Did you choose your college major based on salary projection or love of the field?
I was reading this evening the advice of an education/business writer that one should not invest so much time and money in an education that will not support the lifestyle they would lke to have. In effect, choose something that will pay more money. How did you choose your major? I think that that is really a sad choice to perhaps spend ones life doing something that is not a first or even second choice of career, but the reality of the situation is the debt incurred pursuing a dead or dying profession (forgive me, the examples given, architecture and teaching).
I'm going into education (eventually administration), enough said I didn't do it for the pay. In all actuality, it's quite sad that educators receive such low pay. But I truthfully love teaching, and they say when one loves their job, they never work a day in their life. Moving on :)
I thought to myself: what would be the most stressful 4 year degree I could get? Then paid a boatload of money to abuse myself. 13 years later and I'm still paying it off.
But I wouldn't change a thing.
My first major was based on the highest starting salary. 2 D's and a C later, and I found a different calling.
I got a degree in Theatre before changing to Comp Sci, so I guess I did both.
No, but it turned out good that way.
Both. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, so that narrowed my list of possible majors down to a few specific ones. Then I knew I wasn't going for my Md. Too much school and too much debt. So one of the next highest paying fields, along with a growing market and demand is nursing. Add to the fact that I'm a guy, and I won't likely have to look too long for a job. I'll be able to do what I like and have enough money to be able to support a good life for me and anyone I might wind up sharing it with down the road. I just have to finish school uggggghhhhhhhhhh.
I chose pharmacy because I wanted to respond to the question "what do you do for a living?" with "I'm a professional drug dealer"
Little bit of both, for me. I started out in plastics, and I've gone all over the tech field from there. Still enjoying what I do!
Hmm... I chose my field because of my passion. I've always been fascinated with the American political system, and government. It is interesting how the things we take for granted in this country are such a "radical" idea that our forefathers came up with. The peaceful transfer of power that has existed in this country is something that during the nation's establishment was unheard of (even today, peaceful transfers of powers aren't always a norm!).
I now hold a B.A. in Political Science. I'm in the process of either going to law school or attempting a Masters of Public Admin / Political Science to further my education. It seems like a B.A. in PoliSci just doesn't provide -- and doesn't lands a job either. At least with a Master's you can teach PoliSci. I just have to prepare for the debt! Which I guess will be for the better, in the long run.
@rprebel: I was a Fine Arts/Theatre major also - for awhile. Changed to business when I recognized I just did not have what it would take - and then to boot, might not make it for reasons other than my own endeavors. Tough major for most in the performing area. I am a person who needs to see the benefits/results of what I do, and as much as I loved the theatre and all that entails, I was just not satisfied on a personal level.
@underinsomnia: So were my father and grandfather. Wish I had thought of that saying!!
It started that way, as A mechanical engineering major, but after a semester I hated it and changed majors to what I was told would be a major pay cut when I graduated, and now, 4 years later, I'm a Mass Communications Major with minors in Public Relations and History. Hoping to make it in the PR field, and make about the same money as I would entry level as a Mechanical Engineer in my area!
I didn't know what I wanted to do when I started college, so I began taking pre-reqs. I stumbled into an intro course on computer programming and discovered I have a talent for it. On top of that, there was an increasing demand in the field and the time so I went for it. So in the end my choice was based on what I was good at as well as my ability to find a job in the field. In retrospect, I can't complain. I am generally happy with my job. It is continually challenging and pays pretty good.
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