PLEASE give me some good advice!! (life changing stuff here ppl!)

[ArmyInfantry]

I am currently in the University of Maryland, College Park (Junior year).

I just found out my teacher wants to fail me because I didnt make a "Serious Attempt" on one of his projects. Knowing him, he probably wont change his mind and will be stuck retaking his class. On top of this, I am lookign at failing another Comp sci class cause I didnt do so hot on the 2nd mid-term. Now I come to a crossroad in my college career and perhaps my life. Should I take this opportunity and re-evaluate where I want to head in my life or continue to in a major I absolutely hate and perhaps graduate with a degree in it. I have only 4 repeat credits, not enough to repeat both these classes and I have not yet even entered 400 level classes.

I entered Computer Science looking at exellent pay and I liked computers...but as time passed, this major was just something I was stuck with...I was too stubborn to reconsider my choices even after I knew this major wasn't for me. Now with almost all my repeat credits gone, I am left with a decision to finally take a step to gain control of life. In my mind, I am already ready to change majors to anything but Comp Sci....but I always feel that this is the pussy way out of things....

What are my choices in term of majors? I know that any major outside CS and engineering, I will have no problem getting A's and B's instead of trying to get C's. I have been entertaining the idea of Criminal Justice (I can work for the feds?), ECON, COMM and Education (My passion cause I love people and children, but it has horrible pay).

Should I stick it through to the bitter end or change now and take my loses? Btw, I have will have 90 credits hours

 

[MrDingleDangle]

to me it sounds like u have already made up your mind to change majors...

just find something u are really interested in...

edit:
i dont see any point in being in a major u hate...because it doesnt get easier as time goes on...

 

[todpod]

I say change majors, having changed several times from, Library Science, History, and now Liberal Studies. If your passion is to teach then do it, I really don't think you would ever regret it. The only possible thing here at Clarion I know you need a 3.0gpa to get into education but your mileage may vary. You may, depending were you live, finish your degree (preferably in one of the sciences or math) and get your teaching credentials through alternative certification. This doesn't work to well for the social sciences. good luck Todd

 

[TheCorm]

If you don't like doing it now....then there is a fair to good chance you won't wanna be doing it for the rest of your life so I think it's time for a change!

 

[Darien]

I know that any major outside CS and engineering, I will have no problem getting A's and B's instead of trying to get C's.

:Q

ph33r the natural sciences.

 

[theNEOone]

Originally posted by: Darien

I know that any major outside CS and engineering, I will have no problem getting A's and B's instead of trying to get C's.

:Q

ph33r the natural sciences.

haha, molecular bio is no joke.


anyway, it seems as if you don't like CS. change majors, and fast!

 

[radioouman]

There is no job market for criminal justice majors. Just keep that in mind.

I don't really like engineering that much, but I struggled through it with a 3.4 gpa, and I'm enjoying the money now that I've graduated.

You'll find that in college, changing majors is an earth-shattering occaision in a student's mind, but once they get into the working world, the only thing that is important is money. No one in the working world right out of college likes what they are doing.

BTW, I'm in mechanical engineering, because I got tired of computer engineering.

 

[slackerinabox]

Radioo- everything thAt you said was purely your opinion... Call me old fashioned, but if you enjoy criminal justice you should major in criminal justice.. The current job market is rough for everyone - regardless of your major.. Also, to some people, life is not simply about making money after college.. In fact, it's not really fair, but underpaid people like cops and teachers often have much higher life/occupational satisfaction then people working $100k a year jobs...

 

[LeeTJ]

Get a degree in Accounting, it seems there is always work for CPA's.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: LeeTJ
Get a degree in Accounting, it seems there is always work for CPA's.

:Q Accounting classes SUCK. I wonder if CPA's actually do all that crap we have to do in college... probably not because they get to use computers:|

 

[ArmyInfantry]

Does ppl with Communications degress and ECON get jobs?

 

[ArmyInfantry]

bump

 

[sciencetoy]

If you don't like CS, get out of it, because you'll lose out on any good jobs to CS majors who actually like the stuff.

In terms of getting a job later, you should be working now. Either get a part time job, or start networking. Pay attention to your fellow students, especially the ones who are really good at what they do, and also to your profs and the staff.

Take a bunch of people out for dinner, or coffee, and get to know them. This includes professors, your advisors, students you get to know, people who you come into contact with, someone who gives a speech. Be very nice, very respectful, and try to connect. Many of them will be fairly boring. But some will be very good.

Whatever you do later, you will need connections and references. The most boring person may turn out to be related to the president of some company you want a job at.

Good luck.

 

[spliffstar69]

Originally posted by: radioouman
There is no job market for criminal justice majors. Just keep that in mind.

I don't really like engineering that much, but I struggled through it with a 3.4 gpa, and I'm enjoying the money now that I've graduated.

You'll find that in college, changing majors is an earth-shattering occaision in a student's mind, but once they get into the working world, the only thing that is important is money. No one in the working world right out of college likes what they are doing.

BTW, I'm in mechanical engineering, because I got tired of computer engineering.

Criminal Justice Major plenty of raods to take there last time I checked crime is still committed.

and your handle is ArmyInfantry maybe thats your calling

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: LeeTJ
Get a degree in Accounting, it seems there is always work for CPA's.

LeeTJ is right, there is always work, but if I had to do it over again, I would have changed majors too. Man, accounting is boring. Good money, but way boring.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Radioo- everything thAt you said was purely your opinion... Call me old fashioned, but if you enjoy criminal justice you should major in criminal justice.. The current job market is rough for everyone - regardless of your major.. Also, to some people, life is not simply about making money after college.. In fact, it's not really fair, but underpaid people like cops and teachers often have much higher life/occupational satisfaction then people working $100k a year jobs...

Very good advice. If you can do work that you enjoy most of the time, the third of your life that you'll spend doing it will be much more worthwhile.

And computer science / software development is definitely something you should enjoy if you're going to major in and work in the field. Otherwise you'll be a mediocre worker and get the less interesting assignments while the most fun projects go to people like me . You'll also have to force yourself to keep up with changes in development tools and methods, instead of doing it because you want to.

No one in the working world right out of college likes what they are doing.

Not true for everyone. My first software development job was pretty interesting and a good learning experience.

 

[KC5AV]

If you don't like the major, get out while you can. Life is too short to be stuck doing something you hate.

 

[randomlinh]

hey fellow college parker... just look at it this way, you're better off than me. I came in comp eng... i found that it's not what i want to do.. i honestly don't know what i want to do, something w/ business, maybe finance. However, seeing as how stingy the business school here is, they won't even consider the courseload i had, they just look at the GPA. So now i'm stuck.. if i get good grades this semester (bunch of easy classes, but i've had a lot of trouble concentrating), i may transfer to the branch school. not something i want, but at this point, i gotta graduate w/ something :/

good luck finding what you want.... the career center may help you.. but i found them to be pretty useless.


oh, and i'm a junior too, i'll be at 80 some credits.

 

[jarfykk]

You may or may not have problems getting A's and B's in non-CS/Engineering majors, but its what YOU get out of them that is important. I've known dozens of people who major in History or Pol.Sci or whatever, who have learned nothing. I also know several friends that enjoy and love these things and take alot from them and hope to make a career in the field. Don't switch majors for good grades.

Be realistic about the prospects of what you want to do. If you don't know, then you don't know and shouldn't shoehorn yourself into some box. Take a year off if you need, or a week and reevaluate your likes, dislikes, goals, dreams, etc. Be happy with who you are and what you want to be, but temper this ideal with the real world. When you've found a balance, voila!

My two cents, find out what you like (Criminal Justice, Econ, whatever) and do it. If you like CS but find it difficult, then stick with it and get some help.

 

[FoBoT]

pick something new, we don't need any more competition in IT

become a comedian or doctor or polo horse breeder