college major, advice?

forgop · 09-25-2011, 12:15 PM

I've often been amazed at the number of majors out there that people will go to college and rack up lots of debt to pay for meaningless degrees. My advice would be to figure out exactly what it is that you want to do and see if those jobs hire people with those degrees.

Also take into consideration today's economy and structure of outsourcing/contracting to determine who secure a job in that field is. Having worked in logistics previously, it's a department that some companies may very well dump to "cut heads" and have someone else do. I've seen it happen. I've worked in procurement for a few years and in my last position, we were deemed an expense, regardless of how many millions we saved the company. A department of 13 people when I hired in 2 years previously was dismantled to just 4 in less than 2.5 years.

For example, someone interested in psychology may go pursue a B.S. in psychology, only to realize you'll need a masters if not a PhD to do anything within the field of psychology.

Just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into knowing what expectations employers have with regards to education.

icehog3 · 09-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

My advice would be to figure out exactly what it is that you want to do and see if those jobs hire people with those degrees.

How many people know "exactly what they want to do" for the rest of their life at age 21?

Devanmc · 09-25-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

How many people know "exactly what they want to do" for the rest of their life at age 21?

i do know that i wanna make money and not be poor.

forgop · 09-25-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

How many people know "exactly what they want to do" for the rest of their life at age 21?

True-I guess at least he should think of a range of occupations he could see himself doing. Of course, I say this at 37 years of age going back to school for a career change as I spent 10 years doing stuff I didn't like at all. I guess if anything, I'm all for advising someone to not follow my footsteps in getting a B.S. and M.S. in a field and 10 years later changing careers. It's pretty pricey that way.

A lot of this is all due to circumstances in my life that changed my perception of things though. Had I not lost 4 of my closest family members in an 18 month window, I never would have given nursing much thought. I couldn't save any of them, but maybe I could help save someone else.

09-25-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

True-I guess at least he should think of a range of occupations he could see himself doing. Of course, I say this at 37 years of age going back to school for a career change as I spent 10 years doing stuff I didn't like at all. I guess if anything, I'm all for advising someone to not follow my footsteps in getting a B.S. and M.S. in a field and 10 years later changing careers. It's pretty pricey that way.

Which is why Devan should take a valid interest inventory. An aptitude test would surely help as well.

Powers · 09-25-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

I've often been amazed at the number of majors out there that people will go to college and rack up lots of debt to pay for meaningless degrees.

I guess my history & poli sci degree is worthless

My advice: like cigars, do/study/smoke what you like and let the rest fall in place

forgop · 09-25-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFPowersmoker320

I guess my history & poli sci degree is worthless

My advice: like cigars, do/study/smoke what you like and let the rest fall in place

Didn't say your degrees are worthless at all. What I'm saying is there are a lot of degrees out there that really won't get you into a position in the field at all or they're in a field where there's no money to be made.

If your history/poli sci degrees allowed you to be in a position that's provided for you and your family and you've enjoyed them, there's not a whole lot more you can ask for.

Loon · 09-25-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

I've often been amazed at the number of majors out there that people will go to college and rack up lots of debt to pay for meaningless degrees. My advice would be to figure out exactly what it is that you want to do and see if those jobs hire people with those degrees.

That's funny right there.

forgop · 09-25-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loon

That's funny right there.

It wasn't meant to be funny. I'm just aware of the reality that many students go into a major only to graduate and find out they're unable to get a job they were hoping for actually.

09-25-2011, 12:15 PM	#1
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: college major, advice? I've often been amazed at the number of majors out there that people will go to college and rack up lots of debt to pay for meaningless degrees. My advice would be to figure out exactly what it is that you want to do and see if those jobs hire people with those degrees. Also take into consideration today's economy and structure of outsourcing/contracting to determine who secure a job in that field is. Having worked in logistics previously, it's a department that some companies may very well dump to "cut heads" and have someone else do. I've seen it happen. I've worked in procurement for a few years and in my last position, we were deemed an expense, regardless of how many millions we saved the company. A department of 13 people when I hired in 2 years previously was dismantled to just 4 in less than 2.5 years. For example, someone interested in psychology may go pursue a B.S. in psychology, only to realize you'll need a masters if not a PhD to do anything within the field of psychology. Just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into knowing what expectations employers have with regards to education.