hi, I’m a high school junior, and not sure what I want to major in at college. I would like something science-oriented; I enjoy biology, physics and math in school. However, I am not sure that I would like to pursue a degree that would mean employment that requires a desk job. I’d like to be able to do something with my hands, too, rather than just work at a computer. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance:)
Most science majors will require work in a lab. I’m not sure if that’s hands-on enough for you.
You could consider majors that involve field work, for example, geology, meteorology, environmental science, ecology.
There are also the various engineering fields, health care professions (e.g., nursing, physical therapy), and the agriculture- and natural resources-related fields (e.g., plant science, soil science, wildlife biology).
Don’t pick a major, choose a career and work backwards to the credentials your career needs.
You will spend the next 4-5 years in school. You will spend the 30 years after that in your career, and your career will be nothing like school.
Career choices are the intersection of three things
- Thinks you are interested in (doing for a career)
- Things you are good at
- Things that are in demand in the job market
GL.
^^and things that pay you a salary that allows you to live the lifestyle you want:)
thanks @zapfino that’s something to think about…
@mitchklong that makes sense…thanks…still not sure how to go about choosing that career though…
@citymama9 true…my parents have emphasized that point:)
The thing is you do NOT have to choose right now- you have a good 2-3 years before you need to choose- and you don’t even know what all the choices are yet!
Most colleges don’t require you to say a major on your application, and “undeclared” is a perfectly honorable choice. Some colleges (Cornell comes to mind, iirc) even have special advisors for ‘undeclared’ students, to help them identify classes to register for that will give them a good idea of what that subject is about (the 101 course is often not the best indicator) while also taking care of GenEd / distribution requirements.
Use your time over the next several summers and breaks to dip your toe into some of the career paths (that is one of the reasons that internships are such a good thing- you get to taste-test the field).
Thanks @collegemom3717, going undeclared is definitely a good option:)
I disagree with this advice, at least in college/undergrad. Most people switch careers multiple times, so although people may spend 30-40 years post college in A career, it won’t necessarily be doing the same thing consistently for that 30 years. Most people also change their mind about what they want to do multiple times in college and post-college and beyond.
There’s nothing wrong with picking a major and deciding the career later. The important thing is to pick something you like and to build skills by doing internships, part-time jobs, volunteering and other experiences that make you appealing to potential employers.
Thanks @juillet, that’s actually reassuring.
I have come across biomedical engineering, and it definitely sounds interesting. Does anyone know anything about it? I can’t seem to find too much information on what studying it will be like.
A good place to start is the Occupational Outlook Handbook’s description of biomedical engineers: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm
I have heard two things about biomedical engineering:
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You need a graduate degree to do anything in biomedical engineering.
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Don’t major in biomedical engineering in undergrad; instead, major in electrical or mechanical engineering and take some biology classes.
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Is said about a lot of different majors, so I’m skeptical. But this is not my field, so I’d talk to some biomedical engineers and look at some job ads to confirm for yourself.
The idea behind 2) is that mechanical and/or electrical engineers are better trained in engineering principles than BME majors; the claim is that a bioengineering firm will hire an electrical or mechanical engineer over a biomedical engineering major for a biomedical engineer role. The other logic is that EE and ME are more flexible than BME. The latter is certainly true. I don’t know whether the former is actually true, but again, some actual working biomedical engineers would be the best ones to answer that question.
If you are interested in medicine, and don’t want a desk job, one job to look up is medical physicist. Medical physicists use nuclear medicine/imaging techniques to diagnose disease. You would major in physics, take some classes in biology and chemistry, and then get an MS in medical physics to pursue this career. Check out the American Association of Physicists in Medicine’s website about the career: https://www.aapm.org/medical_physicist/
thanks @juillet for all the information and suggestions!