Is it better to major in something you're good at(easy A's) but risk losing money? (computer science, degree) - Higher education - City-Data Forum

daboywonder2002 · 04-27-2010, 01:23 PM

is it better to major in something you feel your grades would flourish in like say history, biology, english. but you may suffer in the job market and make less money. or is it better to major in something you may struggle in. examples are engineering, computer science( calculus is a struggle for me) and deal with the stress and not so great gpa. but the job market outlook is way better.

kinkytoes · 04-27-2010, 01:37 PM

YES go for the struggle. You can always enjoy your other interests as a hobby. Make sure that you at least like the subject you choose, even if you will struggle a bit. For something like engineering or computer science, you should try to get prepared before you start school to make sure you're prepared for the coursework. In my experience, most youngsters in those fields get interested early on and do hobby projects for years in elementary, middle and/or high school before they join the major in college. You may have to work harder to understand the concepts if you haven't done projects outside of class; but you definitely can catch up. Tutors and study partners can also help.

StinaTado · 04-27-2010, 02:04 PM

It depends on how much you struggle and how much you can stand doing something else.

I always did really well in science and math- however, I have NO interest in pursuing either of those for a career. I would literally hate my life. I really love theater and am good at it, so I've managed to forge a pretty decent career in a field I love. My boyfriend is in a career he doesn't love but doesn't hate, and for him, the bigger paycheck makes up for the boring work. I've had "normal" jobs and I find the paychecks to not be worth the boredom and stress. It's up to you to decide how you feel about it.

If you really struggle with the basic concepts needed for a more "lucrative" field, you probably won't be able to get a job anyway. Who wants to hire an engineer that's bad at math? If it's just that it doesn't come as easily, but you can get it eventually and you do enjoy the subject, then it's probably worth it. If you're bad at it and hate it but want the money, you'll never get anywhere anyway.

kinkytoes · 04-27-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinaTado

It depends on how much you struggle and how much you can stand doing something else.

I always did really well in science and math- however, I have NO interest in pursuing either of those for a career. I would literally hate my life. I really love theater and am good at it, so I've managed to forge a pretty decent career in a field I love. My boyfriend is in a career he doesn't love but doesn't hate, and for him, the bigger paycheck makes up for the boring work. I've had "normal" jobs and I find the paychecks to not be worth the boredom and stress. It's up to you to decide how you feel about it.

If you really struggle with the basic concepts needed for a more "lucrative" field, you probably won't be able to get a job anyway. Who wants to hire an engineer that's bad at math? If it's just that it doesn't come as easily, but you can get it eventually and you do enjoy the subject, then it's probably worth it. If you're bad at it and hate it but want the money, you'll never get anywhere anyway.

Nobody is "bad" at math. Just like anything else, if you practice and do exercises, you can excel. Unless you have a learning disability, everyone can do well in any subject with hard work. If you study hard, you can learn how to solve complicated problems quickly and correctly.

North Beach Person · 04-27-2010, 04:28 PM

Play to your strengths.

itshim · 04-27-2010, 05:00 PM

personally...I'd take the easy A. From what i've seen having a very high GPA is always impressive no matter what you want to do.

TehB33nz · 04-27-2010, 05:13 PM

I say go for the struggle. I myself choose an easier major and now cannot get a job. Also not a single employer has ever asked for my GPA or transcripts, so I am not sure it really matters or it could just be the field I choose. I have decided to go back to pursue a degree in the health field. If you ever find your self struggling too much remember that most teachers encourage you to go to them and get some kind of tutoring that your school offers. I have many friends who did engineering and all of the have been very succesful right out of college with great companies. In whatever you decided I wish you the best of luck, and remember in college make the best of those 4 years, they are fantastic!

UntamedOhioan · 04-27-2010, 05:18 PM

I disagree with those who say you "go to college to learn". I go to college so I will have a decent paying job in the future. Take lots of internships, and major in something that has an actual application- make sure it's specific. For example, I love reading & writing, so my choices would include fields like English teacher, copywriter/technical writer, public relations (which I ended up choosing), and some other communications related fields.

If I would've majored in English I would likely wind up working at The Top Notch Diner here in Nowhere Ohio for the rest of my life. No thank you.

city_data91 · 04-27-2010, 09:08 PM

Major in something you love that comes easy to you. If you think you can make a lot of money doing something you struggle with, think again. There's a reason those jobs pay so much...not very many people are capable of doing them. If you're no good at something, why would someone want to hire you? The job outlook might be good but only for those that are good at the job. You will be miserable during and after college if you focus on something you hate.

If something comes easy to you and you have passion for it, you are more likely to end up at a job you enjoy. It may not pay as much, but it should at least pay a livable wage if the job requires a college degree. Just don't major in something completely useless where you would end up in a job you could do as a high school dropout.

user_id · 04-28-2010, 05:07 AM

You should pursue what you are good at, even if the job market is better in other things if you struggle at it how do you expect to succeed? There is not a big demand for engineers, computer scientists, etc that are bad at mathematics.

With that said, some degree programs are not all that viable in terms of careers. So try to pick something that plays to your strengths but also something that can lead to a reasonable career.