What should I major in?

[thriller]

I don't know what to major in? I'm leaning towards history, but poli sci intrigues me, as well as sociology. I think poli sci is off the table since I'm a commie. No gov't agency would ever hire me, looking at my political track record and appearance (commie tats 4 laif). I would love to do something with labor, but can not seem to find any major at my university that incorporates labor. Anyone know of any university and/or programs that are like labor history and/or organizing? Thanks

[Azraella]

Sociology is useful. Though my bias would say that you should go major in psych and focus on social psychology <.<

Psychology is the best science ever. I will fight anyone to the death with a cuddly attitude about this.

[heyjoe]

cornell in ny and rutgers in nj have labor studies. The afl-cio also has a college labor program including organizing.

http://www.nlc.edu/

[manic expression]

I find it's a good idea to think less in terms of majors and more in terms of what you want to do. History, poli sci, sociology...those types of degrees can apply to a wide variety of work (the only exception is if you want to be a professor in one of those fields, you should focus on that one, but that's a unique situation), the question is how it fits into your approach and how it enhances what you're best at. In other words, maybe you can try working backwards to find the answer to this question. Hope that helps. :)

[Belleraphone]

If you want to integrate your beliefs into academia, I would say go into poli sci or government (depends on what the college calls it.) You won't get a job at an American government agency, but maybe in one of the left leaning countries in Latin America. Some of the more progressive countries in Western Europe like Finland also have communists occupying government positions.

But if you want to further the Marxist struggle, it would be best to get a phD in government/poli sci and get a job at a University. Even in American Universities they will let far leftists teach. If you aren't sure though, don't publicly announce your beliefs until you get tenure.

[thriller]

Sociology is useful. Though my bias would say that you should go major in psych and focus on social psychology <.<

Psychology is the best science ever. I will fight anyone to the death with a cuddly attitude about this.

I never could get into psych, the concepts always seemed to counter-act things I've seen in my life, especially the 'hierarchy of needs'. As far as what I want to do, I have no clue. I'll be graduating in about 2 years. If the economy is still slumped, I'll prolly have to keep landscaping. But I've always wanted to work at like a historical society or museum. Those seem like chill jobs. I would like to incorporate my beliefs and try to further the struggle. But it seems like every discipline would confine me to bourgeois thought. A teaching job would be kewl. Make 10th graders read the Manifesto, muahahahaha! Thanks for the responses.

[eyedrop]

In this labour market I think it is somewhat insane to risk, more than necessary, going long term unemployed after graduating. I don't see the labour market becoming better in the next 5 years either...

Study something that actually has a decent shot of landing you a stable job after graduating, in Norway some smart studies would be engineering, societal planning or teacher.

If you actually have a chance do whatever you can to avoid getting stuck in temp jobs, homelessnes and unemployment, it is fucking degrading and a living hell.

We are done with the times where you can be what you want.

[thriller]

In this labour market I think it is somewhat insane to risk, more than necessary, going long term unemployed after graduating. I don't see the labour market becoming better in the next 5 years either...

Study something that actually has a decent shot of landing you a stable job after graduating, in Norway some smart studies would be engineering, societal planning or teacher.

If you actually have a chance do whatever you can to avoid getting stuck in temp jobs, homelessnes and unemployment, it is fucking degrading and a living hell.

We are done with the times where you can be what you want.

Thanks for the advice, but deciding my major based on a fluctuating market is something I never have done or ever will. Ive been homeless before, not so bad, at least in America. Plus I don't see the point in majoring in something that will get me a job so I can pay back loans I took out to get the major that allows me to pay said loans. Never ending cycle :P

[Sam Varriano]

I'm actually studying to become a sexologist, you should too.

[eyedrop]

Sry for being somewhat bombastic in my last post.
Thanks for the advice, but deciding my major based on a fluctuating market is something I never have done or ever will. Ive been homeless before, not so bad, at least in America. Plus I don't see the point in majoring in something that will get me a job so I can pay back loans I took out to get the major that allows me to pay said loans. Never ending cycle :P

I thought Universities were only good for the papers that help when applying to jobs. If one just want to learn it's just as easy and way cheaper to just learn it on your own (or with others).


Ive been homeless before, not so bad, at least in America. Then you are stronger than most, considering most take up heroin to deal with it in the long term perspective.

[thriller]

Sry for being somewhat bombastic in my last post.

I thought Universities were only good for the papers that help when applying to jobs. If one just want to learn it's just as easy and way cheaper to just learn it on your own (or with others).

Then you are stronger than most, considering most take up heroin to deal with it in the long term perspective.

I actually should've explained my situation more. I have an associate arts degree and am transferring to a 4 year university and have to go into social sciences or humanities if I want to use my GE credits. So going into science or math would mean I have to start from scratch again. I am going to learn, but I'd like to use what I learned for a job. But I am one of those people who find it very hard to learn about things that don't intrigue me. As far as being homeless, it was only for about 6 months, so it was not long term as you had pointed out. Plus being homeless in Northern California is much different than being homeless than Norway for example.

[eyedrop]

I'm actually overly a dick (sorry for that. It's just my mood today, I'm way to cheerful). I know that learning on your own is actually way harder than in an University in reality for most people. I do actually even agree with you in that studying a subject you don't care about is usually a recipe for disaster.

Ohh I remember back to the days when I was a kid and we didn't have homeless people, at least not in my hometown (in my childhood naivety at least), even the druggies had state supplied homes. I still faintly remember the first time I saw 'homeless people'.

Bah I should get back to playing with my balls...

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

Why not medicine or law?

[∞]

Science. Its systematic. You can always learn humanities stuff on your own.

[thriller]

I have an associate arts degree and am transferring to a 4 year university and have to go into social sciences or humanities if I want to use my GE credits. So going into science or math would mean I have to start from scratch again.

History, poli sci, psych, music, lit are pretty much the fields I can pick from. I think law fits in there. Maybe I could become a lawyer and convict Bush and Cheney of their war crimes :P

[∞]

History, poli sci, psych, music, lit are pretty much the fields I can pick from. I think law fits in there. Maybe I could become a lawyer and convict Bush and Cheney of their war crimes :P

Or every other president for that matter.

[thriller]

Haha that's true! Was Baby Bush a lawyer tho?

[MarxSchmarx]

I have come to the conclusion, somewhat reluctantly, that the only way to be a good organizer is to actually go out there and do it.

You will learn far, far more from a single failed unionization campaign than you ever will from any degree. And if you throw your heart into organizing, you could have several failed campaigns a year - and that is worth years upon years of sitting in a class room.