Briana
Am I making the right choice with my major?
My name is Briana and I am a college freshman. I have recently finished my first semester and am confused. I had previously asked about possible major options, and had thought I was sure, but there's all types of doubts that come up with each choice. I had talked with one of the career advisors on campus, and he more or less directed me with psychology like I had mentioned. Whenever I have the chance, I'll take a personality/career quiz that usually ends up with scientist or psychologist.
Now i have and am still considering psychology as a possible career, but I feel, and my mom has noticed too, that it may be a means of obsessing over past events (i.e. bullying). Considering my "experiences", is it healthy for me to continue focusing on something through these means? Aside from money and interest, my second option may be related to math, engineering, and art. Before I choose my classes for the next semester, I will talk with a counselor about any future plans. All I ask from anyone responding is a new perspective regarding if I'm being too emotional in what should be a rational decision. Thank you to anyone who responds and I wish you all happy holidays! #engineering #psychology #college-major #mathematics #japan #animation #choosing-a-major #computer-animation #first-generation
4 answers
Ken Simmons
Ken’s Answer
Hi Briana!
I would like to help. It sounds like you are experiencing some confusion about your future.
What concerns me most are the references to past events. I am wondering if it would not be a good idea to get some mental health counseling regarding these past events to see how they might be impacting your current situation. If you talked to health services on your campus or your health provider, you could get some proper guidance and insight. As I have spent over 20 years working with people on career issues, I have found that personal issues can cloud a person's perception of self and the future.
Also here is a good site that might help you understand the various ways in which you can become involved as a counselor or therapist:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/post_9154_b_6865002.html
During this holiday season is a great time to do information gathering and networking, as people are in a happy, festive, and helpful mood. Depending on what you want to explore, you can follow this script:
When someone asks "What are you doing these days?" You can reply "I am currently exploring a major in (counseling) or (math) or (engineering) and would be interested in knowing if you know of anyone who can give me some helpful information about the what someone might experience in these majors. I would find such information very helpful and would not expect anyone to know of a job.
Use this approach on as many people as possible. Helpful information can come from the most unexpected sources.
Best of luck! Please keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress.
I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to respond and hope you are enjoying your holidays. I'm glad someone else sees the impact of my past, and have frequently considered finding help, so this is the push I'll take to get help on campus. The links are really helpful and I'll continue to browse over the break, I actually already have a fastweb account. Perhaps I just need to take a moment, and look towards someone who listen, rather than burden myself with other's issues. Thank you again, Mr. Simmons, and I hope you enjoy the rest of 2016!
Briana
The most important thing for you to do is to talk to people to explore your career areas as this will give you valuable information and reintroduce you to the kindness and goodness of people and bolster your self confidence. The holiday season is a great time to do this as people are in a cheerful and festive and helpful mood. Too often we rely too much on electronic means when we need to interact with others to bolster our social skills and confidence . Best of luck.
Ken Simmons
Linda Ann Robinson, Ph.D.
Linda Ann’s Answer
Hi Brianna,
Mr. Simmons has provided you with some great advice! Do follow it. I especially like getting counseling for issues from the past so that they are not clouding your judgment. I am providing yet another link for exploration: The American Psychological Association (www.apa.org). You will be able to see that there are many types of psychologists...not just therapists (only about one-third of psychologists are therapists). There are opportunities to combine your love of mathematics/science with a career in psychology, for example. I did that with pursuing graduate work in Quantitative Methods in Psychology, which combined my love of math and psychology and science!!!
You are a young woman....now is the time for you to explore possibilities for your future. About 75-to-80 percent of college freshman change their major after the first year. Take additional coursework. Find an academic discipline that "speaks to you," i.e., makes you come alive. When you find that major, you will be truly blessed as a working adult!!
Good luck. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Thank you for responding and the link to apa.org, I will look further into it in my free time. However, while the community college I am attending does offer 12 free sessions of therapy, I am limited to only being on campus during class hours and picked up by my parents directly after. I am slightly worried that if I explain myself taking more time for these sessions, my parents will think I'm over-exaggerating and not allow me that flexibility. And I have heard many others recommend exploring with classes, but I may be limited with two years as I am currently on financial aid, which may continue with the time span of transferring. I will seek help all around as recommended, but hope to do so to the best of my ability. Thank you again for responding and I wish you a (late) happy new year!
Briana
Alicia Sawh
Alicia’s Answer
Hi Brianna
Congratulations by taking the next step in your career. My daughter will be starting her second year of college. And she changed her major twice but still with the focus of becoming a doctor. Being a freshman allows you to explore your career path. The good thing about being you is that you can pursue both degrees. Speak to your advisor. The good thing about college you have professionals to guide you through. You can and will be an inspiration to other kids who's been bullied becoming a psychologist you can relate and inspire others. Good luck
Adolph A Sanchez
Adolph A’s Answer
My suggestion is if you are not sure what you want to do, get the program curriculum of the two or three degrees that you are thinking of and see what core classes overlap. Thanks those first. Then when you decide you don’t have to take extra classes.