Question regarding education/career/life

crispygoat · #1 03-17-2011, 12:11 PM

So I'm in second year of University, and don't know what to do. My intention was to apply to architecture school after my degree, but I spoke with an academic counselor yesterday, and she suggested that I take my 12th grade math, at least one Physic class in University (which I am taking right now), one Math in University, some visual art classes, and one Engineering class. She also told me that the reason why Architecture schools (or any professional schools for that matter) requires a B+ minimum average in your 3rd and 4th year is basically for legal means. That actually, they will look at the total of your 4 undergrad study years and that the cut off line is most likely A - / A. My intention was to graduate with a BA in French (which wouldn't be so hard since I'm French and this is Ontario), hoping that I would get a A - / A average. But now that I was told that I should take science, math, engineer, and art classes, I highly doubt I can achieve an A - / A average, especially that I totally bombed this year. I'm also taking a Physics class for Non-Scientists right now. It's basically Grade 11 + 12 physics combined, without math, and I absolutely hate it. I do understand the concepts, but they just don't make sense to me, and by the time I'm home I forgot everything that was taught. If that wasn't enough, she told me that there are about 25 students that get in Architectural schools every year.

So I don't know what to do? Continue a degree that is entirely a means to an end that is practically unattainable or study something that I would enjoy?

Other than architecture, I don't know what I'd like to do... Creative / Art director sounds interesting, and I wouldn't mind getting a degree in Visual Arts...

BartmanPDX · #2 03-17-2011, 12:51 PM

My two cents:

If you don't enjoy math or physics, don't go into architecture. It's not just an entrance requirement but a significant part of your daily work.

Nothing wrong with visual arts. My drummer is a graphic artist. He loves his job and it's useful to have an artist in the band. AFAIK, he never uses math or physics in his work.

IconBasser · #3 03-17-2011, 01:37 PM

Have you thought about economics?

it really has nothing to do with architecture, I just think it's cool.

crispygoat · #4 03-17-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

Have you thought about economics?

it really has nothing to do with architecture, I just think it's cool.

I say that I like the art aspect of architecture, not the math/physics aspect, and you suggest economics?

What would a Canadian Economist deal with anyways? Whether the government should buy a submarine that will burn down 3 days later or not?

TJ55 · #5 03-17-2011, 02:33 PM

A college degree in something you hate will do you ZERO good. If you don't enjoy, or at the very least can tolerate, your daily job then the rest of life will suffer. I got a job directly after undergrad that I dispised. It was ****ing brutal and I wasn't a fun person to be around at work or away. I went back to school for an advanced degree and now have a job I enjoy. Life is good once again!

Don't be in hurry to graduate just for sake of being finished. The real world will always be there when your done.

guy n. cognito · #6 03-17-2011, 02:42 PM

You hate math, physics and engineering, but you want to be an architect?

Methinks you might want to reconsider your career path.

BTW, majoring in a language is majoring in unemployment.

crispygoat · #7 03-17-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

You hate math, physics and engineering, but you want to be an architect?

Methinks you might want to reconsider your career path.

BTW, majoring in a language is majoring in unemployment.

Well, majoring in Engineering is most likely the only way to major into employment unless you go to college right?

Datsgor · #8 03-17-2011, 03:08 PM

Imagine a world where the young ones are expected to choose a subject, be programed in that subject, and then perform that task for the rest of thier lives.
Every day, they wake up and go do exactly what they have been programed to do.
Until they die.
Imagine, hating the very thing they do every day. Day after day.
Imagine that.

Ziltoid · #9 03-17-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

Well, majoring in Engineering is most likely the only way to major into employment unless you go to college right?

There's other programs you can easily get a job right after uni.

crispygoat · #10 03-17-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

There's other programs you can easily get a job right after uni.

Well more or less I guess, Sciences yes... Arts and Social Arts?

SoonerMatt · #11 03-17-2011, 03:13 PM

What about art history or historic preservation? There's a massive shortage of both of those in the States and everyone I know who went into either has been very successful post-graduation.

Ziltoid · #12 03-17-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

Well more or less I guess, Sciences yes... Arts and Social Arts?

Not all sciences lead to a job right away at all, go in pure physics and you'll most likely have problems getting a job, and there's others like that.

Yes there's programs in social science where you can get a job right after, much less, but still.

The desire to have a job right after a Bs/Ba shouldn't be factored in your career decision imo but then again I'm studying in "unemployment" concentrations in sociology,political science and philosophy, but I'm certain to go get a master after, at least.

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 03-17-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

You hate math, physics and engineering, but you want to be an architect?

Methinks you might want to reconsider your career path.

BTW, majoring in a language is majoring in unemployment.

Not if you get an international business degree attached to that - especially one dealing in the orient.

crispygoat · #14 03-17-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

What about art history or historic preservation? There's a massive shortage of both of those in the States and everyone I know who went into either has been very successful post-graduation.

It would be an option, then again I'd most likely graduate in 3 years....

as TJ55 says,

Quote:

Don't be in hurry to graduate just for sake of being finished. The real world will always be there when your done.

it's somewhat of a hard concept to grasp when you're young... you just want to be over, get a job, buy a car, a couple of nice basses etc...

SoonerMatt · #15 03-17-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

Not all sciences lead to a job right away at all, go in pure physics and you'll most likely have problems getting a job, and there's others like that.

HUGE +1. Without an advanced degree it's pretty rough finding a job in physics. If you only have a bachelors in biology the best you'll get out of college (unless you go to a very prestigious university) is working as a bench jockey. The only pure science program that'll land you good paying work with just a bachelors is chemistry, but even then it's extremely competitive and if you manage to get a job your boss will make you go into grad school or get an MBA later down the line.

Ziltoid · #16 03-17-2011, 03:27 PM

Actually if your degree is in organic chemistry it's really easy to find a job, that was my plan last year but turns out I hated chemistry when it wasn't given by the awesome teacher I had in high school.

Neways this is a bit irrelevant to the topic

Pilgrim · #17 03-17-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

You hate math, physics and engineering, but you want to be an architect?

Methinks you might want to reconsider your career path.

BTW, majoring in a language is majoring in unemployment.

I've been at major universities for more than 30 years, and every WORD in the post quoted above is accurate.

You need to re-think your career direction. You are not going to succeed in Architecture...and you're probably not going to even get in. That is actually a kindness to you, because you'd probably leave the program within a year anyway.

Re-evaluate and find another direction; one which actually interests you and that you enjoy. Languages are a tough area for employment - don't go into it just because you think it's easy.

Ziltoid · #18 03-17-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I've been at major universities for more than 30 years, and every WORD in the post quoted above is accurate.

You need to re-think your career direction. You are not going to succeed in Architecture...and you're probably not going to even get in. That is actually a kindness to you, because you'd probably leave the program within a year anyway.

Re-evaluate and find another direction; one which actually interests you and that you enjoy. Languages are a tough area for employment - don't go into it just because you think it's easy.

I'd also add a: Don't be scared of any program because you might have to go to grad school, if it's your place it's your place

But then again, what do I know

crispygoat · #19 03-17-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I've been at major universities for more than 30 years, and every WORD in the post quoted above is accurate.

You need to re-think your career direction. You are not going to succeed in Architecture...and you're probably not going to even get in. That is actually a kindness to you, because you'd probably leave the program within a year anyway.

Re-evaluate and find another direction; one which actually interests you and that you enjoy. Languages are a tough area for employment - don't go into it just because you think it's easy.

That is the thing, I know that chances are I'm not going to get in, like it, and most likely drop out... should have been born in a time where all one could do is work on a farm

It's so hard to decide something, and it's already been 3 years since high school. Are there any online quizes that can suggest career paths according to your personality?

TJ55 · #20 03-17-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispygoat

you just want to be over, get a job, buy a car, a couple of nice basses etc...

Understandable and that is why I said what I did. When I went back to school for MA I was old enough to appreciate the lack of responsibility that comes with college but still young enough that I was able take advantage of it.

Believe me. Just pick a subject that you're interested in and go from there. Have a good time while maintaining your grades and the rest will fall into place.

When your done, if you can pull it off w/o going too far into debt, I highly suggest going back and getting an advanced degree.