4/C looking for advice on major

[Justin HELPmomStocksPosts]

I’m currently a 4/C tier 2 major. After my first semester of college, I’m no longer passionate about marine science. I’m likely not going be a career service member and will probably do my 5 years and then join the workforce.

I took economics this semester and really loved it. I know you can also make it in the business world as an economics major. Sadly my LT academic advisor told me currently no 4/C are able to switch to tier 3 majors this year because the big Navy has become more strict.

I definitely want to try get a tier 3 major next semester but if that doesn’t get approved, I’m not sure what to do. Their is a major called “information systems” switch is basically a business degree with a decent about of computer science classes thrown in. I think the business side is cool but I hate computers and can’t see myself doing anything IT related. I would be miserable in those classes.

On the other hand their is a major called “sustainability and the build environment”. It’s known as the easiest major at UF but it actually sort of interests me. I’m all about the environment but I don’t think this major has much of a career path. It’s also considered an interdisciplinary major so it requires you to take some classes outside of the major so I could easily get a minor in economics but double majoring would be to much. I would enjoy college a lot more with this degree because it actually interests me and it’s so easy but again I don’t think it has many jobs.

Any advice. What other questions should I be asking myself. It really sucks that the Navy won’t let me just do economics because it has jobs and it interests me and it’s pretty easy and all the cool upperclassmen in my unit that I lookup to are studying economics lol.

 

[kinnem]

How are you at Calculus. Advanced Macro Economics course use Calc.

 

[MidCakePa]

It really sucks that the Navy won’t let me just do economics because it has jobs and it interests me and it’s pretty easy and all the cool upperclassmen in my unit that I lookup to are studying economics lol.

With all due respect, the Navy is very clear about its expectations and requirements for NROTC scholarship recipients (which I presume you are). It was all spelled out when you applied for and accepted the scholarship. So while I understand your revelation about intended major — yes, it happens to many college students — you did sign up to “serve.” And the needs of the Navy will always prevail.

The Navy needs 85% of its NROTC grads to be in STEM fields. As our primary sources here on SAF have noted, the non-STEM rolls are currently full, which makes their competitiveness even more so. Hence, if you indeed want to still serve, you must work within the parameters given.

Their is a major called “information systems” switch is basically a business degree with a decent about of computer science classes thrown in. I think the business side is cool but I hate computers and can’t see myself doing anything IT related.

There’s much, much more to information systems than “anything IT related,” especially where it intersects with business. I know this having spent 25 years in the corporate world and now teaching business at a flagship state university. Information systems addresses how companies leverage big data to make better decisions in the areas of finance, marketing, operations and other business disciplines. It’s a highly pragmatic, rich and demanding field that goes far beyond “computers and such.”

I’m all about the environment but I don’t think this major has much of a career path.

I always counsel young people to not blindly “follow your passion,” which I consider to be terribly incomplete advice. The key is to find a field that you’re highly interested in, that would also allow you to make a living. Passion, after all, doesn’t pay the bills. Better advice than “do what you love” is “love what you do.”

I’m likely not going be a career service member and will probably do my 5 years and then join the workforce.

After fulfilling your active-duty obligation, your job prospects should go well beyond your college major. With at least five years of experience — leading dozens of troops and managing millions of dollars worth of materiel — there’ll be many roles open to you that probably aren’t on your radar screen right now. Your college major should give you a useful foundation in critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal communication — as well as a concrete body of knowledge. But it doesn’t have to limit your post-military options. If anything, military service will expand your options.

Focus less on what “sucks” about your situation. Focus more on sorting out the many opportunities available to you. And beware the whiff of entitlement and entrapment. If your primary motivation for NROTC is to receive an officer’s commission, then the Navy is very clear about what that entails.

 

[Ivy22]

Is double majoring (with one being a Tier 2) a viable option for you? And I'm not sure how it works at your school, but sometimes Economics can count as a Tier 2 if it is linked to something else such as "Economics & Math" or "Quantitative Economics", check with your advisors, they probably have a list of what counts as what tier at your school. Statistics/Data Science is another great Tier 2 option if you like Economics.

As far as tier changing to Tier 3, I've heard from multiple sources that they will not be approving any 4/C's to go to Tier 3 this year or summer. They did the same last year, and they'll do it again this year. If you are still really wanting to do Navy and switch to Tier 3, the best chances are going to be continuing to do well in your classes and NROTC then try again as a 3/C. Even then, they still may say no.

 

[NavyHoops]

This is one of those conversations to be having with Mom and Dad. Ultimately this comes down to a selecting a major that retains your scholarship or walking away from the scholarship with no guarantee you can pick one up down the road. Can you afford to stay with no money in hand? At the end of the day you know what you were walking into. The scholarship process is clear. Make an appointment with an academic advisor to research tier 2 options at the school.

 

[Next MilGen Mom]

I would consider completing the major that I am contracted for and then getting.a one year MBA with my post 9/11 GI Bill money down the road.

 

[justdoit19]

For advisors, more context here.

And for OP, there is also some advice as far as a different major, here.

Good luck to you!

NROTC tier 3 major

I’m currently a 4/C tier 2 major at the University of Florida. I really want to change to a tier 3 major (economics). I got a 3.9 GPA for my first semester of college with an -A in Calc 2. I also max pushups and plank and run sub 10 minutes on PRT. My freshman advisor just sent me an email with...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

 

[goirish1]

Just my opinion but I'm not certain you know what you want. You've dabbled in econ and enjoyed it...what's not to enjoy in Frosh level econ. You mentioned the Sustainability and Enviro major and that the environment interests you but you don't see career potential. I beg to differ. There's significant potential in any career focused on the environment whether it's water treatment, emissions control, wind farms, etc...both my DS were Civil Engineering majors which has an environmental component to it. One of my DS also had an interest in business classes and the university offered some classes geared toward managing your own Engineering firm. He got his CE degree and will get a masters in business at some point. At the end of the day, STEM majors are more about discipline, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership...all qualities important to the Navy as well as any other future employer you might have...By the time you get out, whether it's 5 years or 10 years, the field you majored may not be as critical as the skills acquired in a STEM major and the skills you acquire as a Naval Officer. I get the impression from your posts that you really haven't figured out what you want and that's ok, but the situation in front of you is that you cannot change to tier 3, but you have options to remain in a tier 2 and possibly consider business down the road.

 

[Capt MJ]

I would consider completing the major that I am contracted for and then getting.a one year MBA with my post 9/11 GI Bill money down the road.

SA and ROTC grads must do an additional 36 months of service after initial service obligation years are completed to earn 100% eligibility for VA educational benefit from Post 9/11 GI Bill, for planning purposes. < 36 months is pro-rated to < 100%. An excellent benefit, but a bit longer haul to earn it.

It’s hard to find that reference on va.gov sometimes, so this is one of my favorites:

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program specifically for military members who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

myarmybenefits.us.army.mil

This may be longer than the poster wishes to stay on AD.

 

[kinnem]

Plenty of good advice above. I think the first course of action is to find a way to complete NROTC without changing Tiers. I believe this should be doable.

I offer the following only as anecdotal evidence of how things can sometimes work out should you drop from the program. DS had a roommate in college who was also NROTC. He dropped from the program rising sophomore summer because he didn't think he could get a scholarship and he wanted to change majors (Env Sci BTW). However he still wanted to serve. He was selected for OCS after graduation and is a Naval Aviator in San Diego today. (As an aside he's also licensed to perform marriage ceremonies and did DS's wedding).

I hope you find a way to stay in NROTC, but I wanted you to know there is more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[Justin HELPmomStocksPosts]

I have been doing a ton of research and have another question regarding this topic. At my school economics is listed as a tier 3 major however I noticed that many schools offer quantitative economics which is listed as a tier 2 major. My school doesn’t offer quantitative economics. Is their a way to request for a major be changed from a tier 3 to a tier 2.

On the NSTC site they don’t list Marine science however marine science is listed as tier 2 at my school however NSTC only lists oceanography as tier 2. Couldn’t I make a case that quantities economics and economics are close enough?

 

[cb7893]

Couldn’t I make a case that quantities economics and economics are close enough?

If you compare the course requirements for Quantitative Econ vs. Econ, you will see why QE is Tier 2. It's mostly about the Math.

 

[nature boy]

I'm not sure how your school is, or how NROTC scholarship works(I'm Army ROTC) but at my school we can overload 1 class each semester, without having to pay out-of-pocket and some classes can double count towards a double major or a master's degree. The school also offers an accelerated winter break session and 2 summer sessions (which you pay for out-of-pocket). We have cadets graduating in 4 years with a masters or double majoring in things like Mechanical Engineering and Economics; or Electrical Engineering and Sustainability; CS and Finance; Civil Engineering with a Master's in Management without breaking the bank to do it.

 

[goirish1]

I have been doing a ton of research and have another question regarding this topic. At my school economics is listed as a tier 3 major however I noticed that many schools offer quantitative economics which is listed as a tier 2 major. My school doesn’t offer quantitative economics. Is their a way to request for a major be changed from a tier 3 to a tier 2.

On the NSTC site they don’t list Marine science however marine science is listed as tier 2 at my school however NSTC only lists oceanography as tier 2. Couldn’t I make a case that quantities economics and economics are close enough?

You've received good responses on this post. As much as I hate to say this, although persistence is generally a positive quality, there comes a time when you need to accept the situation in front of you. Your inability to accept that you need to remain in a Tier 2 to retain your scholarship, and your persistence to try and buck the system, has me questioning your fit and desire to serve. In the military, you follow the rules....the rule right now is that you can't change tiers. You obey orders even if you don't agree with it or like it. That means accepting that you cannot change Tiers right now. I think you are grasping at straws when you know the conditions. I'm certain there are others out there who would like the opportunity to change tiers right now, but at this point, it is not an option. You are a 4C so you can assess your options within your required tier 2 or above, or you can reconsider your scholarship since you are not obligated until the start of sophomore year. Sorry if this sounds cold, but your persistence is bordering on entitlement. Another consideration, even if you stayed with Tier 2 and are able to change to Tier 3 next year, will you be able to graduate in 4 years with a changed major, also an expectation.