Monday, October 24, 2011

Sort of Undecided?

I'm not really sure what i want to major in, i mean, i have ideas, but no definite answer yet. the careers i choose are so far apart on the food chain, that its strange how two opposites are what I'm interested in.



my first choice has always been criminal justice (forensic/ crime scene investigation)



my second choice is not even closely related. Culinary. I always dreamed of owning my own restaurant, and being the head chef.



i am aware that i will be able to change my major as many times necessary, but i want to know how i can actually choose what it is i want to do for the rest of my life.



i know this is a very difficult question to answer (i am also aware that my grammar isn't perfect {it is late and i am tired}), and I'm not really sure what my question is, so if it is possible, please help with my dilemma.Sort of Undecided?In your first few semesters at school, try to take classes in different areas of interest to you. Even basic classes can help you decide whether you want to go down one path or another.Sort of Undecided?write down the pros and cons of each the decide it makes it alot easier. you dont have to love your major. but you defeintly need to be interested . whatever makes you happy in life go for it. good luck.Sort of Undecided?Follow your heart.



It's the things you don't do in life you regret the most.Sort of Undecided?As you alluded, your %26quot;question%26quot; has not been articulated well. I will therefore assume you want help in deciding a major. My answer to that is, don't do it yet. You can go undeclared and still knock out most of your general education requirements. By the time that's done, you'll have a much better idea of what makes you tick.Sort of Undecided?You can change it up until junior year, so you have time to explore. Why not ask people in those professions what they think? You might find that criminal justice requires too much science for you, or that working as a chef requires really long hours standing on your feet over a hot stove.



Also, plenty of people major in something and then go on to do something else with their lives, so your major doesn't really dictate your career. Even if it does, you can always switch careers later, most people do.



I recommend %26quot;What Color Is Your Parachute%26quot; to figure out what your skills and strengths are now, and also trying out a summer internship to see if you like these careers.Sort of Undecided?Go with your first choice. If you describe it as your first choice, that says alot. So, go for it! Good luck!Sort of Undecided?just go with the flow. don't plan. @ the right time, u'll know the answer to your question..... remember,



%26quot;when u're ready, u'll know!%26quot; - THE MATRIXSort of Undecided?study both, or think about what would make you most happy later in life, and the struggles and rewards of working in each field, i too am undecided, the thought of decideing my future scars me, but, you are on your way to finding who you are.Sort of Undecided?Go for the Criminal Justice... then the culinary. That way you will have both sides of what makes you happy. Of course you may not be able to take the culinary to the fullest you can. You could do the basics with it and then do small 2 week classes in France etc once or twice a year. Think of the travel you would get to do as well!Sort of Undecided?which one is your passion? i had the same problem in deciding a major. psychology or pastry chef. i am in school for psychology. you have to see if you have any natural abilities in these feilds. have you been cooking since you were 3? have you been investigation sinceyou were young? these are some of the questions you can ask yourself to determine which one you want to go into. the price of school for pastry chef helped me decide also. it was expensive!!Sort of Undecided?Flip a coinSort of Undecided?I would suggest the following:

1. Go to the career counseling department at the university you plan to attend. They have interest assessment surveys that can really help you see your strengths and zero in on the qualities that you have that make you well suited to a particular job. Also, such %26quot;tests%26quot; are usually just a few dollars to take and the advice you receive in interpreting them is done by PHD. candidates in the career counseling field as part of their schooling requirements. You will actually be doing them a favor by going in.

2. Get a part-time job in a kitchen. See for yourself what it's like. The Food Network only shows the glamorous side. It is not very realistic. Not to say this isn't a great field, but it is one with very long hours and comparatively lower pay scales.

3. Contact your local coroner (no I am not kidding!) and ask to observe an autopsy. You will discover if such work is for you very quickly.Sort of Undecided?GREAT QUESTION - I wish someone told me this before I went to college many many many moons ago. Take a year off. Go out get a job and enjoy being young!!! Over the course of that year things will become MUCH clearer and you will know what to do. I took a year off between my B.S. and M.S. Just wish I did it sooner.Sort of Undecided?Criminal Justice is very structured, and requires strong compliance with your peers. The collection of data that will be recognized as evidence, that will either prove, or disprove, the guilt of suspect. You will be expected to suppress the evidence that disproves the charge. Having your own restaurant, and being the head chef, sounds more interesting to me. It offers more fluidity for the expression of individuality, and seems to me, to be an art form. Have you considered any other choices available to you?