“I’ll bet that Dan had a really good time in college. Maybe he would have a harder time, but a good paying job if he had majored in, say, Engineering instead of English?”
I’ve pointed this out before and I’ll do it again. I have no information on Dan but why assume that he has the abilities to master the advanced mathematical courses required in engineering studies?
Who knows what Dan had in mind. Maybe he wanted to go on and get an advanced degree to be an English professor but ran out of money. I seem to recall that many stockbrokers have degrees in the liberal arts; could be this is what he had in mind.
The point is that contrary to what some Freepers believe, not every study can master all the curricula in a university.
study = student
But yet, every study CAN master plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, auto mechanics, and NEVER be unemployed.....(or need to hire or get ripped by a crook mechanic!)self sufficient?
side note.. (HVAC in the south is known as a recession proof trade) People will hock their BMW to get A/C in the summer.
Concur—see my post #49. I know my initial post probably came off sounding a little arrogant. However, the point I was trying to make is that most of these kids KNOW what majors will yield good paying jobs and which are more risky in terms of earning a living. As some have pointed out, having a technical degree does not guarantee a job, but overall the odds are more in your favor. Many of those with liberal arts degrees have skills that will eventually allow them to earn good $$. It just takes longer for them to build up to it.
Truth in advertising—I am a college professor (Computer Science). I see numerous students who start off in CS and then migrate to other majors because they’re easier. Most of these kids could stick it out if they pushed themselves—they just don’t want to do the hard work required. You would not believe the number of kids who major in Special Education because they believe its an “easy” job.
Engineering math is work, it isn’t hard. If someone said he should be a mathematician then your point would be stronger. That would require aptitude. Dan should also have figured out that the market for english professors is small and that if he doesn’t fit an affirmative action category he probably won’t get a job even if he is the best candidate in the job search. The bottom line is that most people who major in english today do it because it is easy, and it allows someone to say he has gone to college even though he really should have pursued a trade.