I just don’t know how I’m going to pay for a Ph.D. Nothing else feels right to me but science. I like them all, not picky, I just don’t think I’ll be able to pay for a useful neuroscience degree, etc., y’know?
PhD programs worth attending should be funded, in exchange for doing research and teaching as a PhD student.
Why do you need a PhD?
Hmmm…Easiest, fastest…perhaps a Ph.D program is not right for you?
Agreed with both of the above. First off, you haven’t even said what you’re interested in as a career. What do you want to do that requires a PhD?
And it’s bad enough to choose a major just because it will make you money, but it’s even worse to choose one because it will be easy.
Challenge yourself. If you’re really passionate about neuroscience, then major in neuroscience.
Most people are in their 30’s when they get a PhD. So consider whether you really need it or want it that badly. 6-8 years of lost income (and living like a semi-pauper) while you are out of the workforce earning it, may not be financially worth it if the career doesn’t require it.
MY WHOLE POINT WAS I WANT A SUBJECT THAT DOESN’T NEED A PHD.
None of you helped out AT ALL
Maybe you should state your ideas more precisely.
GIGO
NO. nothing went out, since nothing was done
PrimeMeridian is correct. You did not word the question correctly, therefore you did not get the correct answer.
Shouting is not helpful. You can probably teach HS is any science with just an undergrad degree. What about CS or engineering? They are STEM, although not exactly science.
It is unclear for me what you are looking for - your original post doesn’t seem to reflect your actual question, and your later clarifications are still…unclear. Nonetheless, what I think you’re asking for is a major that doesn’t require a PhD in order for you to get a job, either because you actually don’t want a PhD or because you don’t think you’d be able to afford one.
To that, I say
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The term you are looking for is “natural and physical sciences.” Social sciences are no less ‘real’ than natural or physical ones.
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Having a natural or physical sciences major isn’t necessarily more likely to get you a job (or good pay) than a non-natural/physical sciences major. For example, the unemployment rate for biology majors (7.8%) isn’t that much different than the unemployment rate for French and German majors (8.1%) and is actually higher than that of journalism majors (7.0%) and family & consumer science majors (6.3%). Or, while the unemployment rate for chemistry majors is pretty low (5.8%), the average starting salary (around $31,000) is less than the average starting salary for economics majors ($46,000) and political science majors ($46,000), and about the same as most social sciences majors like sociology or history. These data were collected several years ago - during the 2009-2010 period - so while the absolute numbers have probably risen some, the comparisons still hold true.
The bottom line is, you can get a job with a BS in neuroscience. You just have to be creative about thinking of career fields, flexible with your desires, and assertive about gaining experience and skills through internships, volunteering, part-time jobs, shadowing opportunities, etc. It is true that certain majors are more in-demand, but it’s difficult to predict what’s going to be in-demand 5-7 years out from when you hit the job market - it changes rapidly. Moreover, it’s entirely possible that you’re not good at or don’t enjoy what’s currently the hot/cool job that pays the most.
- As someone already pointed out, PhDs worth doing are usually fully funded - your tuition and fees are covered and you are paid a small stipend that is intended to cover your living expenses.