Are these majors equivalent as far as post-college opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to an Ivy for any of them (or Georgetown IR). These are the types of majors where the school matters.

True.
But it’s not always a dead-end.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rise-english-major-blackrock-coo-193340590.html

[Anonymous]

Equal, if the kid goes to law school after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I met a 25yo mechanical engineer last night who was laid off and now working as a barista. Hopefully things improve in 3 years. I say major in what you like and do internships related to what you actually want to do.

[Anonymous]

All these disciplines have serious problems, these days, but History and International Relations are probably still functional as generic liberal arts degrees. History probably offers the most options - high schools are always hiring.

Anthropology, however, has mostly collapsed into a circle of crazy. Physical anthro is still functional, but as a career, it is both low-pay and extremely competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

One way to ensure he is a mere cog in the big business machine is to be … an engineer.

[Anonymous]

yes, they all lead to the struggle bus for most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:History, international relations, or anthropology. Thanks

These are all excellent pre-law track majors.

Kids majored in these three majors can also go on pre-med track if they are willing to take pre-med requirement courses. Or enroll in a post-bac.

For kids majored in these three majors AND at an ivy, wall street is also a possibility.

I don't see any problems with three majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to an Ivy for any of them (or Georgetown IR). These are the types of majors where the school matters.

I disagree. All of these majors require grad school unless you go to law school instead. Don’t go broke sending a kid to school for these majors.

[Anonymous]

Great insights.

Can IR focused kid get into any engineering career path, while I presume an engineering kid can seamlessly venture into other fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

One way to ensure he is a mere cog in the big business machine is to be … an engineer.

So true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any non-STEM majors that are worthwhile? Economics?

Economics is useless unless it is math-based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

My history major husband is a CEO

Cool! Which companies recruit for CEOs at undergraduate colleges?

No one. But undergraduates can go to work and 25 years later they make it to CEO. I know someone exactly like that. Has an undergraduate degree only, worked like a dog, promotion after promotion, flying all over the world and now has a private plane as CEO and an 8 figure salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:History, international relations, or anthropology. Thanks

You can go to med school, law school, join the CIA or get hired by MBB/other top consulting (from an ivy+) with any of those majors. Major choice does not often directly tie to future job choice.

[Anonymous]

With liberal arts, you generally need a graduate degree, MBA, jd, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to an Ivy for any of them (or Georgetown IR). These are the types of majors where the school matters.

I disagree. All of these majors require grad school unless you go to law school instead. Don’t go broke sending a kid to school for these majors.

No. Half of the history majors at kid's T10 went into consulting or other top companies, most of the rest are headed to law school or med school. Only a few went grad school for masters/phD. PhD is free and includes living stipends--no extra $ needed from parents. Top masters programs often have partial funding these days.