Choosing The Right Degree At University
Steel_Troll
Join Date: 2004-02-12 Member: 26455Members
Join Date: 2004-02-12 Member: 26455Members
University... the bane of my life right now...
I have to decide on what to do at university and im stuck between one of three choices.
1)Psychology
2)Chemistry
3)Biology
I am aiming for a good university(Top 20) as i have the predicted grades required (4 A's)
Right now the strong favourites are Psychology then Chemistry. I enjoy all of them and am having a real tough time to chose which one to do.I am not planning to do a carrear based on any of the three ie i dont want to become a psychologist, Biologist or Chemistry person(Chemist aint right...wots the word for it?)
Im looking to do an enjoyable subject for 3 years at university... But it has to be a subject that is accepted by many different types of jobs, ie if i show up at random company and show them my qualifications i dont want them saying no, because you did chemistry at uni,or no because psychology is an easy subject and is the sociology of the 00's(ie sociology was a boom subject in the 90's but faded out and is considered a poor subject to have as a degree) ...And im just stumped... can anyone point me in a right direction?Any views?
I have to decide on what to do at university and im stuck between one of three choices.
1)Psychology
2)Chemistry
3)Biology
I am aiming for a good university(Top 20) as i have the predicted grades required (4 A's)
Right now the strong favourites are Psychology then Chemistry. I enjoy all of them and am having a real tough time to chose which one to do.I am not planning to do a carrear based on any of the three ie i dont want to become a psychologist, Biologist or Chemistry person(Chemist aint right...wots the word for it?)
Im looking to do an enjoyable subject for 3 years at university... But it has to be a subject that is accepted by many different types of jobs, ie if i show up at random company and show them my qualifications i dont want them saying no, because you did chemistry at uni,or no because psychology is an easy subject and is the sociology of the 00's(ie sociology was a boom subject in the 90's but faded out and is considered a poor subject to have as a degree) ...And im just stumped... can anyone point me in a right direction?Any views?
Comments
I have to decide on what to do at university and im stuck between one of three choices.
1)Psychology
2)Chemistry
3)Biology
I am aiming for a good university(Top 20) as i have the predicted grades required (4 A's)
Right now the strong favourites are Psychology then Chemistry. I enjoy all of them and am having a real tough time to chose which one to do.I am not planning to do a carrear based on any of the three ie i dont want to become a psychologist, Biologist or Chemistry person(Chemist aint right...wots the word for it?)
Im looking to do an enjoyable subject for 3 years at university... But it has to be a subject that is accepted by many different types of jobs, ie if i show up at random company and show them my qualifications i dont want them saying no, because you did chemistry at uni,or no because psychology is an easy subject and is the sociology of the 00's(ie sociology was a boom subject in the 90's but faded out and is considered a poor subject to have as a degree) ...And im just stumped... can anyone point me in a right direction?Any views? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Chemestry and Biology are both an assload of work I should warn you, and asside from potential to become a medical doctor, niether field leaves alot of job oppertunities asside from teaching.
However, you could consider going into Medicine, if you're up for the hard work.
And yes, a 'Chemistry person' is called a Chemist. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I don't think you can major in 'Gaming' or 'Playtesting'... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I don't think you can major in 'Gaming' or 'Playtesting'... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
no tis treu my cosin has a digree in playtest gamming he gto it frum harvord.
If you can't decide between the Degrees, think about the University. I've heard plenty of stories about people ending up at Unis where they felt isolated and bored because they were too far from home/friends/family or because the location had nothing going for it.
Think about a University that can offer you a wide selection of extra-curricular activities: sports (competitive and recreational), student-run projects like clubs, societies, newspapers, radio stations. If a University has a fair amount of diversity in terms of extra-curricular activities you're more likely to make friends and enjoy yourself more, meaning your work will be of a higher quality and you'll maybe have something extra to put on your CV.
For instance, take the University of Durham. So far I've been publications officer for my College's Social Committee, a member of the Film-Making Society and also helped set up a college Film Society. This sort of stuff really adds depth to a prospective employee in the form of experience or outside interests.
Who would you want to have in your company?
- Joe Boring. "I did Chemistry at Uni".
- Joe Striking. "I did Chemistry at Uni, I have a love for Jazz and played a Double Bass in the Uni Jazz Band. I also was a member of the Manga Appreciation Society etc.
Another thing to look out for in a University is if they have well-established links with employers. Some Universities have companies visiting to give recuitment talks and to try and secure prospective employees. The better the Uni, the better and bigger the competition between companies at the recruitment fairs.
As for the subjects I know that Physics and Chemistry involve <b>a lot</b> of Maths and even Psychology has Statistics modules and in some cases involves Biological study (how the brain works, word recognition, face recognition etc.).
I think it's a myth that someone with a Chemistry degree will inevitably end up in a laboratory testing pesticide on wheat cells. As far as I know employers are looking for the degree level (1st, 2.1, 2.2, 3rd) because it shows how hard you can work for yourself and therefore is an indication of your work ethic. Certain jobs will require specific requirements but as long as you look to get experience from areas you're interested in while at University you'll come out a more rounded individual with wider career opportunities.
My two English pence <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Go History! Go History! Go where? Who knows.
There are too many psych majors already, it may not be a good field.
You like chemistry it seems?
Consider going into Pharmaceuticals. You will have a job for the rest of your life, guaranteed.
Not true from what I've heard. There is a tremendous shortage of Chemists throughout industry. Anyone with a post graduate degree in chemistry typically doesn't have any difficulty finding a very well paying job.
Then in a blinding moment of stupidity, I made a snap decision and applied to change to chemistry, had 5 interviews in the space of 2 hours whit the heads of both departments, and was accpeted onto the course for the next (i.e. this) sememster starting as a first year again. I love it. Especialy days like today where you spend all day in lab getting high of the ether that you're using.
edit - Also a real science such as physics/chemisty/pharmacy >> than most - ologies in the eyes of lots of employers
you could also go the biochemistry route, but im not sure many people have that amount of focus. the guy i know who does it balneces 25 hours a week in a lab with his school work(21 credit hours). needless to say i see him once a month maximum.
My point here is to say that if you are doing a level work you can afford to waste a smesters worth of credits on looking into things. Besides, there is nothing worse tahtn realizing that you are wasting you time on something you will never want to use.
What I think you should be considering is what you're most interested in. You said that you're ok with all 3 subjects, but are you prepared to be spending 30,40,50 years working in that field? Even if you don't end up working in a research lab, you'll still be working with what you learn. Surely you must have some reservations about each of them. Think about whether or not you could live with them. Keep in mind, though, that most likely, these very broad degrees may not be too useful without some sort of graduate school, but it depends on what you want to do after you graduate.
As for jobs and such, go to job posting websites and see what qualifications are needed for various jobs. This will probably take a while, but then at least you have a realistic expectation of what a degree will do for you. It would also help a lot if you had an idea (even if its only a vague idea) of what you plan to do. If you can, talk to people who are in these fields and see what they think and recommend.
big jim you as well....
Im doing Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and Italian, i dont want to do italian or Biology at uni. I want to apply at Manchester(Great uni + Town) B'ham, Dhurum (My daddy went there) NOT LONDON and im open for any other towns that inspire me.
Ive also heard psychologies are frowned on and Science courses are <3 ' d
I really liked Manchesters Chemistry and Psychology Departments and Dhurum as its in the top 3 and Nottingham looks class well... So its between Chemistry or Psychology or a split Chem/Psychology at B'ham...
What do you guys think of Newcastle or Liverpool? I have 6 University to enter to...
AArgh im sooo indecisive as well AlienCow...
Any more imput.. the help is working!Keep at it and ill soon have a degree!!
Take Biology and learn the Kharaas bacteria <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Manchester is a great city, always somewhere to go, see, drink... although I guess thats the same for most cities.
What am I saying? Manchester = bestest city ever, Chemistry = mucho fun with smelling solvents
If you want a profession after uni, I'd suggest:
-quite a few of the engineering degrees, but not all
-pharmacy
-compsci
If you want to do graduate work, then quite a few of the disciplines offer work when you get out. I would NOT recommend Psychology as a bachelors degree if that is as far as you are taking it. It's a cliche that psych majors are unemployed, almost as much as the philosophy major. However, just as stated prevoiusly, taking either to higher degrees can net you a job.
If all you care about is a desk job, or any old job, it doesn't really matter what your degree is in. Honestly. Most employers don't know nor care the difference between an Honours in Genetics and a Degree in Physical Chemistry. What they DO care about is work experience. So try and get some CO-OP work where you go.
If you are gunning for the hard working yet rewarding job of game dev (i know of a few game devs, even though I am not myself). I'd recommend physics/compsci/math.
You don't have to commit to anything, but if you like chemistry, that may be an option and it will have much better job security than Psych will in a few years.