Choosing a career and Major???

[Riley]

I start school pretty soon. I dont have a major. It seems everyone else does. Most people in orientation want to become teachers. I have always liked writing poetry and short stories, I also have an idea for a tv show(I just cant make myself start writing it & believe me I have TONS of time) anyway b/c of that I almost feel like I HAVE to be a writer b/c I am good @ it/ But im not sure if thats what I want to do. Other careers that interest me are: social worker, psychologist, or plastic surgeon. I know its all over the place. Even if I became a writer I would still need a "real" job b/c writing isnt necessarily a solid income. I have a headache Im so confused. Should I take different courses and see how much I like them, but I heard that doesnt help either. Ive also taken a million personality and career test. Whats the best way to choose a career/major?

[xmrth]

The way that I see writers... is that you've got to be really far into it and have a bunch of things done before you can just decide if you want to be or not. But don't let that stop you of course-- it could always be something you do on the side, just maybe not a concentration. That's only from what I myself have realized about writers, and you might have realized it yourself in others.

I think anything in the medical field would pay well and be full of great experiences. Or you could take all the catecories you've listed and find similar jobs so that you've got a wider range to choose from.. and read up on all of them. That's a good way to figure out a path to go in a career.

[Cadence308]

Most people change their major in college at least once. So even though it seems like most of your friends know what they want to do, they will change their majors. I was one of the few that decided on a major before I started and actually completed that major. However, now my interests are different. I am going back to school to study something else after doing my BS and MSc degrees in the same things. The bottom line is that people change.

 

I would suggest beginning college taking your general education requirements. Those classes tend to be about the same for everyone, regardless of major. Most universities require writing, math, science, humanities, diversity, and some require foreign language classes. That is a great way to learn what you like and don't like.

 

Another thing you can do to find out what you want to do is get some job experience. If you are planning on going to medical school you will need volunteer experience, clinical experience, and research experience.

 

For me, I had chosen a major, but never quite decided on what I wanted to become. I volunteered at hospitals, got a job doing research, did internships, etc. By doing those things, it helped me weed out exactly what I didn't want to be doing. It was simply a process of elimination.

 

Good luck and don't stress too much about not knowing what you want to become right away. That's very normal. Just focus on learning and explore all of your possibilities.

[Jinx]

For one, when you say you're starting school pretty soon, will this be your first year in a college/university setting or going back? Because careers, majors and the whole process depends for one whether you are pursuing an Associates for the first two years or a Bachelors.

 

I'm not sure about elsewhere, but I know here, the first two years anywhere you go, you have to fufill your Gen. Ed. requirements as to fufill a lot of the Prereqs for upper level classes. Right now I'm taking my general education requirements for a Transferable Credit block to the State University. As of the moment I plan for a Psychology major, but in the Gen Req's you have a huge arrray of classes so that you are allowed a dip into most possibilities. English, Mathematics, Lab Sciences, Humanities, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Electives General, Language, and Writing Courses. It varies to some extent from what I've seen but all in all that is the general list.

 

Back to the Psychology idea, with General requirements I am allowed to take what Psychology classes I qualify for at this level and can see whether I enjoy it or not, if I decide when I have my complete transfer block I want to go into that major it goes towards completed Psy courses. If I decide I don't want to, then it sticks strictly to Social/Behavioral credit. That is the beneficial part whether you're at a Jr. College or University, general requirements give you flexibility to either experiment or choose a major.

 

I know others who are a good deal older and farther along in the higher education process than I am, and some change their major on a regular basis. For me, I would like to pursue Psychology but I always tell people when they ask - I've limited it down to three posibilities with absolutely no relation to one another. Psychology, Plant Breeding & Genetics or Architecture. Until I finish my requirements and transfer block I have no rush to single it down. When I do need to transfer, that is when I need to decide which credits will go where, until then there is time.

[1love2k5]

hi. i'm having a hard time looking for a job. i can't seem to keep one for a long time. i think it may be because of something that i put down in my applications or that i look too young to work or that i don't have enough experience in the type of work i'm seeking. what do you think? almost every job i've ever had usually lasts for about a month. every time i go to a job interview, i'm usually very polite and i tend to get nervous at times. they always say they'll call me back, but they don't. you never hear from them ever again until you go fill out another application or whenever they need people again. i live in hampton, new hampshire, and this place is a very small area to live in, and there's not a whole lot of jobs in this area. i've tried several times in putting in job applications at a lot of the same places. i have no vehicle to be able to attend more interviews that can be a town away. the only thing i can think of to go to find a job at is through an employment agency, but that also requires transportation. why do i always get these dead end jobs? also, during the summer, usually most jobs are already filled. is there a best time of year to find a job? i heard that around school time, employers usually need a lot of help, but every time i fill out an application, nothing usually happens. why? i'm so tired of this that i want to give up. what should i do?

[1love2k5]

hi. i'm having a hard time looking for a job. i can't seem to keep one for a long time. i think it may be because of something that i put down in my applications or that i look too young to work or that i don't have enough experience in the type of work i'm seeking. what do you think? almost every job i've ever had usually lasts for about a month. every time i go to a job interview, i'm usually very polite and i tend to get nervous at times. they always say they'll call me back, but they don't. you never hear from them ever again until you go fill out another application or whenever they need people again. i live in hampton, new hampshire, and this place is a very small area to live in, and there's not a whole lot of jobs in this area. i've tried several times in putting in job applications at a lot of the same places. i have no vehicle to be able to attend more interviews that can be a town away. the only thing i can think of to go to find a job at is through an employment agency, but that also requires transportation. why do i always get these dead end jobs? also, during the summer, usually most jobs are already filled. is there a best time of year to find a job? i heard that around school time, employers usually need a lot of help, but every time i fill out an application, nothing usually happens. why? i'm so tired of this that i want to give up. what should i do?