Rec | KIND OF? NOT REALLY?

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i loved & miss university, it really helped me figure out some things i was passionate about, have some cool experiences & learn a lot about myself, plus i just love learning and being in school in general (i always say if i was rich enough to not work i'd spend all my money getting degrees for fun), but that being said.... i no longer work in said field nor do i have any interest to at all lol i feel like if you're going to go to college you need to be sure of your field and the possibilities that come from it, or at the very least, go into something broadly applicable and then do as many things as you can (related clubs, volunteering, competitions, whatever) that allow you to explore the field while there. i got a broad degree (comms) but then made the mistake of not exploring enough avenues while in school and wound up locked into one that i didn't like post-grad. tried to leverage my degree to break into fields i'd enjoy more, but with my focused background, it's unfortunately not enough.

@princess

Jun 18, 2024

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CONSIDER INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES!

Not sure if every college offers this, but I majored in Interdisciplinary Studies! My degree let me pick 2 main areas of focus and 1 minor. It's different than double majoring; you're not taking on double credit hours since you're not doing the full coursework of two majors. Instead, you're doing basically half a major of each focus area, credits-wise. I think it made me very well-rounded and gave me a lot of flexibility in what I want to do. Some people pick focuses that go hand-in-hand, like Film and Creative Writing. Other people who have a huge range of interests have picked totally differing focuses. I knew one guy who did Comp Sci & Theater. Doing that can give you a really unique perspective at the intersection of two subjects. My only caution is that this major translates less directly into a specific job after graduation. But they do teach you how to market yourself and your skills before you graduate in the senior Capstone course. Could be a good way to explore your interests while still getting a degree! Since you're passionate about Religion and Philosophy, you could choose those as your areas of focus! They usually make you choose a minor as well to make sure you're getting depth in a subject, not just breadth. Just make sure to get some sort of internship or practical experience in one of your areas before you graduate, if possible. I made the mistake of kinda coasting thru my degree without going for internships, so it's taken me a little longer to build experience. But I think you truly can make any major work for you eventually, as long as you're putting the work in. Experience seems to end up mattering more than the specifics of the subject. I know someone doing a Master's in folklore studies in Florida of all places, and she's getting plenty of opportunities! Follow what you're interested in and everything will fall into place. :) Interdisciplinary Studies can seem kinda impractical since it doesn't create a specific career path for you immediately. But I think it becomes really useful in the long run, since employers will like to see versatility and well-roundedness. In my mind, it's kinda the modern equivalent of being a "Renaissance Man" getting knowledge in different areas.

@gforce2001

4d ago

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my degree was worth it

i’m so glad i went to college, long post bc i have so many feelings about it! my disclaimer is that i was really lucky to receive need-based and merit scholarships so despite my family‘s income it ended up not being a financial burden for me. i feel like getting my degree was worth it for a few reasons. the main reason is obvious: going to college really expanded my knowledge; i encountered so many different ideas and it cemented my love for learning. and unlike in high school, i had significant autonomy in choosing what i wanted to explore. besides important things like theory etc, i also was taught skills like using statistical software and academic writing. because of this, i learned my professional and academic interests, so i now have the option to go to grad school or pursue so many different jobs. i also did a few extracurriculars and had campus jobs, which i feel also contributed to my growth. work isn’t the end-all be-all, so the other important reason it was worth it are the personal benefits. college was really a perfect place for growth between high school and “adulthood”. it was a safer space to learn about myself and the world around me, independently but still in a supportive environment. also it was just really fun sometimes! in some ways it was much freer than life with a full-time job. i went to a liberal arts college—so i’m totally biased about that, but—i think it provides a far better education than non-liberal arts programs lol. it took me until my third semester to learn what i wanted to study and that wasn’t a setback at all; i still benefited from those courses and if i didn’t get to different explore subjects that first year, i would not have found my love for the fields i got my degree in. i think college should be about exploration and well-roundedness as much as it is about preparation for the future. and all this isn’t to say colleges are perfect; i have plenty of “ivy tower” criticisms and there were plenty of shitty things i experienced personally and academically bc life is just that way sometimes, but i think for me, the pros of attending still outweigh those cons. in the right place you can get a better idea of what you hope to do in your life, be equipped for that, and grow a lot of confidence in yourself, your dreams and your goals! :) overall it was very worth it and i don’t regret it.

@marxinista

Jun 18, 2024

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follow your passion

Even if you study the statistically highest earning major, that doesn’t guarantee you a job. Unless you’re going for something ultra specific, most jobs just want to see that you have the guts to finish a degree, it doesn’t matter so much what it is. If you have a passion, follow it! It’ll make your time in school that much more enjoyable. I started college majoring in materials sciences and engineering at a big ten school bc math was my best subject but I was miserableeeee. I thought I had to do the hardest degree possible to be successful in life and I come from a long line of engineers. Now, I feel like I’m following some sort of calling studying apparel at a tech school. Even though it’s not as promising statistically. We’re all gonna die someday anyway. Also!!! I majorly recommend taking a gap year. That year of real life outside of an academic setting can really sheepdog your priorities.