Undecided on my Major.

Allegretto

Allegretto

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So, I got my degree in lolPhilosophy. And I say that because I love the subject but the only thing you can do with it is wipe your ass. :/ So I decided earlier this year that I wanted to go back to school.

I have put in a few apps over the last month or so and finally got a response from UCLA! :D Now I’m undecided as to what to do. I think the move would be good for me, seeing as how I’m pretty stagnant at the moment. But should I continue and get my master in Philosophy and possibly teach, or move onto a different major?

I’ve had a couple things in mind. I minored in English Lit. And I’ve considered doing Music performance/Ethnomusicology Major. I’m pretty sure I’m heading towards a teaching career with any of these majors. Just looking for some insight from some people here who may be trying to make a similar decision. Any Suggestions?
 
:o You got in?! Congrats babe!! :D Obviously you aren't going for this semester, gna start mid-year?

and IMO go for the double music major.
 
You gotta do what you think you'll be happy doing for the rest of your life.

I went to college undecided, but then my grandma informed me I was to become a lawyer, so I majored in Poli Sci. I hated every minute of it, but the look of joy on my grandmother's face every time she used the word "lawyer" made me try to stick it out.

After 2 years, I had to leave school and get a real job to help pay for things. I've been "in the real world" for just over three years now, and I regret having to quit, but I regret having wasted 2 years on Poli Sci more.

If I do go back, I'd like to major in something along the lines of Creative Writing, because writing is the only thing I see myself doing, until I become a famous director, of course. (Someones gonna have to direct my Oscar-winning screenplay.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is, whatever you decide to go back for, make sure its your decision. Don't get influenced by anyone else, because you're the one who's going to have to go through everything.

Good luck.
 
Yea, Pasq I see what you're saying. But honestly I could see myself doing any of these things. I have a lot of interests. Philosophy is probably my favorite of the three but aside from teaching Philosophy at a Univ. Level and using my Degree as toilet paper, there isn't much else you can do with it.

So idk if I should just truck thru to my docrorate and teach, or move on to something else I like equally as much that would require less time in school.
 
Pasquale said:
You gotta do what you think you'll be happy doing for the rest of your life.
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With due respect, that's false.

It'd be nice, of course, but we're living in postmodernity now, and most people (especially modern philosophers) categorically reject the idea that there exists one activity that is the appropriate work of each individual, the pursuit of which creates happiness for that person.

But I only say that to remind you that there isn't all the pressure of your future on this decision. I also graduated with a philosophy degree, and I went off to grad school. My decision was to go to divinity school next. I made it because all through high school I'd been very active in my home church, and that's where most of my ethical/moral beliefs came from. When I hit college, I wound up in the usual trend of not attending church that many "cradle Christians" wind up in, but I kept studying human psychology, morality, and ethics through philosophy, psych, and formal logic. So when it came time to decide what to do next, I did what was interesting to me: I applied to div schools to explore whether my early church experiences still had deep resonance, and see what I could learn by applying my new "book smartz" to them.

Here's the thing. To say that you have a degree in philosophy, and that you love philosophy, is altogether too broad. I'd really recommend that you sit down and figure out WHICH philosophies you find most compelling, and look for projects from there.

If you're a Rousseauan, for example, there's tons of work going on in modern political theory and identity politics. You could get a degree in sociology and anthropology and your research would become interviewing people about what it means for them, as internal participants in their unique cultures, to be "respected." It's a big conversation right now, and it overlaps political theory.

But that's my recommendation; pick your five favorite philosophers, go to a good bookstore, and see what people are writing about them now. See what conversations surround their ideas, and pick a conversation that's important to you. That'll point you to the right program, and personally I'd caution that it might not be at UCLA. Different schools do different work on various philosophers, and to get your best fit, you'll want to go to a place where a prof is really hardcore and offering classes on the topics and philosophers you're into.

There's my two cents, anyhow. Good luck with the process; it's a really fun time.
 
Well, I was looking at UCLA more so for their Music program then their Philosophy program. But thank you for the inputValoran. :) I think I may just take your suggestion on that and see what comes of it.
 
Allegretto said:
Well, I was looking at UCLA more so for their Music program then their Philosophy program. But thank you for the inputValoran. :) I think I may just take your suggestion on that and see what comes of it.
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That totally made my day. I'm curious what you decide if you feel like sharing!
 
I went to university for four years and received a bachelor of science in Anthropology. Now I'm going to school to become a funeral director, lol.

My advice is do something that involves something you like. I chose to be a funeral director because I like the hardcore biology science and health care, but I also like the cultural aspects and social importance of aiding the grieving.

If you think you can make it as a professor in Philosophy, then you should go for it. Or you should do a little research on teaching professions that involve subjects you like. I'm not sure what kind of courses are offered at the high school level that involve philosophy. However, you'll probably be guaranteed to be able to find a teaching profession in English Lit and Music performance. Whatever you pick, make sure it's a career in something you like, or you'll end up counting the days until retirement!

Also, if you're looking towards teaching, and if it's not too late, see if you can get into a concurrent education program at your school which teaches you a major and gets you into teacher's college. We have them here in Canada, so I'm sure there must be some in the U.S. Getting into one of those programs will save you some more time.
 
I have a friend who graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Political Science and is now the campaign manager of a senator lol
 
Be like me go double major in political and economic science?
 
I've been majoring in philosophy for the past few years, taking minimal credits, and skipping semesters simply because i dont wanna graduate for the reasons you listed above. Thanks for clarifying that there really is nothing i'ma be able to do with this degree. lmao.

Go with the music thing, grats on UCLA, and have fun out there. And who's your favorite philosopher? (say Kant, and i'll fly to Cali and beat you to death with a stick)

And I'm glad you're ok since the accident, welcome back
 
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Isomiau said:
I've been majoring in philosophy for the past few years, taking minimal credits, and skipping semesters simply because i dont wanna graduate for the reasons you listed above. Thanks for clarifying that there really is nothing i'ma be able to do with this degree. lmao.

Go with the music thing, grats on UCLA, and have fun out there. And who's your favorite philosopher? (say Kant, and i'll fly to Cali and beat you to death with a stick)

And I'm glad you're ok since the accident, welcome back
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lol,
Anytime Isomiau. :p

I'm still undecided about this, since it seems to be my Big Decision.. which puts a lot of pressure on me to make the right choice..

*hides under the bed... don't hurt me.. * Immanuel Kant is my favorite! :o

Eh, the accident was just a scratch. ^.~ I don't need use my right arm anyway.. GG Lefty's! :p But thanks man!
 
So after some serious thought, I am going to try the Double mugic major, and get my teaching degree! Thanks for all the input guys.

California Here I Come! :o
 
Allegretto said:
So, I got my degree in lolPhilosophy. And I say that because I love the subject but the only thing you can do with it is wipe your ass. :/ So I decided earlier this year that I wanted to go back to school.
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Some food for thought. Most employers do not care what you have a degree in as much as they care that you actually have one. It shows you're willing to do something and learn past the legal point. I work part time for a national top 100 construction firm and only 3 of the 31 big wigs have a degree in construction. Hell, a few of my favorite employees degrees right here: Journalism, English, Kinesiology (talk about toilet paper of a degree), Associates in Art, and a few with just -some- college. Just find somethin' you're interested in and give an application a shot ;)
 
Allegretto said:
So after some serious thought, I am going to try the Double mugic major, and get my teaching degree! Thanks for all the input guys.

California Here I Come! :o
Click to expand...


^^ GL Hun! Cali is a fun place to be. :) When you planning on moving?
 
Allegretto said:
So, I got my degree in lolPhilosophy. And I say that because I love the subject but the only thing you can do with it is wipe your ass. :/ So I decided earlier this year that I wanted to go back to school.

I have put in a few apps over the last month or so and finally got a response from UCLA! :D Now I’m undecided as to what to do. I think the move would be good for me, seeing as how I’m pretty stagnant at the moment. But should I continue and get my master in Philosophy and possibly teach, or move onto a different major?

I’ve had a couple things in mind. I minored in English Lit. And I’ve considered doing Music performance/Ethnomusicology Major. I’m pretty sure I’m heading towards a teaching career with any of these majors. Just looking for some insight from some people here who may be trying to make a similar decision. Any Suggestions?
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If you like philosophy so much, find a niche where you can actually use it. In the wake of Enron/Martha Stewart/etc, business ethics is a relatively big issue nowadays. Find a business-oriented school that offers a major in business ethics and you could put your philosophy background to work (and hopefully get a good paycheck).

EDIT: Caught up with the rest of the thread. Best of luck with your new choice.
 
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Allegretto said:
So after some serious thought, I am going to try the Double mugic major, and get my teaching degree! Thanks for all the input guys.

California Here I Come! :o
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Congratulations; that sounds like a good angle to take. Best of luck to you!
 
My favorite philosophical saying "You can't believe in horse breeding with out believing in horses". It's not all useless Alle.
 
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