<p>Use this example: Bob loves buildings, drawing, and architecture, but also loves writing, organizing, and political activism. </p>
<p>He could become an architect, which he enjoys. He doesn’t have any significant issues with being an architect. But he realizes that he’ll only make an impact on people small groups at a time (by whoever uses his buildings.)</p>
<p>Or, Bob could become a political activist. He enjoys it, but doesn’t like some particular aspect of it, say that it requires a lot of international travel. But he realizes that he’ll make a much bigger difference to more people simply by the line of work he’s in.</p>
<p>The example isn’t literal to me, but it’s a similar situation. I can’t decide which route I’d like to take; the architect who enjoys his work but is limited in influence, or the activist who likes his work slightly less (but still enjoys it) but makes a bigger difference.</p>
<p>^ what a sad thought…making a difference doesn’t have to be saving the world. Becoming a freaking dentist and saving someone from gingivitis is making a difference. Becoming a mechanical engineer and working for NASA is making a difference, Platts. :)</p>
<p>Political activism is just one way to help people. Some people get really excited about politics and care deeply about certain issues. Me, I was never into politics, but drawn to med research and studying neuroscience; it’s what I enjoy and it’ll hopefully benefit people (and myself cause it’s fun). Just about any career benefits the world because you’re fullfiling an important need in society, whether you’re an architect, teacher, lawyer, journalist, fruit-vendor, baker, or whatever. It’s not just grand gestures like “saving the planet” by doing environmental stuff or passing laws. </p>
<p>Being an architect sounds awesome. Here in NY, I see beautiful old churches and buildings that are centuries old; politicians leave office and die, court cases and political decisions are soon forgotten, but buildings are here for a while!</p>
<p>It’s not as if that if YOU, personally, don’t take a job in political activism then no one will. Do what you love best and chances are, you’ll make a difference. You can’t be worried about “Well, if I’m not a doctor, what will happen to all the people who are sick? Who’ll save them?” Presumably, people who’s love in life is medicine. Just do your job well and to the fullest extent you can and you’ll be ‘doing your part’ if you believe in such things.</p>
<p>To add: I can’t imagine those who have made a big impact, be it negative or positive, would have been able to do so with only a halfhearted desire fueling them. The people who tend to make the biggest difference are usually remarkably passionate about their cause.</p>
<p>The entertainment idea actually sounds pretty cool. I wouldn’t put it on a pedestal though and minimize the important of architecture; in the end, personal choices made by parents, the poverty rate, healthcare, healthcare policy, science/medicine, and food advertising on TV is really gonna make the difference in the obesity crisis. It’s obviously beneficial work that’s (hopefully) gonna make a difference, but you should go with your gut here. If you choose Architecture, you don’t have to feel bad like you would be saving the world otherwise, and if you choose Entertainment you’ll know you’re making a difference and there’s still architects out there doing your potential job. </p>
<p>And i’m not sure about the qualifications to do the entertainment thing so could you get an Arch degree and still study Health/Nutirition too, so you could possibly do both? (with the Arch degree as a backup in case entertainment doesn’t work out - keep in mind Arch is really hard!). Or you could ultimately pick whichever one you prefer - take the “helping people” variable out of it for a second, realize other people will do these jobs if you don’t - which one would you enjoy more? Which one can you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?
Haha yeah seriously, how did they forget that?! Way to pay attention, rocket scientists…</p>
<p>That’s essentially the problem. It’s kind of either or. </p>
<p>Either I go to a (landscape architecture, I should mention. slightly different.) arch school and get accredited, or I go to USC’s or a similar Interactive Media program and work with health-related video games.</p>
<p>I guess it sort of comes down to the work environment, and the impact. While I’m very much into health issues and having a big impact, I don’t really like the idea of sitting on a computer all day. Being outside semi-often working on projects that are “of the Earth” and very based in reality (not virtual reality) is more enticing than a computer desk.</p>
<p>I used to be an arch major. I suggest you talk to some architecture students and do a bit more research before you commit to architecture. It needs to be something you seriously want to do. It is a no joke major.</p>
<p>No. These days there’s a lot more pressure to become one thing - rich. It’s all anyone ever talks to me about when it comes to my career and the future. It’s sad because I’d love to get involved in political activism.</p>
<p>you can make a difference with either. for example, if you decide to become an architect, you can offer your services for free (Habitat for Humanity?).</p>
<p>It’s the nature of choice. By choosing anything (or choosing not to make a choice), you are negating possible benefits that would have resulted from other choices. Furthermore, the possible benefits, since never actually occurring, are presumed and not actually known. Therefore, the greatest potential benefit could always have offered from choosing something else.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t concern myself with the thing that would make the “greatest” contribution to humanity. You never know. You really never know. I would pick the think that your best at, or enjoy the most. How can you make a difference if everyone else is better? They’ll surely develop new notions quicker than you. And how can you make a difference if you’re not passionate about it?</p>
<p>Landscape architecture hands down – you will be offering individuals and groups areas of oasis away from the daily stresses of life. For instance NYC would be a madhouse without its wonderful parks!! Any major city actually.</p>