I'm a junior in biological engineering. I really love my biology classes and I loved my math and basic science, but I'm just not sure I'm aiming at a career I really want. I also want to stick around in a kind of small town and not have to move to the east or west coast to get a job. I was going to go to grad school and have a job doing research, but this really is starting to sound less and less like something I really want to do.
What should I do? What are some semi-related jobs? I'm really NOT concerned about making a lot of money. Also, I'm really shy so a people-oriented career could be bad.
Changing major in college?
I think it is really great that you are thinking about the future job possibilities as you go through your classes. Keep in mind that the degree you obtain does not necessarily limit you to a certain job in the future. I actually have a degree to teach, but never became the Public School Teacher I intended to be. I have found that the skills I learned in school have transferred to the many other jobs I have found over the years.
You don't explain exactly why you are less interested in a research job, so I will make an assumption that you are just exploring other jobs. Engineering is a great field for those who love math and science, even if you switch your speciality. Computer science is also a great field for those with a logical mindset.
You could become a programmer, an actuary, a statistician, a zoologist, a financial analyst... The choices are many at this point in your life. I would recommend that you meet with a career counselor at your school to discuss some of the other options available. You may decide to pursue your current track and start as an entry level employee in an interesting field after graduation. Or you may decide that some of the other classes sound interesting to you now and decide to switch them and pursue a new major.
My biggest recommendation would be that you get a degree, in whatever subject is interesting to you, and then worry about the job thing more afterwards. If you find that you need more training, you can always go to grad school in your desired subject.
Best of luck with your explorations!!
Changing major in college?
You're degree field would let you work in places all over the country from hospitals to wildlife departments to research based organizations which are in every state and major city. If you have a little voice telling you to worry, then you should but let it be known you would have the same worries with any degree so I would say do what makes you happy...Plus you may get that job first and let them pay for the graduated school instead of you. The thought of grad school is exciting and dreadful, both are totally normal but you know you get a master's degree by taking tweleve classes plus thesis which really isn't that much...You're shyness is more concerning because you need to be a confident and compotent communicator professionally and personally..You have what is called communication apprehension, the formal term for stage fright...Search under that term on the internet and there are a ton of tips!!! Good luck
I'm having a similar problem! I am a junior chemistry-major, have put a lot of work into my studies, and am now at a point where I'm pretty sure it's not what I want to be doing with my life. It's hard to make that decision when it means you'll have to spend more time getting a different degree. I've come to the conclusion that it'll be worth it to have something I'll enjoy for the rest of my life. People change; it's okay! I suggest that you take some time to make some self-realizations and investigate different careers. Figure out what you will love to do!
