I'm being recruited for jobs at Ernst and Young, Deloitte, KPMG, etc., just as much as any of the accounting majors at UCLA. Similarly, I have friends doing computer science and various engineering programs at "lesser" schools who are getting similar offers to their peers at other more prestigious institutions.

It really isn't about the name of the school on the degree or in a lot of cases, the major, its about showing you had the drive and ambition to complete that degree. I've found that more companies look at GPA and involvement than whether the degree says PrestigiousBrandName U or SmallNoName U.

Now I'm not saying don't go to the best, most prestigious college you can get into, it probably won't hurt come job time, but don't automatically count on it to do more for you than a degree from a smaller lesser known college and certainly don't incur extreme debt burdens just to go to BrandNamePrestigious U.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I think it's quite possible to know where your interests and affinities reside, even before college. The trick possibly is knowing what to ask, and of whom.

That's a good point. When I came out of high school I had a good idea of what I didn't want to do, a vague idea of what I wanted to do, but pretty much no idea of where to get answers let alone what questions I needed to be asking. On advice from my parents I ended up going to a career counselor and that was one of the best things I ever did. He recommend a direction I would never have thought of on my own and, long story short, I'm in Los Angeles running down my dreams and loving it. If I hadn't gone to him I don't know how long I would've ping-ponged around looking to figure it all out.

I'm truly surprised that the thread discussion hasn't taken into consideration from where we are receiving our degrees. Many employers that I've worked for, place a stronger emphasis in their hiring decision on a degree from the University of California, Berkeley v. a degree from Heald College, (Nothing against Heald College).

A lot of that depends on your discipline. For example, for my friends in the medical profession where they did their undergrad and graduate work carries weight w/perspective employers. On the other hand, none of my employers in the entertainment industry give a hoot where my degree is from or even if I have a degree. I rely on my reel and my peer network to find jobs.


Lethal

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

not so fast, some majors do cost more than others

for instance at my old school, the most expensive classes were those in buisness followed by engineering classes and such forth.

they actually implemented that policy during my time there

I'm told the most expensive program to have in a school is a film program. Second most expensive is a photography program.

As for engineers, the majority of people I know who majored in engineering were the athletes, country folk, and boneheads (not that those terms can't be applied simultaneously) from my old high school. The creative thinkers majored in liberal arts. On average, all are doing okay after receiving their degrees.

You have to consider personality types in relation to majors. My old roommate went into a very bad depression while working on an electrical engineering degree. Why? He wanted to be a musician and his degree choice, made to satisfy his parents, was destroying him.

The people I know who are making a living in the art, entertainment, and academic world LIVE their passion. They are not simply photographers from 9-5 and then their off-work persona. A photographer is who they are at every moment. I can't say the same for my friends in accounting. I would hardly know their profession if I didn't personally know them.

Consider these differences before criticizing people who choose "pointless" majors.

 

[dukebound85]

I'm told the most expensive program to have in a school is a film program. Second most expensive is a photography program.

possibly but alot of programs like that require you to buy your own equipment do they not? i was pointing out in terms of cost per credit hr that you must pay by university policy. im not sure thos programs cost more per credit hr than say business but may indeed cost more when factoring in equipment

As for engineers, the majority of people I know who majored in engineering were the athletes, country folk, and boneheads (not that those terms can't be applied simultaneously) from my old high school. The creative thinkers majored in liberal arts. On average, all are doing okay after receiving their degrees.

to imply engineers are stupid and non creative show your ignorance quite clear

why is it people think engineers are uncreative and a boring profession? the same people who design everything you use and solve everyday problems?

and why is it that people think arts and music are the only fields for creative people to pursue. comeon people

Consider these differences before criticizing people who choose "pointless" majors.

my issue is not with them but students who come to school just because its "expected" and takes an easy major becasue its easy or takes classes that have no real goal in mind

they are simply throwing money away

if you really want to be an english teacher, great you should major in english and work towards a teaching certificate.

if you have no idea what you want to do and just pick english as a major and have no passion for it i ask why? why not pick a more "practical" major then

my point is this
having a practical major with no passion is better than having an unpractical major with no passion.

with that said, i hope people pick a major they like and pursue it and not just pick based on "it sounds cool"

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

Creative was the wrong choice of term. Engineers have to be creative to configure their project, and we have seen some very creative business people locked away in prison for white collar crime. But there is a difference between creative mathematical solutions, and creative and intellectual approaches meant to invigorate emotional response. The former solves for X, while the latter views X as part of an alphabet.

my issue is not with them but students who come to school just because its "expected" and takes an easy major becasue its easy or takes classes that have no real goal in mind

they are simply throwing money away

if you really want to be an english teacher, great you should major in english and work towards a teaching certificate.

if you have no idea what you want to do and just pick english as a major and have no passion for it i ask why? why not pick a more "practical" major then

my point is this
having a practical major with no passion is better than having an unpractical major with no passion.

with that said, i hope people pick a major they like and pursue it and not just pick based on "it sounds cool"

What's an easy major? Something not engineering? What makes that so practical, anyway?

You strike me as having the mindset similar to that of religious missionaries.

 

[dukebound85]

Creative was the wrong choice of term. Engineers have to be creative to configure their project, and we have seen some very creative business people locked away in prison for white collar crime. But there is a difference between creative mathematical solutions, and creative and intellectual approaches meant to invigorate emotional response. The former solves for X, while the latter views X as part of an alphabet.



What's an easy major? Something not engineering? What makes that so practical, anyway?

i didnt say engineering is the only practical major did i?
and when i say practical, im talking about majors that result in job offers in that field you studied. as ive said, ive known too many of my friends with degrees and they cant get work in the field their degrees are in that also happen to pay the bills no matter how hard they try. is that a suitable definition for you?

for instance, a buisness degree is way more practical than a music degree is by the definition i laid out for you....meaning your odds are higher getting a job with a degree in business than music with respective majors

and yes there are majors that are more difficult than others believe it or not lol and there are students that soley pick majors because they are "easy" (and most of these kids have their parents footing the bill too)

there are also majors that are more suitable for trade schools than university majors imo.

my issue. as ive said earlier, the expectation that one must blindly go to college is the problem. i think people should not go to college and pay out the nose for it just to take classes that are easy or have no goal in mind (as in a bunch of electives) when the purpose is to get a degree ultimately.

i believe students need to balance their interests as well as career prospects when deciding on a major. to say otherwise is irresponsible imo. also having students pay for their own school would ensure more take it seriously and not waste time taking classes that are not part of any end goal

You strike me as having the mindset similar to that of religious missionaries.

lets leave boarder line insults out of this shall we

 

[OutThere]

I'm a political science major (it jumped out at me as exactly what I wanted to do), and though I don't plan to have it all figured out, I have a wide selection of things I'd love to do...I could see myself happy in a large number of situations, as diverse as working in DC in some way with the government, or with an embassy, international relations, law school, college admissions, or even web design.

I'm planning to leverage the alumni networks of my college and highschool (both of which are name schools that'll be noticed by the right people), and the fact that I can impress in interviews even if my resume is a little flat. I know what I like and what I don't like, and I'm not locked into or dead-set on a single career path. With that I'm pretty confident that majoring in something I truly like was a much better choice than saying "I like money. Daddy knows the right people and I can get a big job on wallstreet. I'll major in business or econ." as many of my friends have done and locked themselves in at this point. Not to say that an MBA isn't portable, just to say that picking a major solely to get a job is setting yourself up for disappointment.