Area of study?

J

johnnytsunami88

5-Year Member
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Jan 17, 2012
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I am just curious about choosing the best academic pathway at USAFA. There is just so much to choose from and so many different options. It all seems so interesting. Is there a "better" path to take, or a path that makes more sense than another? The best major to focus on?
 
It's mostly up to what you're interested in. Most career paths are open to you with any major (unless it's a job that's highly technical :eek: ).

What you may want to look into is if you're interested in both, say, political science and military strategic studies, is how many of the military strategic studies courses are part of a political science major and so on. Then you can decide which major has the best combination of classes that you enjoy.
 
There is a "majors night" where all the departments set up booths and answer questions. I suggest waiting until at least then to declare. Look at what classes you will enjoy and what kind of degree you would like to have down the road (i.e. if you plan on not making the military a career, is a degree in EE better than history for you?).
 
Thank you both for the informative responses. I am assuming I will figure it out as I am introduced to the academy lifestyle, but now I can look forward to the majors night. Being a recruited athlete I also assume that may affect which path I choose. But thank you for the info!
 
As others have said; major in what interests you. Obviously, there are a few things to consider.

1. If you want to be a pilot; and you think you'll qualify and not have a problem getting a pilot slot; then what you major in doesn't matter. It can be behavioral science, history, or engineering. It has no bearing on whether you get a pilot slot or not.
2. If you think in the future you'd like to do test pilot; instructor pilot; etc... then a degree in the aero type majors is what you'll need.
3. If you are looking at a different career than pilot; or a good backup in case you don't get pilot; then definitely get a degree major in the type of job you want to get into. I.e. Don't get a degree in computer science if you want to be a civil engineer.
4. Finally; a small number of you will make the military a 20+ year career. Even then, plus those who only stay 5 or so years, you should consider what you want to do with your life after the military. Will a major in a specific area help you? Is that the area of work you eventually want to get into.

Best of luck. mike...
 
Wow thanks a lot for the thinking process done there. It really helps me to organize my thoughts. I guess I wont really know if I want to make the military a 20+ year career until I experience it first hand. I may love it, I may not love it, or I may fall somewhere in the middle.
 
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