Angry at college sophomore for changing to lower paying major
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Anonymous
Thanks, still all Spanish to me. Which I don't speak. I am not saying these are not legitimate jobs, not at all. I am just incredibly challenged to understand any of it. Give me literature and history, philosophy and I get it. I was in a similar position as OP's DD, but in HS. In my country regular grammar school after 2 years takes either math/science emphasis or language/philosophy emphasis. I could get an A in any subject, math and biology if I worked hard. I just hated it so much. My mom and dad tried everything to convince me that I am wasting my life, I enrolled in science program first... after couple of weeks, I was just screaming inside. Even school physiologist told my mom I am stupid for wanting to change because there is no money in social studies...I switched and have never been happier since. But, yes, money wise, not a smart choice, yet I could never continue on math or similar path. I am happy and have never earned a ton of money, so there is that. OP is right, and her DD might feel like me, just hating every minute of her life studying something she hates. Just maybe have an honest conversation with your DD, op, see if she feels like I felt. BTW, I have a DS, in college, also hoping to be in business school, but not because he loves it, but because there is money in it. I hope he doesn't regret it. |
Anonymous
Sure you "always have a job" as a RN or teacher. But let's face it. Both are low-pay, high-stress professions. Until this country figures out that we need to actually value these two professions and reward them accordingly, there will always be a shortage of good nurses and teachers. Teachers in Oklahoma have 1-3 side jobs just to live. How is this sustainable? |
Anonymous
| I know of several STEM grads who've gone back to college to get teaching certificates. |
Anonymous
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You look down on teachers, op. It’s clear from your post.
I am also very smart, received tons of awards in school, and chose teaching as my profession. I have heard lots of comments like yours. They show that you do not have your priorities in order. You also did a disservice to your daughter by not also encouraging liberal arts education. |
Anonymous
| You can do teach for America without a major in education or elementary education. They love math majors. If she did that program she would have a two year teaching assignment and they would also pay for a Masters degree in education. Many people do you teach for America and then they go on to law school or graduate school in another profession was some state in education, often in educational administration. In short it's a great way to explore whether not teaching is really for you |
Anonymous
The thing with "business" is that it's so general that you can find a lot of different paths in it but it will depend on the exposure you get through teachers, classes, projects, internships. I was the top math student in my school and got a lot of pressure to go into engineering but by the end of HS I hated math (was in differential equations). Wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I majored in business because it was "practical". Fortunately, once I took statistics I discovered I LIKED this kind of math and that combined with finding my consumer behavior classes really interesting led to a career in marketing research. But, if I had to do it over again -- knowing now what career was a good fit for me -- I think I'd have preferred to do a double major in psychology and statistics and save the other business classes for an MBA. |
Anonymous
| The title of this thread says a lot. “Angry”? Really? I get disappointed, worried, concerned, even frustrated, but if you’re angry, it doesn’t sound like you have a healthy relationship with your kid. Sounds too controlling. |
Anonymous
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Here is something to think about.
Can a neurosurgeon teach 5th grade math? The answer is a resounding yes Can an education major perform surgery on someone? The answer is absolutely NO Therefore, study and become a doctor. It that does not work out, you can become a 5th grade teacher. The reverse is not possible. I have nothing but respect for teachers. Lot of work and underpaid. I think most teachers make less than a high school drop out doing IT work. So unfair. |
Anonymous
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It's incredibly unfair. But to value a business degree about an education degree is part of the problem.
OP, my father blew a gasket when I changed my major from computer engineering to English 25 years ago. 25 years later, I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do, working in the software industry with that English major. And while I have a highly technical job, my analytical writing skills are what has made me successful. My point is that your major doesn't really determine a hell of a lot over the long term. And finding your passion at 19/20 is amazing. |
Anonymous
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It's incredibly unfair. But to value a business degree over an education degree is part of the problem.
OP, my father blew a gasket when I changed my major from computer engineering to English 25 years ago. 25 years later, I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do, working in the software industry with that English major. And while I have a highly technical job, my analytical writing skills are what has made me successful. My point is that your major doesn't really determine a heck of a lot over the long term. And finding your passion at 19/20 is amazing. |
Anonymous
I know many many public and private companies that would hire a math or engineering major any day over some other major. The signaling to the market is that you have the academic horsepower to master difficult subctmstter, are teachable, and work hard. Very hirable in any discipline. I do not understand why someone senior year of college would not complete her math major, then take a breather try something and if you want Ma in Ed apply next year. Your 20s are for trying different things, hopefully within the same discipline, but if you want to totally pivot at least get the credentials you already mostly earned. Those are strong credentials in any global market and any day for teaching. As for the poster who doesn’t understand economics or business, start reading the WSJ. The degree of impact one can make through a small or large company will outweigh most other options, esp teaching history. |
Anonymous
Hey, I did the same as a Chinese language and author major, ending up in consumer behavior marketing and research. Love it. |
Anonymous
| Anthro. |
Anonymous
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OP, how did things go with this? Did you talk?
To the poster who said they are letting their child take out loans and will only pay for courses with As and Bs, I think that's fantastic I'll do the same thing |
Anonymous
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OP, how did things go with this? Did you talk?
To the poster who said they are letting their child take out loans and will only pay for courses with As and Bs, I think that's fantastic I'll do the same thing |