Seeking advice about "the college major"

[The Beast]

Greetings.

 

I'm writing this thread because rather concerned with my education, major and career. I'm 20, (will be 21 in April) and in my second year at the university known as Eastern Illinois University. To be honest, it feels like I could do much better than this university. However, I do sit here kind of concerned as to where I stand in the world of academia and in finding my career.

 

Let us travel back to my freshman year of high school. I was placed in the second lowest possible Math class in the whole school, which required me to take two years of Algebra (100 and 200), one year of Geometry (200 level) and one year of Advanced Algebra Trigonometry (200 level). I told my counselor that I was acing the Algebra 100 class and that I didn't belong there. However, the school declined to advance me up to the next level. I'll be honest; I never took the initiative to take a math class in the summer to advance my chances at improving my ACT score (at least on the Math portion.)

 

I'm not ashamed to admit that I got a 20 on that god forsaken test because in high school, I never was taught much that would allow me to even meet the standards of a Big Ten school like the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Northwestern University, or the University of Iowa. One thing that I had going for me in high school was my ability to write, even if my writing skills needed to be refined further. I didn't know what the hell I wanted to do after high school, so I just opted to go to EIU after visiting Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois-Chicago for an English with teaching certification degree. I also had interests in radio broadcasting and journalism because I had my own show on WDGC 88.3 FM and I wrote with The Blueprint for 3 years. (I pursued these interests after not being able to play football due to the fact that I was always playing behind the coach’s son.) EIU offered both journalism and broadcasting as clubs, so I figured it would be a great place for me to go, especially since my then-high school girlfriend was going to U of I the next year.

 

Well, I got to Eastern, and after a summer of not knowing what to do about my major, I chose Pre-Marketing. The Academic Advising in the small town of Charleston, IL is terrible. They have under qualified local individuals who force you into deciding a major. Obviously, I wanted to be there for teaching, but I felt pressured into another major. Half-way through the semester, I decided to change my major to English with a teaching certification.

 

Fast forward to this year, my sophomore year of college. I get to class on the first day of school still rather uncertain of what to do. I take courses of Creative Writing, Introduction to Literature, and I realize that I hate the material. I drop Intro to Lit and struggle through the semester because things started to change. No longer did I want to teach English because what I had been taught in high school was completely different from the literature lessons taught in college. I wanted to teach English in order to teach high school students how to write, because many of them simply do not learn how to write. Now that I didn't want to teach English, I had a decision to make in regards to choosing a major. I also didn't want to deal with journalism and I just wasn't interested in radio because those were things I was burnt out from in high school. I know how to write and speak in those fields, but they just weren't interesting to me anymore. And of course, after 3 ½ years of dating my high school girlfriend, that went sour, and my little adventure on fantasy island, thinking that the long-distance relationship would work was blown out of proportion like the nuclear bomb being dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. I also didn't realize why I was so upset with life until the breakup because all I had been doing was doing gaming, traveling back and forth between home and the small town of Charleston to see my ex-girlfriend once every few weekends, and just living the same life that I had in high school since.

 

Recently, I've decided to make some changes in my life and try and figure out what the hell I want to do. I took a career placement test over my Winter Break, and the careers that I should be doing are the following: College Instructor, Investments Manager, Paralegal, Banker, Bookkeeper, Parks & Recreation Manager, Restaurant Manager, Law Enforcement Officer, Marketing Manager, and Accountant. Some of those aren't far off, as I have thought about being a cop, a marketing executive, a college instructor, or working for the law in some capacity. The test also claimed that I needed to take some risks socially/academically and that I should consider careers in business, sales, marketing, counseling or as a teacher.

 

As far as the changes in my life go, I've seen how I can't wait to get out of this small town, so I've decided to go back to where I originally wanted to go to school by applying to the University of Illinois-Chicago. I got in, and will be going to school there in the fall. Honestly, I'm going there hoping for a challenge academically and just a fresh start overall. (And, I will be bettering myself to the extreme, I want to meet new people, date new girls, and of course, run the 2009 Chicago Marathon!) I'm not sure what I'm going to major in; however, I do want to be sure that I can get a degree in Marketing or a Liberal Art so that I can advance myself. I just am worried about being in school for the rest of my life, which is why I don’t want to be a Psychologist. Currently, I'm majoring in Communication Studies---Corporate Communication, which I'm finding isn't helping me get to the goal that I want to achieve. I'm thinking that by Marketing with courses in Rhetoric (or something to help refine my writing further) would help suit all of the careers that I want to look into after school.

 

So I guess what I'm asking for in this long, winded post, is for those of you who have been out in the real world for awhile to just look at my situation, analyze it and give any sort of advice you could possibly give. Am I choosing the right major? Am I making the right steps towards a career? (I want to add that I plan on doing an internship once I figure out my major, and that I have been working on the college newspaper and radio station for my resume. I also have been volunteering for an organization called Global Hope, Inc.) What should I be considering in terms of my career? I'm aware of the s***ty economy and have made it a goal of mine to eventually make enough money to have a family and live comfortably in a place where I want to live.

 

I know, I'm laying a lot of information down in this post that is probably not relevant, but I figured that I'd ask, what can someone who has good writing skills, is open to making himself marketable to the government, in a business setting, or some other related field do as a major to advance his career options? I don't have a selected major in mind and am pretty much open to any suggestions. I know that I'm capable of doing a lot more than just going to a trade school (I never fully applied myself in high school and never knew how to study until I got to college), and I want to get a bachelor's degree. Any suggestions are welcome, especially for someone who feels "lost" in his life right now.

Edited March 10, 2009 by The Beast

[kapkomet]

Oh, I'm lost, so I'll volunteer. (And I'm somewhat serious).

 

(Before I start, I'm not talking down to you, please keep that in mind when I discuss this... I don't mean to come across that way).

 

Let's see. Here's the best part, Beast. You're young, and you're allowed to make a few mistakes! That's the best part. It sounds like you've grown up some since you left home, and I think that's good for you. I think you had to get away so that you could see that there is a different path then what you thought there was.

 

My background, the condensed version. I was one of those that had a career picked out in high school and I never changed from it. I wanted to go into accounting and finance because I wanted to use that as a baseline to "branch out", except to be honest, I never have. It's just where I've been stuck for 20 years. More on that later.

 

I think any time you're in the situation you're in, you have to take a few "extra" classes (the intro ones) to see what really interests you. Does marketing? Business management? Accounting? (It's not math, contrary to what a lot of people tell you). Take some of those electives and see where it takes you because I think you will find that there's something there that you'll pick up on.

 

The BEST thing for you to do is find what you like and stick to it. The reason? It's not so much work. The accounting thing for me is work. It really is. I don't really like it, and the main reason I don't like it is because it always ends up in a political situation (ethical) situation I don't like. When you bite the hand that feeds you, you will get bitten.

 

I'll be perfectly blunt, and it probably sounds negative, but the "real world" is highly political. Everywhere. Office politics, how to get further and further down the career path, then you start to balance that out with family, etc. It gets hard. But it doesn't have to be. It's harder for me because I think I chose the wrong career. I am seriously thinking about what I want to do at almost 36, and I don't have a clue. It's not a place to be in with 2 kids, a house, two car payments, etc. So, explore and make that decision - and at least you're going into it with more of an open mind then I ever had.

 

Once you decide what's for you, dedicate yourself to it and the work you put into it early will pay off. Attend "extra" things in whatever profession you choose. Why? Networking. Colleges usually offer memberships to different things - use it. Once you land that first job, use the things that are out there for you to learn. If you do that very early, you will set yourself up very well.

 

On a personal note, if you're not comfortable with something, do it, especially in college. It's the place you can learn how to handle situations before you see it in the real world. You get do over's in college many times, you don't in the real world. Experience things. Make mistakes. Learn from them.

 

The whole premise here is that you're still at a place where you can do what you want to, but just don't let it overwhelm you. Just take things as they come, you'll find your way. Once you do, run with it.

[The Beast]

Oh, I'm lost, so I'll volunteer. (And I'm somewhat serious).

 

(Before I start, I'm not talking down to you, please keep that in mind when I discuss this... I don't mean to come across that way).

 

Let's see. Here's the best part, Beast. You're young, and you're allowed to make a few mistakes! That's the best part. It sounds like you've grown up some since you left home, and I think that's good for you. I think you had to get away so that you could see that there is a different path then what you thought there was.

 

My background, the condensed version. I was one of those that had a career picked out in high school and I never changed from it. I wanted to go into accounting and finance because I wanted to use that as a baseline to "branch out", except to be honest, I never have. It's just where I've been stuck for 20 years. More on that later.

 

I think any time you're in the situation you're in, you have to take a few "extra" classes (the intro ones) to see what really interests you. Does marketing? Business management? Accounting? (It's not math, contrary to what a lot of people tell you). Take some of those electives and see where it takes you because I think you will find that there's something there that you'll pick up on.

 

The BEST thing for you to do is find what you like and stick to it. The reason? It's not so much work. The accounting thing for me is work. It really is. I don't really like it, and the main reason I don't like it is because it always ends up in a political situation (ethical) situation I don't like. When you bite the hand that feeds you, you will get bitten.

 

I'll be perfectly blunt, and it probably sounds negative, but the "real world" is highly political. Everywhere. Office politics, how to get further and further down the career path, then you start to balance that out with family, etc. It gets hard. But it doesn't have to be. It's harder for me because I think I chose the wrong career. I am seriously thinking about what I want to do at almost 36, and I don't have a clue. It's not a place to be in with 2 kids, a house, two car payments, etc. So, explore and make that decision - and at least you're going into it with more of an open mind then I ever had.

 

Once you decide what's for you, dedicate yourself to it and the work you put into it early will pay off. Attend "extra" things in whatever profession you choose. Why? Networking. Colleges usually offer memberships to different things - use it. Once you land that first job, use the things that are out there for you to learn. If you do that very early, you will set yourself up very well.

 

On a personal note, if you're not comfortable with something, do it, especially in college. It's the place you can learn how to handle situations before you see it in the real world. You get do over's in college many times, you don't in the real world. Experience things. Make mistakes. Learn from them.

 

The whole premise here is that you're still at a place where you can do what you want to, but just don't let it overwhelm you. Just take things as they come, you'll find your way. Once you do, run with it.

Thank you for your respectful post. At no point throughout your post did I feel you were talking down to me at all. I appreciate your tone, especially for the reputation I used to carry around these boards.

 

You're right, I did grow up. Sure, I have my beliefs that I fully do not understand (like drinking, although now I accept people who do, and I will also probably have a few myself in a month on my 21st birthday...at U.S. Cellular Field!), and I do not know what I want to go into, but I think your piece of advice about trying different things might be "the best medicine for what is ailing me." In fact, I think I'm going to take your bit about taking intro classes seriously. I also think that I'm going to write on UIC's weekly publication because I do enjoy writing. Though they do not have a journalism major there, I think I might take the two English courses (ick, one literature class) that will allow me to get into their internship program for writing-based jobs that also fall under the category of business.

 

I will be willing to beef up my resume and do anything that is necessary to network. I just hope that things come eventually and not too late where I can find what I want to do. And I'm planning on running with it.

 

P.S. Your bit about doing things you're uncomfortable with is right. And I'm already doing that. I'm going out on dates with girls (after those two months needed to get over the previous relationships), will probably go out with the guys for some drinks, am going to work this summer full-time, and I'm just going to try new things. You're absolutely right, taking a risk never felt so good.

[knightni]

A lot of schools have placement tests that you can take, so that you aren't stuck in a core class that's too easy or too hard for you.

[southsider2k5]

Ross:

 

Its actually not a bad thing that you are experiencing this now and not later. One thing that I have learned in my professional life is that many times what you want to do with your life doesn't work out. Unlike our grandparents generation, odds are hugely in favor of you doing multiple different things with your life. To me the most important thing I got out of college wasn't the course work, but the learning and life skills. I have probably changed careers about 3 times within the same industry. For what I do things are constantly changing. The dirty secret about college is that no matter what you learn, you are going to go into the "real world" and they are going to re-teach you how to do things the way that they want them done anyway. The big thing that I got was the ability to learn. The end of college is only the beginning of your education. Heck as we speak I am studying for licensing exams with the NASD. Make sure you solidify your study techniques and figure out exactly how it is you learn best, because you will have no one to depend on but your self if you want to advance in whatever you get involved in. If you think you are doing it own your own now, it only gets worse.

 

For me the important thing was picking out something I knew would give me a chance to live a respectful life style financially, while still being material I was interested in, and could see myself dealing with on a daily basis. Looking back the activities I got into also made a large difference in my life, as they provided me with some valuable skills. My years in radio, and being a program director at the station, were huge. Don't cut those kind of things out if you still enjoy them. If you don't enjoy them, find something else you are interested in and try it out.

 

Finally, I know it sounds hard, because I did the same things at your age, but don't let it eat at you too much. At 19/20 years old, one simply doesn't have the foresight of being able to make these kind of decisions. You have no idea what life is going to throw at you, because every one's life is completely different. Do the best that you can today, and be ready to change things tomorrow. When it happens, it doesn't mean something is wrong, its just different. There isn't anything you can do about, so don't stress about it. Get that degree, keep working hard, and most important of all, enjoy these four years. Life completely changes when you are out of college, and you never get those years back. Soak them up as best as you can.

[Kyyle23]

Thank you for your respectful post. At no point throughout your post did I feel you were talking down to me at all. I appreciate your tone, especially for the reputation I used to carry around these boards.

 

You're right, I did grow up. Sure, I have my beliefs that I fully do not understand (like drinking, although now I accept people who do, and I will also probably have a few myself in a month on my 21st birthday...at U.S. Cellular Field!), and I do not know what I want to go into, but I think your piece of advice about trying different things might be "the best medicine for what is ailing me." In fact, I think I'm going to take your bit about taking intro classes seriously. I also think that I'm going to write on UIC's weekly publication because I do enjoy writing. Though they do not have a journalism major there, I think I might take the two English courses (ick, one literature class) that will allow me to get into their internship program for writing-based jobs that also fall under the category of business.

 

I will be willing to beef up my resume and do anything that is necessary to network. I just hope that things come eventually and not too late where I can find what I want to do. And I'm planning on running with it.

 

P.S. Your bit about doing things you're uncomfortable with is right. And I'm already doing that. I'm going out on dates with girls (after those two months needed to get over the previous relationships), will probably go out with the guys for some drinks, am going to work this summer full-time, and I'm just going to try new things. You're absolutely right, taking a risk never felt so good.

 

 

We are one month away from the apocalypse people. prepare thyself

[The Beast]

Ross:

 

Its actually not a bad thing that you are experiencing this now and not later. One thing that I have learned in my professional life is that many times what you want to do with your life doesn't work out. Unlike our grandparents generation, odds are hugely in favor of you doing multiple different things with your life. To me the most important thing I got out of college wasn't the course work, but the learning and life skills. I have probably changed careers about 3 times within the same industry. For what I do things are constantly changing. The dirty secret about college is that no matter what you learn, you are going to go into the "real world" and they are going to re-teach you how to do things the way that they want them done anyway. The big thing that I got was the ability to learn. The end of college is only the beginning of your education. Heck as we speak I am studying for licensing exams with the NASD. Make sure you solidify your study techniques and figure out exactly how it is you learn best, because you will have no one to depend on but your self if you want to advance in whatever you get involved in. If you think you are doing it own your own now, it only gets worse.

 

For me the important thing was picking out something I knew would give me a chance to live a respectful life style financially, while still being material I was interested in, and could see myself dealing with on a daily basis. Looking back the activities I got into also made a large difference in my life, as they provided me with some valuable skills. My years in radio, and being a program director at the station, were huge. Don't cut those kind of things out if you still enjoy them. If you don't enjoy them, find something else you are interested in and try it out.

 

Finally, I know it sounds hard, because I did the same things at your age, but don't let it eat at you too much. At 19/20 years old, one simply doesn't have the foresight of being able to make these kind of decisions. You have no idea what life is going to throw at you, because every one's life is completely different. Do the best that you can today, and be ready to change things tomorrow. When it happens, it doesn't mean something is wrong, its just different. There isn't anything you can do about, so don't stress about it. Get that degree, keep working hard, and most important of all, enjoy these four years. Life completely changes when you are out of college, and you never get those years back. Soak them up as best as you can.

I guess my issue is that UIC doesn't have a journalism program. I know they have a paper, and I know it is only weekly. I've often thought about writing PR reports, too. However, I would like to get a background in business so that I can adapt to writing in a business setting. As of right now, my goals are to improve my writing, vocabulary, and overall, just to move forward in life. I'm just unsure if the reason why I didn't want to write for the Daily Eastern News anymore was because the material they were giving me was dry, or for the fact that no one gives a crap about sports at this school.

 

Thank you for your post; I'm going to consider a lot of what you've said.

 

@kyyle: I'm just proving to you guys that I'm not as narrow minded as I was last year.

Edited March 10, 2009 by The Beast

[Kyyle23]

I guess my issue is that UIC doesn't have a journalism program. I know they have a paper, and I know it is only weekly. I've often thought about writing PR reports, too. However, I would like to get a background in business so that I can adapt to writing in a business setting. As of right now, my goals are to improve my writing, vocabulary, and overall, just to move forward in life. I'm just unsure if the reason why I didn't want to write for the Daily Eastern News anymore was because the material they were giving me was dry, or for the fact that no one gives a crap about sports at this school.

 

Thank you for your post; I'm going to consider a lot of what you've said.

 

@kyyle: I'm just proving to you guys that I'm not as narrow minded as I was last year.

 

College will change your mind occassionally. Props to you for at least giving it a try, and at the same time waiting until you were of age.

 

 

If you become a raging alcoholic, its not my fault

[shipps]

College will change your mind occassionally. Props to you for at least giving it a try, and at the same time waiting until you were of age.

 

 

If you become a raging alcoholic, its not my fault

 

Well its your god damn fault I am a raging alchoholic.

[Kyyle23]

Well its your god damn fault I am a raging alchoholic.

 

That was on purpose.

 

Go look at some nurses from the naughty closet and cool down

[southsider2k5]

I guess my issue is that UIC doesn't have a journalism program. I know they have a paper, and I know it is only weekly. I've often thought about writing PR reports, too. However, I would like to get a background in business so that I can adapt to writing in a business setting. As of right now, my goals are to improve my writing, vocabulary, and overall, just to move forward in life. I'm just unsure if the reason why I didn't want to write for the Daily Eastern News anymore was because the material they were giving me was dry, or for the fact that no one gives a crap about sports at this school.

 

Thank you for your post; I'm going to consider a lot of what you've said.

 

@kyyle: I'm just proving to you guys that I'm not as narrow minded as I was last year.

 

If its because you are worried about what other people think, stop it. If no one else gives a care, that is their problem, not yours.

[The Beast]

If its because you are worried about what other people think, stop it. If no one else gives a care, that is their problem, not yours.

The fact of the matter is that I have not had a drink yet and have declined to do so until my 21st birthday. I've pretty much stopped caring about what everyone thinks, too. Sorry I mentioned alcohol, because I really wanted to focus on academics here.

 

Edit: On my run today, I was thinking about Psychology. I don't know, I have this gift about listening to people and offering advice. Sure, there is more to that, but for someone who can analyze someone's feelings, it might be a good job to look into. I think the reason I've been so anxious in classes and bored in school is because I haven't been interested in anything we've studied in English or Communication outside of the gen eds that I took last year. Maybe I should take some Psychology and Business courses next semester.

Edited March 10, 2009 by The Beast

[StrangeSox]

I guess my issue is that UIC doesn't have a journalism program. I know they have a paper, and I know it is only weekly. I've often thought about writing PR reports, too. However, I would like to get a background in business so that I can adapt to writing in a business setting. As of right now, my goals are to improve my writing, vocabulary, and overall, just to move forward in life. I'm just unsure if the reason why I didn't want to write for the Daily Eastern News anymore was because the material they were giving me was dry, or for the fact that no one gives a crap about sports at this school.

 

Thank you for your post; I'm going to consider a lot of what you've said.

 

@kyyle: I'm just proving to you guys that I'm not as narrow minded as I was last year.

 

My girlfriend majored in English Lit at UIC and is currently working as an editor; you don't necessarily need a journalism degree to get into that line of work. If you want to stick with that path, take their internship class. It's run by Linda Andrews, IIRC.

[G&T]

The fact of the matter is that I have not had a drink yet and have declined to do so until my 21st birthday. I've pretty much stopped caring about what everyone thinks, too. Sorry I mentioned alcohol, because I really wanted to focus on academics here.

 

Edit: On my run today, I was thinking about Psychology. I don't know, I have this gift about listening to people and offering advice. Sure, there is more to that, but for someone who can analyze someone's feelings, it might be a good job to look into. I think the reason I've been so anxious in classes and bored in school is because I haven't been interested in anything we've studied in English or Communication outside of the gen eds that I took last year. Maybe I should take some Psychology and Business courses next semester.

 

If you want to listen to people and write, there's always law school. That way you can punt and take any major that gets you to graduation. English and history majors are quite popular in law school. Law degrees can open a lot of doors even if you don't want to be a lawyer.

[The Beast]

My girlfriend majored in English Lit at UIC and is currently working as an editor; you don't necessarily need a journalism degree to get into that line of work. If you want to stick with that path, take their internship class. It's run by Linda Andrews, IIRC.

I wonder what would happen if I took an English minor (because I don't know how much of the English literature that I could stomach) or at least take the bare minimum of courses required to get into that internship. I remember seeing that internship class when I was researching UIC.

 

If you want to listen to people and write, there's always law school. That way you can punt and take any major that gets you to graduation. English and history majors are quite popular in law school. Law degrees can open a lot of doors even if you don't want to be a lawyer.

I thought about your idea, too. What kind of doors do they open up?

Edited March 11, 2009 by The Beast

[Y2HH]

College and career come down to two basic, but very important choices.

 

Are you the type that want's to "love your work" or are you the type that "wants to make money"? I say this because, more often than not, the two do not mix. If you can be one of the few that finds that kind of lightning in a bottle, more power to ya, but throughout my career I've found that usually doesn't happen. A lot of people toss around the words, "I love my job", but in reality, they don't...they merely claim to love it. If you loved your job, you wouldn't care what money you made, you wouldn't b**** about raises, bonuses, etc. I don't charge my family/friends to hang out, I do that for free, because I love them. I'd never *EVER* do that for my job, regardless of circumstance. I do that to get paid. Period.

 

I know some will disagree with my point of view on this, as is their right, but this is the way I see it.

 

I live by the philosophy that I work to live, not live to work. I like my job, because I work on computers/information systems, and I've always loved computers, but I do not love my job. I have no room in my life to love my job. Love is reserved for family/friends. Those are my basic priorities.

 

Again, if you can be one of the very few lucky ones, go for it...but if not, I'd recommend to working to live, not the other way around.

Edited March 11, 2009 by Y2HH

[bigruss]

College and career come down to two basic, but very important choices.

 

Are you the type that want's to "love your work" or are you the type that "wants to make money"? I say this because, more often than not, the two do not mix. If you can be one of the few that finds that kind of lightning in a bottle, more power to ya, but throughout my career I've found that usually doesn't happen. A lot of people toss around the words, "I love my job", but in reality, they don't...they merely claim to love it. If you loved your job, you wouldn't care what money you made, you wouldn't b**** about raises, bonuses, etc. I don't charge my family/friends to hang out, I do that for free, because I love them. I'd never *EVER* do that for my job, regardless of circumstance. I do that to get paid. Period.

 

I know some will disagree with my point of view on this, as is their right, but this is the way I see it.

 

I live by the philosophy that I work to live, not live to work. I like my job, because I work on computers/information systems, and I've always loved computers, but I do not love my job. I have no room in my life to love my job. Love is reserved for family/friends. Those are my basic priorities.

Again, if you can be one of the very few lucky ones, go for it...but if not, I'd recommend to working to live, not the other way around.

I think you need to atleast like what you do though, otherwise the emotional toll of doing something you dislike or hate every single day will break you down. But I get what youre saying.

 

Actually, I know a mechanic for Lotus who got into the field because he loved working on cars as a hobby, turns out he wishes that was still just his hobby, not his profession because now he lost his hobby to work. If that makes sense.

[Y2HH]

I think you need to atleast like what you do though, otherwise the emotional toll of doing something you dislike or hate every single day will break you down. But I get what youre saying.

 

Actually, I know a mechanic for Lotus who got into the field because he loved working on cars as a hobby, turns out he wishes that was still just his hobby, not his profession because now he lost his hobby to work. If that makes sense.

 

Makes perfect sense. And I do agree, you should absolutely like what you do, I'm just not so sure about throwing the word love around when talking about a job is realistic. At least, for me, it's not.

[nitetrain8601]

Just a quick thought. If you like writing, I think you should be an English major. I would also suggest you look into some Sociology classes. Those, to me, were always classes that were interesting because you would debate regular everyday issues while not having to get deep technical terms that psychology loves to give. It's not so much reading a person, but reading a group of people. The Sociology classes at UIC were always interesting and fun to me. I enjoyed every one of them.

 

Overall though, I'm not so sure you're interested in school as of yet. It seems like you are more interested in just doing something so you can make money. I would find something I'm really interested in if I have to take the next 4 years of my life studying it and possibly taking a career in it. If you don't, it's going to be some tough times.

[G&T]

I thought about your idea, too. What kind of doors do they open up?

 

JD's are useful in a lot of professions. If you decided to get an MBA, having a JD/MBA is extremely marketable. If you want to teach, a JD is a teaching degree for college. If you want to write (about law) you will have that at your disposal. Of course, it is also quite expensive.

 

There are also jobs within the legal community that are not lawyer jobs. But at your age, I don't think you should aim to be a Westlaw trainer.

 

Here is an article that discuses both sides of it.

[kapkomet]

JD's are useful in a lot of professions. If you decided to get an MBA, having a JD/MBA is extremely marketable. If you want to teach, a JD is a teaching degree for college. If you want to write (about law) you will have that at your disposal. Of course, it is also quite expensive.

 

There are also jobs within the legal community that are not lawyer jobs. But at your age, I don't think you should aim to be a Westlaw trainer.

 

Here is an article that discuses both sides of it.

Meh, not as much as you'd think, from what I understand.

 

[The Beast]

Just a quick thought. If you like writing, I think you should be an English major. I would also suggest you look into some Sociology classes. Those, to me, were always classes that were interesting because you would debate regular everyday issues while not having to get deep technical terms that psychology loves to give. It's not so much reading a person, but reading a group of people. The Sociology classes at UIC were always interesting and fun to me. I enjoyed every one of them.

 

Overall though, I'm not so sure you're interested in school as of yet. It seems like you are more interested in just doing something so you can make money. I would find something I'm really interested in if I have to take the next 4 years of my life studying it and possibly taking a career in it. If you don't, it's going to be some tough times.

All I hope is that at UIC, I will be more comfortable there and happier there. I don't think I've been very happy at EIU because Charleston is a small town where there hardly are any restaurants and just an overall lousy atmosphere (from my point of view). I don't want to bash the university too much because I know someone on this board who attended the school and is successful.

 

nitetrain, you may be right about being an English major; however, I just am not seeing the connection between me hating reading and talking courses that are based around reading. I was terribly bored in my Intro to Lit Studies class and would have to go through all of the literature classes to get a degree. I read on UIC's website that there's only two courses that you need to get a writing internship, and I plan on just stomaching them because they are literature. I have always been intrigued by the prospect of being a psychologist, an excellent teacher, an editor, a sports writer for the Tribune (yes, like Rogers or Morrissey), or even something with law.

 

Only time will tell what happens, but I'm just glad that my head is on a bit more straight than 2 years ago. I'm glad that I didn't stay at home and go to the College of DuPage (which isn't a bad starting point for some), but I didn't want to go to NIU, WIU, SIU and I couldn't get into U of I with the ACT score, so it made the decision kind of tough. When it came down to EIU and UIC, I chose EIU because I had no idea what else I should do. I never checked out ISU, but I think the city of Chicago is where I've wanted to be all along. I've always smiled at the thought of living in a big city, even if that means I wouldn't be in the typical college environment.

 

Might I ask what you did for a major? (And a career) I think next semester all I'm going to do is take general education requirements and electives from various areas that I'm interested in.

 

I do appreciate all of the posts. Thank you.

[farmteam]

Meh, not as much as you'd think, from what I understand.

 

 

Why do you say that? I'm thinking about law school right now (I'm a sophomore), and if I do that I'd end up thinking about a JD-MBA, as I'm a business major.

[StrangeSox]

Beast, you can choose your focus with the English degree AFAIK. You could choose to do an English writing focus instead. Sure, you'd probably have to take some lit. classes, but the majority would be focused on what you're interested in.

 

Might I ask what you did for a major? (And a career) I think next semester all I'm going to do is take general education requirements and electives from various areas that I'm interested in.

 

That sounds like a great idea to me. Best of luck.

Edited March 11, 2009 by StrangeSox

[daa84]

you're career isn't necessarily going to be limited to what you majored in. I have friends who majored in history and are in med school. I know a guy who majored in chemical engineering and now is working for Humana (not as an engineer)....no matter what major you chose, there are still plenty of different paths you can take. Virtually any major can apply and be accepted to many grad schools (MBA, JD, MD)...however there are prereqs that you will need to take regardless of your major