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One doesn’t need to be a genius to major in math - just mathematically inclined and willing to do it. Note that most engineering majors could probably also successfully major in math if they wanted to since they generally take a lot of math anyway and need to be successful at it.</p>
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Exactly. There are some who are dreamers at that point and are imagining various fields, usually only ones they’ve had exposure to like what their parents are doing, teaching, doc/nurse, clergy, whatever they see on TV like law enforcement, lawyers, military, maybe some other things they see like heavy equipment operator (which looks like fun), airplane pilot (which looks like fun), etc. </p>
<p>Many/most simply aren’t focused on the idea of a profession since that’s eons away for them - they’re more focused on how to handle HS, finding their social niche, friends, GF/BF, playing a video game, listening to music, etc. There’s no need to be focused on a specific career at that point. they s/b more concerned about their general education, friends, and having some fun.</p>
<p>There are a huge number of professions the average 9th grader has no idea about - real estate investment, small business owner in various areas, management at any of thousands of firms, engineering, etc. Granted, there are some people of that age who decide they want to be a teacher or doctor/nurse and end up in those professions but there’s a lot of learning and exposure and experiences between 9th grade and the end of college.</p>