What should I major in?

Question

I'm going to UCLA in a couple months, and I put Economics down as my major for now, but that may change in the future. The 2 areas I was kind of deciding between was biology and business. I like biology-related things, but my dad is a bioengineer and he said it's hard to find a stable job in that field. (I think I'd like to have job security) I also think I'd enjoy studying business, but the thing is I'm sort of quiet. I've always imagined business people to be confident and aggressive. There seems to be a lot of stable jobs in business/economics though like accounting and such. What should I do?

Answer 1

What I recommend for you to do (I have been teaching college freshmen for the last 8 years) is to pursue a Bachelor's of Science. You can get a BS in business and still have choices later in your college life to switch majors.

Your first 2 years will be quite the same regardless of your major, but selecting a BS or BA (Bachelor's of Arts) will determine more of your freshman required courses. With the BS you will need more science classes and will set you up for a switch to Biology, or right on track for your business BS.

A BS is a much better way to go in any case because the BS is more demanding than the BA and companies (any) like the idea that a perspective employee was a little more aggressive and studious in college.

Have a look at the freshman and sophomore requirements for both Biology and Business BS degrees and try to arrange your course-load to accommodate either. I am pretty sure you can manage it. You might even consider a double major (if you feel up to it).

Answer 2

You need to get more information about a variety of career fields. I suggest that you visit the career counseling office at your university. They will have interest inventories you can take and information about various careers. You need to identify a field that interests you, can provide a secure job, and fits your personality. Accounting might be a field you'd enjoy, but you should try to learn more about it. Find some people working in accounting and ask them what they do, what skills are important in their work, what kind of social interaction is required, etc. You should probably do that for other fields that interest you, too. You might discover that there are areas in biology that would allow you to work in the field that attracts you, but also can provide job security. The best gift you can give yourself for your life is to find a career in a field that you love, and a job you enjoy going to day after day.

Answer 3

You sound like me...I started out and got a BSc then got my BA and an Accounting designation.

I got a BA because I found it hard to gain work with the other degree so I spent another four years in school and two more gaining my Accounting designation while I was working.

The funny thing is that I have spent as much time in school as a doctor and I don't make the money that doctors make.

Sad isn't it.

Answer 4

You should pray about what you want to do with your life. You should take the time to think what you really want to do. Why not major in one of the subjects and minor in the other? That way you have the best of both worlds.