the dreaded highschool to college game...

Kuragari · 23-04-2006, 02:13

so yeah, junior year, looking at colleges, soon to be a senior, we've all been there and it's an absolute nightmare (moms yelling at ya to look at colleges or trying to find ways to pay for college or just trying to get accepted where you want to go, you name it)

so that's where i am now

as most people here are probably in or through college, i just had a few questions i was hoping someone might be able to answer

i was looking at computer engineering, more specifically, most likely the hardware engineering side, i think i might be able to do more there than on the software side for a few reasons: one, i'm not terribly great at tedious stuff as i have an incredibly short attention span, haha, and two, apparently software engineering jobs are going more overseas and paying less b/c there's more and more people in the field (which is a rumor i'd like to ask about, is that true?) so, is that a good idea? (just from an overall point of view) and what does computer hardware engineering entail and where/what am i most likely going to be later on? oh and, what's a good college for this too?

another field i was looking at (which i would love sooooo much more but i don't know where i'd go to school or where i'd find a job) is anthropology/sociology. i know that's a complete opposite, but mostly why i think i'd love that is i swear i have wanderlust or something, when i think into the future, the one thing i dread the most is being stuck inside all day doing nothing but just working, i think anthropology would be a really fun alternative, i'd just be out wandering around the world, seeing new places, that kinda thing, and truthfully, i don't really know much about either study except that anthropology is the study of ancient cultures, so a little explanation and a good college choice and where and what kind of jobs would i be looking for if someone knows anything about these, thanks!

**Paul M** · 23-04-2006, 02:26

I don't think we could recommend a good college to you given that you are a few thousand miles from the UK, which is where 95%+ of us are based.

Kuragari · 23-04-2006, 02:31

cr*p >.< i totally forgot about that, lol, well then, haha, any good thoughts on computer engineering and anthropology/sociology? (just general thoughts like, what it's like or what it entails)

**Paul M** · 23-04-2006, 02:41

I don't really know the answers to those, so I'll leave it to others. BTW, it's 2:40am over here, so don't expect too many replies for a few hours.

Kuragari · 23-04-2006, 02:50

haha, i have to start remembering this stuff....so you're...6 hours ahead of me...ahkay, lol, this kinda reminds me of my post one time asking what NTL was, lol, not even realizing this was a UK based forum, haha, well, jolly good, i'll check back in the mornin', i'm on my last two days of spring break (nnnnoooo! haha)

greencreeper · 23-04-2006, 11:48

Sounds like you're at the point where dreams are put aside and realities faced

Also sounds like you learn better when doing things rather than reading about doing things. Might be a few folks on here who can comment on the US. I know your education system is better - when I was researching assignments (many moons ago), it was always the US colleges that had the better materials.

**Maggy J** · 23-04-2006, 12:27

Speaking as a teacher I think you need to find someone nearer to home who has actually got experience in these fields.Perhaps asking your teachers or whom ever handles careers advice for somewhere to find info.Are there careers/college evening/fairs run for students in your position?There has to be a way for you to get some help from your class teacher?

Ramrod · 23-04-2006, 12:57

I'd go for the computer stuff career rather than the anthropology career (if all things are equal for you) because the former will probably pay more and provide a job. The latter pretty much guarantees you a job in teaching or a field unconnected with your degree......

**Maggy J** · 23-04-2006, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I'd go for the computer stuff career rather than the anthropology career (if all things are equal for you) because the former will probably pay more and provide a job. The latter pretty much guarantees you a job in teaching or a field unconnected with your degree......

Probably true but life sometimes never turns out how we plan it.Doing something because it pays more can lead to a dissatisfied life.Also unless you are really committed to a subject it can make it really hard to complete a course.Something that you can be enthusiastic about learning is probably better even if you never actually apply it.Sometimes learning for learning's sake is the best way to go.Education is for life,not a career.

Charlie_Bubble · 23-04-2006, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Probably true but life sometimes never turns out how we plan it.Doing something because it pays more can lead to a dissatisfied life.Also unless you are really committed to a subject it can make it really hard to complete a course.Something that you can be enthusiastic about learning is probably better even if you never actually apply it.Sometimes learning for learning's sake is the best way to go.Education is for life,not a career.

Agreed, I did a computing degree at uni to go towards a career in IT, but if I could have done it all again I'd have done history or archaeology. I'm not desperately unhappy in my job, but I know I'd rather be doing something different than working in an office with all the ******** that entails!

Tuftus · 23-04-2006, 15:57

I did not read the title properly and thought that this would be a thread about "Spin the Bottle"

Timeless Stew · 23-04-2006, 19:38

I guess you are from the States...which one?... do you want to stay in the same state (=low fees/scholarships) or do yo want go another state?

**Graham M** · 23-04-2006, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timeless Stew

I guess you are from the States

Your powers of deduction amaze me

Or did you just read the thread?

Timeless Stew · 23-04-2006, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Your powers of deduction amaze me

Or did you just read the thread?

Just this thread

greencreeper · 23-04-2006, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Agreed, I did a computing degree at uni to go towards a career in IT, but if I could have done it all again I'd have done history or archaeology. I'm not desperately unhappy in my job, but I know I'd rather be doing something different than working in an office with all the ******** that entails!

Same here. I'm in a job that uses absolutely none of what I learnt at Uni. I can barely remember what I did learn, so I've had it for a career in IT. Life huh - few minutes making the decisions; a lifetime wondering what might have been