In college and don't know what to do with myself, realized I hate my major.

[Adakkon]

Well I'm at the end of my first year of a chemical engineering degree, and while sitting here trying to study for a chem final, I realized I ****ing hate chemistry.

I decided to go into it based off of money and the potential for massive returns with all the possible unique applications or advances that someone could make in the field.

I know I'm smart enough to possibly be someone who makes a major breakthrough in a field like this, but the thing is I've realized I have no intrinsic interest in chemistry and I dread studying or learning anything about it already, which is really hampering my grades and life due to the stress of all these difficult classes and my lack of drive to actually learn about them.

I've decided to change my major, but I have no idea what to.

I've given some thought to being an English professor. I made a perfect score on reading and writing on my ACT and comped out of several college English classes. I like to write and read and discuss things and philosophies and ideas.

Yet if I did something like that, I'd feel like I wouldn't have a chance to have a distinct impact on the world. The most I could do is write a book or something. Plus the money would never be good. I'd be resigning myself to a middle class life. I've always been someone who wanted to shoot for the stars though and this would just seem like giving up at any chance of greatness or something.

I've thought about switching to another engineering major, but I'm worried I'll hate them all the same. The only thing engineering wise I've ever really had an interest in is possibly designing weapons or vehicles for the military or NASA or something, but I'm not sure I'm ultimately going to enjoy that either.

I could go business, being an entrepreneur has interested me, but I'm afraid if I do this I might end up being some manager behind a desk my entire life and will never actually end up a business tycoon. Or that I'll risk too big trying to get there and end up middle aged with no money.

I'm just at a loss, anyone with any advice?

 

[kreuz]

Dear Adakkon,

To be honest my friend, I was in the same boat with my Chemistry degree. Trust me the courses are a pain in the beginning, but it is worth the pain. As I am a 4th year now, and I go talk to people graduating, I find that many people not in a science major are having trouble finding decent jobs.

In the long run though you should think about what makes you happy. Also a note to think about: If you speak English and can analyze writing (do you really need an English degree?), if you know how to do your taxes and how to work the marketplace (do you really need a degree in Business?). The bottom line is, if you feel you will make a major impact by having a science degree (side note: almost every science major does), then go for it and enjoy it. Chemistry is really easy once you understand the fundamental concepts of reactions and how to use the equipment.

If you need further help just let me know.

Keep your head up, be confident in your decision, and look on the bright side of life: you could be working at Mickey-dees.

 

[Fred Da Head]

So you want to stay in something you claim to hate because you want glory and money, instead of going for happiness? Whatever, don't ask our advice, just go for it. You've already made up your mind.

 

[Monster]

You are lucky you're still a freshman. There's plenty of time to make a change. Try to do what you like, money can be made a variety of ways regardless of your major.

 

[Wyldfire]

My sister is an aerospace engineer doing contract work for NASA. Her work is fascinating and she travels all other the world all the time for conferences. She is currently heading up one of the instrument teams for the Cassini Mission to Saturn. She makes 6 figures a year.

Oh yeah...she's gotten the cover of Astronomy Magazine with an article she co-wrote and she discovered and got to name a new asteroid with the rest of her team when she worked on the Galileo Project.

 

[Throttle]

warning: a phd is for someone who is really, really passionate about some research idea or agenda, and if you don't have that, don't bother. the hours, lifestyle, etc. can't be beat, but if you don't know exactly what you want to study in grad school, save yourself years of wheel-spinning and go do something else first.

and you can always switch into another line of study for grad school. don't pick a major now based on what you might want to do in grad school someday.

 

[Obsidian]

imo, chemistry is cool (altho I didn't major in it)

But you're asking us to tell you what your passion in life is? We can't decide what will be best for you...Come on, man

ok, I've decided: Physics. That will be your new passion. Now go officially switch your major and start studying.


seriously...

 

[sparky0000]

Every American teen thinks that he will become rich. I read a study where something like 80% of American high school seniors believe they will become rich and famous one day. I believe it. The most arrogant pricks on earth come from American high schools and colleges. Thank God the girls are fat slobs who think flip-flops are high fashion.

BTW, since when were "chemists" perceived as wealthy? Uh, I thought Hedge Fund Managers were the hot dudes these days. Remeber, you need a net worth of over $100 million to be somebody in America these days. Any less and you are still considered a "working stiff".

Here is something to put in your pipes and smoke. There are a zillion chemists in the former Soviet Union. As countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, and even Ukraine become accepted by Western Europe and America you will see thousands of guys who will work for A WHOLE LOT LESS than you will. They only wish they could make "Micky-dees" salaries. Think what happened to idiots who were majoring in computers a few years back. They are crying because Vijay has what was supposed to be their job. The Indians are smarter, work harder, and are CHEAPER than spoiled Westerners. In Russia there are already scientists who are working for large American companies. They get paid jack. There goes your jobs!!!!!!!

Big Business is already on the prowl in Russia.
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10824
Why Russia? The country's science and education systems remain one of the world's best. Until recently, the Russian government had shut off the country's scientific, engineering and mathematical expertise to the outside world. No longer. A number of companies have tapped into that knowledge, Xerox, IBM, and Intel among them. They have used Russian expertise to make new products considered impractical practical, and to create breakthroughs in manufacturing processes that have generated millions of dollars in benefits.

Nothing like dating a girl whose father has a zillion degrees from elite Soviet schools, yet makes less than an illegal does in America picking grapes.

 

[Fred Da Head]

The Indians are smarter, work harder, and are CHEAPER than spoiled Westerners.

Do you also believe white men can't jump? Black guys are retards who can only play football and basketball? Japanese women all wear schoolgirl uniforms well into their 20s?

 

[Monster]

Here is something to put in your pipes and smoke. There are a zillion chemists in the former Soviet Union. As countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, and even Ukraine become accepted by Western Europe and America you will see thousands of guys who will work for A WHOLE LOT LESS than you will. They only wish they could make "Micky-dees" salaries. Think what happened to idiots who were majoring in computers a few years back. They are crying because Vijay has what was supposed to be their job. The Indians are smarter, work harder, and are CHEAPER than spoiled Westerners. In Russia there are already scientists who are working for large American companies. They get paid jack. There goes your jobs!!!!!!!


Nothing like dating a girl whose father has a zillion degrees from elite Soviet schools, yet makes less than an illegal does in America picking grapes.

Haha, you make a good point there dude.

 

[Wyldfire]

sparky...you seem to really hate Americans. Realistically speaking...the US is the best place to be if you stand any chance of being very wealthy. That arrogance you describe is simply a bunch of young people who are still able to believe in their dream.

Outsourcing will only be tolerated for so long...when Americans get fed up enough the politicians will have no choice but to stop it in order to be elected.

 

[ValleyDJing]

"In college and don't know what to do with myself, realized I hate my major"...
Join the club. I'm right with you there bro.

 

[bigjohnson]

.... majoring in computers a few years back. They are crying because Vijay has what was supposed to be their job.....

You have no idea what you're blathering on about do you? It's like diarrhea, but it's streaming out your mouth. We hire Indians because there are not enough GOOD local talents - demand has outstripped supply and prices in software development headcounts are astronomical. Even Indian headcount is getting expensive.


No, I'll take fries with that Sparky. Thanks bye.

 

[Latinoman]

Every American teen thinks that he will become rich. I read a study where something like 80% of American high school seniors believe they will become rich and famous one day. I believe it. The most arrogant pricks on earth come from American high schools and colleges. Thank God the girls are fat slobs who think flip-flops are high fashion.

BTW, since when were "chemists" perceived as wealthy? Uh, I thought Hedge Fund Managers were the hot dudes these days. Remeber, you need a net worth of over $100 million to be somebody in America these days. Any less and you are still considered a "working stiff".

Here is something to put in your pipes and smoke. There are a zillion chemists in the former Soviet Union. As countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, and even Ukraine become accepted by Western Europe and America you will see thousands of guys who will work for A WHOLE LOT LESS than you will. They only wish they could make "Micky-dees" salaries. Think what happened to idiots who were majoring in computers a few years back. They are crying because Vijay has what was supposed to be their job. The Indians are smarter, work harder, and are CHEAPER than spoiled Westerners. In Russia there are already scientists who are working for large American companies. They get paid jack. There goes your jobs!!!!!!!

Big Business is already on the prowl in Russia.
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10824
Why Russia? The country's science and education systems remain one of the world's best. Until recently, the Russian government had shut off the country's scientific, engineering and mathematical expertise to the outside world. No longer. A number of companies have tapped into that knowledge, Xerox, IBM, and Intel among them. They have used Russian expertise to make new products considered impractical practical, and to create breakthroughs in manufacturing processes that have generated millions of dollars in benefits.

Nothing like dating a girl whose father has a zillion degrees from elite Soviet schools, yet makes less than an illegal does in America picking grapes.

Here is a FACT:

Very few people in America are going for engineering. That is going to eventually become a "security" issue.

Science and engineering is something that the energy sector (oil, gas, etc.) is seeking badly. Especially from the U.S.

Make no mistake about one thing...maybe foreign nations might have better UNDERGRADUATE degrees in science.

But when it comes to graduate and post-graduate in Engineering and Science...the U.S. is second to NONE.

 

[djSlvt]

Nah, US education sucks. Case in point. I came to this country at 15, had to pass FCAT my first year, English and Math sections. I passed with 90 something in both sections. I spoke absolutely no English. This is while other, American, kids, failed miserably. That was the first year for FCAT, and after that they had to prepare kids so that they pass the test, lol..

American education stinks.

Now though, that I went through American HS and College, I stink just as badly..



Russian education is second to none. Russian dentistry is second to none, teeth done in Russia last for a long long time, here, every 2 years if you lucky. Russian conventional jet war planes outperform American raptors' vetoring pulse jet engines. Russia don't fvck around when they fvck around, spy spoken some sh1t, he's fvcking dead, America can't skill Osama for how many years now? Nah, America sucks, Russia rules..

Why is DJ Slut living in America? I like the wide selection of cheap beer in here.

 

[mexican_player2]

"In college and don't know what to do with myself, realized I hate my major"...
Join the club. I'm right with you there bro.

I like my major (international commerce) im just afraid i wont make big bucks

ps. i want to be an entepreneur

 

[Fred Da Head]

ANYTHING in the health field is MONEY!!!. That's it...anything in the health field is money.

Uh-uh... remember a few years back, when anything in the computer industry was money? Yeah, didn't work out so well, did it?

 

[Latinoman]

Nah, US education sucks. Case in point. I came to this country at 15, had to pass FCAT my first year, English and Math sections. I passed with 90 something in both sections. I spoke absolutely no English. This is while other, American, kids, failed miserably. That was the first year for FCAT, and after that they had to prepare kids so that they pass the test, lol..

American education stinks.

Now though, that I went through American HS and College, I stink just as badly..



Russian education is second to none. Russian dentistry is second to none, teeth done in Russia last for a long long time, here, every 2 years if you lucky. Russian conventional jet war planes outperform American raptors' vetoring pulse jet engines. Russia don't fvck around when they fvck around, spy spoken some sh1t, he's fvcking dead, America can't skill Osama for how many years now? Nah, America sucks, Russia rules..

Why is DJ Slut living in America? I like the wide selection of cheap beer in here.

As I said...GRADUATE and POST-GRADUATE education in the U.S.A. is the best.

I won't debate Undergraduate or High School or all that c_rap. But GRADUATE and POST-GRADUATE? No one even come close in science and engineering.

Note: Russia couldn't even kept all the Former Soviet Block together.

 

[ValleyDJing]

I seriously hate my major too, but it was what I was born to do I guess. Following in my parents footsteps. Both of them had the same major, (criminology). I never applied myself in high school, its like the best career field I'm still qualified for as far as money goes. I don't wanna get into that field though. Boulevard of broken dreams I guess.

 

[Live-n-learn]

Haha, I'm one of those people getting their "worthless" Business degrees soon. I could have chosen to do accounting but it just wasn't for me. Sure you can make good money as an accountant but assuming you're working for some company, but you're still dependant on a paycheque at the end of the week (or bi-week). At one of my old summer jobs, I witnessed an accountant who worked there for several months, got fired, and the new accountant didn't look to promising either (I already left before knowing whether she stayed or not). But both accountants hardly ever smiled and had monotonous voices. Literally sucks the life out of their words :S.

Life is short though, I'm currently reevaluating and exploring what I like and want to do. It is an investment in myself. It won't be easy but if it were, then everyone would be happy doing what they do. And that doesn't appear to be the case now, does it?

Hope you guys can figure things out too!