Torn between choices

[tafan]

I am curently a Bio major but im switching to liberal arts with a history minor.

I love history and all parts of it and with the minor I could work at a national park like Gettysburg and that would be awesome for me. I also would love to work at a museum because I also love paleontolgy (study of dinosaurs and prehistoric life). I would love to do both but thats hard so what should I do?

Nothing at all wrong with a liberal arts major, but one still needs to think about the practical side of earning a living; which it sounds like you are doing. Its easy with an engineering degree or such, because the degrees are largely training (highly specialized) in a trade. Liberal arts are not so easy, but still possible. I would strongly suggest a liberal arts degree (possibly with history as a major, not as a minor) coupled with getting a teaching certificate. Note: do not get an education degree; find out what a secondary school teaching certificate takes in your state and add that to your liberal arts degree. I want my kids taught history from a history major; not an education major.

It seems to me that palentology is a bit off the track from the degree plan you are considering. So I would do more research on that if I were you. As to working at a park like Gettysburg, you need to go talk to them and find out the type of positions they have and what are their requirements.

 

[SilverLight]

Nothing at all wrong with a liberal arts major, but one still needs to think about the practical side of earning a living; which it sounds like you are doing. Its easy with an engineering degree or such, because the degrees are largely training (highly specialized) in a trade. Liberal arts are not so easy, but still possible. I would strongly suggest a liberal arts degree (possibly with history as a major, not as a minor) coupled with getting a teaching certificate. Note: do not get an education degree; find out what a secondary school teaching certificate takes in your state and add that to your liberal arts degree. I want my kids taught history from a history major; not an education major.

It seems to me that palentology is a bit off the track from the degree plan you are considering. So I would do more research on that if I were you. As to working at a park like Gettysburg, you need to go talk to them and find out the type of positions they have and what are their requirements.

I know what I need to do yes and I agree history should be tought by somone who knows it.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I would definitely encourage a student who wanted to pursue music to double major.

I think it also wise to talk to the student interested in music and determine if he/she is interested in a career in music or interested in becoming a pop star. A career in music is entirely possible. There are a lot of careers that can keep one close to music - it doesn’t need to be in performance. A student who is only interested in performing probably doesn’t really love music enough to pursue it.

Yeah, he’s mostly interested in performing, although he does write songs (currently on a Game Boy, don’t ask me how, but it’s calling “chip tuning”). He’s not a musician in the way that someone who wants to go to Julliard is, for example. A performer is different from someone who lives for music, it’s true, which is why I encourage him to get a hard major.

 

[HouseArrest]

Yeah, he’s mostly interested in performing, although he does write songs (currently on a Game Boy, don’t ask me how, but it’s calling “chip tuning”). He’s not a musician in the way that someone who wants to go to Julliard is, for example. A performer is different from someone who lives for music, it’s true, which is why I encourage him to get a hard major.

Yeah sounds like a plan!

i am looking forward to helping my kids figure out what they want to go to school for… except… the pressure and responsibility i am sure make it kind of stressful. I am sure I will be coming on here asking for advice in a few years!

 

[sw85]

I am curently a Bio major but im switching to liberal arts with a history minor.

I love history and all parts of it and with the minor I could work at a national park like Gettysburg and that would be awesome for me. I also would love to work at a museum because I also love paleontolgy (study of dinosaurs and prehistoric life). I would love to do both but thats hard so what should I do?

I really, really, really caution against pursuing any kind of liberal arts degree, including (and especially) history. As someone who majored in such a field, you will be happy to find any job at all relevant to your studies, and if you do you are likely to be saddled working with very insufferable people.

Hard sciences are challenging and they open up doors for you. You may not enjoy them as much but think of it as a means for you to discharge your duties to your future family.

 

[signit]

I really, really, really caution against pursuing any kind of liberal arts degree, including (and especially) history. As someone who majored in such a field, you will be happy to find any job at all relevant to your studies, and if you do you are likely to be saddled working with very insufferable people.

Hard sciences are challenging and they open up doors for you. You may not enjoy them as much but think of it as a means for you to discharge your duties to your future family.

I agree with this post in the strongest possible way. The liberal arts degree was the worst decision I ever made in my life.

Fact is, employers won’t be beating a path to your door if you’re a liberal arts major. Employers may say they respect liberal arts majors but that’s not what they’re looking for in someone trying to get their foot in the door. You might see the engineering major getting multiple job offers while you’re rewriting your resume for the fifth time.

I’d even consider community college over a four-year liberal arts degree; at least you could learn a skill employers want (health care, computers, business, etc.). Seriously.

 

[sw85]

I agree with this post in the strongest possible way. The liberal arts degree was the worst decision I ever made in my life.

Fact is, employers won’t be beating a path to your door if you’re a liberal arts major. Employers may say they respect liberal arts majors but that’s not what they’re looking for in someone trying to get their foot in the door. You might see the engineering major getting multiple job offers while you’re rewriting your resume for the fifth time.

I’d even consider community college over a four-year liberal arts degree; at least you could learn a skill employers want (health care, computers, business, etc.). Seriously.

I’m considering going to trade school or something.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I agree with this post in the strongest possible way. The liberal arts degree was the worst decision I ever made in my life.

Fact is, employers won’t be beating a path to your door if you’re a liberal arts major. Employers may say they respect liberal arts majors but that’s not what they’re looking for in someone trying to get their foot in the door. You might see the engineering major getting multiple job offers while you’re rewriting your resume for the fifth time.

I’d even consider community college over a four-year liberal arts degree; at least you could learn a skill employers want (health care, computers, business, etc.). Seriously.

4 year degrees have been oversold, especially the liberal arts degrees. Just because you get a university degree does not mean you are going to have a job waiting for you, or even know what field to go into. Unless it is in the hard sciences, a degree is going to mean little - which is why I said, there are tons of history and philosophy majors behind the counter at Starbucks.

I really think it’s time for high school grads to re-think learning a trade…Welders are in high demand in 2 boom areas of the US - South Dakota and south central Texas. Other skilled trades too. What’s a better bet - a history degree or a skill that will keep you employed and able to support yourself and your family?

 

[djforce888]

4 year degrees have been oversold, especially the liberal arts degrees. Just because you get a university degree does not mean you are going to have a job waiting for you, or even know what field to go into. Unless it is in the hard sciences, a degree is going to mean little - which is why I said, there are tons of history and philosophy majors behind the counter at Starbucks.

I really think it’s time for high school grads to re-think learning a trade…Welders are in high demand in 2 boom areas of the US - South Dakota and south central Texas. Other skilled trades too. What’s a better bet - a history degree or a skill that will keep you employed and able to support yourself and your family?

^^ Well said! Also, one of the reasons why I chose history is because I go to a school where it doesn’t matter what you major in. Everyone has a guaranteed job after graduation for at least ten years. Yes my case is special, but I couldn’t agree more that college degrees are not for everyone and some are better off at trade schools