Are these majors equivalent as far as post-college opportunities?
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Anonymous
| History, international relations, or anthropology. Thanks |
Anonymous
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I think they're pretty different. I know an Anthropology WashU grad who became an orthopedic surgeon. And many history majors who became high school teachers. IR is ambiguous and could lead to a few different things.
What is your DC most interested in? |
Anonymous
Usually these majors necessitate a grad degree if you want to do anything with it. But generally, with history and IR you should end up being a competent writer with a sense of context - and that can be useful. I associate undergrad anthropology with advertising. Basically, these are future law school or present barista majors today. Unless well connected. Maybe a short career in journalism until the eviction notice appears. In 2025, these are rich kid majors that will require parental support. So be prepared. |
Anonymous
| Are there any non-STEM majors that are worthwhile? Economics? |
Anonymous
| History and anthropology can lead to academic careers after a PHD but these are scarce and not well paying. |
Anonymous
| Economics yes but it is increasingly mathematical. |
Anonymous
The majors are different obviously but all equally suited to a career in orthopedics. |
Anonymous
My history major husband is a CEO |
Anonymous
| History and anthropology can lead to museum jobs as well. IR not so much. |
Anonymous
Cool! Which companies recruit for CEOs at undergraduate colleges? 
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Anonymous
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I think of history, political science and IR as pretty closely related. Anthro I think of as more human science related.
At UVA in the 90s I was a “foreign affairs” major, I had a choice between that and “government” on my degree, and it was only 1 class difference. I qualified for both. Common degree paths for that were working in fed or state government, law school, or trying for the foreign service. I tried those careers for a while, hated them, and then went on to get my MBA and have had a great 25 year career in Fortune 500 companies, so I definitely see the whole C suite thing, but it is more due to graduate degrees now. Being an IR major taught me how to read and write well and about how different countries are set up and have evolved. It was great training for my career, and I would hire a strong person from one of these majors for an entry level business job. |
Anonymous
| They're all going to be tough and involve hustle, and I say that as a humanities major. |
Anonymous
I think they're all worthwhile if you're into them. You learn a lot. But the path to a good career is going to be one you carve out on your own. |
Anonymous
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I have a poly sci/IR/history loving kid who is a freshman at a top school. He is trying to decide whether to switch to mechanical engineering, so is taking courses accordingly. He has concerns about employment if he sticks with poli sci.
He could be successful in many fields, but for now seems to have a viewpoint that business is somehow evil. |
Anonymous
| Go to an Ivy for any of them (or Georgetown IR). These are the types of majors where the school matters. |