Social Anxiety Support

Futures · 08-31-2009, 10:22 PM

I have a BS degree in communications that has failed me miserably in terms of finding a good job.

I'm now considering going back to study something else that is more useful to the real world.

I need to find something that will teach skills, not useless knowledge. Something with computers sounded perfect, but I don't think I'm smart enough for IT. I suck at math and science. In fact, I'm not overly smart. I barely maintained a "B" average despite probably studying twice as much as the average person.

Then I thought maybe Graphic Design. I like the idea of facing a computer all day instead of people. But it seems like a highly competitive field with few opportunities for beginners straight out of school.

I don't know where to turn now? You guys got any recommendations? Something that pays reasonably well, has minimal social interaction, and the field isn't completely saturated.

SAgirl · 09-04-2009, 09:50 PM

If your not good at math and science it rule out alot of good paying, great jobs. I'm not. I got low 60's in science in highschool. The memorization was ridiculous.

Are you good at drawing is that why you want to take graphic design?

Maybe, you should go see a guidance counsellor. Before I returned to school, I researched programs for 3 years. I was really torn. It's a good way to narrow down your options. Write down your dream jobs.

Sheri · 09-04-2009, 10:02 PM

I wouldn't completely give up on your degree. Perhaps you can't find a paying job, but have you looked into internships/volunteering? My English degree got me nowhere until I scored an editorial internship at a publishing house. I looked a lot more desirable with that on my resume. It kind of sucks to work for no money, but for me, it was well worth it.

deeds14 · 09-04-2009, 10:37 PM

Ok, this would require more than minimal social interaction, but how would you feel about becoming a Physician's Assistant? It would require 2 more years of school if you already have a 4-year degree. Apparently, the entry level rate is about $75k, and people end up making about $120k once they get experience. I know a few people in the field and I wish I went that route! It's a growing field.

delirium · 09-05-2009, 12:54 AM

Major in Philosophy. It's great :P

Stanley · 09-05-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Futures

You guys got any recommendations? Something that pays reasonably well, has minimal social interaction, and the field isn't completely saturated.

Here's the list of degrees by the average starting salary:

Chemical engineering - $53,659
Computer science - $51,523
Electrical engineering - $51,113
Mechanical engineering - $50,806
Information science - $43,741
Civil engineering - $43,159
Accounting - $43,050
Economics/finance - $40,719
Nursing - $38,788
Business administration - $38,357
Marketing - $37,519
Political science - $32,296
English - $31,113
Elementary education - $30,364
History - $30,344
Biology/life sciences - $29,629
Liberal arts (as a group) - $29,060
Psychology - $28,230

andy1984 · 09-05-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium

Major in Philosophy. It's great :P

Philosophy is pretty awesome.

Marooned · 09-05-2009, 05:04 PM

As you can see from the list posted above, there is no way to avoid math and science if you seek a well-paying job. The good news is twofold.

First, because our public schools do such a poor job of teaching math, most students entering college either know nothing beyond basic arithmetic or have only a fragmented knowledge of elementary algebra. You are most definitely not alone.

Second, math in college at the initial stages, which is all most students will ever see, is taught with the same sort of laxity that you find in our primary and secondary schools. Most majors don't require anything beyond calculus, and those courses are taught with emphasis on method and application. They require only rote memorization of formulas and how/when to apply them to solve problems. There is no rigor, only cursory treatment of proofs, and one can get through them easily enough with time and practice.

The fears that so many people seem to have about math are unnecessary unless they plan to major in math. At the level we're talking about, it's not about smarts; it's about discipline. Don't let something you have control over preclude you from majoring in a field that you might otherwise find interesting.

08-31-2009, 10:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Futures Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Midwest Gender: Male Age: 28 Posts: 1,904	What should I major in? I have a BS degree in communications that has failed me miserably in terms of finding a good job. I'm now considering going back to study something else that is more useful to the real world. I need to find something that will teach skills, not useless knowledge. Something with computers sounded perfect, but I don't think I'm smart enough for IT. I suck at math and science. In fact, I'm not overly smart. I barely maintained a "B" average despite probably studying twice as much as the average person. Then I thought maybe Graphic Design. I like the idea of facing a computer all day instead of people. But it seems like a highly competitive field with few opportunities for beginners straight out of school. I don't know where to turn now? You guys got any recommendations? Something that pays reasonably well, has minimal social interaction, and the field isn't completely saturated.

09-04-2009, 10:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sheri Status: Dowager Princess Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alaska Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 2,701	I wouldn't completely give up on your degree. Perhaps you can't find a paying job, but have you looked into internships/volunteering? My English degree got me nowhere until I scored an editorial internship at a publishing house. I looked a lot more desirable with that on my resume. It kind of sucks to work for no money, but for me, it was well worth it. __________________ I drink your milkshake.

09-04-2009, 09:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
SAgirl Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northwestern Ontario, 20 hour drive from TO Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 3,037	If your not good at math and science it rule out alot of good paying, great jobs. I'm not. I got low 60's in science in highschool. The memorization was ridiculous. Are you good at drawing is that why you want to take graphic design? Maybe, you should go see a guidance counsellor. Before I returned to school, I researched programs for 3 years. I was really torn. It's a good way to narrow down your options. Write down your dream jobs.

09-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
deeds14 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 256	Ok, this would require more than minimal social interaction, but how would you feel about becoming a Physician's Assistant? It would require 2 more years of school if you already have a 4-year degree. Apparently, the entry level rate is about $75k, and people end up making about $120k once they get experience. I know a few people in the field and I wish I went that route! It's a growing field.

09-05-2009, 12:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
delirium Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto Gender: Male Posts: 214	Major in Philosophy. It's great :P

09-05-2009, 05:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Marooned Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 283	As you can see from the list posted above, there is no way to avoid math and science if you seek a well-paying job. The good news is twofold. First, because our public schools do such a poor job of teaching math, most students entering college either know nothing beyond basic arithmetic or have only a fragmented knowledge of elementary algebra. You are most definitely not alone. Second, math in college at the initial stages, which is all most students will ever see, is taught with the same sort of laxity that you find in our primary and secondary schools. Most majors don't require anything beyond calculus, and those courses are taught with emphasis on method and application. They require only rote memorization of formulas and how/when to apply them to solve problems. There is no rigor, only cursory treatment of proofs, and one can get through them easily enough with time and practice. The fears that so many people seem to have about math are unnecessary unless they plan to major in math. At the level we're talking about, it's not about smarts; it's about discipline. Don't let something you have control over preclude you from majoring in a field that you might otherwise find interesting.