Question for graduates and upperclassmen

J

jipsyjips

5-Year Member
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Jul 7, 2016
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Hello!
I'm a 3-dig, and I need some help regarding changing majors.
I thought I knew what FAS was going to be like but I was very wrong. I didn't realize (in the end) I can't force myself to be interested in reading and writing a bunch of papers.
I've asked some people about how they chose their major and it seems like, more or less, everyone went with their "gut feeling" which isn't very helpful to someone whose gut feeling is wrong most of the time.

Any tips?? Is the track to change majors annoying? I'm thinking about switching to a techie major. How am I supposed to know if I chose the right major? Should I just suck it up? As far as grades go, I got pretty similar grades across the board freshman year so nothing really stood out as a strength or weakness.

and yes, I want to go into intel or if possible, become an FAO but I don't know if I should let that guide my major selection
 
Hi, 21er here. As someone who came into the Academy planning on a Behavioral Science major, and wound up in physics with the intent of making that a career, I can attest to the "gut feeling" being wrong. Thankfully I had an amazing professor and academic advisor who set me on the right path, and so that's where I'll start my advice.

1) Talk to your professors. They have vastly more knowledge and experience than any cadet does, and although they're all a little biased towards their departments, they will try to give you good advice. If you have other experienced mentors (AOCs, AMTs, chaplains, etc.) try discussing it with them too, but academic faculty are probably your best resource. Also, go to major's night. Explore. See what cadets say about their majors.

2) As a 3*, you have *almost* all the time in the world to change majors. It's not difficult. Go to your academic advisor and tell him/her you're switching. He/She will give you your next steps. Many cadets, myself included, did not start majors classes until the second semester of 3* year, so you're not really behind. Do not let concern about "inconvenience" be your reason for choosing a major.

3) As far as choosing the right major, I'm of the opinion that most cadets could easily be happy with any one of several different majors. You've tried FAS and found it didn't work for you - great, you ruled out one that you don't like! But don't get too attached to the idea that there's only one "right" major that you'll enjoy. Find a topic that interests you and that you can see yourself enjoying long-term, and approach it with enthusiasm. It never hurts to sit down with a faculty mentor and discuss your strengths/interests/hobbies and ask them to give their thoughts on what majors you might fit into best.

4) I will readily admit that my knowledge about FAOs is almost zero. However, I've been told that the Air Force desires techie majors in almost every field, including the policy/political side of things. The ability to understand the science behind the technology is a major asset to anyone in the political arena. What I'm trying to say is that I don't think you will hurt your chances of eventually becoming a FAO by having a techie major. You can't become a FAO straight out of the Academy in any case, so provided you make good grades, you may well have the chance to go to grad school for something more FAO-related before the option even becomes available to you.

Please feel free to PM me. I'll be happy to chat privately or meet up with you in person if you'd like to discuss this in more detail!
 
You do need to be able to write and communicate well. If that is your struggle, buckle down, get some mentors, and go to work (aka practice). If the material and subjects don't interest you, then a change is warranted. Go to majors night, or get lists of the courses offered in each department that interests you. I wound up deciding between history and MSS based on which had more interesting courses, and don't regret it. If the subject material excites you, the reading/writing/research/presentations will come much easier.
 
4theFlag said:
Hi, 21er here. As someone who came into the Academy planning on a Behavioral Science major, and wound up in physics with the intent of making that a career, I can attest to the "gut feeling" being wrong. Thankfully I had an amazing professor and academic advisor who set me on the right path, and so that's where I'll start my advice.

1) Talk to your professors. They have vastly more knowledge and experience than any cadet does, and although they're all a little biased towards their departments, they will try to give you good advice. If you have other experienced mentors (AOCs, AMTs, chaplains, etc.) try discussing it with them too, but academic faculty are probably your best resource. Also, go to major's night. Explore. See what cadets say about their majors.

2) As a 3*, you have *almost* all the time in the world to change majors. It's not difficult. Go to your academic advisor and tell him/her you're switching. He/She will give you your next steps. Many cadets, myself included, did not start majors classes until the second semester of 3* year, so you're not really behind. Do not let concern about "inconvenience" be your reason for choosing a major.

3) As far as choosing the right major, I'm of the opinion that most cadets could easily be happy with any one of several different majors. You've tried FAS and found it didn't work for you - great, you ruled out one that you don't like! But don't get too attached to the idea that there's only one "right" major that you'll enjoy. Find a topic that interests you and that you can see yourself enjoying long-term, and approach it with enthusiasm. It never hurts to sit down with a faculty mentor and discuss your strengths/interests/hobbies and ask them to give their thoughts on what majors you might fit into best.

4) I will readily admit that my knowledge about FAOs is almost zero. However, I've been told that the Air Force desires techie majors in almost every field, including the policy/political side of things. The ability to understand the science behind the technology is a major asset to anyone in the political arena. What I'm trying to say is that I don't think you will hurt your chances of eventually becoming a FAO by having a techie major. You can't become a FAO straight out of the Academy in any case, so provided you make good grades, you may well have the chance to go to grad school for something more FAO-related before the option even becomes available to you.

Please feel free to PM me. I'll be happy to chat privately or meet up with you in person if you'd like to discuss this in more detail!
Click to expand...
Thank you so so much!! I will PM you after I try applying some of your advice and see where that it takes me. Again, thank you!
 
I chose my major based on what classes I enjoyed most freshman year (physics) and because I realized pretty early on that 61D was the career field I probably wanted, and I would need a physics degree to get it. If becoming an FAO is your goal, then perhaps it would help to do a bit of research into that? Assuming you have a cac enabled computer, you should be able to access the International Affairs Specialist (IAS) Program's milbook which has a lot of useful information about that career field ( https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/air-force-ias ). I'd recommend starting with the briefing called "FAO Career Field Update Webinar Slides" - it has stats on AFSCs of FAOs that you may find helpful (notably, one of the top 5 AFSCs is 62E), but you can just browse around and find a lot of good information.

I'll also add that having a technical major in intel is also very valuable and will serve you well. Specifically I know that a physics, EE or comp sci major would be very helpful, but really it's about the kind of thinking promoted in a technical major more than anything else.
 
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