I want to do a double major, the first discipline would be Philosophy. I am trying to decide between CS and Engineering for the second major. I like abstract more, so if asked about personal interest it would definitely be CS. But I have no desire to work in tech company and all. I want to travel and do social work, help out people in third world countries and all. I’m really interested in working for the UN. What would be a better choice for me, CS or Engineering?
Why on earth would you major in a highly structured and technical area like engineering or computer science if you seek a career in social work and have no desire to work in a technical job?
Moreover, engineering is not an extra major you just tack on to another major. Engineering curricula are dense and rigorous. It is difficult to have a second major alongside engineering unless you add extra time to your degree, and I cannot imagine any scenario in which it wouldn’t be a complete waste of time to major in philosophy alongside engineering.
Do you have some concrete and valid plan for wanting to double major in such disparate fields, or is it simply a matter of wanting to major in all the things that interest you? If the latter, you need to reevaluate your motivations for studying these things and do some research on jobs and career paths. Keep in mind that you don’t have to major (or minor) in something just because it interests you. If you like computer science but want to major in Philosphy, then major in Philosophy as you’ve planned and take some CS electives.
Unless you have a specific goal in mind where engineering matters (e.g. you want to design clean water infrastructure in poor countries, so civil engineering is relevant), why would you want to add another major in engineering?
Some knowledge (not necessarily a full major worth) of computing, statistics, economics, and sociology would be useful supporting knowledge in social work, though.
I want to major in Philosophy because it would better my analytic thinking and writing skills, and because I actually love the subject too but doing a PhD is a matter of the future. I want to major in CS or Engineering because I can do it, and the skills I get from those majors are not easily obtained outside university institution. Eventually I just want to make the best of my college learning so I can put those knowledge into social work. I don’t want to do a major in social work or sociology or economics or something because they are more accessible to learn outside formal education. I mean, I’ve hardly heard about a self-taught engineer.
I didn’t say I had no desire to work in a technical job, it’s rather I have no desire to work in a company focusing on technology like Google Facebook and all, that’s what I meant. I would like my technical skills to be used somewhere else, for another cause.
But yes maybe I really don’t have that much knowledge in job and career paths. Is my interest really incomprehensible?
Engineering + some other major would be a very crowded schedule. CS + some other major would be more doable, if CS is offered as a non-engineering major at your school. But think about what applications of technology to social work you are looking at before you decide on such a path. For example, civil engineering may help if you want to build clean water infrastructure. CS may help if you want to bring access to computing to where no such access existed before.
You may not want to major in sociology, economics, or statistics, but having some knowledge (not necessarily a major or minor) of such subjects would be helpful in social work contexts.
Why don’t you major in Social Engineering?
You can be an engineer that does socially needed projects. There’s lots of places lacking decent water, affordable shelter, access to power, etc.
Environmental/Civil engineering would be a great fit for doing projects in the 3rd world. Fit in Philosophy classes as you can. I know of at least one recent grad who earned a BS in archaeology and environmental engineering (via a 3+2 program at Emory/Georgia Tech), that’s now working on projects in Africa.
Good Luck!