Someone help me in picking a MAJOR/career path...

[GoldenBear]

Like just about everyone, I want to find the PERFECT job, but of course that's not possible..so I guess I'll "settle" for what's right with me.

I'm your typical computer nerdie type, I love messing with hardware and just doing anything of that nature. However I hate programming, and I'm getting a B in my Honors Pre-Cal class, and a C in my Honors Physics class..and I really just want to get those classes over with now and not be forced to take more math/physics class (after I'm done with Calculus next year).

I'm also into writing. Manipulating words and stuff of that nature are fun to me, and writing long articles/papers about stuff in general is fun. I have a pretty strong will to get to success, and I feel with a right path I can push myself to the limits in attempt to succeed. I don't like to quit, and I've proven to MYSELF that I'm capable of accomplishing the toughest of goals out there.

So basically, I really don't want to go into the computer science field or an engineering field. Is there anything else worth considering in terms of computers, or just anything else? And writing too..I hear the PR field can be fun at times, while journalism can be unrewarding. I want to try and make a decision on something like this as early as possible and not wait forever to decide when it becomes too late.

I really want to do something DIFFERENT and be happy working, as it could end up being something I do for the next couple decades. And of course, there's the monetary factor..it's a far second to finding a FUN job, but I do want to be able to upgrade my computer and get all those wacky gadgets that I can only dream of now

 

[GoldenBear]

*cough*

 

[Tung]

how 'bout journalism?

 

[GoldenBear]

Would anyone know of a guide with descriptions of the many majors around?

 

[Pastore]

like networking? if you do, thats big bucks, and you would enjoy doing it... i really enjoy hardware stuff, so i was thinking computer technician, or computer repair...

 

[urbantechie]

<< i really enjoy hardware stuff, so i was thinking computer technician, or computer repair... >>



I do that now and I tell you it sucks. You have to deal with a variety of customers like cheap ones, MAC ones, old ones and dumb ones. The highest level of a tech would be what? Own a computer store or IT Tech? Being a Tech pays well for my age but still blows in the long run.

 

[perry]

You like technical stuff? You like writing? Technical writing! There ya go, problem solved!

<look out the door>
NEXT!

 

[Tominator]

Problem solved?.....Look at the layoffs in the tech sector lately?

 

[Rudee]

I started pursuing a Compsci degree and switched to a Mech Eng degree. I'm glad I did, although my job involves both diciplines.

A friend of mine who has a 2 year diploma in CIS is making a very nice living working with private branch exchanges (PBX's). Most all large companies use one, and when they need to be repaired of fixed, they send him out. He really enjoys it.

 

[cyclistca]

Telephone equipment installer. I work for a large telephone equipment manufacturer and there is a big demand for installers. Not sure what kind of background you need. Also it's pretty high tech stuff. Many of the products we build are basically very fancy computers.

 

[DDCSpeed]

it depends on whether it is happiness you are after or money you are after.

 

[GoldenBear]

<< Telephone equipment installer. I work for a large telephone equipment manufacturer and there is a big demand for installers. >>

Hey that doesn't sound bad at all..It's like a blue collar mixed with white collar job. I really don't want to sit in an office 10 hours a day crunching numbers on a comp.

So can you give me more info here?

 

[Soybomb]

I'd swear we've been over this 100x

Anyway from what my own research has shown me...... You might hate programming but pick CS or CE. CS is more programming but less math. CE is more hardware but more math. Personally I hate math more than programming so I'm taking CS. Either degree will be applicable for most jobs in this field, its just having one that matters. CIS/MIS is usually a tad less well looked upon degree, perhaps since its often available as a two yera one.

 

[troglodytis]

You say you want to seek the truth but you work alone
No one to help you and nobody to push you on
So you sit at home drinking your wine, television on
You wait for a miracle, cos you say one day one'll come along
(But wishful thinking, boy) any minute now You might be gone
I'd like to help you brother but that would be wrong
-cat stevens


you got to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. we can not tell you who you are.

 

[Bleep]

If you are talking about a university I would recommend Business Administration. A lot of places will hire a BA and send them back to school for what they want you to do.
Bleep

 

[GoldenBear]

Soybomb

I think you're right..I may end up choosing CS after all things considered. The only reason I don't like programming really is because I really don't like the AP Comp Sci class that I'm in. But I'm sure if I were to really keep at it, I could learn to really enjoy it. The AP Comp Sci exam's coming up, I think I'll really study for this one..

 

[GoldenBear]

Now this jumped out at me:

As did this

So maybe I'm thinking of majoring in Comp Sci, and minoring in Journalism..or vice versa.

Public Relations seems to be really fun though, and I'd be introduced to new things everyday.

 

[optoman]

Optical Engineering.

 

[NovaTerra]

Salary surveys for writers. Heh.

Listen, the job description there calls for a skill set that you just are not going to get in college (at least not at a normal college).
You need to know: Robohelp, Quark, FrameMaker, Photoshop, PageMaker, WORD,andhow to kiss ass really really well to get a position similar to the one in that salary survey, making that kind of money.

I made a little more than 50 last year supervising a team of 8 writers, and had to do a lot of outside work to survive. To get to where I am, I had to know all of those programs, plus be able to converse with a C++ or VB programmers and understand what they have to say. And I have been in the game for over 10 years.

Most Journalism majors have a minor in political science (for good reason, since everyone loves to expose gov. corruption), or the other way around. Writing for newspapers is suck.

If you want to walk that path, make sure your college budget includes the 3 grand or so you will need for the programs and training to be a real tech writer. And then go to work for a software company writing tech manuals. It can be a real cool job. I do it. I love it.

 

[vi edit]

Teacher at a high school/junior college level.

Writing, hands on, and lots of determination all in one package. Worse draw back is the pay. Won't exactly be eating caviar and lobster on a teacher salary.