Help choosing major

[CheebaMan]

hey guys im starting college really soon and I was still undecided whether i should major in Psychology or Computer Science ( i wanted to do engineering but it isnt an option) I considered Psychology because I like to get to understand why people do what they do and it also increases your knowledge of human beings to the point where you are at advantage of them because you know what to expect, I also really like computers and it is clear to see that they will maintain their necessity for people all around the globe and the salary isnt too bad at all..

can you guys give me more pointers?

[jdub61]

it doesn't really matter a lot. you'll probably change your major in college anyway, and you still have time to figure out what you wanna do in life, so don't sweat it right now.

if you like programming and debugging and working with code and stuff, then i guess do CS. my freshman roommate was a CS-major and that kid was nerdy as all hell (a lot of them are weirdos...) but don't let that stop you. to quote little miss sunshine, "do what you love and fuck the rest"

my girlfriend's a psychology major, she's not really doing it for the actual psych though, she's doing it pre-law with the intent of becoming a lawyer. it's a lotta reading, bookwork, and more importantly...it's a lot of studies and time in the lab conducting research and whatnot...but i do think it's pretty interesting stuff. the only psych class i've actually taken in college is general psych (which is boring and dry as hell) but the more advanced classes (personality psych, human development, abnormal psych, etc.) are pretty interesting.

[Bluntmasterbabe]

I start this fall and I'm kinda nervous about it. It's a big step, and something you need to think through on your on because you are going to be the one doing it for the rest of your life.

My opinion on Psychology...after having to deal with my own issues and problems at home, I don't want to have to listen to a bunch of strangers talk about theirs...too much to bear.

But, to each his own, and only you know what will be right for you and your personality...just follow your heart (wow, that sounds kinda cheezy, but it's true...lol):)

Good luck man;)

[halfassedjediknight]

im a biology major and zoology minor, hell yeah!

but my girlfriend is a psych major and shes intense.

theres no advice anyone can give i dont think, besides yourself. you know what you want to be.

[thcbongman]

Whatever degree you get doesn't mean you have to be committed to that path.

Once you get out of college, and have your degree, it doesn't matter except for the prerequisites of employment. After that, it's your experience and your personality that matters to your potential employers.

Thing is computer science is you have to constantly get re-certified for all these kind of certifications to keep up to date. It's a lot of work. Technical degrees are great if you choose to go into that kind of work.

On the other hand, a liberal arts degree like Psychology and so forth, it's easier to enter any line of work, as long as you continue to build up experience in those fields.

Something to consider. I wouldn't declare until you get some real world experience under your belt, and see if you would truly enjoy it.

[BizzleLuvin]

bongman is right.

psych majors usually go into a graduate programs, can you see yourself doing that? a bachelors degree in psych has it opportunities, but not as many as CS. its one of those majors that a lot of people are doing. take a few psych classes for the hell of it.
computer science is a field that is in demand now adays that you can do a lot with just a bachelors degree.
i suggest computer science. you can probably go farther with it than you can with psych

[thcbongman]

Did you mean to say wrong? lol!

But let me further elaborate. A degree represents a base, and experience are blocks you put on top of it. Don't get me wrong, every field you enter requires extra work to advance further. Don't mistaken the belief once you are out of school, you are done. Depending on the field, you might be going on and off to school for a long-time.

However liberal arts degrees offer flexibility, it's easier to enter any field of work because communication and analysis about human interaction is always sought.

Really my point is you don't have to rush in choosing a major until you are a bit older and you understand yourself better. What you think you want to do now rather than later, might change in 3, 6, 15 years down the line. I never thought I'd be involved in Finance, but that's what I'm going for after gettin' a bit of experience under my belt. I'd stick to doing general studies until you marinate yourself in different kind of studies.

[zzBrianzz]

yea, I feel just about the same way as you. I'm really interested by the human mind; why we think/do the thing we do. I think everyone that's ever lit up a joint knows what I'm talking about. I'm also interested in computers, and I'm thinking of pursuing an engineering degree. I start next week at UofArizona.

College is the time to get to know yourself as a person, but also to get a fucking job once you graduate....the latter being the most important. Which has the better job market? I understand your interest in learning about psychology, and I'm slightly disappointed that I can't pursue that area heavily, but I will be able to take a couple classes on it over 4 years. That's all that really matters. Remember that you don't NEED a class to learn about something; only the will to learn.

Pscyology is an area of study that requires a lot of interpretation and adaptation (changing how your mind thinks to truly understand how another mind works) while computer science is more concrete. In high school, which did you like best? discussing catcher in the rye, or solving for x?

[Mississippi Steve]

FWIW, I went the mechanical engineering route, with a minor in environmental science.
My best advice is to go for a degree in a vocation that will earn you a living, not *just* an existance.

[TallCoolOne]

Journalism.

[scottbrochill]

you'll probably change your mind five times before you start your actual major, i don't know anyone who is doing the same major they intended when they started, college changes you a lot and you really find yourself and find what you think you can do for the rest of your life. explore both majors with some of your gen ed credits and you'll figure it out.

[Ganj]

We can't choose your major for you. But if you're indecisive, I recommend astrology as an aid. That stuff seems to know us better than we know ourselves. Don't let it bitch you around though, because the purpose for it is to lead you through the doors of self-realization. And when you're at this vestibule of a grand future, you will hear your calling. Make yourself available though. In other words, go with the basics.

[Spoken Word]

I don't have much college or university expierence but I know it's in my future. I mean, I don't think I have much of choice. Income is more important to me right now, but I can't stay at this job forever.
And I'm debating between law or pysch.. but like most have said, everything changes.

i can see how computer science has more demand than pysch though.

whatever you choose, i hope it makes the school expierence a fun one, full of knowledge.

[Blitzed]

Flip a coin, nah, but seriously something like chosing your major is something you should prolly decide on your own. You should know what you like and dislike etc. You'll figure it out Im sure

[Storm Crow]

Computer science is good, but is rapidly filling up. Everyone has caught on that it is a big thing! My eldest son is computer tech for a school.

Psych is closer to my own heart (as you may have guessed if you've read my posts). I'm about 1 semester short of a BA in Psych. I work in special education. Sad to say, psychologists will be in greater demand as our soldiers return from this latest madness in Iraq/Afghanistan. If you go into psych, post traumatic stress disorder would be a wise thing to focus on. There will be many who need healing- I remember the Viet Nam vets returning, and this will be worse.

I guess the question is- "Are you a technician or a healer?"

Granny:hippy:

[not_the_kitty]

I'm starting my 3rd year of college and I still dont have a major, but I started at a community college and no one has a major there. I still dont know what to major in I want to flip houses and I dont even really have to go to college for that but no one is gonna give me hundreds of thousands of dollars on my word that I can do it. But for the first couple years its just gen ed anyway so you can easily change, but my girlfriend is majoring in psychology and she likes itso far and its interesting when you high.

[CheebaMan]

I guess the question is- "Are you a technician or a healer?"


Well Im always behind a Computer and I know that technology is taking over the world and I like to study why we do the things we do and how we can better ourselves..

i guess the income will help me decide? maybe i can study... both but which first?

[halfassedjediknight]

my girlfriend is a liberal arts/psych major, whatever youd like to call it. shes goin crazy not knowing what to do because graduate school is expensive and all this stuff. she wants to go in the peace corps again

[Mississippi Steve]

FWIW, There are all kinds of computer weenies running loose... they are a dime a dozen.

They know software and can swap boards(maybe), but the true shortage in in the folks that actually design, and manufacture the parts, and machinery to make the parts, then be able to maintain and repair the stuff.

There will always be a need for engineers to design, build, install, and repair stuff.
That is an art in itself.

Its not rocket science, its more complicated than that.

[Johnny McPotSmoker]

I just finished my first year of college, and I'm telling you, declaring your major really isn't important at all until you become at least a sophomore. I was originally Computer Engineering until I found out how bad I am at programming. Anyway, here goes:

You have a few options:
1) If you are leaning toward one of the majors more than the other, then declare it. You can change your major at any time, just by filling out a single form. By declaring a major, you will get an advisor with more specific knowledge about that certain major who can help you decide which classes you need to take, etc. You can still take Psychology 100 to see if you're into it, and if you find it interesting then you could always switch.
2) If you really have no clue about what you want to do, then just go Undecided. In this case, your advisor will help you decide what you want to concentrate on for the time being, and can help you sign up for classes with a variety of subjects so you can figure out what you like. At my school they also have programs designed to help undecided majors find a good major that they will enjoy.

At the beginning, just focus on taking low-level classes to see if you enjoy them and would like to pursue that major. Even if you decide to drop the major, those classes will still count as GFRs, which are classes that you must take before graduating.

[Johnny McPotSmoker]

Oh and Steve is right, Computer Engineering is much more valuable than Computer Science because tons of programming jobs are outsourced nowadays.

[napolitana869]

double major

[Oleg]

Well, since I am already done with Associate's degree, I have to declare my major to pursue Bachelor's degree and I already did! Happily going back to college on August 28 to study history!

[40oz]

my girlfriend is a liberal arts/psych major, whatever youd like to call it. shes goin crazy not knowing what to do because graduate school is expensive and all this stuff. she wants to go in the peace corps again

tell her to look around. The Psych. graduate school at temple not only pays your tuition if you get in, they give you a stifen (spelled completely wrong) were you get money from them every month. Of course, it is a bit competetive to get into, she would need to keep her grades up.

[Mississippi Steve]

Well, since I am already done with Associate's degree, I have to declare my major to pursue Bachelor's degree and I already did! Happily going back to college on August 28 to study history!

I hope your not planning on using that to make a living... they don't pay enough at McDonalds..... and an advanced degree in liberal arts just means that you don't have to wear the paper hat anymore when you ask "Do you want fries with that??"

If you think i'm kidding, do a little research on your state unemployment web site and compare salaries for jobs.
In my area, the average liberal arts major only makes $8 - $12/hr.
The average salary for a mechanical engineering major is $20 - $30/hr.
The average electrical engineering major is also $20 - $30/hr.

Keep in mind that these are averages, not the high or low. Last year I averaged over $25/hr *AFTER* my company paid my phones, cell phones, vehicle costs and expenses(including fuel, maint, repairs, tires, etc), cable TV/broadband internet, medical and dental, dry cleaning and laundry, and a bunch of other stuff.
FWIW, my pre-tax salary was $56k... and all I had to pay with that was house note, utilities, groceries, and toys. It was very nice to be able to take a 3 week paid vacation and drive across the country.

The median household income here is $32k.

Now, you can do what you want, I can only tell you from personal experience, you have to decide for yourself if you want to take the easy way out, or if you want to make a decent living, and maybe have a real impact on the world as you know it today. Remember, it wasn't liberal arts majors that sent men to the moon, or designed and built your home, or vehicle, or............

[the image reaper]

in my opinion, Psychology careers are few and far between ... only moviestars can afford them, and nobody takes them seriously anymore (psychiatrists are among the highest suicide/divorce rates) :wtf: ... if it's your 'dream job', go for it ... but the computer technology field is probably where the jobs are gonna be ... also, where LOTS of competition will be, too ... schools are turning out computer techs almost as fast as lawyers (and you know how those bastards breed) :D ...