educational dilemma :O

[ArTkY_]

Alright, so I'm a junior in high school and I'm caught between two loves (as far as college majors go). I like Sociology and I like Psychiatry, the problems are Sociology doesn't really offer too many career paths besides things that involve education and the Psychiatry means you have to go to med school and stuff. In the long run I think Psychiatry should be the way to go, but I'm passionate about Sociology, so I can't decide. Give me some pros and cons about these two things to help me with my decision.

[Spicoli hey bud]

I didnt declare until 2nd semester of soph yr

I took classes in pretty much everyhting before i decided. I loved psych, and sociology wasnt so bad.

[i like guitars]

go balls to the walls, quantum physics.

[underthetalking]

Major/Minor

[mirtizzle]

first off, psychiatry or psychology? there's quite a difference in the two of them.
second... some schools don't do "premed" majors, so if you happen to go to one that doesn't do it, you could always do your undergrad in sociology, and then pursue a doctorate in psychiatry
and lastly.. degrees, unless they are in something ultra-specific, like engineering or science, just means your trainable. it's something like 30% of graduates who actually work in the field they majored in, so don't worry so much about that

[Katie Schmitz]

if all else fails, major in one, minor in the other ... you can have your cake and eat it too

[FeynmanWannabe]

go balls to the walls, quantum physics.
i second that...for no reason, whatsoever ;)

[ianfire]

you don't need to decide now. im a junior in college and i just now declared major and the only reason i did was because i ran out of general education classes that are required to graduate and used up all my electives
you are going to change allot in the next few years and will probably change your mind

i am on the five year plan though

[justinevans]

i'm doing finance - people will always have money.

actually i don't know with this generation that wants the government to control everything. Atleast they do not know that is what they want. Stupid asses.

[ArTkY_]

first off, psychiatry or psychology? there's quite a difference in the two of them.
second... some schools don't do "premed" majors, so if you happen to go to one that doesn't do it, you could always do your undergrad in sociology, and then pursue a doctorate in psychiatry
and lastly.. degrees, unless they are in something ultra-specific, like engineering or science, just means your trainable. it's something like 30% of graduates who actually work in the field they majored in, so don't worry so much about that
Psychiatry, not Psychology.

But thanks, that actually helped quite a bit.

[getupkid53]

If you want to do Psychiatry, you should be prepared for an insane amount of schooling. Do you have what it takes to be compassionate to douchebags who have problems like save_me or missindependent. Literally, if you go into this field, you will end up having to 'treat' people who have problems like theirs. I know they seem fake, but they starve for attention, and their parents send them to psychiatrists. You will deal with alot of other people's garbage and you really have to distance yourself from the human element of reaction and look at things from a scientific stand point. You will get frustrated trying to explain things to people with psychological disorders, and there is a great chance that many patients you see will be no better off than when they come to you. But, the lives you do / will change, could make it worth all the while. Just know, that there is alot of failure involved in psychiatry, and if you get frustrated easily with people, you might want to consider another career. I don't know many people who could do that. If you think you can succeed at that, more power to you.

If you want to go anywhere with Sociology you will need a master's also. Either way, plan for alot of school, and even more studying.

Good luck

[Spicoli hey bud]

if all else fails, major in one, minor in the other ... you can have your cake and eat it too
I wish I could have some cake. But seriously, my school doesn't really do minors and it sucks. Starting next semester I'm just going to take freshman classes to get enough credits to graduate because my major will already be complete.

[lostntheseethru]

sociology is what my sister is doing and you can do grad school in it and do almost the same as like pyschology. which is what shes at now. shes starting grad school in aug which will lead her to be able to just about the same thing. well i mean kinda. i know you dont want psychology but it is almost like beating the system. the only thing is with the psychiatry you have a shit ton of schooling

[mirtizzle]

Psychiatry, not Psychology.
But thanks, that actually helped quite a bit.


no prob.

but i just want to warn you - psychiatry is not counseling and therapy, it's working with and researching extremely disturbed and disabled individuals, a lot of times in hospitals and prisons. many counselors and therapists are psychologists with doctorates, or if they are psychiatrists, they learned counseling secondary to their education

[noodledancer]

i've never heard of a psychiatry major, but i imagine that would require pre-med type of science classes. if you're not down for doing a whole bunch of biology, calculus, chemistry, & physics, you should consider doing psychology. at ucla it was pretty common to come across people doing a double major in psychology & sociology, so that's a possibility. sociology is a more flexible area of study than you would think. for example, i'm doing a masters in public health right now, & quite a few of the faculty members have doctorates in sociology, but not a mph. just because you might not see a classified ad looking specifically for a "sociologist," doesn't mean it's a frivolous degree. i'd say you should go for your passion rather than what's "safe" because you'll be happier in the long run.


nice avatar, mirtizzle. :thumbsup:

[Brianfarg]

Major/Minor

Yeah, this seems like a good idea.

[afraidofthefall]

if you really just can't chose, go for a double major. if you just dont feel like doing that, then go with sociology, if it really is your passion.

[ArTkY_]

Thanks guys, I'll have to think about some of this stuff. I'm surprised people aren't being dicks or anything, considering the amount of doucheness on this part of the forum (myself included).

[preppyak]

Thanks guys, I'll have to think about some of this stuff. I'm surprised people aren't being dicks or anything, considering the amount of doucheness on this part of the forum (myself included).

Haha, well, you're a regular and you didn't mention you wanting to kill yourself or having a shitty relationship with a pre-teen.

Really though, find a college with a good focus in both those areas, and try them both out. What I've found is that if your professors are good, you'll enjoy the classes and want to stick with that major. I went into freshmen year wanting to be a film student, but my teachers in that area were dicks, but all my english teachers were very engaging, so I am now looking into teaching film/english. Most of my friends have changed majors a little, like from Bio to Chem, etc.

Either way, you have good career looks (high paying too) with both of those majors, so I doubt you go wrong. Good luck.

[ArTkY_]

Haha, well, you're a regular and you didn't mention you wanting to kill yourself or having a shitty relationship with a pre-teen.

Really though, find a college with a good focus in both those areas, and try them both out. What I've found is that if your professors are good, you'll enjoy the classes and want to stick with that major. I went into freshmen year wanting to be a film student, but my teachers in that area were dicks, but all my english teachers were very engaging, so I am now looking into teaching film/english. Most of my friends have changed majors a little, like from Bio to Chem, etc.

Either way, you have good career looks (high paying too) with both of those majors, so I doubt you go wrong. Good luck.
haha, true.

Yeah, that's really what I'm trying to do... I'm just trying to look now so that I'll have time to change colleges or career choices later and I won't have to be in college forever.

Thanks.