So, I'm at an interesting point in my college career. I'm a freshman, so I have time to curate internships, jobs, courses, etc. I'm currently transferring to another school. However, I'm stuck between two majors— environmental sciences or neurosciences. I feel a fell sense of community with those in the psychological sciences, but I feel like I may be better fit towards the environmental sciences. I like lab work, and from my memory, environmental science labs tend to be more outdoors which I like. Is there anybody with a little advice for deciding a major? I don't want to rush things, but I'd like to declare before sophomore year starts this August/September.
They both appear to be good degrees (I determined by Google) so go with what you think you will enjoy. If I were young and had it to do over again I'd spend an extra two years getting a Master's Degree, for what it's worth.
pick something you're interested in and enjoy, something that lets you create and explore. otherwise, if you pick something just because you think it will make you rich, you will always be disappointed, even if it does.
Meh. It depends on the person and why they're going for a college career. Of course going for something that doesn't interest you whatsoever seems unwise. Wether it should be creative etc. depends on motive and such.
Unless you are highly talented in the arts and intend a career as an actor or musician, a science degree is the best option. Subjects such as media studies are a complete waste of time and employers rarely see business studies as worth more than spending a few years in the business environment. Don't forget that a science degree also involves mathematics that are a key component in any business.
When I took environmental policy, one of the pitfalls of that industry I discovered is finding a viable place of employment. Shouldn't be a problem if you're able to move for work though. The way I discovered this was part of an interesting assignment where we had to find a real job listing where policy plays a role. You could do a similar search catering to your specific interests in that field. One of the tools I used when I was deciding my major was employability. I did research on which careers had not only adequate pay but also high rates of employment opportunity. I looked at the best statistics I could find which were here U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics One place I looked when I was doing my assignment for Environmental Science was here USAJOBS - Search you can use the filters on the right side of the screen to make your search more precise.
Getting out of school with soul crushing student debt you cant ever pay off because you picked a creative field in a bad job market with low earning potential isnt preferable either (if OP had to take out loans, that is) Best approach is to make the most practical decision possible - what will you enjoy doing that will also afford you the life you want? And is the job outlook good?
a lot of jobs still require a bachelor's degree, although a lot of times it doesn't matter what it's in. so there's a good chunk of jobs out there that will gladly hire someone no matter what their major was.
Yeah, I'd like to work as a researcher, specifically developmental neuroscience (for neuro) or ecology/climate science (for ES).
Back in my school days, less than one in fifty people went on to university and the majority of them went on to become doctors or teachers. From the late 70's the percentage rose to about seventy and what you mentioned started to become very true. Since government funding of universities was withdrawn about 10 years ago, a degree leaves students op to £20,000 in debt, so the entire attitude has changed. As a result of the costs, employers accept that they have to have to pay a higher salary for degree qualified staff, so their is now a far greater emphasis on the relevance of qualifications. As you know, we are in the UK, so things may still be different in your part of the world.
^ yeah, i don't think we're there yet. there doesn't seem to be much expectation that a degree necessarily equals a higher salary, and it is still a requirement (or at least heavily favored) for a lot of jobs that don't actually need college educated workers.
It's sad because it seems like higher education has become a business rather than a place of academic and personal growth. At least, that's been my experience so far. I haven't been thrilled to say the least.
While I hear what you say, a high percentage of young people went to university in the 80's and 90's as a soft option to finding a job. The standards fell so low that it was almost unbelievable. I have come across guys with a degree in electrical engineering who could not wire a plug. A few years ago, I helped a guy complete a dissertation on twin electron fluorescence. The subject was of no practical use whatsoever and the guy came out with a PhD. For my part, I finished school at 18 and went on to study cardiology. 3 years later I moved over to an engineering career in the film industry. During the last 47 years I have designed equipment for major film studios, run 14 Royal Film Performances, and designed 2 award winning theaters. In my spare time, I designed systems for Heathrow Airport as well as Nuclear Power Stations, and I still work in the latest advances in cardiac surgery. A degree offers a good start in life, but it by no means ends there. Even today, my level of understanding increases day by day far faster than in my college days. My only formal qualification is a fellowship as a chartered engineer.
