Need advice for university and my future.

[Riesstiu IV]

Right now I’m doing a double major in computer science and history and I’ve hit a big obstacle in my life. I decided to also major in Computer Science in order to get a decent paying job because from what I here, the job market for history majors is slim. Let me just say that I despise computer science and get depressed every time I have to work on a program. I can do the work and my grades are good but I really can’t stand the idea of getting a job wherein I sit at a computer all day writing code. I hate it with a passion but my dad really wants me to get an engineering related degree. Personally I’m much more interested in history but I’m torn between following my true passion and following a path that I dislike but will guarantee financial stability. What’s your advice?

 

[taper]

A history education degree will guarantee you a low paying job. A CS degree may get you a high paying job, or you might end up flipping burgers. Absolutely DO NOT get a degree in something you despise. You'll be miserable your whole life. If teaching interests you, go for it. Have you looked at other engineering fields? I'm a senior in electrical engineering, and while it's hard, I like it. If you like math, engineering still could be for you, but if you don't, find something else. My university has good engineering, history, and education programs. If you think relocating will help, PM me for more info on my college.

 

[Scuffer]

What you do for a degree does not instantly define you for life. OK, so the specific knowledge you gain will help you in that field, but as important are the skills you get in thinking, self-motivation and the whole bunch of stuff. Friends from my degree course (Biology) are working in pensions, teaching abroad, marketing, accountancy, musicians, and some like me are biologists. You can take degree skills to many jobs.

Have to agree with taper, do not even think about doing something you hate. You will regret it forever.

 

[Goober]

Yes, I mujst agree that I detest Computer Science as well. I am being forced to take this Java course, as part of my First Year of General Engineering (We choose which type in the second year), and I detest it. I cannot program, period. Don't do something that you do not like. Everybody has their weaknesses and strengths. Do what you like.

Maybe you could become a History Teacher? I have the option of adding 1 term to my Bachelor of Engineering, and getting a Bachelor of Education. Maybe you could do the same?

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Grade School to Highschool teachers in America don't get paid very well. I can only see one way were I could get a good job related to history, by getting a PhD and becoming a university professor.

 

[-0blivion-]

I am going to do Biochemistry at University - if i can get in to the course anyway. I enjoy the subject, but i enjoy History more. As it stands, i will do a degree in Biochemistry and keep history as a hobby. I have a feeling i may be less enamoured of it if i have to work with it every day.

I will still do History in my A Levels though (English Education 17-18).

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

In the end, don't do something you don't like. Consider other things besides CS if you really hate it.

You don't necessarily use your field of study in the job market after a few years. One option would be to join the military for 4 years (ROTC or OCS) and get your MBA during that time. You could still major in only history. The leadership experience w/ an MBA would override any bachelor degree you had. Again, this is not an option appropriate for everyone.

If history is a passion, consider continuing on to get your Masters (and Doctorate). Although underpaid, being a Professor seems like a decent life.

Happiness and purpose are more important than money (to me).

 

[G-Man]

Right now I’m doing a double major in computer science and history and I’ve hit a big obstacle in my life. I decided to also major in Computer Science in order to get a decent paying job because from what I here, the job market for history majors is slim. Let me just say that I despise computer science and get depressed every time I have to work on a program. I can do the work and my grades are good but I really can’t stand the idea of getting a job wherein I sit at a computer all day writing code. I hate it with a passion but my dad really wants me to get an engineering related degree. Personally I’m much more interested in history but I’m torn between following my true passion and following a path that I dislike but will guarantee financial stability. What’s your advice?

The basic question is what do you like better - history, or money? Some people will find it tolerable to get a job they hate if it allows them to live better and to give their family a higher life style. Others prefer to live a more modest life style and do something that they really like. You have to ask yourself in which of these places you want to be in the future.

If I were you, I'd go with history. I can't imagine myself waking up every morning and going to a work place I don't like. If you truely love history you can probably find yourself a decent job. I assume that studying a third subject is out of the question?

 

[ManOfMiracles]

If you really want to teach at the elementary-high school level, get a second major in a high-need teaching area. Picking up a coaching endorsement or two will also boost your earnings potential. Look into the licensure requirements for neighboring states to boost your marketability. In densely populated areas there are some teachers who make a decent living purely doing substitute teaching.

I don't know how glutted the market is for history professors. I know it isn't unusual for math departments to receive 400 applications for one tenure-track position. Due to budget cuts in most locations the average public university wants a high-achieving (already published) graduate from a well-known program who has no work experience beyond graduate assistantships. Most Ph.D.s will spend time in lecturer/adjunct positions which pay only about half as much as an assistant professor receives--this puts them only slightly ahead of high school teachers in terms of pay. You must be willing to move anywhere if you really want the best chance for a tenure-track position. If you have outstanding grades, get admitted to a high-quality graduate school, and can get assistantships or pay for grad school without borrowing, it isn't a bad move. Remember that tenure-track means research and service (boring committees) in addition to teaching. Teaching load is usually 6-9 credits per term for tenure-track faculty on a nine-month contract depending on number of courses offered in a given term, research grant status, service in pseudo-administrative roles, etc.

The intermediate option would be teaching at a community college. Most of these positions require only a Master's degree. Full-time staff have a heavier teaching load than university professors, but research is normally not required. This isn't recommended as a stepping stone to a university professorship since big schools tend to sneer at community college experience and it is hard to produce research and get published when you are teaching 15 credit hours per term. Full-time positions aren't common. It is possible to amass part-time positions at various locations if you don't mind the commute. It is also possible to teach at a high school during the day and at a community college at night or on weekends.

Ditch the computer science major. There are too many other students who love writing code so why beat yourself up to compete with them for a job you probably would hate? If you do like to work with computers, look for classes on how to incorporate technology in the classroom or how to develop online resources in history for distance education.

Good luck!

 

[stratego]

If you're doing well in your Computer Science classes maybe you should just stick with it. You don't seem to have trouble maintaining a double major, so why not just follow through with it. It'll be great if you can get a job with History when you graduate, but it's also good that you have Computer Science to fall back on.

Here's a song from American Chai to cheer you up. Or make you sad, whatever it's supposed to do.

With whom is your peregrine
Your parents can navigate
See and assimilate
From the wealth of their experience
It's devoid of chagrin
Regardless of circumstance
Their presence will dominate
No need for deliverance

Back to the joy you once knew
The love inherent in you
In Between Blue

Do you think your mind is a curse
While you settle in normalcy
Talk to yourself and pacify
And use the wealth of your experience
Believe that you're built to last
Your army of thoughts will march
Cross the boundaries of who you are
And don't be limited by your past

Back to the joy you once knew
The love inherent in you
In Between Blue

Be careful when it gets warm
Be able to touch the ground
In the eye of the storm you'll be
The tempest will have been experienced
Now you can close your eyes
And remember when you were a child
How simply your eyes were wide
Realize that nothing has changed

Back to the joy you once knew
The love inherent in you
In Between Blue

 

[Immortal]

Do the tried and tested History degree solution: Teach

You would be shocked at the amount of teachers who teach Science, Math, English, Phys Ed etc who have History degrees.

 

[luiz]

Have you tried other engineering fields? I'm coursing Industrial Engineering, and I find it quite enjoyable. It's hard, but it's also interesting and pays very well. Also unlike other field of engineering this one is far more diverse, with many disciplines of Economics and even one of psychology.

I too like history very much, but there is no way I could keep my current living standard with a degree in History. Furthermore I find teaching very boring, and I think that studying only history must be quite tiresome too.

If you really want to graduate in History, then do it. If you just like it, then I recommed something else.

 

[AceChilla]

I stopped after two years of Bussines Adminstration which I only choose because it would pay well. Now I'm doing political science and I it was definitly the right thing to do. I now actually enjoy going to class that makes a huge difference. It's depression to be forced to learn stuff you don't care about. And if you don't even want a job related to your current study what's the point of continuing anyway.

Unless you are very close to getting a degree I would recommend to do what you love. Like G-man says, you don't want to be stuck in a job you don't like for the rest of your life just for the money.

You'll probably be more succesfull if you do things you like also.