posted
Okay time for a vote: I want to go into grad school but I have too many interests to figure out what field to go into. So... you decide for me!
Here are the options:
Philosophy - A long-time favorite subject of mine. Only problem is, it's pretty impractical as far as careers gom, unless I want to spend about 7 years getting a PhD and become a professor - and I'm not sure I'd really want to spend the rest of my life deciding whether there are an infinite number of statues on my table or just oen.
Politics and Government - A more practical alternative related to Philosophy, and another long-time interest of mine. I'd like to be a social scientist... possibly. Plus, I could go back to UVA, which has an excellent politics program.
Psychology - Another favorite field of mine. With a background in Philosophy of Mind, Computer Science, and several Psych courses, I'd do pretty well in that field. Only problem is, it pretty much requires a PhD to do anything decent - and I know I don't want to be a clinical psychologist.
Sociology - Seems like a cross betwen Psych and Politics... but I don't have much experience in it.
Computer Science - The most practical idea I've had. I'm darn good at CS, but on the other hand, unless I'd be programming video games or something, I'd probably find it boring.
Atmospheric Science - An old passion of mine that I ended up bypassing in favor of more humanities/social sciences in college. But maybe I should go back...
Law - I don't want to be a lawyer, but it's really profitable and with degrees in Econ and Philosophy, I'd kill the LSAT. And supposedly it's a versatile degree.
Teaching - In my heart of hearts, I'd like to be a secondary teacher, mainly cause I like helping out kids. Only problem is, I think I may be too much of an introvert to actually enjoy the job...
Mariokartology - This is where I just sit at home and play Mario Kart. Sounds like fun, but I might need some money at some point... Unless people will start paying me to teach them how to win!
Forget more school! Go work! - Perhaps I should if I don't really know what to do yet. But then again, I really would like to learn more in at least one of my interest areas, and I really don't like the opportunities available in this job market now!
posted
I majored in Linguistics, and I often bemoan that I blew a full tuition scholarship on something so useless, regardless of how enjoyable it was for me. If I knew then what I know now, I would go into accounting or nursing. But I'm also interested in nutrition. Maybe. Maybe not.
I guess I kind of wanted to go to graduate school in Linguistics, but there was a particularly virulent scandal consuming the department the year I graduated and I kind of felt like it would be worse than working at a Post Office for the rest of my life.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Robotics. If you are good at CS you would be good at robotics, and it's super fun and interesting. Plus, I think there are jobs to be found easily in that field. It seems to be an up and coming thing.
Soft sciences are too soft to really sink your teeth into. They just aren't real science, you know? I go for applied stuff way more than that. I actually love applied science cause that is where it's at. It's what our species does for a living. It's where the diamond hits the vinyl.
Theoretical stuff is the most fun of all, though, especially if you have some cool experimental equipment to actually work on for real world hands on feedback and enjoyment.
Astrophysics! Did you think about that one? That would be so cool!
Hey, well, you did ask us to pick!
Posts: 968 | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Wow. Insulted every social science simultaneously, yet passively. Well done.
It sounds like you enjoy the "soft" sciences, Tres. Go for what makes you happy. I believe one should go to college to learn, rather than to secure a career. My vote's for Philosophy.
Posts: 5264 | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
No, no, no.... hard science and engineering is too technical and, well, too scientific! Ultimately it's mainly just the toolbuilding, whereas I'm more interested in the questions of how or when or in what way we should use the tools.
Posts: 8120 | Registered: Jul 2000
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This is the only one you expressed genuine passion for, besides philosopy, which you say is impractical and I doubt you'd have the drive to get a Ph.D and become a professer if you're "not sure."
The CS job market could be over-saturated now and for years to come. I know IT is very soft in the Atlanta job market, my best friend is a hacker who has given up on hunting for IT jobs in disgust. And look at fugu and others here who are stuck in IT jobs they are over-qualified. And if you find it boring, why bother? Unless you go into AI/cognitive programming, that could be a good fit with your philosophy of mind and psychology interests.
If you don't want to be a lawyer why go to law school? Unless you have in mind some hybrid career with a law degree, those jobs pay some serious cheddar.
If you have passion in AS I'd pursue that, at least research the job market.
ak's suggestion of robotics is good, the job market for that should be big for years. And it's an interesting field that you might be qualified for.
Astrophysics I wouldn't recommend without a stronger math/physics grounding than you have mentioned.
posted
There's a new Mario Kart coming out for gamecube, and it looks amazing. So definitely Mariokartology.
Posts: 1855 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Mario kart; now that’s one of the few things you have ever said that I agree with you about. One of the best games ever, and on Nov. 19th they are releasing the Game cube version.
I would say Computer science since all your other interests can be wrapped into that field also. The gaming field employ more than just programmers.
Posts: 7083 | Registered: Nov 2000
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