College Majors?
- Thread starter Pierce
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Bible_Belt
Master Don Juan
My undergrad was political science. It's a joke of a degree. Liberal arts degrees are only worthwhile as a pre-req for grad school and especially law school, which ranks applicants by lsat/gpa without any regard to the difficulty of the undergraduate degree program. If I had majored in a real subject like math or science, I never would have made good enough grades to get into law school.
Buddha_Mind
Master Don Juan
environmental science. have been working with nature 5+ years and seen lots of things, many different climatic areas, mountain ranges, ect. adventurous. poor pay scale. financial struggle and consistency in work. but epic life experience.
If I can make any suggestions -- its study something you are truly interested in, something that expands you or lights some spark inside of you.
"Money-making-potential", is important [denoted by personal windows of financial scarcity]. Practicality in this economy might be noted. But IMHO, education is about learning and expansion, if you are going to spend $ and time and energy on information and knowledge, (a) be into it despite some of the BS hurdles/hoops they stick in there, and (b) think practically and engage people in your arena, learn from them, digest, find mentors, people you look up to.
Also don't be afraid to explore different paths that become off-shoots along the way...you never know what you'll find...and some people go from A to B to C until they say "aha-hah this works great!".
If I can make any suggestions -- its study something you are truly interested in, something that expands you or lights some spark inside of you.
"Money-making-potential", is important [denoted by personal windows of financial scarcity]. Practicality in this economy might be noted. But IMHO, education is about learning and expansion, if you are going to spend $ and time and energy on information and knowledge, (a) be into it despite some of the BS hurdles/hoops they stick in there, and (b) think practically and engage people in your arena, learn from them, digest, find mentors, people you look up to.
Also don't be afraid to explore different paths that become off-shoots along the way...you never know what you'll find...and some people go from A to B to C until they say "aha-hah this works great!".
business administration:majoring in business law.
I thought it'd be a great idea to major in business law where i could help me parents out with their businesses since they were getting sued all the time. I could stop them from making many simple mistakes and also go into business working at a firm....
horrible idea.
In america unless you have experience you will have to put in 10x the work to get a job in the field you want.
Business law got me nowhere in the business world since i couldn't be a lawyer, paralegal, accountant, financial analyst, etc.
I busted my ass doing temp work, and side projects to build experience for myself to get into the finance world. Having been a little over a year out of college, i've just stepped my toes in while some people are freaking sinking in the finance world (in a good way).
Education decisions should be made decisively and wisely.
I thought it'd be a great idea to major in business law where i could help me parents out with their businesses since they were getting sued all the time. I could stop them from making many simple mistakes and also go into business working at a firm....
horrible idea.
In america unless you have experience you will have to put in 10x the work to get a job in the field you want.
Business law got me nowhere in the business world since i couldn't be a lawyer, paralegal, accountant, financial analyst, etc.
I busted my ass doing temp work, and side projects to build experience for myself to get into the finance world. Having been a little over a year out of college, i've just stepped my toes in while some people are freaking sinking in the finance world (in a good way).
Education decisions should be made decisively and wisely.
omkara
Senior Don Juan
I was a psychology major and I did a lot of research volunteering and stuff like that. I graduated in June and recently got my first full time job as an office assistant in public health research. It's not much compared to the careers a lot of people on this board have, but I am so happy to have just found a job. I mean there are people with law degrees who can't find any work right now. The university pay is fair too, probably around 13/14 an hour for new graduates. 
PRMoon
Master Don Juan
I majored in Hotel Administration with a concentration on gaming. I now work for MGM Mirage corporate, the second largest casino gaming company in the world. I wouldn't change a thing about my education or work experiences if I had it to do over again. I love my office and the people in it. I work almost 60 hours a week and I don't even notice it. The perks are incredible to say the least. Working behind the scenes in americas biggest play ground is awesome.
PRMoon
Master Don Juan
Eh I do okay. I have nice things and live comfortably but am by no means rich in any respect. Really the important thing for me is I'm excited to wake up for work in the morning. Nothing really beats that. I have mandatory vacation time every six months for cryin out loud. It's just a really good job and I don't want much more out of life in general.
I'm completing an MBA currently, but I already have a BA in Journalism and a BS in Business Management. I do business consulting in the financial services industry. I probably will continue college until I've completed the PH.D in Business (the research program not the teaching program).
I've always loved business, investing, and related topics. I guess I disagree with some of the previous posters here (this is really my first day posting on this forum after having sent awhile just lurking), about how certain BA or BS degrees won't get you ahead in your career.
I always seen college is a "tool" in my toolbox to construct a career, not the "reason" for the career. Alot of people seem to think that all you have to do is go to college and get a degree and BAM, you can come out and find $100k a year job positions everywhere. From my experience that doesn't happen in ANY industry.
Technology, law, medical, etc., all require you to have some sorts of hands-on experience in the field before you actually start making REAL money. The degree most times allows you the ABILITY to get into the field, but doesn't mean that you automatically go into the big paying positions.
A general business degree opens up many doors especially when you are networking with other business professionals, seeking high positioned sales positions that might pay salary plus commission, or perhaps when you might be seeking to invest in certain business ventures the other partners might require you to have some sort of experience to get into the money-making venture.
So I wouldn't take heed to others when they say that college is a scam and the degrees don't mean much unless you are in xyz medical, xyz law, xyz tech., xyz accounting, etc. It depends on how you manage your career. And furthermore, with so many loopholes now in the federal student loan system (www.ibrinfo.org) along with many colleges out there to choose from that cost $6k - $7k a year instead of those ranging around $20k - $30k a year, you should be able to get a college education if you have the willpower.
I know alot of professionals with BS degrees in business that are making high figure salaries and I have met many doctors and attorneys with law/medical degrees that can barely keep the lights on.
I've always loved business, investing, and related topics. I guess I disagree with some of the previous posters here (this is really my first day posting on this forum after having sent awhile just lurking), about how certain BA or BS degrees won't get you ahead in your career.
I always seen college is a "tool" in my toolbox to construct a career, not the "reason" for the career. Alot of people seem to think that all you have to do is go to college and get a degree and BAM, you can come out and find $100k a year job positions everywhere. From my experience that doesn't happen in ANY industry.
Technology, law, medical, etc., all require you to have some sorts of hands-on experience in the field before you actually start making REAL money. The degree most times allows you the ABILITY to get into the field, but doesn't mean that you automatically go into the big paying positions.
A general business degree opens up many doors especially when you are networking with other business professionals, seeking high positioned sales positions that might pay salary plus commission, or perhaps when you might be seeking to invest in certain business ventures the other partners might require you to have some sort of experience to get into the money-making venture.
So I wouldn't take heed to others when they say that college is a scam and the degrees don't mean much unless you are in xyz medical, xyz law, xyz tech., xyz accounting, etc. It depends on how you manage your career. And furthermore, with so many loopholes now in the federal student loan system (www.ibrinfo.org) along with many colleges out there to choose from that cost $6k - $7k a year instead of those ranging around $20k - $30k a year, you should be able to get a college education if you have the willpower.
I know alot of professionals with BS degrees in business that are making high figure salaries and I have met many doctors and attorneys with law/medical degrees that can barely keep the lights on.
PRMoon
Master Don Juan
Just a bachelor of science degree. UNLV is one of the best schools in the country for hospitality and requires work in the field before graduation. Working in big corporations is easy. Just take alot of the stuff you learn here and exchange "hot babe" for "coworker/boss" and you're good to go.
omkara
Senior Don Juan
Maybe I'll do my next degree in computer science then. There is a lot of concern about outsourcing though.
Huffman
Master Don Juan
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Well yeah you don't want to be the lowly programmer (don't need a degree for that anyway). That's the jobs that go to india.
Either you're good at software engineering, architecture and project planning, then you'll end up as a team manager. The other choice is to be an absolute specialist in a complicated field (a guru), where your company can and will have to depend on you.
That's the jobs that give you money, and that's the jobs where there's always demand. But just finishing a degree isn't enough, you gotta have some passion for it, and get real world experience asap.
Usually you start in a small company and work (cheaply) on a project for some time, then with your new experience from the successful project you can apply for "senior" positions, and make demands.
Either you're good at software engineering, architecture and project planning, then you'll end up as a team manager. The other choice is to be an absolute specialist in a complicated field (a guru), where your company can and will have to depend on you.
That's the jobs that give you money, and that's the jobs where there's always demand. But just finishing a degree isn't enough, you gotta have some passion for it, and get real world experience asap.
Usually you start in a small company and work (cheaply) on a project for some time, then with your new experience from the successful project you can apply for "senior" positions, and make demands.
Teflon_Mcgee
Master Don Juan
- Joined
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I figure I'll chime in.
My degree is electrical engineering. Wouldn't change it for anything.
I was making $63k/year before I even graduated school.
Granted, you'll probably never pass $115k (according to statistics from the BLS), however there are many opportunities.
Since my first internship as a junior, to my current contract position, I have been able to leave and find work at will (branch swing .)
The best part is, engineering is the perfect discipline for a budding entrepreneur (as I am.) You learn regulatory requirements, project management, product development, and everything you need to manufacture and get a product to market. Not to mention logical thinking, analytical skills, and complex problem solving skills. Plus, it's extremely satisfying to have a decent grasp on how our physical world actually works.
My degree is electrical engineering. Wouldn't change it for anything.
I was making $63k/year before I even graduated school.
Granted, you'll probably never pass $115k (according to statistics from the BLS), however there are many opportunities.
Since my first internship as a junior, to my current contract position, I have been able to leave and find work at will (branch swing
.)The best part is, engineering is the perfect discipline for a budding entrepreneur (as I am.) You learn regulatory requirements, project management, product development, and everything you need to manufacture and get a product to market. Not to mention logical thinking, analytical skills, and complex problem solving skills. Plus, it's extremely satisfying to have a decent grasp on how our physical world actually works.