Choosing a major

[sungjins]

I'm torn between choosing a major that is difficult but is known to have high job prospects or a subject I excel in and am passionate about but is known to have little job prospects. 

What factors did you/would you consider when choosing your major? 

[SNGGYU]

choose something that you like, really. I decided to double-major in english and japanese, but chose english only as a safe option if things won't turn out well with japanese. needless to say, my english classes already feel like a chore. 

[bambieyes]

i was torn between studying law (difficult but high job prospects) or english/literature, subjects that i absolutely loved when i was in high school but with little job prospects (be a teacher or nothing)... i decided to take law, it is hard but at the same time i really like it : maybe not as much as i loved learning english, but still... if you really are passionate about something than pursue your dreams, but if you can choose something that you like + gives you job prospects than it is better to survive this world 

[wiaraewiwiarae]

As someone who chose the subject I excel in and am passionate about but is known to have little job prospects, I recommend picking a major that is difficult but is known to have high job prospects.

 

I ended up working in the job prospects one, but I'm disadvantaged due to the wrong education, so it's a pain to relearn - extra time and money wasted. I kept the one I am passionate about as a hobby 'cause being passionate abut something and working in that area is not the same thing. It could turn out as utter disappointment.

 

Unless you excel at the subject you're passionate about to the point of being top 10% in your country, always pick money and job security.

[solis]

it depends if you enjoy the more difficult subject at all or if you'd be studying it solely for the future job prospects

sure it'll help you get a job later but if you don't enjoy the subject at least a little bit i don't think it'd be worth it

[Messy Oppa]

If you hate the first option, then not. But If you also like it, even when you know it's more difficult, then I would pick this option, even if you are less passionate about it. After all we want to have a good job with a good salary.

 

Happiness is not doing what you want but wanting what you do

[Auri]

I'm in a similar situation. If I want to graduate and pursue my passion, I'd have to move to another state at the very least and I'm not sure I want that -- not to mention my future would still be very unsure as there'd be more possibilities, but still not that many, and none of them pay that much either.

 

I'm going to take a year of classes of the one subject I love, see how it goes and if it's truly worth it to sacrifice my financial and personal stability for it, then I'll decide. But as of now, I'm more inclined to choose the other one, tbh. 

[Idahoe]

As someone that chose the job prospects over his passion when it came to choosing his major, I'll play devil's advocate and say it's not always worth it. The subject you pick has to be something you can tolerate as a career - so a degree of passion is necessary. Really, a lot of university job prospects where I'm from (may be different for you) come as a result of networking and building up a strong CV outside of the course. This obviously wouldn't be the case for most STEM based careers and some others, but for a lot of jobs (business and even law), transitioning over from other subjects is still possible.

 

I'd recommend googling graduate schemes and jobs, looking at relatively popular/needed jobs and seeing if any of them sound like something which would click for you/ you could live with and then look into a major from there. It's far more motivating to go through a degree if there's some sort of image there for you as to where you want to end up afterwards. 

[korosensei]

Personally, money and job prospects motivate me so I would take up a difficult course if it means having a higher chance of securing a better future. For yourself, you have to see what motivates you. Job prospects or passion. If you know that you're not going do well in that difficult course because the syllabus doesn't appeal to you and hence school would be a drag for you, stick to the course that you're passionate about. No point wasting energy and money and ultimately you get poor grades. All the best to you

[Fatalite]

Realistically, you should choose the one with a higher job prospect, but also remember that it's never too late to change majors. You shouldn't feel obligated to stick with a major, especially if you feel uneasy about it

[wiaraewiwiarae]

Realistically, you should choose the one with a higher job prospect, but also remember that it's never too late to change majors. You shouldn't feel obligated to stick with a major, especially if you feel uneasy about it

 

 

Where is your sig from? - It's so beautiful.

 

[sadface]

While I think it's really a romantic idea to follow your heart and pick the obscure path and fight for it, I would rather suggest against it.

As you are picking your major, it can be deduced that you are still young, and interests/passions can still change and vary a lot later in life. It will be difficult to put everything you have and make a decision based on passion for the moment. Job prospects don't vary as much as interests. 

[Fatalite]

 

Where is your sig from? - It's so beautiful.

 

It's Japanese idol group Nogizaka46's newest MV, The Meaning of Goodbye. Please watch it even though it's long,, it's one of the most beautiful MVs I've ever watched.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3_G-oTnTOZ9R0VuRWtPODFYdTA/view

 

And here's a plot synopsis that might be needed

 

[Channie Tatum]

Pick something that you really want

Make sure to take aptitude and attitude into consideration

 

Im studying architecture and while I have the aptitude for it lately I've been failing a lot because it's just not where my heart is, I end up half assing projects and missing classes.

 

I originally wanted to study either Biotechnology or Psychology but I chose Architecture out if pressure and because of the job prospects. I fucking regret it.

 

 

So really, choose something you want and at the same time something youre sure you have competent skills in

[_Joo]

I would choose the major with the better job prospects. If you are still interested in pursuing the subject you are passionate about, you can always minor in it.

OP do you mind sharing what two majors you are currently considering? It might be easier for people to give you more specific advice based on that.

[wiaraewiwiarae]

Pick something that you really want

Make sure to take aptitude and attitude into consideration

 

Im studying architecture and while I have the aptitude for it lately I've been failing a lot because it's just not where my heart is, I end up half assing projects and missing classes.

 

I originally wanted to study either Biotechnology or Psychology but I chose Architecture out if pressure and because of the job prospects. I fucking regret it.

 

 

So really, choose something you want and at the same time something youre sure you have competent skills in

 

Architecture has better job prospects than Biotechnology?   What country do you live in? 

 

It's Japanese idol group Nogizaka46's newest MV, The Meaning of Goodbye. Please watch it even though it's long,, it's one of the most beautiful MVs I've ever watched.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3_G-oTnTOZ9R0VuRWtPODFYdTA/view

 

And here's a plot synopsis that might be needed

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

[Channie Tatum]

Architecture has better job prospects than Biotechnology? What country do you live in?

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

No but I was pressured not to take Biotechnology because my dad didn't want me to leave our city. Architecture has better job prospects than Psychology in my country tho. A lot of Psychology majors I know end up working in sales and for companies. If I were to take Psychology I'd have to get a masters degree for me to actually be able to work in a job directly related to psychology

[wiaraewiwiarae]

No but I was pressured not to take Biotechnology because my dad didn't want me to leave our city. Architecture has better job prospects than Psychology tho. A lot of Psychology majors I know end up working in sales and for companies

 

Ah, now it makes sense.

[sungjins]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I'm going to take a little longer to think about it..hopefully, time will allow me to come to a definite decision

 

I would choose the major with the better job prospects. If you are still interested in pursuing the subject you are passionate about, you can always minor in it.
OP do you mind sharing what two majors you are currently considering? It might be easier for people to give you more specific advice based on that.

I'm considering Chemical engineering and English literature...very opposite ends of the spectrum. My grandmother was a biologist and I like sciences and mathematics but I've always loved English and reading and honestly would like to go into Science journalism if I chose English lit. It's difficult to choose because of how contrasting they are though and how the world is now I feel like I need stability, but my degree won't necessarily guarantee that in the same way..ahh so difficult

[wiaraewiwiarae]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I'm going to take a little longer to think about it..hopefully, time will allow me to come to a definite decision

 

I'm considering Chemical engineering and English literature...very opposite ends of the spectrum. My grandmother was a biologist and I like sciences and mathematics but I've always loved English and reading and honestly would like to go into Science journalism if I chose English lit. It's difficult to choose because of how contrasting they are though and how the world is now I feel like I need stability, but my degree won't necessarily guarantee that in the same way..ahh so difficult

 

You can go into science journalism with chemical engineering degree. You can't go into chemical engineering with English literature degree. 

[GalaxunnieSuperOppa]

Choose the one you like!!! You'll be happier in life if you got with what makes you happy. At least you'll be doing and your job and enjoy doing it!

[Eucharis]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I'm going to take a little longer to think about it..hopefully, time will allow me to come to a definite decision

 

I'm considering Chemical engineering and English literature...very opposite ends of the spectrum. My grandmother was a biologist and I like sciences and mathematics but I've always loved English and reading and honestly would like to go into Science journalism if I chose English lit. It's difficult to choose because of how contrasting they are though and how the world is now I feel like I need stability, but my degree won't necessarily guarantee that in the same way..ahh so difficult

 

You can still go with the science journalism road with a Chemistry degree, not so sure about Chemical Engineering because that's more on the engineering side of things.

 

But yes, take your time and choose wisely. 

 

I'm a Chemistry major, and it's tough. I love it but most of the time, it fcuks my life big time. Right now, I have a love/hate relationship with it but it's fun all in all. I never regretted in choosing my major. 

[Ivonite]

Choose major that you're passionately doing it. Nobody knows 3-4 years later what world gonna be. Maybe your favorite subject will be something that'll be needed in so much field.