[Sebc]

I have been thinking about majoring in International Studies.
I love different languages especially Asian languages and
music. I know this is something that would interest me. I just
don't really know how practial it is and if I could really find
a job in this field. I don't want to settle for something
that I will not be as into. I really want to be independant from
my parents and move on with my life. It is hard to tell what to
do. I am sure other soompiers have had this problem and I was
wondering what you did. Thank you!

[albeitalways]

In my case, I'm following my dream then.

I'm stuck with my present course, but I'm working to transfer to another campus at the end of the year--where I'd move to the course that I really, truly want to work hard for. No matter what.

But it's not practical. Far from it. My family is not exactly in the best financial situation as of now--we have enough, enough to keep us afloat for now. And my brother is now nearing to enter college as well. It would be beneficial for my family to have me graduate in just four years.

But I'd rather do what my heart says--what I really want to do. I don't want to get stuck slaving away over something you don't really have the passion for, where every single thing is such a boring chore. I'd rather work for something I know I can give my hundred percent best with no regrets. So yeah, basically, I'm taking a risk right now and breaking what common sense tells me.

[MUXU]

i say follow your instincts as long as it satisfy you. even if you go hungry but still doing something you love that can still satisfy you, than you should do what you want.
what is your priority?

[Avex]

Dream. Of course you can find a job in that field, but you have to make yourself marketable (i.e. internships, volunteer experience, etc.). I do admit its harder to find a job than lets say a science/engineering major, but it's just like any job. Make yourself marketable.

[sleeps_in_library]

your dream is pretty practical already. dunno about getting into music industry with it. are you interested in translating lyrics, business dealings, reg translation, etc. stuff like that?

there's a lot of uses for what you want to major in.

[Sebc]

^I don't want to go into the music industry or anything. I guess
I would just like to travel the world and help people. I don't
really know how I would go about doing all that though.

I really just want to be independant and move out.

[f0reveralways]

wow. i have that same interest o__o


but then i have other interests too



anyway, i went for the practical route -- becoming a pharmacist.

[Hax]

I went with something I found interesting, practical, but definitely not my dream.

It's easy to say you want to chase your dream when you are 18, but when you hit your senior year and realize that your major is not very marketable, you start to feel a bit bad choosing the major you found the most interesting. A common scenario is while you pick your dream and major in a subject you really find interesting, you'll end up doing work not even related to your field because you get desperate and want ANY job.

[abusegirl]

this is easy. I'm an international studies major. if your program has a business track....take it. if not, minor in finance and/or economics. this will basically give you the international business degree.

from that you should have a good base. Int. Studies is a really good general liberal arts degree. It's a bit of everything and that will get you far wherever you go. Combine it with business and it's a solid foot to stand on. If you're interested you can double major in hotel and tourism or go back and get a masters in it.


just to note, international studies isn't always fun. there's soooooo much you won't want to learn especially if your focus in asian studies (experience). but it has it's good moments and enough to keep you going. the business added to it only makes it practical. 2 in 1. ^___^


there's no such thing as practical degree anymore unless you're going into medicine, engineering, or accounting. everything else is meh. people outside of those fields hardly end up doing anything relating to their major these days but...if you feel you need something else....just double major or do a dual degree. it's not too hard, usually just 30-40 extra hours. give it a thought.

[Hax]

there's no such thing as practical degree anymore unless you're going into medicine or engineering. everything else is meh. people outside of those fields hardly end up doing anything relating to their major these days but...if you feel you need something else....just double major or do a dual degree. it's not too hard, usually just 30-40 extra hours. give it a thought.

Accounting! >:O!!!

[jannee]

I'm in a science course with a stable future. But, I'm not sure if this is what I really want. I mean, I want to travel and have a job that's exciting. Then again, a stable job is something that a lot of people want now; so, I know I'm lucky having that opportunity ahead of me. BUT, again, it's something that I don't really want. This is all so confusing to me. Help?

[eclipsesque.]

I thought of doing something that I dream for, but I went for practical route now.
Idk, but I'm more than sure that my parents won't agree with me if I choose to follow my dream.
But, I really think that after I've finish with my study, I'll go for my dream.

[abusegirl]

Accounting! >:O!!!

lol...sorry. lots of people with accounting degrees go into accounting although some don't. I'll edit that in.

I have to say though...be damn sure about liking it before you do it because I have a degree in accounting and that's the reason I'm in school again. I hated it...with a passion. So while I figure out what else I can/want to do...why not learn more?

Some are born to account....most are not. btw, are you an accounting major?

[Hax]

lol...sorry. lots of people with accounting degrees go into accounting although some don't. I'll edit that in.

I have to say though...be damn sure about liking it before you do it because I have a degree in accounting and that's the reason I'm in school again. I hated it...with a passion. So while I figure out what else I can/want to do...why not learn more?

Some are born to account....most are not. btw, are you an accounting major?

The thing is that its hard to really be sure you like something because what you do in school is almost nothing like what you do in class. Even for accounting, its soooooo different.

I don't mind doing the hardcore desktop job accounting, but that's not for me. I have a degree in accounting, but I'm not doing hardcore auditing or tax. Of the three branches, I am doing advisory which is the side that seems the most detached from typical accounting.

[polaress]

i started the first quarter of college with that mindset, but that went down the drain after winter quarter. I decided to major on something practical.

[lokkita]

Follow your dream, it's better to be happy with the job you'll have rather than being unhappy in a well-paying job. But you have to be passionate about your dream, so you won't get bored and wind up with an unpractical job and an unhappy life.

[Avex]

I should mention I'm an incoming freshman majoring in civil engineering who wants to preserve Asian architecture ( I'm an aspiring architectural engineer by heart who appreciates the technical as well as the social/functional and design aspects of structures). A bit idealistic, but I'm willing to open up to other aspects of civil engineering given the wonderful challenges our nation, the United States, needs to overcome (i.e. improving our infrastructure, building environmentally sustainable buildings! (there's a minor at my school called Sustainable Design).

[vangsweetie637]

i had the same obstacle like you. entering college first time around, i had no idea what i wanted to be or do.
did i want to be someone that earned money (practical) or someone that I would love my whole lifetime (dream).
i grew up believing i would become a nurse or doctor knowing that those jobs would be very marketable.
but then i realized that i didn't entirely love those fields and i had no interest in learning about it.

but to answer your question, i am following my dream. i know that my dream will be very competitive
and if i don't get anything from it, i will receive no money as well. but i realize that my dream
will make a lot of money too if i can put it out there into the world. i also have a back-up major or
a backup plan incase my dream doesn't work out to the way i want it.

but the difference is that even with my backup plan, it is still something I enjoy doing.
i cannot go through college studying a course that is not of my interest at all. it will be a waste of my time/money.
if i study what i want to be, i actually enjoy being in class.

people tell me that my career would not take me far but i believe that i can take it far.
i will make a name for myself out there with my dream.

and for now, it is this motivation that keeps me going.

so i hope the same goes for you in all the decisions you decide to take.

[dizboiukno]

i had to go over alot of different subjects, majors/occupations thoughts before i had to decide which one i really see myself doing as a career. for now it's just learning the little things. it's really not practical. definitely more like a dream. it's gonna be a rocky road but it's a chase worth pursuing. i want to show people what i can do. i want to help people. i want to make my parents proud. i want to make my dreams come true!

[AhYee]

I think International studies is pretty practical, actually. You can make it big if you try hard. It's your dream, and it's practical! Very nice!
As for me, I'm doing both. Going into health has been my dream and still is, and that's what I'm pursuing. So it's all goood.
On another note, I've always wanted to become a singer [complete dream, NOT practical unless I make it big] ever since I was young. Even now I dream of becoming a singer, actress whatever. You know, TRIPLE THREAT. But to me, it's not practical even though it's something I would TOTALLY LOVE doing.