Pick Ambrose's major!

[OnlyAmbrose]

Just something I'm thinking about right now.

Some of you know that i'm graduating high school this year and probably headed to the University of San Diego, likely on the NROTC scholarship. That means I have 5 years of military service afterwards, at which time I can either choose to continue a military career or get honorable discharge and pursue civilian life.

As of right now I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I put down Journalism for my major, but that's probably going to change. I just can't decide what I want to major in, so let's hear your input!

My interests:

Journalism- I love writing and I love politics. English majors are kinda useless IMO, but you can actually make a career out of journalism. I'm told, however, that this is a very competitive field.

History- Probably my favorite subject. I think if I was picking a major purely out of what I'm interested in it would be History with a focus on naval history between 1774 and 1815. Unfortunately I can't think of any career path in which this would be useful aside from being a history teacher. And I'd feel kinda useless as a history teacher just because I'd just be teaching more kids how to be history majors. So yeah. I love history as an interest, but so far it doesn't seem practical as a major.

Physics- I am EXTREMELY interested in Physics, especially in relation to the motion of planets, and I'm in my second year of Physics in high school. Unfortunately, I'm mostly self-taught because my teacher has been horrible. I just don't feel confident enough to major in this subject because this guy has seriously scarred my love of science... which is a shame, but that's how it is.

Those are the three I'm seriously considering right now.... but if you want to toss in other suggestions go for it. I know there's a large body of history majors here, so i'm pretty interested in how you guys put bread on the table

[reminisco]

go with History, then go to law school.

journalism is a dying field, and something you can still get into with a History degree (i did).

Physics could be good, but unless you wanna design weapon systems, maybe not. you're more likely to get a job with an engineering degree, perhaps mechanical engineering.

[Neoteny]

HARD SCIENCE FOR THE WIN! You know you want to...

[muy_thaiguy]

You could try Military History (Naval and such like you said), plus, there is the field of archeology and Historians for History Degrees.

[spurgistan]

I'm not a science major (far, far from it) but if you're legitimately interested in it, I'd go with it. Not like you'll be that far behind even if your teacher in high school sucked, seeing as high school science/math really doesn't have a whole lot to do with college science/math. Not so much of a building thing as a seeing-what-you're-interested-in thing. At least, that's how I see it. Follow your heart

[bradleybadly]

From reading your other posts I think you would also do well in philosophy. You argue pretty well so maybe you should go into law and get paid for it.

[Hologram]

I'd go with military history strictly from a pragmatic view of you're going into the military, but only if you want to commit to making a career out of the military.

Also, I noticed that it was the NROTC, and I hope you consider the Marine option, and if you do, I hope to see in the fleet someday.

/edit: I read the rest of you post and noticed the physics bit. I would consider engineering as it's extremely useful in both the military and civilian world. Maybe minor in history just for fun, seeing as you're getting a military scholarship.

[MeDeFe]

If you manage not to fail every test during your first term studying physics, you'll do fine. University natural sciences have nothing to do with what you get taught at school, I know a few people who study physics, among them two who consistently got best marks in mathematics and physics at school, they completely failed in the first term at university. One who'd only gotten average marks at school, however, passed the tests.

[btownmeggy]

Do NOT major in journalism.

History. Fine. You don't have to be a history teacher. Very few history majors ever are. It's just something fun to study while you get the college degree that will allow you to get an office job (and in your case, become an officer.)

Physics. Be careful. If you're interested in physics, take ONE physics class your first semester. All the rest of your classes should be humanities and social sciences. I have seen ill-conceived notions of majoring in physics, or bio, or chemistry, or "pre-med" (fake major), cause people to drop out of school because they took 3 natural science classes their first semester and FAILED, of course.

And realize, you don't actually have to decide this until your junior year!

[Anarkistsdream]

Do NOT major in journalism.

History. Fine. You don't have to be a history teacher. Very few history majors ever are. It's just something fun to study while you get the college degree that will allow you to get an office job (and in your case, become an officer.)

Physics. Be careful. If you're interested in physics, take ONE physics class your first semester. All the rest of your classes should be humanities and social sciences. I have seen ill-conceived notions of majoring in physics, or bio, or chemistry, or "pre-med" (fake major), cause people to drop out of school because they took 3 natural science classes their first semester and FAILED, of course.

And realize, you don't actually have to decide this until your junior year!

Why not Journalism? That is my field.

http://ascareers.okstate.edu/pdf/Journa ... asting.pdf

http://ascareers.okstate.edu/pdf/Advertising.pdf

http://ascareers.okstate.edu/pdf/PublicRelations.pdf

[btownmeggy]

Do NOT major in journalism.

History. Fine. You don't have to be a history teacher. Very few history majors ever are. It's just something fun to study while you get the college degree that will allow you to get an office job (and in your case, become an officer.)

Physics. Be careful. If you're interested in physics, take ONE physics class your first semester. All the rest of your classes should be humanities and social sciences. I have seen ill-conceived notions of majoring in physics, or bio, or chemistry, or "pre-med" (fake major), cause people to drop out of school because they took 3 natural science classes their first semester and FAILED, of course.

And realize, you don't actually have to decide this until your junior year!

Why not Journalism? That is my field.

[Anarkistsdream]

Do NOT major in journalism.

History. Fine. You don't have to be a history teacher. Very few history majors ever are. It's just something fun to study while you get the college degree that will allow you to get an office job (and in your case, become an officer.)

Physics. Be careful. If you're interested in physics, take ONE physics class your first semester. All the rest of your classes should be humanities and social sciences. I have seen ill-conceived notions of majoring in physics, or bio, or chemistry, or "pre-med" (fake major), cause people to drop out of school because they took 3 natural science classes their first semester and FAILED, of course.

And realize, you don't actually have to decide this until your junior year!

Why not Journalism? That is my field.

Journalism is one of the most versatile careers around.

Everybody thinks all you can do is write for a newspaper or magazine or be a news anchor.

Journalism is the basis for all forms of mass communications, and is therefore a field that is growing exponentially as all the world becomes one huge, connected organism.

[Neoteny]

I seriously considered science journalism (and still do from time to time). Perhaps you can find a way to combine a few of your interests.

[suggs]

In the UK (but in US firms, like Merrill Lynch) a good arts degree will get you a great job in the city (stock broking, investment banking, management consulting-although for the latter i am less sure about- foreign exchange markets etc.

Its a common misconception that English, History, Languages, Philosophy don't lead to good careers. Practically anyone in the major service indusrties has an arts degree (largely because they just show you're bright, and can apply your self intensivley to critical thinking/projects etc

Obviously if younhave no interest in the financial sector, thats of no real use to you.
But if you want to make big bucks, then get an arts degree, or go to law school (or arts degree then law conversion).

The CRUCIAL thing is to get a good degree, from a well respected university.
I realise the social scientists will disagree, but an old fashioned arts degree (eg English) still has more credibility in the market place than Social Sciences etc (the newer arts)
I appreciate thats unfair,and prejuduced. And it is changing.
But purely from a finacial view, you would be better off doing Hostory than say, psychology.

But the most important thing, job wise, is a good degree (a "B" or we call them 2:1 or above) from an old, respected university.

If you dont care too much about making money , then just do the degree that you think will be the most interesting-or what you think you are best at.
I suspect a degree course in the Napoleonic Wars might be hard to find though.
I'm bias as hell, as i love history, so do history, and then make a fortune at Merrill Lynch

[whitestazn88]

political science

if you like history and politics, this could be great for you

you can still get a journalism job with this

[Anarkistsdream]

I agree with suggs on most counts.

However, this is all dependent on what educational level you plan on achieving.

If you are looking to stop after a bachelor's degree, suggs is right, don't do psychology.

However, if you are planning on going for your Master's or a PhD, Psychology will take you much farther and pay much more than an English degree.

There are occupational therapists, sports psychologists, etc etc.

I think this would be true with most degrees.

Of course, if money is your main goal, stopping at a Bachelor's degree is stupid no matter what.

[Anarkistsdream]

political science

if you like history and politics, this could be great for you

you can still get a journalism job with this

Although it helps, most journalism has nothing to do with politics unless you want to write for a paper.

And, as I said, that is a very small portion of what journalism can offer.

[suggs]

Yeah fair point anarkist.
Though you mean the other way round, right-your last point i mean.

If you want to make money, there is NO point going further than a BA. In the Uk, at least, a Masters or PHd wont help you getting a job.
Unless, as you say, you want to specialise in psychology, etc, then its essentia lthat you do a further degree.
But if you just want tomake a fat pile of cash, just get a good BA, then hit the job market.

[Anarkistsdream]

Yeah fair point anarkist.
Though you mean the other way round, right-your last point i mean.

If you want to make money, there is NO point going further than a BA. In the Uk, at least, a Masters or PHd wont help you getting a job.
Unless, as you say, you want to specialise in psychology, etc, then its essentia lthat you do a further degree.
But if you just want tomake a fat pile of cash, just get a good BA, then hit the job market.

Hmmm, no, I meant it the way I said, but the job markets between there and here are considerably different.

Not to mention, an education in the UK or other parts of Europe would be held in far higher esteem than an education from the southern US... Us rednecks and all. *spits in spitoon*

[MeDeFe]

Yeah fair point anarkist.
Though you mean the other way round, right-your last point i mean.

If you want to make money, there is NO point going further than a BA. In the Uk, at least, a Masters or PHd wont help you getting a job.
Unless, as you say, you want to specialise in psychology, etc, then its essentia lthat you do a further degree.
But if you just want tomake a fat pile of cash, just get a good BA, then hit the job market.

Hmmm, no, I meant it the way I said, but the job markets between there and here are considerably different.

Not to mention, an education in the UK or other parts of Europe would be held in far higher esteem than an education from the southern US... Us rednecks and all. *spits in spitoon*

At least you didn't spit on the floor, there might be hope for you yet.

[MR. Nate]

Because most people who get a journalism degree don't get to be journalists, they spend their lives as beat writers. Not that that isn't a necessary and noble profession, but the hours, pay and job security leave a lot to be desired. Of course, no matter what your degree is in, you're not locked into that field, it's just a jumping off point.

I've got a major in communications, which is a bit broader, but I only took that because it allowed the most electives, so I could study whatever I wanted. I'd take a physics class and a history class my first semester, see what I liked, what I was good at, and go from there.

[Anarkistsdream]

Because most people who get a journalism degree don't get to be journalists, they spend their lives as beat writers. Not that that isn't a necessary and noble profession, but the hours, pay and job security leave a lot to be desired.

I have to say it again. Most people with a journalism degree are not reporters. Why do people have this ridiculous misconception?

It's things like Citizen Kane that give people that preconception, and it is incorrect.

[suggs]

YEAH WHAT A PILE OF CRAP THAT FILM WAS

[0ojakeo0]

study this history of physics and write about it while in the military.

HA i win

[The Gunslinger]

Because most people who get a journalism degree don't get to be journalists, they spend their lives as beat writers. Not that that isn't a necessary and noble profession, but the hours, pay and job security leave a lot to be desired.

I have to say it again. Most people with a journalism degree are not reporters. Why do people have this ridiculous misconception?

It's things like Citizen Kane that give people that preconception, and it is incorrect.

im interested in journalism. what other jobs can it get you