Need help - What major to choose | What subject to learn

[Kyle]

Hey everyone,

I been getting many emails form people that are asking me to help them choose a Major. :confused:

I am trying my best to guide them during this process I noticed most of the time they have no clue, how many Majors they are to study.

Most people go by default to "Business Administration" even though they know they will never use it or want to study it.


I have compiled a large list which contain 270 subjects they can study, and full detail course.

But once they read the list after a few minute they close it and they feel confused,
I even got harsh replies like " Hey don't send me that by email if you can't help me out then just say so "
Even though I worked really hard in compiling the list of major with full courses. People treat it as garbage

I need you HELP !

I been brain storming for a while on how to build this program to make an "Exam" for future students on what to study.

The "exam" will ask the candidate simple question ( around 300 of them ) like "Do you like to play Chess"
and he will have to answer only YES or NO. not that annoying rate it from 1-10.

By getting a Black and White answer I can redirect them to a major. which I think will suite them.


how can I help?

As most of you have been studying online or even tradition studies, I need to hear from you your person expires

A) when you have selected a subject you wish to study and how did you make up your mind

B) If you think you can add any idea's to the program or how to improve or make it less boring that will be great

C) Your person idea on my Idea :D . even if you think its totally wrong I'd love to hear your comment.


Hope to from you all soon.

P.S
Sorry for the spelling mistake I am dyslectic.

[johann]

Hi Kyle -

I knew that project of yours - the "what major" quiz had been done before -- I just didn't realize how many times....

If you google "choosing a major" you get a zillion (mostly helpful) hits, with articles mostly involving just this type of test. I mean no disrespect, but putting together this type of test is (imo) best left to those with extensive professional knowledge of psychology - in particular educational psychology.

I feel a test conceived by someone without this specialized knowledge, possibly made up of "poached" questions or ones devised by well-meaning amateurs could lead to wrong decisions and eventual unhappiness. I have no proper qualifications myself, so I wouldn't want to be responsible for even giving away a test I devised - much less marketing it...

http://www.quintcareers.com/choosing_major.html

The link above is an example of the procedure at work. There are many others available. I doubt we need MORE tests...even from professionals! I'd suggest you refer the people who need this help to someplace where they can get a known, reliable test. I know here in Canada you can get them FREE. The two colleges I graduated from here both offered them and I believe most schools do...

Just an opinion -- feel free to disagree. :-)

Johann

[DRJ]

Hey everyone,

I been getting many emails form people that are asking me to help them choose a Major. :confused:

I am trying my best to guide them during this process I noticed most of the time they have no clue, how many Majors they are to study.

Most people go by default to "Business Administration" even though they know they will never use it or want to study it.


I have compiled a large list which contain 270 subjects they can study, and full detail course.

But once they read the list after a few minute they close it and they feel confused,
I even got harsh replies like " Hey don't send me that by email if you can't help me out then just say so "
Even though I worked really hard in compiling the list of major with full courses. People treat it as garbage

I need you HELP !

I been brain storming for a while on how to build this program to make an "Exam" for future students on what to study.

The "exam" will ask the candidate simple question ( around 300 of them ) like "Do you like to play Chess"
and he will have to answer only YES or NO. not that annoying rate it from 1-10.

By getting a Black and White answer I can redirect them to a major. which I think will suite them.


how can I help?

As most of you have been studying online or even tradition studies, I need to hear from you your person expires

A) when you have selected a subject you wish to study and how did you make up your mind

B) If you think you can add any idea's to the program or how to improve or make it less boring that will be great

C) Your person idea on my Idea :D . even if you think its totally wrong I'd love to hear your comment.


Hope to from you all soon.

P.S
Sorry for the spelling mistake I am dyslectic.


One side of me wants to help people by telling them but the teacher/guide side insists that I get them to help themselves. It is really impossible to simply read a list of titles and then pick one. The student has to do some work on developing a life plan while considering all the things they are passionate about. That will tell them what major they should take.

[johann]

Hi Again -

Yes, DRJ - the person indeed has to have some sort of a life-plan. I found that the standard tests are helpful in confirming the general areas of strength and interest, rather than discovering them.

The tests are, imo, useful adjuncts. The best of them (as I see it) will suggest a number of majors (and/or potential occupations) based on interest and ability - not just one or two.

Again - you do need some plan, as you said - plus self-knowledge. A professional test of known reliability is useful, but nobody can safely build their future plans solely on a set of test results.

Cheers :-)

Johann

[Brian]

Hi Again -

Yes, DRJ - the person indeed has to have some sort of a life-plan. I found that the standard tests are helpful in confirming the general areas of strength and interest, rather than discovering them.

The tests are, imo, useful adjuncts. The best of them (as I see it) will suggest a number of majors (and/or potential occupations) based on interest and ability - not just one or two.

Again - you do need some plan, as you said - plus self-knowledge. A professional test of known reliability is useful, but nobody can safely build their future plans solely on a set of test results.

Cheers :-)

Johann

Hi Johann,

It is hard to simply know what you would like to do as a career without experiencing it. I think if people are not sure what they want to do maybe the military before college is a good idea. You will also get the money for college during your experience.

In the military you will get the opportunity to do a variety of job fields. You will do administrative, physical work, leadership roles and others. It is a good way to build your resume while you have the opportunity to decide. Also they will pay for your distance ed in the military.
Just an idea.

[johann]

Hi --

Brian, I agree - this is a GOOD suggestion for a lot of people...but only in the U.S. As you say, U.S. military service comes with a lot of benefits, including major education help. I think there are people very suited to a stint in the armed services (and also those who aren't.)

I don't think the benefits are NEARLY as good here in Canada.

They DO have an officer training program, whereby they'll pay a few select and well-screened candidates' way through university as long as they serve for five years after graduation -- but as for the rank-and-file person who wants to go through school AFTER a term of service... I dunno.

I'd hesitate to recommend it here.

Johann

[DRJ]

Hi --

Brian, I agree - this is a GOOD suggestion for a lot of people...but only in the U.S. As you say, U.S. military service comes with a lot of benefits, including major education help. I think there are people very suited to a stint in the armed services (and also those who aren't.)

I don't think the benefits are NEARLY as good here in Canada.

They DO have an officer training program, whereby they'll pay a few select and well-screened candidates' way through university as long as they serve for five years after graduation -- but as for the rank-and-file person who wants to go through school AFTER a term of service... I dunno.

I'd hesitate to recommend it here.

Johann


Hi all. The information and suggestions provided by Johann and Brian give an interesting comparison between the educational benefit package offered to the respective armed forces personnel in each country. The American forces are well served in this regard and, in my opinion, offer an educational opportunity that many countries should follow.

In support of the Canadian contingent I would like to point out that the forces here have developed arrangements with many colleges and universities to recognize the training recieved from the armed forces (I beleive this happens in the US as well). In other cases, and I have delivered some of the programs, the armed forces contract colleges to delivery desirable programs to their personnel. The personnel recieve the college credit and the armed forces receive independent but appropriate training. This is a different stream from the one noted by Johann which is usually reserved for those who will enter the forces at officer rank.

This is an interesting topic. Perhaps some of our contributors from other jurisdictions can contribute from their perspective.

[johann]

Hi DRJ

I read your interesting post on two separate programs - one geared to recognizing courses taken while in the Canadian Armed Forces and another that contracts colleges to educate serving military personnel.

What I'm still NOT SURE of at all is provision (as there is in the US, to quite a generous amount) to fund college for people who have FINISHED a term or terms of Canadian military service.

As far as I know,(which is not very far) a U.S. ex-services person is entitled to several thousands of dollars in education aid for each year of service, whereas an ex-military Canadian gets bupkis.

I'd like VERY much to be WRONG on this - but am I? Can anyone out there correct me?

Johann

[DRJ]

Hi DRJ

I read your interesting post on two separate programs - one geared to recognizing courses taken while in the Canadian Armed Forces and another that contracts colleges to educate serving military personnel.

What I'm still NOT SURE of at all is provision (as there is in the US, to quite a generous amount) to fund college for people who have FINISHED a term or terms of Canadian military service.

As far as I know,(which is not very far) a U.S. ex-services person is entitled to several thousands of dollars in education aid for each year of service, whereas an ex-military Canadian gets bupkis.

I'd like VERY much to be WRONG on this - but am I? Can anyone out there correct me?

Johann

My understanding of the funding model in Canada is that the forces will cover your tuition costs but only before entry. I seem to recall one of my classmates being in this situation. You then enter the military as an officer but have to sign on for a long term hitch. There are of course the other models I noted earlier while in the service.

The US system is by far superior. It offers not only on the job training in a variety of disciplines but provides for substantial opportunities after discharge. Great idea and one that I would love to see our government adopt.

[johann]

Hi DRJ -

I wish I could have been wrong, but it's just as I thought -- the Canadian Military will pay for education ONLY IF they can use you (and it) afterwards. Typical. The situation is exactly as bad as I thought it was.

Unlike the U.S., we make ZIP available for post-service education.

I have heard from numerous sources that the Canadian Military underpays, under-rewards and under-services its personnel in a dismal variety of ways. Doubtless, this is just one more lamentable example.

Shame on our past and present governments. Deport 'em all in Sea-King helicopters! My heartfelt sympathy to our brave men and women serving in the military.

Johann