Help in thinking about a major: Economics? Data Analytics? Anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeking advice on a major for my child, who has a passion for history and social studies but also wants a career with a decent income. She's not interested in teaching, dislikes science, excels in math, but doesn't love it. She's a talented writer but not fond of writing, and she's an excellent public speaker with natural charisma. Many suggest she consider a career in sales, but I don't even know what that means. Sales in what?? What would one major in?

She has to choose what she wants to do, but I'm looking to offer her suggestions to research. I thought about economics, but I don't know much about it. Is there a general economics major, and what career opportunities exist? Can you make a good living with just a bachelor's or does one need an advanced degree to make money? How does it compare to demanding fields like BigLaw? How is the field for women? What high school classes should she take besides AP Statistics and AP Economics?

Also, exploring data analytics as it involves analytical skills. In history, she loves DBQs and analyzes documents. Does one major in data analytics or is there another name for such a degree? What are career prospects? Is an advanced degree essential for a decent income? What high school courses should she consider for a data analytics degree?

Open to opinions, kind and harsh. Thank you.

Get an MPH. Many folks who get one find themselves jobless -- but not the ones who are great analysts who understand math/statistics. And the subject matter would likely interest someone who enjoys the social sciences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8th grade.... ask again in 2-3 years

She is picking HS classes so would like to get a sense of electives to take in HS. It would be helpful if they were geared toward a potential major.

Wait, what? Your DC is in 8th grade?

Ok. Stop it. We do not need to be thinking about a "major" right now for many, many reasons.

[Anonymous]

Business school

[Anonymous]

In 8th grade she is analyzing historical documents and writing DBQs? I thought that method was part of the AP curriculum.

Anyway, she sounds a natural for law school.

PS- Who is telling an 8th grader she’s a fit for a career in sales??

[Anonymous]

Quantitative Economics would be good. The whole “data science” area would be possible. QE requires strong math skills, pays very well, but does not require any lab science.

[Anonymous]

Law school! She can always minor in Econ to go with the history major, if you're that worried. But she sounds perfect for law school.

But please, please, please--land the chopper.

--Law professor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeking advice on a major for my child, who has a passion for history and social studies but also wants a career with a decent income. She's not interested in teaching, dislikes science, excels in math, but doesn't love it. She's a talented writer but not fond of writing, and she's an excellent public speaker with natural charisma. Many suggest she consider a career in sales, but I don't even know what that means. Sales in what?? What would one major in?

She has to choose what she wants to do, but I'm looking to offer her suggestions to research. I thought about economics, but I don't know much about it. Is there a general economics major, and what career opportunities exist? Can you make a good living with just a bachelor's or does one need an advanced degree to make money? How does it compare to demanding fields like BigLaw? How is the field for women? What high school classes should she take besides AP Statistics and AP Economics?

Also, exploring data analytics as it involves analytical skills. In history, she loves DBQs and analyzes documents. Does one major in data analytics or is there another name for such a degree? What are career prospects? Is an advanced degree essential for a decent income? What high school courses should she consider for a data analytics degree?

Open to opinions, kind and harsh. Thank you.

Data analytics is completely wrong based on your description. She could major in history and be a research analyst. Dara analytics is not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing wrong with looking into ideas of what to do in life. But, I agree with others, you should tell her it's a bit too early to pick a major.

What she might want to do is start researching ideas (ie, google them) of things you can do if you like history, social studies, and public speaking. For example, she will be in high school next year and most schools have a Model UN which might be a great extracurricular for her interests.

She can look at different college websites to see what types of majors exist. With her interests maybe History, Political Science, International Affairs, etc.

She can also see what types of jobs people with those majors have such as Foreign Service Officers, lawyers, analysts (national security and others), Public Affairs Officers, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing wrong with looking into ideas of what to do in life. But, I agree with others, you should tell her it's a bit too early to pick a major.

What she might want to do is start researching ideas (ie, google them) of things you can do if you like history, social studies, and public speaking. For example, she will be in high school next year and most schools have a Model UN which might be a great extracurricular for her interests.

She can look at different college websites to see what types of majors exist. With her interests maybe History, Political Science, International Affairs, etc.

She can also see what types of jobs people with those majors have such as Foreign Service Officers, lawyers, analysts (national security and others), Public Affairs Officers, etc.

Well, yeah, but -- she literally can't "pick a major." She's in 8th grade. The original post is just obsessive weirdness from her parent. None of this will help Op's DC, who will undoubtedly figure everything out just fine years from now (and she probably won't even have the same interests).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice is that your daughter is going to college, not you. She's not going to succeed if you try to micro-manage her life.

DP. Holy stupid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 8th grade she is analyzing historical documents and writing DBQs? I thought that method was part of the AP curriculum.

Anyway, she sounds a natural for law school.

PS- Who is telling an 8th grader she’s a fit for a career in sales??

It’s a troll 🙄

[Anonymous]

Omgggg. Stop! Tell her to take courses that interest and challenge her, regardless of what major they might support. High school is a time to try as many things as possible!

I teach seniors, and I’d say 80% of them have no clue what they want to do. The other 20% have known since they were 5 that they wanted to be a teacher/doctor/go into the military.

She has TIME.

[Anonymous]

Did your DS in college know he wanted to major in CS and minor in physics since the 8th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeking advice on a major for my child, who has a passion for history and social studies but also wants a career with a decent income. She's not interested in teaching, dislikes science, excels in math, but doesn't love it. She's a talented writer but not fond of writing, and she's an excellent public speaker with natural charisma. Many suggest she consider a career in sales, but I don't even know what that means. Sales in what?? What would one major in?

She has to choose what she wants to do, but I'm looking to offer her suggestions to research. I thought about economics, but I don't know much about it. Is there a general economics major, and what career opportunities exist? Can you make a good living with just a bachelor's or does one need an advanced degree to make money? How does it compare to demanding fields like BigLaw? How is the field for women? What high school classes should she take besides AP Statistics and AP Economics?

Also, exploring data analytics as it involves analytical skills. In history, she loves DBQs and analyzes documents. Does one major in data analytics or is there another name for such a degree? What are career prospects? Is an advanced degree essential for a decent income? What high school courses should she consider for a data analytics degree?

Open to opinions, kind and harsh. Thank you.

Get an MPH. Many folks who get one find themselves jobless -- but not the ones who are great analysts who understand math/statistics. And the subject matter would likely interest someone who enjoys the social sciences.

Yeah, I could see something like epidemiology

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omgggg. Stop! Tell her to take courses that interest and challenge her, regardless of what major they might support. High school is a time to try as many things as possible!

I teach seniors, and I’d say 80% of them have no clue what they want to do. The other 20% have known since they were 5 that they wanted to be a teacher/doctor/go into the military.

She has TIME.

Only if she is White and privileged!!