i need help figuring out what education/career path i want to take. i narrowed it down to: physics, astronomy, math, computers, medicine.

Physics- I have an Associate's Degree in Physics. It's a fairly stable field in terms of job availability. I got as far as electricity & magnetism so I'm not an expert by any means. I loved mechanics, but did not enjoy electricity & magnetism. If I majored in physics, I would have no clue what path in physics I would take.

Astronomy- I've always loved astronomy. I've studied it a lot on my own. I've only taken a seminar on it; never taken an actual class. This is one of the worst fields in terms of job availability. If I majored in astronomy, I'd like to go into cosmology and change the way people look at the Big Bang Theory.

Mathematics- I loved calculus, but got as far as differential equations and hated that class. I'm very good at math. I have no idea what I would do though, if I majored in math.

Computers- I don't know how to program, but I'd like to. I'm always the "company computer guy," even though I'm nothing compared to an actual computer major. I took one computer class in college and hated it. But I'm good at stuff like removing viruses from computers via regedit, i'm an insanely fast typist, i'm great with windows and excel, and it would be cool to be able to make programs like FF. Lots of jobs available but also tons of competition it seems.

Medicine- I was never into medicine until I started working in the medical laboratory industry, but now I know a lot about it because of my work experience. I would have to take a lot of new classes, but that's ok. If I went into medicine I would love to work on the cure for diabetes since my bro is a diabetic. Or, I could work in the diagnostic testing field like my work experience. This is the best of the 5 fields in terms of job availability.


I'd like to point out that anytime I say, "I did not enjoy this class..." it is because there was one semester I went to this huge school University of Texas at Austin, and I didn't enjoy ANY of the classes I took there (Diff Eq, Electricity & Magnetism, Computers 1, etc.). Other than that, I loved all my science classes and I love these subjects.

Anyway, I went to 3 counselors today to try and get some advice on narrowing it down to one path. They couldn't help, but they had me do a personality test that is supposed to narrow down your path. That personality test determined I should major in: Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy, Statistics, Medical Science, or Word Processing... As you may see, that didn't narrow it down at all for me. Any advice?

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I would say Astronomy. With a degree in Physics you can tie those 2 together. As far as computers go its kinda a icky field. I was going to go into the field of multimedia but its getting too crowded. Everyone wants to work with computers. So im going to go teach english^^. Basically Whisp it boils down to what motivates you? You dont want to go do something where you have no passion. I have a passion for literature so being in a cubicle all day and programming would bore the hell out of me. How did you like Physics? Was it interesting? Depending on the type of Medicine you go into it can pick away at you over the years. My aunt is a nurse and so are a few others in my family. Seeing pain and death can take a heavy toll on you.

So yeah. Just choose whatever inspires you. I dont think alot of people do this and end up in deadend jobs they hate for the rest of their lifes just cause it pays well. Money doesnt matter if you arnt happy.

whisp i think you should finish physics

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physics or astronomy...

Astronomy is by far my favorite, but I would go in physics to open more choice later.

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Whisp in my opinion Physics would be the route to go. I loved physics and believe it or not that subject can lead you to jobs that encompass all of those other catagories you mentioned. Astronomy is a subset of physics so yah and you do a lot of math in physics. I would say, go for Physics

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whisp since you know physics so well I'd say stick with this....however, check engineering as well.

since you have a mathmatical, analytical mind as well as some practice in medicine I'd recommend looking into pharmacology or anathiesiology (sp. anathesia medicine : P), it is worth it to look into this but you will also have to enjoy a few other sciences (namely biology and chemistry)

i would pick whatever u find the most interesting... not necessarily what you are good at now, because u can become good at something through learning and experience..

computers are a good choice for a future career, but being a physicist or however u spell it would be a good career choice too, its all up to you, whatever will interest you and keep your interest would be what I would pick

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Dude, stop screwing around with your astrology or whatever and get a finance degree.

Differential Equations was one of the worst classes I have ever taken. I love math, I love engineering, but I'm extremely put off of that route because of that class alone.

Go physics.

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If you don't like Diff Eq or can't do it then don't major in math lol. Plus there are very very few jobs in that field, basically a Mathematics degree means you will teach Math in High School. Basically if you get a MAthematics degree you really need to pursue it all the way to a PhD to get a nice job. With a PhD you can teach ata university and make some nice money.

Computers is a massive field. If you want to learn to code go into Computer Science. If you want to learn the business side applications and networking etc go into Computer Information Systems, if you want to go more hte electrical engineering/ hardware route go into Computer Engineering.

Those are the two field I know very well since im an senior Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Computer Science. Like eveyrone else said though Whisp, its all about what you enjoy, having a nice paying job that you don't enjoy would suck.

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if you didnt understand electricty and magnetism, i wouldnt suggest physics... the concepts of current, resistance, blah blah blah, go all the way through your upper level classes. Like in every science, the classes you take all get implemented in your upper level classes.
My roomate was a physics major... he switched into atmospheric sciences because that is phyiscs RELATED, yet wasn't pure physics.
I would consider engineering personally, since those courses are more geared towards an analytical mind (problem solving, some advanced math, etc)
I am changing majors from Computer Science to Electrical Engineering, because the thought of being in a cubicle surrounded by many Indian/Asian people typing code just doesnt seem to be my thing (No offence to any Indians or Asians, just the field is becoming more and more saturated)

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Like the classes will make it more fun/easier to finish your degree. However, it is important to know what you might want to do in the future as well.

Are you a person who rather be making enough money just to get by but doing something that you absolutely love or you are a person who would rather make decent money but working on something you don't hate but annoys you sometimes?

I chose the 2nd path. Computer science isn't my first choice, however, I know as long as I stay in this field I'd make a decent income and have a decent life. What I'd really like to do is either to be a teacher or a social worker. However, those jobs make just enough to get by and from my parents stand point that's not their first choice. (they'd support my decision if I had faught with them about it but I didn't).

Anyways, major in the any of the first 3, unless you pursuit all the way to phd, the job market isn't very big. Once you have your PHD, you can either do research or teaching. Teaching will require you to have a teaching certificate and you'll probably want to be a professor which will require you to pursuit the tenure (sp).

As for medicine, I would say if you have the financial support and the passion, go for it. It's not an easy route but the return is great later down the road.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck!

Hey bud, just thought I would throw something out there. You listed physics and astronomy as interests, what about doing something with rockets and NASA? It would take quite a bit more school, maybe a doctorate. My cousin has a PhD and works for Jet Propulsion Labs in LA, and really likes it. Anyway, that might combine your loves of math, physics, and astronomy all into one. Just a thought BTW when are we doing Bastok 6-2?

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I don't care about money as long as I have enough to get by. I definitely want to do something I enjoy. In order for me to enjoy a job, it must be very challenging and I must feel like I am making a huge impact.

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Maybe try Computer Engineering then Whisp, good money, quite challanging and a much needed field. Also Computer Engineering isn't as math heavy as some other engineering ciriculums, plus you will learn how to code there as well since Computer Engineering is basically a mix of hardware + software. Can minor in astronomy or physics and try to apply at NASA if you want be make a huge impact. Being apart of a space shuttle launch, can't make a much bigger impact that that. You would probably need a PhD to get in on that type of lvl with NASA though.

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I peronally like astronomy.
it is really fun.
Physic is really cool too but inthemiddle of the lessons you'll get lost and confused... cuz somethings (depend onteacher) will teach you something that won't make anysense whatsoever. and if u have that "kind of teacher...." s/he will say, "It's just like that"
-.-"
it gets annoying.
but stilll fun tho

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I just did computer engineering for my 1st semester at college. And if there's one thing you should know.

If you ever thought you would be doing anything hardware-related, you're wrong. You do VERY LITTLE in the realm of hardware. It's mostly programming. You take all the same classes that a computer science major would take, then a few engineering classes on top of those. In the very end of your college life you will take a few classes that teach you how to make dirvers for software and give microprocessors instructions on how to run.

It's just a lot of programming, but I'm not denying that the field is in high-demand and useful. You could go anywhere from NASA to Lockheed Martin to Intel to ATi to freaking anywhere with a CSE major. I just found it to be too software-intensive and too boring. I don't want to sit in front of a computer punching code all day.

i think what i've decided to do is call my former employer (a medical lab), and see if i can get back into that company at the branch here in houston. i'll take some biology, chemistry, etc. courses here at the nearby community college starting this summer. and i think i'll major in biophysics with emphasis either in diabetes/endocrine or medical diagnostics technology. how does that sound?

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i think that you should Quit your School quit basicly your life and Live in this under world i call a life lol and move in with me and Yarr. btw only rent is that i get to yell at you about your bush Even thou u agree with me (inside joke)

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