I am in my third semester of college and am considering changing my major. Ever since I was 12 (I am now 19) I have wanted to be a zoologist. Well now that I am starting to really see what it’s all about I’m not so sure it is for me anymore. I am a student at Santa Fe College and am on track to transfer to the University of Florida to finish my degree and finish with a bachelor’s degree in zoology.
Well here is the issue: I have struggled in every math class I have taken so far, am taking my first chem class and am struggling, I don’t feel passionate about my major anymore, and am just all around unhappy. I have come to learn that if I finish with a bachelor’s in zoology my only option really is to get a job at a zoo which I don’t want OR I can go to grad school and get a researchers degree which I don’t think I would be very successful or happy in grad school. Also, UF is the only school in my state that offers zoology as a major which is pretty much the only reason I am here and , to be honest, I have been miserable ever since I have moved. I don’t like being away from my family, my boyfriend of 2+ years is back home and planning to go to a university in another city, I’ve made zero friends, and seem to always be struggling financially no matter what.
So after doing some research and some serious “soul searching” I feel like education would be a good fit for me. I am interested in either elementary education or secondary education, specifically middle school. I would also like to one day, hopefully, open a non-profit animal rescue since rescuing and helping animals seems to be more of a passion than zoology ever was.
So my question is: How do I tell my parents? Like I said I have been talking about zoology since I was 12 and that is now what they expect of me. My parents want the best for me and I feel like they will think I am just giving up and going for a career where I won’t make much money. We do struggle financially paying for my college but my dad is the type of dad to not worry about money as long as I am happy and doing something good. However, if I were to change majors I could potentially go home to the community college there then eventually transfer to a different University than UF, hopefully the same one as my boyfriend so we don’t have to be hours apart anymore (I SWEAR I don’t want to change majors just to follow him that is not what this is about). So how do I make my parents realize that, in the long run, this will be a good change for me even if it seems drastic right now?
Everyone I have talked to so far thinks I am doing the right thing for me and says it is good I am realizing this now rather than later. Salary is not much of an issue since the average salary of a teacher in Florida is $45k-50k and a zookeeper is $28k-37k.
Sorry for the length, just want to make sure you guys get all the facts and your help is much appreciated. I’m freaking out about telling them.
OK, as both a mom and a math teacher who loves my job and has seen kids struggle in math:
You haven't hurt yourself or anyone else. You haven't broken any laws. You're an 18 year old kid who is discovering that her dreams as a 12 year old aren't her dreams as an adult. So deep breaths before you have this conversation.
That’s OK.
I love, love, love my career as a teacher-- and I've been doing it since 1980, so I'm no starry eyed newbie.
You say you've struggled in Chem. So, if you're going to teach middle school, what subject are you interested in? Science or something else? Give this at least a little thought before you have the conversation. The info you need is here: http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/
As far as I can see, your credential science to grades 5-9. You might consider whatever coursework would make it possible to extend your degree to also enable you to teach high school-- it might make you more marketable as a job candidate.
As to how to tell your parents: for starters, you keep your boyfriend completely out of the conversation.
You pick a time when things aren’t hectic-- not as someone is preparing dinner, paying the bills, or rushing off to a meeting. Say, dinner time tonight.
And you start kind of like this: Mom and dad, I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I want to change my major. I’ve decided I want to teach middle school science. …
If you're thinking of transferring for the fall, you need to get your app in right away... as in TODAY. It won't cost much to get the app started, so in theory you could do it today before the conversation with your parents... but make sure they won't see it as going behind their backs.
Thank you for the tips!
Personally I wouldn’t like to teach higher than 6th or 7th grade and I would probably do science or English if I taught middle school. I am also OK with teaching elementary grades 2nd-5th (I know in some states 6th grade is part of elementary but in Florida elementary is K-5th and middle school is 6th-8th). I am a little worried about doing secondary education as a major however because that degree is for 5th-12th grade and I don’t really want to do high school, I prefer working with younger kids so I’m really not sure if I should play it safe and do elementary education or take the risk with secondary education. What grade do you teach? Did you intentionally pick that grade or were you assigned there with no say? I still have a bit before I have to apply to a University so right now I just need to take care of changing my class schedule for the fall I believe.
As for my relationship, I already know if I mention anything about him during the conversation they will immediately think he is why I am doing this so I have informed him to stay quiet if he is present for the discussion lol.
I honestly believe my nerves won’t go away till I talk to them, which I want to do in person and they are coming to visit in a few weeks. So now I am just trying to figure out if I should do elementary or secondary education.
I teach high school-- the last few years I’ve taught only Seniors, but I’ve taught just about every grade in my 6-12 school. You apply for a job in a department of a school, not for a particular grade. It depends on how many kids they have from year to year in each grade, taking each subject.
Do NOT have your boyfriend there for the discussion. This is not about your relationship, it’s about your education. It’s a matter for you and your parents.
Take a look at the job numbers in FL for education. In general, elementary ed is absolutely flooded in many parts of the country. Secondary English tends to be pretty competitive too-- every wannabe writer gets his teaching credentials for English. Science numbers tend to be a bit better-- with the exception of Bio (wannabe doctors tend to flock there.)
Each grade level carries with it it’s own pros and cons. Consider spending some time next year either observing or volunteering at a local elementary, then middle, then high school. See if you can spend a day in each, observing. But you’re not there for the material, you’re there to observe the teacher-- how she handles the bee in the room, the bathroom requests, the kid who doesn’t have his homework.
You don’t have to have this all under your belt before you speak to your parents. But tell them ASAP.
First off, I want to congratulate you for this - it’s called finding yourself!
Secondly, don’t worry about it… Your fear of their reaction is much more heightened than it will ever be. Take it from someone who changed their major at least four times… And all between subjects my father was either not well versed on, or not interested in. I want to also mention, he was the one bank rolling my undergraduate career.
People don’t realize that college is there for exploration. You are supposed to & even expected to find yourself during this time & sometimes, it’s quite a drastic discovery as yours seemingly is.
One thing to note - don’t have your boyfriend around when you disclose this information to them. That’s a big “no no.”
I don’t know your parents, but I think that your parents are going to be fine with this. Teaching is a honorable profession, and provides a lot more job options than zoology.
You haven’t done anything wrong at all. A big point of university is to give students a chance to explore a variety of options. Most kids change their major after they get to university.
I just want to share that my D changed majors in college. She was very nervous about telling us, but it was clear that her interests and career goals were evolving/changing as she matured and H and I were fine with the change. Many people change majors and career ideas in college . Lots of kids say they want to be vets or zoologists because they love animals and it sounds fun. But the career that a 12 year old thinks sounds great and the career a young adult wants to pursue after considering different options, lifestyles etc. is often two different things. Tell your parents in a straightforward manner, let them know your thought process (without mentioning boyfriend as discussed earlier), and ask for their support of your new career goals. I think you will be fine.
By the way, @bjkmom is right, this should NOT be about your boyfriend. Don’t even mention him to your parents. This needs to be about your education and your future. Parents are going to assume that boyfriends will come and go. Your choice of career will stay with you much longer and you have a very sensible reason to change your major on this basis.
@Rose0401 do you have access to tutors and professor office hours to help with your struggles in math and chemistry? I don’t think anyone is naturally good at math and it makes sense if you wanna switch majors for a new passion, better or more job options, or better pay (if that’s important to you). What math class are you in? Have you taken any actual classes in Zoology such as Herpetology, Ichthyology, limnology, or marine biology? Did you enjoy or not enjoy or your general Biology or Zoology classes? Do you like or not doing lab work? Was there a specific area of Zoology you were passionate about? I’m sorry you live away from your family and boyfriend, haven’t been able to make friends, and struggle financially. Have you been able to join any clubs or be involved in anything at school to meet people and make friends? I’m in kind of a similar situation where I did poorly first semester and hope to do better next semester but I’m still interested in zoology and other STEM fields, haven’t been able to make fiends yet, struggle with family, and struggle with other personal things. Education is a very In demand field in Indiana.
The reason Education is an in demand field in my state of Indiana is because of the shortage of Teachers in all fields. even elementary schools and the easy subjects here have shortages. It’s even listed as the second most in demand Job on the Hoosier hot 50 list. I’m not sure how in demand the field is in Florida.
I don’t think your major change (or career plans changing, more accurately) is a problem. Third semester of college many kids haven’t chosen a major yet at all.
I do find the change facilitating a switch to a school near your boyfriend to be a little suspicious (says the adult who did that, more or less, in college and has always regretted it).
If you and your BF broke up tomorrow, would you still make this change? Would you make the major change and stay at your current school? Would you make it and leave your current school?
What’s the financial impact of this switch, since you mention feeling stretched financially…does this move help in that regard?