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Changing my major... need ideas.
- Thread starter GD0X
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Do you have anything more concrete than "I like computers?"
I don't mean that to sound as harsh as it does, but you need to give us something more solid to go on otherwise we'll just throw out random stuff.
The thing is....math is pretty important for most degrees. What level of math do you "blow" at?
Have you considered....a career scooping ice cream at the dairy store?
I don't mean that to sound as harsh as it does, but you need to give us something more solid to go on otherwise we'll just throw out random stuff.
The thing is....math is pretty important for most degrees. What level of math do you "blow" at?
Have you considered....a career scooping ice cream at the dairy store?
Here's the secret about math, most people actually don't suck at it, the people who taught them it sucked at teaching it.
I was told repeatedly in high school that I'd never have a career in computers (and especially not game development) because it was "impossible because I was bad at math".
In reality I just had bad teachers. I started teaching myself math through, of all things, the Dummies series of books and I got a TON better at it. Concepts made sense, I wasn't just memorizing formulas anymore, I was learning why something was used, and how it worked.
I've been in IT the past 10 years and develop video games as a hobby on the side. I've gone through calculus, discrete mathematics (the harder variety), linear algebra, physics, and all the other fun math used for 3D games. Once I took learning math into my own hands, it wasn't hard anymore.
Also there are a lot of people I know who are professional software developers who think they are bad at math and are confused when they see the stuff I do. They don't use a lot of math at their job and they're making 90k+ a year.
So its all dependent on what area you go into if you'll need strong math skills. I'm usually in a systems administrator position so I rarely need math.
I mean, I'm fascinated by chip designs basically... How CPUs are made, how gates make up adders and adders make ... I don't even know, the concept of storage, Gpus. Essentially all the basics related to the hardware aspect of computers. I do repairs on the side as well which makes me money and I enjoy it... It's easy... But that is my interest.
As for math... I know I have bad teachers, but I don't have the desire to teach myself either. The less math I have the more I will be able to enjoy whatever I'm doing.
As for math... I know I have bad teachers, but I don't have the desire to teach myself either. The less math I have the more I will be able to enjoy whatever I'm doing.
If this is your mentality, you might want to radically rethink your major. Are you interested in some aspect of History?
Computer systems engineering
Couple of my friends are studying COMPSYS, they get to write codes, and implement them in robots as part of their assessments. They also get to study the hardware aspect of computers. Not much mathematical modelling or any related involved.
I don't know about your university, but it is a good subject if you want to end up in computer hardware side.
Couple of my friends are studying COMPSYS, they get to write codes, and implement them in robots as part of their assessments. They also get to study the hardware aspect of computers. Not much mathematical modelling or any related involved.
I don't know about your university, but it is a good subject if you want to end up in computer hardware side.
Well left field, but what about the hospitality industries, catering, or cooking. The Arts. Supporting roles in the porn industries. Take up the cloth.
KGB
KGB
I won't push you towards something math related, but I wanted to say that I used to think the same way as you, but once you find an applicable use for math, its no longer a chore to do and becomes quite enjoyable sometimes.
I used to dread physics problems in class, but when I'm using them to solve problems with elements in a game I'm working on its like I'm not even really doing math, its now interactive and a lot more enjoyable.
Not to mention if you go the programming route you can write programs to solve the math for you
There is definitely a difference between struggling with learning math (because of instructors, whatever...) and just being "bad" at it. That being said, if something math-heavy isn't for you, you can safely remove most anything with the word "engineering" in it from your list.
No offense, but you've got to be kidding. EE requires proficiency at least through Differential Equations (have fun doing fast Fourier transforms...)...most people in their first semester of college aren't exactly there yet, and if basic calc is a problem...well, it's not likely to get much better from there.
No offense, but you've got to be kidding. EE requires proficiency at least through Differential Equations (have fun doing fast Fourier transforms...)...most people in their first semester of college aren't exactly there yet, and if basic calc is a problem...well, it's not likely to get much better from there.
I won't push you towards something math related, but I wanted to say that I used to think the same way as you, but once you find an applicable use for math, its no longer a chore to do and becomes quite enjoyable sometimes.
I used to dread physics problems in class, but when I'm using them to solve problems with elements in a game I'm working on its like I'm not even really doing math, its now interactive and a lot more enjoyable.
Not to mention if you go the programming route you can write programs to solve the math for you
I have to agree here, math was extremely unenjoyable in school just because it wasn't applicable to anything. I think if schools structured their math courses more around interactive problems they would have better outcomes. I still remember learning matrix operations in high school and thinking "what the **** am I ever going to use these for".
I changed majors midway through college. I started by adding a couple of minors that sounded interesting then when I found a good direction. I changed major to complement them. Worked out pretty well. Too bad I didn't major in getting lots of money for doing nothing. That would be pretty nice these days.
My friend, I started the same way with electronics, I really like the process of how things works and interact with each other but I saw little money there.
Later on in live I turned into show production, it was about organizing things and a few years ago I graduated from Project Management, is just like "electronics" but now you work with people, keep jobs and process organize in a company or in a corporation and is the same basic principal but bigger, more important, more challenging and really fun.
Still, electronics are really fun but the same thing can be applied in real life situations in a more constructive and profitable way. And you still working with computers!
So... take a look at Project Mangement programs, you will like it.
What ever you choose, make sure you enjoy it. If you hate math, then avoid those careers that rely on math. I can't say what you should do, because I don't know you but I've known too many people who chose a major/career for the wrong reasons and were miserable.
Sounds like the engineering side is the one you like. Hate to break it to you but that is pretty math heavy. Basic math for an engineer is calculus.
That being said my advice is GO TO YOUR COLLEGE CAREER CENTER> MSU is a big enough school to have a good one and I am willing to bet good money that they have tools and test that you can take that can really guide you down the right path. They also will point you to the right direction. One of the most under utilized things at Universities is the career center time and time again. I regret not taking more advantage of the Texas Tech one while I was there. I wish I went there when I did a major change instead of getting a degree in something I thought I would like and then get to go back to school to earn another degree.
i guess you are right
it's especially heavy in statistics.
it's just a good idea right now. There is a lot of good computer scientist, but few of them know or understands what is relevant in biological systems. viceversa, few biologist know much about CS.
Taking a mixed major will payoff very well in the future, especially given the direction science is going (huge sets of data to mine). Good pay to do exciting work.
I skimmed through the thread and didn't see it, but did anyone say Information Technology Management? (Or Management Information Systems depending on the school). There is very little math involved (only two classes to be exact) and is very computer oriented which is almost exactly this:
"I mean, I'm fascinated by chip designs basically... How CPUs are made, how gates make up adders and adders make ... I don't even know, the concept of storage, Gpus. Essentially all the basics related to the hardware aspect of computers. I do repairs on the side as well which makes me money and I enjoy it... It's easy... But that is my interest. "
The job market for ITM majors is great as well, you can make some pretty good money. You wont be able to completely avoid math classes no matter what your major is (unless maybe Trumpet Performance ) If you have any more questions about it feel free to ask me, as an ITM student who's been through the ropes.
"I mean, I'm fascinated by chip designs basically... How CPUs are made, how gates make up adders and adders make ... I don't even know, the concept of storage, Gpus. Essentially all the basics related to the hardware aspect of computers. I do repairs on the side as well which makes me money and I enjoy it... It's easy... But that is my interest. "
The job market for ITM majors is great as well, you can make some pretty good money. You wont be able to completely avoid math classes no matter what your major is (unless maybe Trumpet Performance
) If you have any more questions about it feel free to ask me, as an ITM student who's been through the ropes.I have the same problem, I hate math and I think I'm bad at it. However I love building computers and network troubleshooting. One would say that my major should be something in IT or Computer Science, however the amount of math I have to take makes me cringe.
I'm thinking of getting a tutor maybe it will make me more interested in math.
I'm thinking of getting a tutor maybe it will make me more interested in math.
I skimmed through the thread and didn't see it, but did anyone say Information Technology Management? (Or Management Information Systems depending on the school). There is very little math involved (only two classes to be exact) and is very computer oriented which is almost exactly this:
"I mean, I'm fascinated by chip designs basically... How CPUs are made, how gates make up adders and adders make ... I don't even know, the concept of storage, Gpus. Essentially all the basics related to the hardware aspect of computers. I do repairs on the side as well which makes me money and I enjoy it... It's easy... But that is my interest. "
The job market for ITM majors is great as well, you can make some pretty good money. You wont be able to completely avoid math classes no matter what your major is (unless maybe Trumpet Performance
ITM or ETM or anything like that usually requires calculus still
Just go with English like the rest of the cool kids. If you go the education route you can touch a computer every day!
"GO TO YOUR COLLEGE CAREER CENTER" is probably your best choice though
"GO TO YOUR COLLEGE CAREER CENTER" is probably your best choice though
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