signs of things to come - tough scene

my son's major (as of now: he just started his freshman year) is international relations with Arabic as a minor.

Is this something that will work against him (meaning, the international relations major part)?

In the end, he should major in what he likes, and one can't forcefit himself into something he does not like. But still.........

(PS: already told me that Arabics is a tough language..... )
 
my son's major (as of now: he just started his freshman year) is international relations with Arabic as a minor.

Is this something that will work against him (meaning, the international relations major part)?

In the end, he should major in what he likes, and one can't forcefit himself into something he does not like. But still.........

(PS: already told me that Arabics is a tough language..... )

My DS is a sociology/pre-law major for right now(entering Freshman), he knows he'd like to add a minor or certificate to this degree, but going to wait and take input from cadre and advisor. International Affairs was his major until 6mos. ago - he may minor/certificate program in that area. I would think that International Affairs majors would be somewhat in demand in the civillian world, but unfortunately, a lot of them hope for federal agency employment(CIA, FBI etc..)well, the military isn't the only government budget that is downsizing.

DS changed to sociology after talking with a professor about how the degree can work into business, government agency and other career paths. He will need to pick a minor carefully to give some specialization. Perhaps your DS could also look for a certificate program, if offered at his university, that might work along with his IA/Arabic program.

DS has ideas about law school or other grad program if he ends up Guard/Reserve instead of AD - take the good with the bad so to speak, and could take his sociology degree into a few other grad programs if law school doesn't end up being the right fit for him. This option may also work for many of the other cadets who commission, but do not get AD options.

No career path is guaranteed for any of us. Keeping options open, positive mind set and good work ethics is the best plan:thumb:
 
I certainly understand all the talk about the importance of your major. I would only take exception to the notion that there are only certain degrees that will ensure employment in the future. It has been implied that cadets will sometimes take easy majors to improve there OML, If I remember college at all it was that any major took time and effort to succeed, nothing was a gimme.

I work in a field that works closely with engineers, believe me they have been hit just as hard in the past few years and there is beginning to be a glut of newly graduated engineers. I have to agree with Ohio, no career path or major is a guarantee. My philosophy has always been it's not always what the major on your graduation certificate says, it's what you do with it.

My older son is a History major, my younger son is a Political Science major. Both chose their majors because of their interest in the subjects. My older son is looking ahead to Law School, doesn't want to be an attorney just wants the Law degree, or possibly International Business with graduate school, who knows at this point.

A good liberal Arts Degree is becoming more important these days in both the world of business and others professions. People forget the great deal of research needed for both degrees I mentioned, it's this research that is becoming attractive in the working world. A friend of ours made the standard comment when we told them our son was a history major, "So he wants to be a teacher", my wife, who works for Bank of America mentioned to her that the CEO of BofA has a BA in History before he went to graduate school.

My son has had to put a great deal of time and effort to achieve the grades he has earned just as those in tech degrees, nobody gave those A's for free.

Bottom line, don't run to your advisor to change to a tech or engineering degree just because you think you will be unemployable. Choose what you enjoy and do well at it, find the doors that your degree will open and then do your best once you cross that threshold. I've see some unhappy engineers that earned engineering degrees because they thought it was a great meal ticket only to find they are miserable in their job. A good friend of mine started a local bank a few years ago, not bad for a Poly Sci major.

Oh, one other thing. My son took Arabic...NOT easy, if your struggling with school at all think hard before taking Arabic, the first class is not bad, the second is a killer and it only gets harder, a D was considered lucky.
 
The research and projects involved in the sociology program is what caught DS's attention - the prof he spoke with showed him research projects done by all types of students, in various formats from powerpoint to good old fashion trifolds with construction paper:eek: DS loves research, projects and presentations:thumb: Remember a statement by a prof at orientation...education should prepare you to BE someone, not simply DO something. This is probably why the military requires a BA/BS to be an officer instead of simply associates or MOS type training. Education changes people, usually for the better.

DS starts classes in the morning. Hope he has an amazing day(the first, first day of school I won't be there for.....and its okay:smile:)
 
It is very true that ambition and the job market are essential in determining whether a college student can land a job. Everyday people from a host of different majors land six figure jobs even in a down market. However, there is and always will be jobs/majors that will remain marketable in any job market (CE, EE engineering, medical, finance, economics, accounting etc) . Are there random humanities majors who land big time jobs? Sure but you have to factor in connections, location etc. Coming out of college you want a degree that is versatile, challenging and in demand. Take a look at salary.com or just google top 10 paying majors, I think the number one was petroleum engineering.

Bottom line is what major will set me up for success. Will it propel me into a successful pre-X program, set me up for graduate school or set me up with a nice career after I do my military time? My particular interest is in history, however I chose not to major in it. The job outlook for a undergrad level in that field is very low where I live (west coast). Profs will talk about the various niches of their specific school of thought until the cows come home but you really have to take it with a grain of salt. They are recruiters just like the military.

Although I am a science major I really appreciate the liberal arts classes I have taken, they can only improve your overall educational experience

Foreign language minors are always good to have. I wouldn't major in it but I would definitely check out a list of in demand languages as listed by the army
 
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For many you will never use your major in the military and even if you only stay for the obligated 4 yrs. you may find yourself needing that grad degree since you will be a little rusty in your career field.

For ex: most engineering majors even in the AF will not work as engineers regarding their career field. Bullet was an engineer major and never once worked on anything that was engineering related.

Did it help him? Yes, because as a flyer it is good to have that physics/science background, but it had no impact on what he did in his military career. Additionally, as stated many do not know what they want to do at 27 when they are 18. For AF if you want to be a Test Pilot you are required to have an engineering degree. This is why many opt that path.

When I stated watch out about foreign languages, I was speaking for AFROTC. The stipend is great to have, but if that language is heavily sought after and they are giving you a stipend, they also have the right to say TAG YOUR IT YOU WILL BE A LINGUIST. Doesn't matter what you want to be the old adage is true...you serve at the needs of the military.

There was a friend of mine who's DS decided to major in Arabic. His ultimate goal was to fly. They were thrilled that he got the additional stipend and believed as a flier this would be an asset to them. The AF decided it was indeed an asset, one they wanted on the ground and not in the air. He was forced to go non-rated.

Do the major you love, not because it will be easy, not because it looks better, but because it is what you desire.

Remember that eventually you will have a 2nd career, be it in 4 yrs or 24 yrs. The people who are the happiest are the ones that enjoy their job. The people who burn out, burn out because they hate it!

educateme said:
my son's major (as of now: he just started his freshman year) is international relations with Arabic as a minor.

Is this something that will work against him (meaning, the international relations major part)?

Flip the question around...what would hurt him more majoring in engineering with a 2.8 gpa or in International Relations with a 3.4 gpa? That's not even talking about the emotional toll of majoring in an area for 4 yrs that you totally despise! I am not endorsing the "easier" route thought that people perceive. I am saying that if he has entered international relations and will only enter engineering due out of fear and OML, it can backfire.

However, as aglahad has stated what nobody knows due to budget cuts is if they will change the OML process regarding points given for certain career fields. You can't 2nd guess your decision for the next 4 yrs because all you will do is make yourself go insane at best.

Remember if you are a scholarship recipient you made a deal with them to graduate by 2016 for non-engineering so if you change majors too late in the game, you are also risking your scholarship. Yes, they have been known to allow cadets to extend the scholarship, but that is not something I would take for granted with this current budget outlook.

The one beauty of the AROTC system compared to AFROTC is that it is easier to change majors. Since AFROTC gives @85% of their scholarships to tech majors, they usually have a hard and fast line that they will not allow you to go from tech to non-tech and keep the scholarship. They look at that as the cadet tried to game the system for the scholarship.
 
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