• What Should I Learn at College
    32 replies, posted
I may have an oppertunity to go to college soon and I'd be able to pick from a list of these. I'll cross out the ones I don't want to do in case someone would like to uncross them with a good reason. I'll also highlight the ones that interest me. I'm looking for one that would bring in a good amount of money. The stress that comes with the work something I'd have to deal with. But please specify how hard it'll be if you choose to give me an opinion on one of these. Business Administration (interesting, but the end result of living in an office and the average salary that this ends up with is pretty shit.) Computing & Information Technology (Interesting. I already have experience with computers so maybe? If someone could tell me the average salary of a job like this and the kind of hours you work it'd be great.) Engineering, Renewable Energy and Power (Engineering seems like a good pay out. Also the hours seem pretty decent. But how hard is the work to get the college degree and how hard is the actual job? will I want to take a cyanide pill during learning this?) Health, Social Care & Childcare (uh, no) Hospitality & Catering (again, no) Marine Technology (Don't really know much about this) Performing Arts & Music Technology (definately would be my pick of choice had I not needed a job, I mean I love music but I don't think a degree in this is going to get me anywhere) Police & Public Services (nah) Sport & Outdoor Education (Never really been really that sporty. What does someone with a degree like this even do? Become a PE teacher?)
i'd say go with a music degree unless you want to do something technical and specific (like law or a trade skill), then in that case i'd go to that specific school. like my plan is to go to college and learn what i want to learn (also music) and be happy, and because i'm going to be a cop anyways it doesn't really matter what degree i get yknow i'm sure it's the same with other careers based on experience, where as long as you have a degree from any decent school at all, you'll have a good chance then again i'm not sure how things work in the uk so i may be 100% wrong so dont take my opinion for too much
[QUOTE=ZeFruitNazi;45579986]i'd say go with a music degree unless you want to do something technical and specific (like law or a trade skill), then in that case i'd go to that specific school. like my plan is to go to college and learn what i want to learn (also music) and be happy, and because i'm going to be a cop anyways it doesn't really matter what degree i get yknow i'm sure it's the same with other careers based on experience, where as long as you have a degree from any decent school at all, you'll have a good chance then again i'm not sure how things work in the uk so i may be 100% wrong so dont take my opinion for too much[/QUOTE] I want a trade skill. I want a source of income and I don't want to just have a music degree that'll give me a slightly higher chance of getting a retail job than other people. I'd like a degree that I can actually use to get a related job. Like if I got an IT degree I could work in IT. However, i'd like it to pay pretty decently as well. [editline]3rd August 2014[/editline] what would I gain from a music degree?
[QUOTE=Lurklet;45579903]I may have an [b]oppertunity[/b] to go to college soon Computing & Information Technology (Interesting. I already have experience with computers so maybe? If someone could tell me the average salary of a job like this and the kind of hours you work it'd be great.) Engineering, Renewable Energy and Power (Engineering seems like a good pay out. Also the hours seem pretty decent. But how hard is the work to get the college degree and how hard is the actual job? will I want to take a cyanide pill during learning this?) Performing Arts & Music Technology (definately would be my pick of choice had I not needed a job, I mean I love music but I don't think a degree in this is going to get me anywhere))[/QUOTE] not with spelling like that; but i left the ones i know about, which you are coincidentally interested in. compsci and it both come in around a 70k starting salary in the us directly after finding a job from school. many of the colleges i've looked at boasted some variation of this statistic, which is to say that people with majors of this type are in extremely high demand, and can be paid damn well. engineering is tough, and there's a million different types. for example, you can combine computer engineering as well as compsci for a dual degree, which is something i'm personally considering. however, there's one key element in all of them: math. if you weren't fond of calculus, you will be miserable following an engineering curriculum in college. music tech looks the riskiest, but not so much. you can probably find a job at a recording studio somewhere and eventually start up your own if you want. i'd suggest doing something you like because ultimately its going to take up a lot of your time.
[QUOTE=Mobon1;45580284]not with spelling like that; but i left the ones i know about, which you are coincidentally interested in. compsci and it both come in around a 70k starting salary in the us directly after finding a job from school. many of the colleges i've looked at boasted some variation of this statistic, which is to say that people with majors of this type are in extremely high demand, and can be paid damn well. engineering is tough, and there's a million different types. for example, you can combine computer engineering as well as compsci for a dual degree, which is something i'm personally considering. however, there's one key element in all of them: math. if you weren't fond of calculus, you will be miserable following an engineering curriculum in college. music tech looks the riskiest, but not so much. you can probably find a job at a recording studio somewhere and eventually start up your own if you want. i'd suggest doing something you like because ultimately its going to take up a lot of your time.[/QUOTE] I literally only spend my time playing video games.(edit: bit exaggerated, that's not all I do.) So it's going to be a pretty huge jump from doing nothing to doing everything, however, if it's worth it in the end I'm willing to bite the rag and go with it. I enjoy computers, I've spent my whole life sitting in front of one and I enjoy thinking about how they're built, but, what I've done with this time is mostly browse the internet, mess around and of course, vidjegamering. Programming and what not seems interesting but I really have little experience in it (same with math.) So basicically IT seems like my best choice. But what should I expect?
Just do something you are interested in, I only just got into college (Sussex Downs Eastbourne) to do Creative Media Production. After Year 10 (where we are pretty much given the choices for careers and such) I really didnt know what to do, I really dont know exactly what I want to do in life. An interest of mine however is Music Journelism, so therefore I took the subject of Media and got an A in it, and now going on to do that same subject in College Im not saying do it because its "fun" or anything, I knew people that took on the Music GCSE subject with me that couldnt play an instrument or just generally didnt have any form of interest in it, but took it just to fuck about. Just pick something you are interested in, and know it could probably be useful in life. But, just dont take my word fully. Im just explaining what I have decided to do. Considering I dont know 100% what I want to do later on in life.
[QUOTE=cr2142;45580672]Just do something you are interested in, I only just got into college (Sussex Downs Eastbourne) to do Creative Media Production. After Year 10 (where we are pretty much given the choices for careers and such) I really didnt know what to do, I really dont know exactly what I want to do in life. An interest of mine however is Music Journelism, so therefore I took the subject of Media and got an A in it, and now going on to do that same subject in College Im not saying do it because its "fun" or anything, I knew people that took on the Music GCSE subject with me that couldnt play an instrument or just generally didnt have any form of interest in it, but took it just to fuck about. Just pick something you are interested in, and know it could probably be useful in life. But, just dont take my word fully. Im just explaining what I have decided to do. Considering I dont know 100% what I want to do later on in life.[/QUOTE] Yeah but I mean what am I going to do with a music degree? how is it going to make me money? I mean I've played guitar religiously for the past couple years but I'm not really talented or anything. If I do IT I can come out with a degree and a sustainable source of income. If I go to music college and I suck cocks at music stuff (even though I enjoy the hell out of it) what am I going to do? I mean, it just seems like a big risk. Basically I don't really know what a music degree entails. Sure, I'll learn music theory and what not but at the end of it all what can I do with that if I simply suck at being creative and making songs?
I would say to look into what works for two types of jobs. Your Dream Job, and your Parachute Job. A parachute job is something you "pack up" in college, and later deploy in case your dream job ends early, or worse, blows up in your face. It's a job that will guarantee financial security. For instance, I want to work as a Video game developer, I don't care exactly as what, I just want to work on making games that I love. However, there might be a chance I'll end up in a situation where it'll be hard or impossible to get another job in that area if say bankruptcy of where I work occurs. Then I shall deploy my "Parachute" and float down to certain financial safety. My Parachute is working as either a History Teacher, or Professor, since I have a natural love and understanding of History. So remember, study into your two jobs. The one you yearn for, and the one you'll fall back onto for money when the dream fails.
[QUOTE=Lurklet;45581162]Yeah but I mean what am I going to do with a music degree? how is it going to make me money? I mean I've played guitar religiously for the past couple years but I'm not really talented or anything. If I do IT I can come out with a degree and a sustainable source of income. If I go to music college and I suck cocks at music stuff (even though I enjoy the hell out of it) what am I going to do? I mean, it just seems like a big risk. Basically I don't really know what a music degree entails. Sure, I'll learn music theory and what not but at the end of it all what can I do with that if I simply suck at being creative and making songs?[/QUOTE] Im pretty similar saying that, I have played the drums for about 6 years now, I studied GSCE Music and got a B. But to go on to do it in College does seem like a little bit of a waste for me. I have a friend who went on to do Music in college, Hes a pretty good guitarist and a very good performer too. But he wants to go on to do either music technician or session musician, but the only problem I can see with that is that it is a job that has to have some kind of portfolio or whatever to show that you have good enough experience (and my friend has already had this type of trouble a little while ago) So although he has the grades, He needs to work with his interest just for the expierence I suppose. But like, Music can also just be a little side talent or something. Thats how it has been with me since finishing GCSE Music, Yeah I might find the odd job with it, but it will definantly not be a career path for me.
Try to remember this while thinking about that 'dream job', When it come's to a high salery, you either work your ass off to get to the top job, or are born into the business. While it's important to chose a career that you'll enjoy, please try to remember that all jobs, regardless of your interest in them, will gradually get more boring as you get most more use to it. You say your thinking about a music degree.... I'm no expert, but from what i've read it is largly a hit and miss option, you either make to the big time (Small percentage :( ) or you wake up with a mortgage and two kids and are looking in the back pages for a job. My advice, Put your head down, study, and fight for the $$$.
[QUOTE=Pvt. Martin;45581195]I would say to look into what works for two types of jobs. Your Dream Job, and your Parachute Job. A parachute job is something you "pack up" in college, and later deploy in case your dream job ends early, or worse, blows up in your face. It's a job that will guarantee financial security. For instance, I want to work as a Video game developer, I don't care exactly as what, I just want to work on making games that I love. However, there might be a chance I'll end up in a situation where it'll be hard or impossible to get another job in that area if say bankruptcy of where I work occurs. Then I shall deploy my "Parachute" and float down to certain financial safety. My Parachute is working as either a History Teacher, or Professor, since I have a natural love and understanding of History. So remember, study into you two jobs. The one you yearn for, and the one you'll fall back onto for money when the dream fails.[/QUOTE] Yeah game dev is really insecure right now The best $$ comes from indie popularity explosion but the chances of that are very slim Good thing my parachute is also my second dream job and doesn't require specialization (military, hopefully I can fuck about in Japan or Germany)
[QUOTE=Jund;45581524]Yeah game dev is really insecure right now The best $$ comes from indie popularity explosion but the chances of that are very slim Good thing my parachute is also my second dream job and doesn't require specialization (military, hopefully I can fuck about in Japan or Germany)[/QUOTE] Yeah I've been thinking about joining the military for a while myself. I guess I could consider that my parachute job. I just wonder to myself what I'm going to do after the military or will I just end up in it forever. A lot of people join the military to straighten up or get a quick education boost from it. [editline]3rd August 2014[/editline] then I can say "What the fuck did you just say about me, you little bitch?" with sincerity
[QUOTE=Jund;45581524]Yeah game dev is really insecure right now The best $$ comes from indie popularity explosion but the chances of that are very slim Good thing my parachute is also my second dream job and doesn't require specialization (military, hopefully I can fuck about in Japan or Germany)[/QUOTE] I hear the salary's pretty good these days, but it's my dream so really I don't care. As long as I get to make some games that made my childhood happy, and perhaps make one of my own ideas come to life. Although teaching History ain't a bad gig either.
[QUOTE=Pvt. Martin;45582623]I hear the salary's pretty good these days, but it's my dream so really I don't care. As long as I get to make some games that made my childhood happy, and perhaps make one of my own ideas come to life. Although teaching History ain't a bad gig either.[/QUOTE] You still gotta pay rent and put food on the table The layoffs aren't as bad as they were a few years ago though
Any STEM degree.
Performing Arts and Music
[QUOTE=Jund;45582996]You still gotta pay rent and put food on the table [/QUOTE] Well duh. But I'm still optimistic.
[QUOTE=ImpSnob;45583047]Performing Arts and Music[/QUOTE] I don't believe he really wishes to work at Starbucks.
[QUOTE=seano12;45583136]I don't believe he really wishes to work at Starbucks.[/QUOTE] its my goal to get a masters in starbucks actually
[QUOTE=seano12;45583136]I don't believe he really wishes to work at Starbucks.[/QUOTE] Oh stop with that "Anything but a STEM degree is useless" bullshit If it's what he enjoys the most then he should go for it, work hard at it and I'm sure something will come of it but he should have a parachute job obviously
music
So music, and if it fucks up, military?
if you don't want to go to a balls-out stand-alone music conservatory, you could try a liberal arts college that has a good music program. you'll be well-rounded and not 100% invested in the music part of it. then ya if that goes south then the military is a good alternative
[QUOTE=Pvt. Martin;45581195] For instance, I want to work as a Video game developer, I don't care exactly as what, I just want to work on making games that I love. However, there might be a chance I'll end up in a situation where it'll be hard or impossible to get another job in that area if say bankruptcy of where I work occurs. Then I shall deploy my "Parachute" and float down to certain financial safety. My Parachute is working as either a History Teacher, or Professor, since I have a natural love and understanding of History. So remember, study into your two jobs. The one you yearn for, and the one you'll fall back onto for money when the dream fails.[/QUOTE] Next year I'll be doing Compsci and Japanese. Dream job involves both of them but if I don't manage to go to Japan and work on [del]tentacle porn rape[/del] games then both those subjects are perfectly good parachute opportunities. Two backups is even better than one. [editline]4th August 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Lurklet;45587326]So music, and if it fucks up, military?[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/jobs/ParachuteRigger/"][I]If you want military to be your parachute job....[/I][/URL]
Study history. It makes you feel really smart about everything. Then you read a little more and realise you're actually really dumb. However you can read even more and find out that, no, you are actually quite smart. It's the intellectual equivalent of a bulky duvet during a mild night.
Engineering always seems like a safe route
[QUOTE=war_man333;45588013]Engineering always seems like a safe route[/QUOTE] Well I would say have the Parachute Job be something not too study and degree intensive. Since you want to learn basically for two jobs. But I suppose if you had the extra money and time, then you could go study for a full on Major Degree.
I have a question for anyone with music college experience. What kind of experience do I need? I'd love to choose this, but, I'm REALLY intimidated at sucking. If you don't know already by my other threads, I haven't gone to school. nothing, nada, not even elementary primary or whatever. Heck, I barely know shit about the school system. But this college is willing to let me in based on if I can pay for it (my family can) and if I am up to working for it. again though, I don't have any gsces or anything that could possibly put me on a scoreboard. So will this be a horrible experience from me? how much am I expected to know? what if I fucking suck dicks at music shit? what if they're like "do this" and everyone is able to do it except for me. I have so many fears about this shit. Please someone, if you have any idea what I'm feeling, give me an idea on what to expect before I make the choice.
Calm down. Remember, while pursuing your dream, also think about a backup to fall on for financial security. As for Musical College Experience I wouldn't know, I'd ask the music subsection.
There isn't really going to be any secondary job, I mean, if you don't count the military. I haven't been to any schools. I'm 19. This is my one shot, one oppertunity to seize everything I've ever wanted. (jokes aside) I have a chance to go to college. Pick what I want. I've missed pretty much all schooling and social activity thoughout my life and I don't intend to start studying shit that I should have studied at 12 now that I'm 19. I don't want to finish college at 30. This is a one ticket thing for me that I'm going to spend all my focus on until it's done and completed. So I need to know, before I make the choice, am I going to regret the experience? am I going to regret the result of the experience? am I going to enjoy it and make something out of it? My family has money but I don't want to siphon off it forever. I get that I'm more or less siphoning off it by going to college but if it can make up for all the lost social experience I didn't have growing up and give me some skills that actually set me apart and make me feel whole. and finally if it can give me a job when it's all over then fuck it. I'll do it. My backup if shit hits the fan and that shit hits more fans is join the army. An easy enough choice for me to make at the moment. (repeating myself now) All I'm worried about is failing and not being good enough for the course. Like I'm signing up for something I don't have the experience nor the knowledge for.
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