7 answers
Devlan
Student
Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania
2
Questions
Asked
834 views
What should I go to college for?
What should I do? I like math and science and have good grades.
I like to be outside and have fun. I like working with others. I am positive. I like a challenge.
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7 answers
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
84
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Devlan - While I took a very non-traditional path, I too enjoyed math and science and loved being outdoors. I worked for several years as a whitewater rafting guide which let me live in my tent for months at a time and get paid (though not well) to do something I loved. While in this role, I took a wilderness EMT course that was geared for people like me in the outdoor industry (Outward Bound instructors, NOLS instructors, etc.) and as a part of that program, I had to spend a shift on an ambulance and in the ER. That led to me finding another passion, and I went into EMS, became a paramedic and then went to nursing school. The point of telling you this is to reassure you that you don't have to choose what you'll do with the rest of your life right now. Experiences invariably lead to other experiences and opportunities, and if you want to explore options and have adventures, then I'd encourage you to do so while you're young. If you'd rather go to school and focus on your education first, then think about some programs that might let you combine your passions and consider working over the summer in a role that will get you outside. People have offered great suggestions here, but you may also want to think about things like forestry, environmental science, EMS, recreation and parks management, all of which would involve some of the areas you enjoy while allowing you to work (at least some of the time) outdoors. The best advice I can given you is this: if you enjoy what you do, it makes going to work every day much easier. Good luck!
Nandini Krishna
Manager
34
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Nandini’s Answer
Hello Devlan,
Looks like you know what field interests you which a great first step!
What specific subjects within science and math interest you? I would make a list of this and then dive deep into these. Having a framework that helps answers these questions might help:
1. What are you fields of interests within science and math? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be stuck studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
4. Lastly, talk to some of your teachers and guidance counselors. Sometimes, they see things that we don't and might have more options for you.
Also, think about what you mean by you like to work outside and have fun, do you mean you would like to work in the field (outside regular office set up) or do you like travelling? If you like travelling, the world of consulting is for you!
Hope my answers help you out. Have a great rest of your day!
Looks like you know what field interests you which a great first step!
What specific subjects within science and math interest you? I would make a list of this and then dive deep into these. Having a framework that helps answers these questions might help:
1. What are you fields of interests within science and math? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be stuck studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
4. Lastly, talk to some of your teachers and guidance counselors. Sometimes, they see things that we don't and might have more options for you.
Also, think about what you mean by you like to work outside and have fun, do you mean you would like to work in the field (outside regular office set up) or do you like travelling? If you like travelling, the world of consulting is for you!
Hope my answers help you out. Have a great rest of your day!
Derek Kraus
Workforce Planning BP
30
Answers
Beaverton, Oregon
Updated
Derek’s Answer
Hi Devlan -
Sounds like you have a great idea of what you want to do. With math and science, I would absolutely look at the possibility of Data Analytics or engineering. As the world progresses to a less manual process these two areas will give you a lot of flexibility to work from home and make great money to do things outside of work. For example you could work at Nike making $140,000 with those degrees and have one of the best work life balances in the country.
Derek
Sounds like you have a great idea of what you want to do. With math and science, I would absolutely look at the possibility of Data Analytics or engineering. As the world progresses to a less manual process these two areas will give you a lot of flexibility to work from home and make great money to do things outside of work. For example you could work at Nike making $140,000 with those degrees and have one of the best work life balances in the country.
Derek
Daniel Maynes
Credit Manager
187
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Great question Devlan!
There are so many degree paths to choose from when going to college. The possibilities are almost endless! Like you Devlan, I love being outdoors and struggled thinking about what job would pay well while being outside. I settled on obtaining my bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. This enabled me to keep my options wide open while I figured out what career path I wanted to take.
After graduating I figured out that I love risk management. Its an inside job but I really like what I do and I absolutely love the team I am apart of. Still get to hike on the weekends and enjoy the great outdoors. I have figured out that what really matters is doing something you enjoy and being apart of a great team.
If I could suggest one business book for you to read it would be the book below. Good luck on the journey!
Read Dream Big by Bob Goff
There are so many degree paths to choose from when going to college. The possibilities are almost endless! Like you Devlan, I love being outdoors and struggled thinking about what job would pay well while being outside. I settled on obtaining my bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. This enabled me to keep my options wide open while I figured out what career path I wanted to take.
After graduating I figured out that I love risk management. Its an inside job but I really like what I do and I absolutely love the team I am apart of. Still get to hike on the weekends and enjoy the great outdoors. I have figured out that what really matters is doing something you enjoy and being apart of a great team.
If I could suggest one business book for you to read it would be the book below. Good luck on the journey!
Daniel recommends the following next steps:
Ann Xu
7
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Hi Devlan,
You mentioned you like math, science, and like to have fun/be outside. It is great that you know your interests and subjects you are good at. It is certainly great to focus on the interests you genuinely enjoy and your strengths in the subjects you are good at. In high school or college, you might want to take some science courses to see what you like - for example, do you like biology and working with others? Perhaps you can look into the medical field as a doctor, as an example. There are many sub-fields or specialties in medicine that you can also consider, such as internal medicine, hematology, dermatology, to name a few. After you refine your interests, then, you can pick and choose a major such as, biology, in college. I am glad you are thinking about going to college and aligning your interests with your college major.
You mentioned you like math, science, and like to have fun/be outside. It is great that you know your interests and subjects you are good at. It is certainly great to focus on the interests you genuinely enjoy and your strengths in the subjects you are good at. In high school or college, you might want to take some science courses to see what you like - for example, do you like biology and working with others? Perhaps you can look into the medical field as a doctor, as an example. There are many sub-fields or specialties in medicine that you can also consider, such as internal medicine, hematology, dermatology, to name a few. After you refine your interests, then, you can pick and choose a major such as, biology, in college. I am glad you are thinking about going to college and aligning your interests with your college major.
J Huff
46
Answers
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Updated
J’s Answer
Hi Devlan,
Finding a major or a career path can be challenging, yet exciting. It is important to find an area that feeds your passion/interests. I would suggest looking at some of the wonderful career sites online. For example, the Occupational Outlook Handbook will help you explore a variety of occupations. You can look to the handbook for job requirements, salary, job growth, and education/training requirements. Also, there are free career inventories online that can help you narrow your interests. Also, the inventories may expose you to occupations that you may not have considered.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
My Next Move: https://www.mynextmove.org/
I wish you the best.
Jacque
Finding a major or a career path can be challenging, yet exciting. It is important to find an area that feeds your passion/interests. I would suggest looking at some of the wonderful career sites online. For example, the Occupational Outlook Handbook will help you explore a variety of occupations. You can look to the handbook for job requirements, salary, job growth, and education/training requirements. Also, there are free career inventories online that can help you narrow your interests. Also, the inventories may expose you to occupations that you may not have considered.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
My Next Move: https://www.mynextmove.org/
I wish you the best.
Jacque
Vamshee Gunturu
Principal Engineer
187
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Vamshee’s Answer
You are asking right question here.
As you are interested in Math and Science, you have right attitude (working with others, take up Challege and travel). success is guaranteed if you set your goal and put in hard work to succeed.
You explore the major in STEM field in college and there are lot of opportunities in the area in various majors.
STEM offers stable jobs and more in demand....US and across world, STEM has more jobs and in demand.
Engineering is good and brings you lot of opportunities any city or country in the world if you like to travel..
You can find the STEM career list on below link... explore the different careers/majors in STEM...see what interests you and find out the colleges who offers the major you like, ....
https://www.jmu.edu/stemcenter/career-list-compiled.shtml
Good luck for all your future endeavors.
As you are interested in Math and Science, you have right attitude (working with others, take up Challege and travel). success is guaranteed if you set your goal and put in hard work to succeed.
You explore the major in STEM field in college and there are lot of opportunities in the area in various majors.
STEM offers stable jobs and more in demand....US and across world, STEM has more jobs and in demand.
Engineering is good and brings you lot of opportunities any city or country in the world if you like to travel..
You can find the STEM career list on below link... explore the different careers/majors in STEM...see what interests you and find out the colleges who offers the major you like, ....
https://www.jmu.edu/stemcenter/career-list-compiled.shtml
Good luck for all your future endeavors.