[2404] in Depressing_Thoughts
Re: Major Problems!
kevles@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (kevles@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Wed Oct 2 12:53:58 1991
Want two cents from someone who never went to MIT? Well, here it is
anyway :-)
Pick a major that can keep you interested until you graduate.
Don't confuse a major with a career. The two aren't usually related.
The point of an education is learning HOW to think, and how to learn.
The point of a science/technical major is how to think/learn
scientific/technical material.
I majored in history, because I knew I could sustain my interest through
the required courses. I immediately went out into the world and started
programming computers for a living. That sustained my interest for five
years. Now I'm in user services (read "management"), and I think my
next career move is likely to be away from computers altogether. And MY
CASE IS NOT UNUSUAL!
Asking a lot of juniors and seniors about what they did in the classes
they most loved and most hated *within their majors* in as excellent
approach, with regards to figuring out how well YOU will like that
major.
So, BRAVO for going about this choice intelligently!
--Beth (who put in at least a nickel's worth ...)
