clgstudent

Hello!
I am a second year college undergraduate who is trying to decide on a path in life!
I really need some major and minor suggestions or potential careers. I could find myself in many subjects such as history, english, geology, international relations or political science. In general, I really like learning about other cultures and I find myself to be open to many other subjects. Foreign Services is one of the potential careers; however, I am stuck on which major and minor, as well as languages I shold be taking. Also, the fact that the job happens to be very hard to get, scares me. So, please help me think of a good combination!!

ThePhilosopher

Sociology? Anthropology?

zapfino

Here are some suggestions and possibilities to get you thinking about how to tie your interests together:
Geology major with a minor in politics/international relations---you might focus on domestic and international energy and natural resources policy in the social sciences courses you select.

History/International Relations for a major area with a minor in environmental sciences/ geology---again with some focus on energy/natural resources-related courses.

Get a language--perhaps in a summer intensive program. Important languages for energy-related international issues---Russian, Chinese, Arabic, possibly Portuguese (for Brazil), French (for Africa). Try to study abroad, too. Try to do more than the typical 2 year language requirement for most international relations major.

Alternatively, instead of a politics/international minor, you could focus on a specific area, e.g., Russia or Middle East or Africa.

Make sure you understand economics principles, too. Possible electives in environmental/resources/energy economics.

Look at internships, too, possibly in D.C. with an energy or environmental organization.

Energy is a topic that includes your interests in geology, but it also is important for a lot of domestic and international issues. It cuts across so many areas and can tie together so many seemingly unrelated area. Develop an energy perspective and you'll see domestic and international issues in a whole new light. If you can do geology, you'll have an employable field, but also you'll have the science background that so many policy-types lack.

So, if you take coursework in several areas, go for the most flexible program possible. You might consider a BA in geology instead of a BS to have more room for courses in other areas, or you may decide you want the BS to make you more employable in a geology-related field. You don't need to do a formal minor---just sufficient coursework in an area. Maybe you can double major or do an interdisciplinary major. Just some things to think about.

Some links:

Summer Language Program for Undergraduates at the National Security Agency (NSA)

U.S. Department of State Careers - Home