Another "Get Out" Thread . . .

[Pete Incaviglia]

. . . with a twist.

I'm still thinking (more seriously now) of going back to school. That said, I have no idea what to major in.

No one can predict the future, but what might a major/job demand be in, say, a decade from now?

Pretend you're 18 again and heading off to college, only you know everything you now know about this crumbling business (layoffs, uncertain future, floating ads, convergence et al) and you want nothing to do with this shaky, uncertain scene.

What, instead of journalism, would you major in and why? I have a two-year diploma, and have made my way to a decent gig based almost entirely on my experience and portfolio.

I'm thinking I should major in something I can spin into an "environmental" or "green" job or company but outside of that, I have no idea what might be "in demand" or provide "job security" in the long run.

I could go back and communications degree and get into PR, but I'm not sure I want that.

Again, if you were a high school grad with your life ahead of you, what, instead of journalism, would you major in and why?

 

[Ace]

If you are into computers at all, seems like there are tons of IT jobs out there.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

If you are into computers at all, seems like there are tons of IT jobs out there.

Yeah, I've thought of that. Just that I'm 32. So the whole internet, networking, etc. thing was taking off when I was already in college. I think I'm too far behind for computers/technology. I don't know how hard/easy it would be to be a) accepting into something like that b) to pass and graduate from something like that, given that I have no idea how a computer works or what a mother board is.

 

[Ace]

If you are into computers at all, seems like there are tons of IT jobs out there.

Yeah, I've thought of that. Just that I'm 32. So the whole internet, networking, etc. thing was taking off when I was already in college. I think I'm too far behind for computers/technology. I don't know how hard/easy it would be to be a) accepting into something like that b) to pass and graduate from something like that, given that I have no idea how a computer works or what a mother board is.

Plastics, then.

 

[Steak Snabler]

It would be easy for me to say I would major in computer science (the Internet boom happened right after I graduated from college) or a foreign language like Chinese, but in truth, I never really had a head for that sort of thing.

It would still probably have to be in the liberal arts, but I probably would have at least taken an html class and maybe minored in Spanish.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

If you are into computers at all, seems like there are tons of IT jobs out there.

Yeah, I've thought of that. Just that I'm 32. So the whole internet, networking, etc. thing was taking off when I was already in college. I think I'm too far behind for computers/technology. I don't know how hard/easy it would be to be a) accepting into something like that b) to pass and graduate from something like that, given that I have no idea how a computer works or what a mother board is.

Plastics, then.

Haha. Awesome.

I seriously regret not working at the auto factory like my dad. I'd have 14 years experience, which is either job security (I have friends there who have yet to be laid off) or a decent sized severance package — and then I'd go back to school anyway.

*sigh*

 

[playthrough]

It would be easy for me to say I would major in computer science (the Internet boom happened right after I graduated from college) or a foreign language like Chinese, but in truth, I never really had a head for that sort of thing.

It would still probably have to be in the liberal arts, but I probably would have at least taken an html class and maybe minored in Spanish.

My Dad banged on me and my siblings 15 years ago to study Japanese and/or Chinese. I wish I had taken him seriously.

 

[silvercharm]

For a lock as a secure profession, health care. Almost everyone wants to live as long as possible. They can live without computers and TV and cars, but not without a functioning ticker, liver and intestines.

 

[captzulu]

If you've got the head for it -- pharmacy. Usually a 4-year program, and median starting pay in my state is $80-100K. There's also currently a shortage of pharmacists nationwide that's projected to get bigger in the next 20 years.

 

[playthrough]

Amazing that there's a pharmacist shortage, given the new CVS's and Walgreens that pop up on every other corner where I live.

 

[captzulu]

Amazing that there's a pharmacist shortage, given the new CVS's and Walgreens that pop up on every other corner where I live.

That's what I thought too. But it's true. I guess those stores pop up all over for a reason.
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/pharmacist.htm

 

[Stitch]

Pharmacy isn't too bad. Two years of undergrad work for chemistry, biology, physics, and then four years of pharmacy school.

 

[slappy4428]

My original idea was to go into hotel-restaurant management. Looking back, I would have hated it.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Engineering. A major shortage, especially for those who speak English as their native language. Engineering grads from the local land-grant school always have jobs that pay very well.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

One of two:

1) Computer science. Hell, I'm considering a return to the classroom to catch up on that anyway.

2) Engineering. Probably civil engineering.

 

[Tom Petty]

It would be easy for me to say I would major in computer science (the Internet boom happened right after I graduated from college) or a foreign language like Chinese, but in truth, I never really had a head for that sort of thing.

It would still probably have to be in the liberal arts, but I probably would have at least taken an html class and maybe minored in Spanish.

My Dad banged on me and my siblings 15 years ago to study Japanese and/or Chinese. I wish I had taken him seriously.

told ya so.

 

[Ace]

One of two:

1) Computer science. Hell, I'm considering a return to the classroom to catch up on that anyway.

2) Engineering. Probably civil engineering.

I think engineering is probably something you really need to have the interest in and aptitude for the get through. Don't want slackoffs and the algebra-impaired building bridges.

With computer science you can muddle through and work just about anywhere and fake it and still give as good a service as most IT guys.

 

[I Digress]

Meteorology..... probably not good looking enough to be Jim Cantore or Stephanie Abrams.. but it would be cool working for NOAA or the hurricane center

 

[MacDaddy]

My wife's a nurse, and if I knew then what I know now (and also didn't pass out when I see blood) I'd go into nursing. It's basically the anti-journalism -- huge demand, excellent pay and benefits, flexible hours.

 

[KevinmH9]

Meteorology..... probably not good looking enough to be Jim Cantore or Stephanie Abrams.. but it would be cool working for NOAA or the hurricane center

I majored in Meteorology before the Calculus and Physics got to me and I decided to change majors.