I have a huge problem choosing a major?

Question

For a while now, I've been thinking to major in History and probably become a College History Professor or a History Teacher in High School. But, I'm afraid about all the reading and writting that is involved with this major!!!

For the past few weeks or so, I've been also considering Forensics/ Biology as a possible major. I was like "I'm too 'disgusted' to do that stuff." But, after watching TV and that Show YOU SAVED MY LIFE, I saw how rewarding it is - and I'm afraid about majoring in that because I'm afraid I might not do too good in it or I might not enjoy it so much.

I'm also afraid about which one pays more - I'm afraid I won't get paid much as a Teacher and a Doctor or Biologist might get paid more!!!... I also want a satisfying career.

Please help!!! ... Advice like " Do what you love" and etc... Won't help me at all!!!

Also, I'm planning to attend a 4 Year University After High School - If I can afford it!

Answer 1

I empathize with your dilemma. Let me put this in some perspective for you.

You will finish college sometime around 22 and 26 and will have to work (or play) for about 55 years assuming you live to 80, so you actually have time to have both a History and Forensics career if you like. You might also become an expert or professor in the History of Forensics, or you might teach forensics and history. It is not unheard of.

Time is on your side. In all that time, you will have multiple careers. Concentrate on knowledge and skills development and experience and network building in your college and early work years. These will do you well whatever your major.

Consider a double major if you like. Let go of fear and understand that college is more about learning how to learn than it is about the major. While majors do matter as they shape your thinking and view of the world in a particular way, the fact is that once you finish school you may not even have a chance to do what you majored in but you will still use all the skills you learned in that major.

Plan not only to do the 4 years but to go to graduate school and to the doctorate level given you want to be a professor. But pace yourself. I got my BA at 22, my MBA at 37 and plan yo have my PhD by 50 which is fine since I plan to work (but mostly play) until I am 80.

Remember also that you can change majors during your college years, I did, and that you and your interests change along the way. This is to be expected, relished and used to your benefit. It is not a problem or a tragedy.

Another thing to do is to find people who are in the fields you have an interest in, and "shadow" them for a day to get more of an insight into what it is really like to be in that role or career.

Finally, I will recommend, from personal experience, that you do a career assessment, like The Myers Briggs Type Indicator, when you get to college as these can help you narrow your career and major choices based on your personality type. This worked like a charm for me when I was in school and 20 years later, I am a very happy marketer, even though I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer.

As for money, that is a consideration, but know that money follows valuable skills, experience and network so if you focus on building these, no matter what field you go into you will eventually make good money, assuming you are good at leveraging, selling and marketing what you have to offer.

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you want to correspond about this question further.

Paraclete Performance

Answer 2

Major in History! You said you wanted to teach that is great! The key is to do VERY well close to a 4.0 GPA so that can determine the likelihood for you to a good Grad school if you decide to do that or teach instead which is awesome if you have th3e passion and talent for that. You can go to LAW, MEDICINE, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT school, NURSING SCHOOL with practically ANY major you just need to take and do well on the prerequisites.
So...I say, Major in History....then go from there if during the four years you want to be a Doctor...then stick with the History major and get all the prereqs that you need...these are additional classes such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics.
If you want to go into LAW it is virtually perfect you need only study for the LSAT.
Don't fret! hAVE FUN!!!
ONE LAST THING: if you can't afford a 4 year Uni. not to worry and it is also alot better. Just go to a Junior college for two years and get all the required General Education and you can transfer to Anywhere even Harvard!!!!!

Answer 3

Best advice this 47 year old "Earth Studies" major can give is to consider Emergency Aid and Relief work. The US has the best position to excel in the developing field and it requires all areas of professionals from paper pushers to Doctors. It is definitely a job of the future with rewards and travel-Exiting Stuff really!

Stop blaming others for Katrina and show them how it should be done!

Answer 4

listen calm down! lol, im currently a sophmore in highschool, an i know how hard it is to think of a major when your are going off to college, but you must think this through. this is the rest of your life we're talking about. let me ask you this, do you like history? and just because you have work to do doesnt mean you shouldnt do it. you'll have work in any job! plus being a teacher or a professor is such a rewarding job. you would apply your knowledge of history to young minds, your job would reward itself by seeing what your students will accomplish because of you. plus vacation would be very nice. you would get to go home at 4:00 and have weekends, holliday the SUMMER, all off.
i know sometimes watching movies can get you pumped trust me, i've gone throguh so many of those fases. when i saw Power Rangers, i want to be a super heroe, when i saw homward bound i wanted to be a forest ranger or a veterinarian. youn just get so inspired that you get mixed emotions. just think what you would be most comfortable with, it'll come to you. now myself, i want so badly to be an animater for Disney. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

Follow your passion! It is very wise that you do your research, but ultimately you need to do what makes you happy. Forget about what you have read and what others say. Life is too short, do what makes your heart happy. Wish you well

Answer 6

I recommend taking a few courses in both fields to see what you really like.
You could always get a double major, or minor in one field (probably history.)
Do both!

Answer 7

Just be a stripper.