right arrow
PARENTS4PARENTS is a new initiative aimed at highlighting the vast expertise of our parents community while helping other parents better navigate the college admissions process. aggies1989 is a UC alumnus and parent of two UC college kids. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: fintech3753 is a current student at the Wharton School. Majoring in finance, he is hoping to pursue a career at the intersection of finance and technology. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our August Checklist for HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.

Can’t decide between two majors

extra21extra21 200 replies18 threads Junior Member
in College Majors
This fall, I will be starting my freshman year of college. I’m supposed to be doing an elementary education major, but I don’t know if that’s what I really want to do mainly because of how little the pay is for teachers. I am thinking about switching to a sociology major, and trying to graduate early, then getting a masters in education if I decide that’s what I still want to do, or just starting a different career in sociology. I think that might be a better idea because a masters would also put me higher on the pay scale, but I’m also not 100% sure about that idea either. I guess my only other options would be a double major, which I’d like to do but don’t think I can because I don’t want to have to spend that much time/money on college, or a major and minor, but with that I’d have to major in education and minor in sociology, and I think that could limit my future job possibilities. I’m really not sure though.

Could anyone give me any advice? I thought I knew what I wanted to do but now I just have no idea.
2 replies
· Reply · Share

Replies to: Can’t decide between two majors

  • extra21extra21 200 replies18 threads Junior Member
    And to add to this, I’m also considering a career in counseling, human resources, teaching English as a foreign language, or speech therapy. Do employers in those kinds of fields have a preference between either of those majors when hiring?
    · Reply · Share
  • juilletjuillet 12829 replies164 threads Super Moderator
    Counseling careers typically require at least a master's degree, so your undergraduate major doesn't really matter. Psychology is a clear choice - most programs will require some prerequisite coursework in psychology. Speech-language pathologists/speech therapists also need a master's. Most of the SLP master's programs don't require a specific major, but students with communication sciences and disorders majors usually have a leg up/are better prepared for the coursework.

    Teaching English as a foreign language does not require any specific major, but consider learning another language so that you have experience with learning languages yourself. (Knowing the language of the region in which you want to teach would be helpful, but is usually not necessary). Education is another choice. Any major is suitable for human resources, although some employers may prefer certain majors (like business, or psychology/another behavioral science).

    If you really want to be an elementary school teacher, think about it more deeply. Teachers aren't the most highly paid professionals, but in most places they make decent middle-class salaries.
    · Reply · Share
This discussion has been closed.

Recent Activity