How can I use my acedemic interests in the real world?

Question

I am 23 and interested in returning to school to finish college. My acedemic intersts are history, science, theology, geography, humanity (ie. the beliefs, superstitions, views, societies, politics of various cultures around the world), literature and parapsychology.

Is there some kind of profession that can utelize these areas for a reasonable monitary living and if so...what are my options?
Also...what degrees should I look at when considering such professions, I've yet to find a place that offers a Major in Theology and I KNOW there are no bachelor programs for paranormal psychology but there are scientific institutes conducting extensive research on the issue. I'm a bit at-a-loss on where to begin.

Finally, can anyone reccomend a good online education program which offers accredited degrees in some or all of these fields? All I've been able to find so far is medicine, law and computer degrees online.

Can anyone give me some legitemate ideas?

Actually Parapsychology IS taught as a field of study at a VERY reputable institution...Berkley University in Berkley California...there are also 4 different research and developement labs investigating ESP and Parapsychology at Princeton University as well. (Thanks to cyb3rch3f for sending me this information).

Berkley is a reputable institution, they offer distance learning/online courses (fully accredited) and after speaking to the American Association of Paranormal Psychology I have found out I can use ALL of my interests to become a Research Scientist of Parapsychology...an actual job that involves attempting to use scientific methods to prove or disprove the existence of paranormal activity (as well as debunking and explaining myths surrounding the field itself). *grins* yay! Thanks for all your help folks!

Answer 1

try using the onet test, google the word onet, it has an occupational assessment that will help you narrow down the field, I used it and it really helped

Answer 2

Most people have no more than two majors. Online programs aren't respected in the real world and some programs are not even accredited. I think you need to narrow down your interests and then pick one to study. I'm personally interested in politics, art, theology, film, journalism and possibly some other things that don't come to mind at the moment, but I couldn't major in all of them, although I did extensively study both film and journalism at the community college level.

If you have some time, I recommend beginning at a community college, and then transferring to a respectable state school. Community and state colleges are usually not too expensive -- that's the route I took and I have a job that I love now. However, if you decide that your primary interest is theology than I recommend going to a Christian college (assuming you're interested in Christian theology that is) I don't know where you live, but if you live out west the King's College is a good one, especially if you're an evangelical.

Answer 3

This is not an easy question to respond to as there is so much room for feedback...you ask a lot...

But here I go.
1. Sociology would be the first "encompassing" degree I can see for you based upon your grouped topics of interest.
2. With that said, I wonder what it is that is the ideal dream career for you? You have such a broad focus that I think you need to narrow it down a bit.
3. In narrowing it down, try the following:
a. Visit a community college near you or college near you to investigate what career opportunities exist. You can meet with someone in the social sciences department. All of the interests you listed are in that department.
b. Go to a career services office if you are currently enrolled. They have career interest tests that can help you decide what to do for a career. They are typically free or for a small charge to currently enrolled students.
c. Visit this web page for a great listing of careers: http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Thats a start anyway...get some good information and make a well informed decision!

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Comparative Religion (sometimes called History of Religions, or Religious Studies, or just Religion) may be of interest to you. Theology is limited to issues of Christian belief, and it sounds like you're interested the religious history and social praxes of diverse cultures (including non-Christian cultures). Therefore, it might be wise for you to consider this field of study, which is a much wider field of inquiry than just Theology.

However, looking for an "online university" is a mistake. Online degrees are still suspect in most fields of employment, and they are not at all taken seriously within academia. I strongly advise you to pursue your studies within a traditional college or university.

If there are completely insurmountable obstacles prohibiting you from pursuing your degree on a real college or university campus, then you may want to look into the next best thing, which is known as "distance learning" or "distance education" and consists of courses offered through a real brick-and-mortar institution (NOT places like U of Phoenix), and taught by fully qualified professors. When you look for a distance learning program, you should be looking for degree programs offered through well-known, REGIONALLY accredited (not just "distance learning/online accredited") universities.

Two very reputable institutions that usually offer several distance education courses in the field of Comparative Religion are Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN) and the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada). The University of Kansas, the University of Iowa, the University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University, Ohio University, and Thomas Edison State College (NJ) are also offering more and more distance learning courses these days, some few of which are within the discipline of Comparative Religion, and many others of which are in the fields of sociology, history, political science, and literature.

The great thing about these programs are that the courses carry actual credits that will be transferable into any other reputable, accredited, public or private university in the US, should you decide to pursue your degree full time on a university campus. ("Online university" courses will generally not be transferable to brick-and-mortar institutions.)

Finally, as to your interest in parapsychology, I regret to tell you that this is considered a "pseudo-science," and is not taught as a field of study at any reputable institution.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 5

Elementary school teachers use a very eclectic body of knowledge in the classroom. There is a shortage of teachers. Yahoo education is a good place to start to look for options for education.

Answer 6

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