April 9, 2009

  • "So, What Did You Major In?"

    Urgh.

    Over time, I've started to hate hearing someone ask me that question.  It's not that I'm ashamed of what I majored in; it's the way that some people obviously start to judge me in their heads.  Here's an example:

    Person:  "So, what did you major in?"
    Me:  "I majored in psychology."
    Person:  "Oh, okay." 

    (Pause for a few seconds)

    Person:  "So um, what do you want to do with that?"

    Now on paper (well, in this case on computer), that whole conversation seems innocent enough.  However, in person I can pick up slight body language and/or tones that alerts me that the person is thinking something else.  In this case, I sense that the person is thinking this:

    Oh, psychology.  I was expecting accounting, science, or information systems.  What can he do with that major?  Not looking to make money probably.

    I don't like acting paranoid thinking that everyone who asked me that question proceeds to think in that manner, but I know for a fact some people have.  Most of those people have been older aquaintances or relatives, some that don't even know what psychology is ("So, do you read minds or something?", my aunt once asked me).  In a lot of ways, their judgmental attitudes have made me feel like I've made a bad decision for choosing my major.

    Look, going through college I already knew the limitations of a psychology major.  Unless I went into grad school, I knew it would be very hard to find a great job that relates to psychology.  I think my friend Tricia, a fellow psychology major, put it best:  "I have the most useful useless degree ever... I can do anything and nothing at the same time... yay for psych!"

    Indeed, I have encountered a lot of obstacle since graduating.  Even though I graduated magna cum laude with tons of honors and experiences, I've had a hard time finding a job in something I want to do with just a B.A. in psychology.  Of course a part of it has to do with the economy, but I know a part of it has to do with my major as well.

    With all that being said, I do not regret the decision to be a psychology major.  I firmly believe that I wouldn't be the understanding and empathetic person I am today had I done something else.  I'm pretty sure that had I wanted to, I could have majored in science or computers and would have done well.  However, I knew that in the long run I wouldn't be happy doing stuff like that.  Sure, money might be better, but I prefer to deal with the more human aspects of life.  Given the chance, I would choose something I'm passionate about over something that can make me tons of money.  In my mind, happiness trumps monetary reward any day.

    At the moment, I'm still pursuing a job working for the USTA.  It may not make the most money, but I would be doing something I love (tennis) while getting the chance to travel across the country.  As a back-up, I'm still planning to attend graduate school in the fall to become an industrial/organizational psychologist (which, surprisingly, makes pretty decent money).  The only downside with that is the cost of attending graduate school, as well as the fact that I would be returning to school (papers and exams again?  Yuck!).

    Given the chance to go back in time, I would definitely choose to be a psychology major all over again.  It can be a harder and longer path to success, but I know that in the end I would be the happiest doing this over something else.  I just wish I didn't feel the need to be so defensive about it all the time.

Comments (402)

  • I wanna major in psychology too, I find it interesting, it's just that Asian people expect us to be like doctors or something because it makes a lot of money. I don't get why the Chinese family don't get the difference between finding something you love & something that makes a lot of money, & what your aunt said is funny, I can just imagine lol

  • Oh & traveling across the country - I wanna do that too !

  • I don't get whats wrong with psychology, I wanna major in social and consumer psychology when I grow up. :P
    Psychology is so broad with so many different uses, I love psychology :P

  • @JetaimeMing - 

    It didn't help that my aunt's daughter ended up being a doctor X_X . Ah expectations...

    @Dylan_Disast3r - 

    Exactly, there isn't anything wrong with it persay. I guess it's because it's not known for it's job potential, at least with just a bachelors degree.

  • I'll trade you degrees.

  • I have thought about that major before and I kept switching it until around HS I was working with the company and learned a lot of stuff and so I pick business as my major lol and in the long run computers later on =D

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    ugh i hate that, my parents want me to become a doctor too but i'm like no mom no, then they tell me that there's no point in me going to school if i'm not gonna become anything lol but whatever, it's what you want to do :)

  • so, are you good at picking up some chicks with your psychology abilities now?
    HAHAHA.

    anyways, when will you attend community college for two years to get a degree. it wouldnt hurt to be a physical therapist?

  • That Tricia sounds awesome... =oP

    What about when you meet people your age? Do they tend to back off a little bit too, because they automatically think you're analyzing them?

  • I think being a psych major is cool, I actually thought about doing that. At least it's not art!! Before I had picked my graphic design concentration, and I told people I was an art major people would make remarks like, "do you want fries with that?" or say something like "oh, that's so easy". I was like pffft. It is not easy.

  • I'm a psych major, too, and I say people DEFINITELY act that way...

  • Ind/org psych is great! I originally wanted to do that. It is just so interesting! I took a lot of psych courses in college and enjoyed them very much! My major was bioeng and molecular cell bio w/emphasis in cell develop bio :)

  • Good for you! I don't think you have anything to regret.
    I have regrets about my major and I'm starting to feel like it's not practical and I'm a science major!

  • I think everything is what you make it to be. My parents had their expectations of me being a doctor, but that crashed and burn because I hate seeing people in pain; I opted to major in general nutrition and sport medicine because I enjoy it more. But for my mom she still has hopes that I'll marry a doctor, but I think deep deep down inside she know it won't happen... haha!

  • I have a BA in English... and I work for a non-for-profit/law firm as an Assistant IT Manager.

  • Wow, I think I know exactly how you feel. People give me that same reaction when they learn that I am majoring in psychology. Part of it may be due to the fact that the only conception of psychologist they have is the psychotherapist/"shrink" (which doesn't make sense for a person as seemingly cold and unsociable as me). In fact, I'm more interested in being a research psychologist, not a counselor. But a lot of people don't understand the fact that psychology has these subfields, such as industrial/organizational, that can be well-paying and practically-oriented. Even my own mother has tried to discourage me from majoring in psychology because she doesn't believe it could get me a job. So like you, I feel kind of defensive whenever people ask about my major--because they often really do seem to be disapproving.

  • I'm currently majoring in Psychology and I have no idea what I want to do.

  • I feel the same way too, especially around my mom. Not only when it comes to deciding in what course I'll take, but also in the little things I do. Oh well... I'm still only in high school, and I'm not sure if I can ever pick a course I'd want for college. Life is too short for me so I decided that when I do become an adult, I won't just stick to one career. I want to make the most out of everything. Psychology sounds interesting, but I'm more into the philosophy of life.

  • Psych majors are sexy ;) I did Psych and Bio double major.

    Could be worse, you could have majored in Philosophy. No option there but to teach or start a cult. DONT DRINK THE KOOLAID!!!

  • Defensive is a good word to describe how people look at humanities/social science majors. I get blank looks and my dorm JANITOR even freaking told me I wouldn't be able to do anything with a degree in Social Welfare and Asian American Studies.

  • I'm sure most people don't really react the way you think they do (I'm projecting, by the way). For example, if someone I just met told me they were majoring in art history, I probably would have asked the same thing, not because I believe it's a useless major, but just off the top of my head, I can't really think of much one can do with that degree, so naturally I'm curious about what they had in mind when they majored in that. Granted, I'm a biochemistry major and don't really have the same problem, so maybe I don't actually understand what it's like...but from my experience, I highly respect people who go into fields that do not immediately seem to have any "practical" status, as it shows that they actually have a passion for what they're doing. I know that there are many people who major in biology just to go to med school and become a doctor even though they don't actually have much respect for the field itself.

  • i'm not a psych major, but i want to be. so i chose something kinda related. not really. human resouce and management {along with something else} LOL. not really psych but i figured it was close enough for me :) well best of luck to you! Hopefully you find a great job and all :D

  • My friend found a successful career in HR. I'm a business major that works in government. Another friend that has a degree in bio is working as a tax accountant. It's about how you apply yourself that counts.

  • to me psychology is the most normal major ever. like, one of the main ones to make the parents happy and be on the road to a good job... but, im coming from the perspective of music major....

  • I hear you 110%.  As you know I'm a psych/english major, and I have gotten all sorts of out-there comments like "what, are you going to be a poet"? or "wow--you must be good at reading minds".  Yeah...psychology NOT psychic..haha.  Anyway, I am a big advocate of following your true passions and talents (something I want to touch upon on my new Xanga coming soon!!), and I am a firm believer that you can never go wrong if you go with what you truly enjoy (ie. Tennis).  Yes money is always a motivating factor, but the money will always be there no matter what, and I can attest to that.  A degree does not guarantee income--but it can open doors.  More importantly who you are, and your experiences combined, is a better indicator of where you will go. 

    And based on what I know--all the liberal arts majors I've ever known are intelligent, flexible people with the ability to communicate effectively and think critically--very important skills to have in this world right now and tomorrow!

  • Defensive? Oh man, move to California and no one - at least, no one in this generation - will judge. Most will probably try to ask you what kind of psychological disorder they have, haha. But I guess it is difficult to get job with a B.A. Just about everything requires a Masters these days =[.

    Good luck with joining the USTA! I'm sure you'll get there in time =].

  • i hate accounts :S!!!

  • Theres nothing wrong with your major! :) I think it is great. I wish I could handle that and people, but I can't. All I can be is a silly Business major. Boring, unoriginal, and bleh.

    So smile and psychoanalyze people. haha... jk.

  • I'm glad that my family never really put that much of a pressure on me, although we are Asian. My mom knows me best, and knew none of the medical fields were right for me except maybe pharmacy because it's clean and stuff. I went straight into my major in political science along with a law studies minor without changing it. I almost went into communications as well. Some of my friends that were extremely honest told me it was a garbage degree. Their mouths dropped when I told them what my dream job was. I always knew I wanted to be a secretary with nice outfits, and I know I would be good at what I do. So I'm thinking executive level. Working in a government agency would be a dream come true. Yeah the people from the PR office I use to work with had influenced me a lot when they came in with nice suits and LV bags haha.

  • I get the exact same reaction as a studio art graduate, even though I'm in one of the most practical art fields. It's important to love what you do though, I think. Especially if what you do is help others.

    At least you can say you're not miserable doing a 9-5 job you loathe right? =)

  • Having more education under your belt is never a bad thing. That's why I never frown on what people decide to study. Way to stick to your goals! =)

  • Props to that, it takes a strong person to go with their passion instead of the money.  I'm in the same boat I'm going for veterinary technology.  Now finding a job won't be hard because they're in demand and there is plenty of animal hospitals where ever I go, but the pay sucks hardcore lol.  I'd rather do that too those because it's my passion, as long as I can get by in life I'll be happy.  Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you'll be just fine :)

  • just dont mind them. i guess ur quite happy with what u took. just be proud. i wished to major that back then. but i realized that i wanted just to be a broadcaster or probably host a traveling show. hehehe

  • no worries!

    it's not just psychology, but any study in college/university typically needs more than a bachelor to get the "great" job anyways.  there's alot of credential inflation in the job hiring process now. 

  • Grad school really isn't that bad if you do have to go. I kind of find it easier than college and I'm working a full time while I'm working on my Master's. Grad school is just different than undergrad. It's a lot more focused (if that makes any sense).

  • can imagine the scrutiny of that. my best friend wanted to major too but realize there is really nothing much to do with a degree in psycho. but i guess for you its a lil different, you have a direction and goals for her case its just "interest" which nobody knows how long it'll last. i would do the same as you if i have a direction following the degree. :) good for you.

  • i finished my bachelor degree in marketing, and afterwards went on to study what i really wanted to study: film. And people who asked would all have that (o_o ) look, and then say "Wow, that's interesting, so you're gonna be a director, eh? hahaha.. u should find me if you want an actor.. hahahaha..." (I didn't want to become specifically a director, but i want to be a filmmaker, in any kind of way)

    sometimes its just annoying.. u know they all think "sheesh.. films? she dreaming or somthing? impossible to make any money!"

  • I will do the same when people said something like tht/ made unfair judgements about my course (which links to my future too)/ started degrading my course (e.g: bitches from school of psy... not you, of course, i meant those from my uni). I will get very defensive. Sometimes, I will start thinking if i have chosen the wrong course because of them and it gets tiring sometimes... to defend and to contemplate whether or not I should study other things like accounting or maybe psychology instead =S But then, I think I shouldn't let others influence my decision and voila! I'm already in my second year. =D

  • awe Alex, those people are rude! My sister is a psych major as well, and I think its a very noble profession. I am slightly biased though, because if there were no psychologists, there would be nobody to understand us crazies, and keep us from taking the dive everyday =]

    good luck with the tennis

  • Since I also have my degree in Psych I feel qualified to say... technically, at the Bachelor's level, there is not much you can do with it... to an extent. I distinctly remember going to a meeting my profs held shortly before I graduated and discussing our options... The benefit of having a degree in psych is that it shows we "know" people - and every business or company wants employees like that, because human interaction / networking is important. On the flip side, not many jobs directly related to psychology are available, unless, as you said, you go for a higher degree. This is what I had to do - I am in the process of getting my MA in Mental Health Counseling, because I want to become licensed. Past that I would love to get my PsyD in a psych-related field. I don't find it embarressing at all when people ask me what my degree is in - I'm proud of it. Yeah, I've gotten the "well what can you do with that?" dialogue too, but so what... People are ignorant and just aren't aware of how having a psych degree can improve your chances in relatively any field... it's a beautiful thing!

  • Guess what? I majored in Psychology too. My parents always ask me how come I never went for accounting or business, something practical. And I never wanted to go with the norm. When I was younger I wanted to help people (but I didn't want to be a shrink), eventually I stopped wanting to. Probably because I have problems of my own (but who doesn't?). I have too much anger issues to deal with other people's anger/depressing issues. LOL

    Do I regret not going to another major? NO!
    Do I like helping people? Hell to the yeah! But the thing about me is, I only give when the person deserves it. If that person is judgmental, or has ever disrespected me, I won't give them no mind. I believe having this will hinder my goal to be any sort of professional counselor.

  • And another thing, psychology is so broad, you can actually do a lot of things and handle many types of jobs because now you have people skills. What company doesn't deal with people?

    BTW, I work in the IT field and deal mainly with accounting stuff though. LOL

  • Oh come on, you think you've got it bad. Try majoring in art and see what sort of reactions you get. Most of my family is Sri Lankan, so I get a lot of shit for aspiring to work in film. They'd prefer Psychology a million times more than any art subject.

  • Yay for psych! I have units in psych too. Maybe I'll take masters related to psych.. (btw, I majored in english education)

    Nice post ^^

  • @mycontinuity - 

    What's your degree?

    @BabyGurlDragon88 - 

    Business and computers are pretty good fields for jobs right now. If only I had some interests in those fields

    @JetaimeMing - 

    Luckily, my parents aren't too bad. It's the rest of the family i.e. grandmas and aunts that I gotta deal with.

    @iso_whiteSnow - 

    I thought about doing that too, but I think I have to take some kind of biology class which I didn't want to do. The grad program I'm looking at is a 2 year program though.

  • @ChineseTwinkiePrincess - 

    She is pretty awesome isn't she?

    People around my age are better. I don't get a sense that they think I'm analyzing them on the spot haha.

    @Cuenquita - 

    Haha yea I'm sure art majors probably get more criticism than psyc majors. I do hate it when people think it's easy to do when it isn't.

    @randaness - 

    Oh cool! Are you a B.A. or B.S.?

    @Casa_blanca_lilies - 

    Man after taking A.P. science classes I got totally put off my science. That's part of the reason why I didn't take any real science classes in college. I took only the minimum two classes and they were pretty much the B.S. classes. I'm talking non-math base physics and the science of water lab haha.

  • @HyperHTL - 

    Haha really? I always figured being a science major can lead to many opportunities. I forgot, when do you finish up college?

    @nice_girl589 - 

    Hmm maybe I should marry a doctor too =P . That could be one way to quiet my relatives!

    @rianahntr - 

    Oh yeah? Do you like it there? If I end up working for USTA I would also be working at a nonprofit organization.

    @decembriel - 

    people see you as cold and unsociable? How come?

    I totally know what you mean as well. My mom thought all psychology can do is just make me be a shrink. She's gotten a bit more educated over the years though.

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Well, I do give off that cold and unsociable air because I'm extremely introverted and don't smile much. But I'm really not a meanie at heart!

  • @karen0z - 

    What year are you? To be honest, I didn't really know what to do with my psych major until AFTER graduating haha.

    @the_pokerfaced - 

    I actually minored in philosophy haha. Yeah, you still got plenty of time. On average, people change jobs about 7 times before they settle on something, so I'm not too worried about picking that one thing I will do for the rest of my life.

    @mixedbabiesrock - 

    haha glad you think psych majors are sexy! I minored in philosophy just because it only required 6 classes, so I figured why not. Man, there are some seriously hardcore philosophy people in those class! No way could I have majored in it.

    @xLove_Me_Alwaysx - 

    The janitor too?? Damn, that's rough haha. That's cool that you're doing Asian American Studies because we could use more knowledge on that in general. What do you have in mind to do?

    @a_drunken_cellist - 

    I'm glad you have such respect! In a way I totally agree with you about how most people would not be so disapproving once they hear my answers. I think it began with my relatives and older family friends who clearly stated that they think I shouldn't do psychology. Ever since then, I've been hypersensitive. Hopefully I can make that go away because I don't enjoy feeling that way.

    @babyblue5201314 - 

    I actually tried looking for human resources positions because as a psych major you're suppose to be able to do that stuff. Unfortunately, the places I applied to were looking more for human resource majors for those position (my college didn't even have that major!).

  • @Agent_Eric - 

    I can totally agree to that. When I tell people I want to work for the tennis industry, I've often get asked how that relates to psychology. In a way it sorta does, but I know it doesn't directly apply. Still, I love tennis and if I can work in that line of work I know I would be happy doing that stuff for a long time.

    @makethemakersmile - 

    That's pretty much describes what an I/O psychologist would do for companies and I can see myself doing that. How does your parents feel about your major? I have a friend who's also a music major and her parents put a lot of pressure for her to change. However, she's like the most talented musician I know! I'm glad she's sticking with it.

  • @lil_squirrel4ever - 

    You should totally go out and advocate on behalf of liberal arts majors everywhere . We need to get this knowledge in more peoples heads! Can't wait until you start up your new Xanga.

  • @xxthatsmexx - 

    Yea, I think I kinda knew all along it would be pretty difficult to find a good job that I wanted with just a B.A. A degree in anything is all I need to work for USTA though. Unfortunately, they are quite selective.

    @s_h_a_sha - 

    You hate accounts or accountants? haha

    @baby_vivacious - 

    Haha well do you have some interest in business at least? I don't think I could stay conscious for a business class =P . Totally not my thing.

    @Passenger00 - 

    My parents were surprisingly fine with me being a psych major, although I think part of it had to do with them not exactly knowing what it was haha. Hey, secretaries really are the ones that handle everything! I currently work the front desk at my place sometimes and I know how much the place would fall apart if we didn't do what we were suppose to be doing.

    @xiaosnowtenshi - 

    That's true. I could have actually worked at a 9-5 job doing insurance stuff after college, but I DID NOT want to do that for a living.

  • Hey! Dont be discouraged! I'm a Sociology major and I had the SAME thing happen. I just thank God that I was a CO-op graduate... because it really was my experience that got me where I am. So I went from SOCI degree to now... Marketing Manager of my company. My dream was always to do marketing w/out the degree. Ahahaha. Keep hope. Do more to learn more. And u'll get there. I still feel like i need to get a Marketing degree or at least some sort of diploma under my belt to warrant my title.... who knows. It's weird when my bio has nothing to do with my job in the company profile. Sadly, most cases do look for things like that...

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I'm almost done with my second year. Sadly, my grades are not that great due to my slacking, which doesn't work well when the classes have no homework assignments and only tests.

  • @wynnw - 

    Good, more people should think like you!

    @Drugsy - 

    That's how I think too when it comes to money. I don't want to be poor of course, but if I can get by alright I'll be fine with that. As long as I'm happy and enjoy doing my job every day I think I will be good

    @ugottalovemei - 

    OOoh, that would be sweet! If that ever happens let me know so I can watch!

    @sabbygurl - 

    Oh that's true. I think it's because my closest friends all majored in engineering and all got pretty good jobs right after college -_- . haha

  • @TheCheshireGrins - 

    You really think it's easier? That would be a relief if that's true! When I went to the info session, they said that each grad class was the equivalent of taking two undergrad classes.

    @tollyyjoy - 

    Throughout my college career I was a psych major and never had to change it. The only indecisive part was figuring out what I wanted to do in particular with it. Before coming up with I/O psych, I thought about doing sports psychology but I never really gathered enough information about it. It would be pretty fitting for me I suppose.

    @yan_ni - 

    I just wish people weren't so obsess with money all the time. Yeah it's important, but there's other factors to consider as well. What kind of films have you made so far?

    @darth_cosmos - 

    Haha I remember that post. Yeah it's sorta like all the words people say kind of tears away at my shield. As confident as I am that I made the right decision, I'm always a little afraid that one day I would break down and agree that they were right all along. Hopefully that won't happen anytime soon.

    @indiechaos - 

    I always thought psychology was notable as well going in. It wasn't until later on that people would say stuff and try to make me doubt myself. So far I've handle it, but it can be annoying.

  • Luckily I do like customer service and I think business would be the one good thing I could maybe be good at.psyc

    Business classes aren't THAT bad but psychology is much more fun (and I've only taken one class)

  • @Passionflwr86 - 

    Ah I love the way you think! Personally from my side I'm not embarrassed at all. It's just annoying when others try to make it seem like my degree does not have as much worth as it does.

    @GaMeGurLsH - 

    Haha so you ended up doing accounting all along? What's weird is that I've had two internships in the past working with insurance. I hate insurance! I don't know how I somehow got myself back into it the second time around.

    @Purple_Harlequin - 

    Ah, I was going to mention something about art, dance, and philosophy majors as well because I have friends who majored in all of those and can totally relate. From what I've heard they get it much worse, so I'm glad a psychology major isn't consider as useless as how some people consider those other majors. Still, it gets quite annoying hearing little jabs people can make, which I'm guess you're very familiar with.

    @furtherthoughts - 

    Thanks! What type of psych classes have you taken so far?

    @decembriel - 

    Nah, reading your blogs I wouldn't have gotten the impression that you were a meanie

    @booboo817 - 

    You know, from what I've heard from co-workers a lot of people end up doing jobs that don't relate to their majors at all. Networking plays a far bigger role. That's one good thing about my I/O psych program. One of the classes requires you to do real life work at some company and if you aren't already in one they will find a place for you. That's almost a guarantee job right there! Ah, I just don't wanna go back to school after a year of freedom haha.

    @karen0z - 

    I've noticed that in college time-management skills are key for getting good grades. Strangely, I did much better in college than I did in high school. Go figure

  • @JetaimeMing - 

    yep, can't agree more.

  • @Roadlesstaken - well, you stay strong then. and if anyone has something to say I will use my imagined paranoid skizophrenia to kill them and get off on insanity plea XD

  • I'm a psych major, and I'm thinking I need to switch. x__x

  • @Roadlesstaken - um the subject lol i am kinda majoring in it though! :S

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    In undergrad, you have to take general ed classes and while I didn't do bad in them, I just wasn't that interested and so they seemed a little harder. In graduate school, typically you are taking classes that have something to do with what you are getting a degree in and therefore since you are familiar and interested in the subject, it seems easier. Last semester, I took three classes while working full time and I had awesome grades!

  • @TakingxOverxMe - 

    Aw really? What reasons do you have for switching?

    @TheCheshireGrins - 

    Oh I never thought about it that way. That does make sense! Hmm...

  • People have asked me the same thing...

    then they tell me..
    you cant save the world...

    i then tell them....

    at least i'm not in real estate now...*points to the stock market*

  • thank you for writing about this, alex =)

  • I dread that question: What do you do? UGH!!

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I'm graduating in December with a B.S. ^_^

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I'm majoring in Business Management and later on computers =]

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    yeah it is and I like what i'm learning so yeah lol =D

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I have a lot of things I want to do after college. The top two, though, are working as a teacher for Teach for America and then going to grad school for a Master's in Public Policy. =]

  • @Roadlesstaken - my parents support me 120% in my music degree, i think they woul dbe a little sad if i changed, but really, they have always supported everything ive ever wanted to try, so they would be cool with it. im pretty lucky.

  • Hmmm I guess some people are just like that all the time. But you know what, at least you're doing something you are passionate about and that's all that matters. I'm having problem with whether I actually 'like" what im majoring it or am i doing it for the sake of doing it. Sometimes finding something we love to do is not that easy, and you are the one lucky person =)

  • I think it's a lot better to just avoid people who judge you because of your choice of major, if at all possible. Do you really want people like that around? And if they weren't being judgmental about it being psychology, it would be something else.

  • Try majoring in anthropology, all you get is "What's that?"  Then a nice long "oohhhhh..." and a puzzled look.

    Everyone I know wanted to major in psychology, so to me it's like the starter degree. 

  • My sister is a junior in high school and wants to major in this as well but is afraid cause she knows someone who is having trouble finding a job. I'm going to link her to your page and hopefully you will change her mind :)

  • I'm a Fresh(wo)man....... in high school... Even though I still have 3+ years... The pressure is starting to hit me. I'd LOVE to study psychology or work with children... or a linguist...

  • @Roadlesstaken - nah you won't le them affect u =)

  • I want to major in psychology as well.

    Looking at job options, it seems like a LOT of schooling (talking around a PhD) to get a job that pays decently... wonder if after all that time spent getting an education how long it takes to level out? At the same time though, I can completely relate that I want to be an empathetic/understanding person more than I want money.... somehow, I want to be able to see people gain confidence in themselves and always be there for them when they need me. In the end money is paper backed by gold... but humans have souls. I want to be able to help.

  • I know how you feel. I'm a Kinesiology major and I was asked "What is that? Numbers?". I suppose being Asian meant I either had to do major in Biology or Mathematics. (btw Kinesiology is exercise science, related to health and human performance). Anyways, it took me awhile to grasp the fact that everyone always has something to say. Sometimes people are ignorant and only want to focus on what common careers that will give a descent income. Um, sorry I don't want to have a cookie cutter white collared job.

    I'm graduating in December and applying to grad school to be a Chiropractor. (this career choice has also raised some.. red flags for alot of people, but that's another story).  I guess to sum it up... this is what im trying to say:

    Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter. - Dr. Seuss

    best of luck :)

  • lol well they can't do nothing bout it now

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Most probably I won't settle on anything at all. If I ever do become an adult, I'd probably go for a new job every half a year or something.

  • in terms of undergraduate, half the time it doesn't really matter!  I majored in philosophy and social work, and now I write

  • Depending on how everything works out, I want to minor in psychology (since im majoring in nursing)

    But I always found psychology to be an interesting thing to study

  • As long as you're happy with what you've chosen to do, that's all that really matters. What good is "success" when you hate waking up in the morning and going to your job?

  • 0_o

    I'm going to start studying psychology next year, and I got the whole "Why? Do you plan on reading minds?" question too. It kind of makes me wonder how smart some people actually are.

  • My major is English and yeah...I have similar issues. I can do lots of things, and almost nothing all at once.

    But, at least we had fun.

  • I'm a double major with Psychology & Spanish.  I get the same response.  Although, I think I will try to go grad school.  I want to get my doc. degree.  Even if I don't go that far, I love my major.

  • Well, you have it better than me.

    I'm a Liberal Arts major : /

    but I plan on changing it to International Relations with a minor in French and Spanish :)

    Either thar or Psychology.

    Whichever requires LESS math classes.

  • I'm the same way. I don't care about money as much as I do about just doing something I'm happy with.

  • doing what you love AND having the chance to travel? i don't know what's not to love.

    i get the same shtick when i tell people that i am a communication major. "soo.. you want to talk on phones or something?" oi vey.

    but always keep your head up!

  • @Roadlesstaken - Journalism/PR

  • majors, smajors. Who wants some smores?

    Just kidding, Psychology is pretty cool. Why don't you use some psychoanalysis stuff you learned in class on them(wait.. or is that another class?)and like joke around with them. I think their reactions might be a bit interesting (;

  • Try doing a liberal artsy major like philosophy. It's much worse. I think that if you expect that sort of reaction, you'll be looking for the body language that asserts it. But if you're completely comfortable with what you've chosen, then act like it, and people will respect you nonetheless. And at the very least, at least you're not that guy doing underwater basketweaving.

  • It's funny because I attended undergrad in the U.S., and am attending grad school in Canada. And the attitude towards education here is quite different. It's an alien concept here, and I think in Europe as well, that somebody would get an education for the sole purpose of landing a job. There is, instead, a sense that an education has merit in its own right. And if people only studied the "practical" fields, what would happen to the important other areas that people don't deem practical?

    I think success is best found by pursuing your dreams, not by doing the wrong thing just to get a job at the end. As to the cost of grad school, not sure how mobile you are, but you should consider going to school in Canada. They have amazing universities here, world renowned, but tuition, even for international students, is much lower than in the U.S.

    Whatever you do, I hope people stop making you feel defensive about becoming educated in an area you love. Good luck to you!

  • I hate when people ask that question too! I'm currently pursuing a BA in anthropology, and a minor in history. People always ask me what I'm planning to do with it, and I can always tell they look down upon it. Or, they think I'm like Indiana Jones and want to dig up stuff. Being Asian, they expect me to answer that I'm a science or computer related major.

    I love studying anthropology, but I'm still not sure what to do with it after graduating. The only solution right now seems to be grad school, but we'll see. Still researching options at the moment.

  • I am a double major in Biochemistry and History. I have traditional Asian parents who want me to be a doctor. My dad does not really know that I have chosen History as my double major (he still thinks I'm a biochemistry major only, and will probably make me drop out of it if he knew), and my mom (who knows) keeps begging me to graduate soon and go on the med school.

    I honestly severely abhor Biochemistry. It means nothing to me. I don't care about proposed mechanisms and theories that will probably change in a few years. I don't care about memorizing amino acids. I despise chemistry, except for some parts of organic, but I despised the labs. I don't really want to be a doctor either. That kind of career would just feel like an arranged marriage, and besides, I don't think I have the competence to be a doctor.

    On the other hand, I love the History (and Spanish) classes that I'm taking. They're fascinating, and I feel like I understand a lot more about this world because of my non-science classes. Whenever people ask me what I major in, I tell them Biochemistry first, and then History. They will always ask me if I am pre-med, and then what I want to do with History, and I will tell them "I guess I'm premed. And I dunno what I'm gonna do with History; I just like it". I guess people also look down on Liberal Arts majors. Quite frankly, compared to Biochemistry (and Engineering, as I formerly was...), History is not as difficult. Comparing degree requirements, Liberal Arts degrees tend to be more easy to complete.

    Well, I dunno why I just ranted in your comments. I'm pretty bummed right now about my biochemistry test on Tuesday and how poorly I am doing in that class, so I'm sorry I have to take it out on your wall. But be glad that A) your parents aren't critical about your educational decisions B) you love your major and C) you have a degree already haha.

  • I totally know how you feel! I just started up in college and my cousin has been putting me down about choosing psychology as my major. She's constantly telling me that it's hard to get a job after graduating and how the starting wage is a lot higher for nurses or pharmacists than for a clinical psychologist. But I rather be happy doing what I want [hence my college choice]

  • I/O hasn't been a bad field. I've enjoyed it so far but am having some doubts regarding the marketability after grad school; I'm in a Masters program now starting to wish I'd gone straight into a PhD. Have an interest in the material, you may want to also consider HR management or a MBA.

  • So, um, what are you going to do with a psychology major?

    Lol jk, this is a great post, reminds me of a presentation we've had at my high school where the person told us literally 10 times that it is very important to follow your passion and to study what you truly love at college. Now heading to college in about a few months, I want to pursue my interests, which just happens to be...psychology! ;) So it was interesting reading this post since my parents have given me that "but it's too hard to find a good job with that major!" talk...and it annoys me. The careers that are associated with lots of money-making are doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. but in no way am I interested in any of them. I like psychology, film, and photography, none of them with a huge potential of finding great jobs...but guess what? It doesn't matter. I'd rather have a job I love and try to increase my profits with it than have a "great job" that I would rather not have.

    Moreover, what if you get into an accounting job just for the money, and then your company collapses due to the economic crisis? Then you're stuck with a job you HATE and that also gives you humongous DEBT. Great!

  • Good for you for doing what you wanted to though! It sucks being one of those people who did an 'expected' course and then having to lust over those in the course you really wanted to do!

    Good luck finding a brilliant psycology job!

  • Dang, I so feel you. My friends always ask me what am I gonna take up in college. My first choice is Psychology. Then they say, "Whaaa? Weirdo." And my parents don't want me to take it either. My father said psychology is not practically good when living in this present generation. I love psychology. I've always loved it.

    I have a close friend that has the same story as yours. The only difference is she's taking architecture. And she's furious about the judgmental thoughts being thrown on her.

  • omg thats how I feel. I feel like you should go through college learning something YOU LOVE. People who chase the degrees that they think get lots of money arent happy. haha if you love what you do, you live a happy life. I am a firm believer of that. btw, i think psychology is a great major, i would never say that to someone.

  • "Do what you want, because those that mind don't matter... and those that matter don't mind"- Dr. Seuss. So, yeah... do what YOU feel is right. Don't let anyone stop you. Just follow your dreams! "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." - ? (I forgot)

  • @bluedreamer85 - 

    Yeah, real estate would not be a fun thing to be doing at all right now. My friend was in it but got out of it because of business. She's working at newspaper company.

    @kc_sarah - 

    Haha why you thanking me?

    @mayanao - 

    the question itself is okay, just the preconceived notions made by some people that irks me

    @xLove_Me_Alwaysx - 

    I came very close to doing Teach For America, but decided not to for some reason. Where would you choose to teach at?

    @makethemakersmile - 

    Those are some great parents! I'm happy to hear they give you so much support when many other parents would not.

  • @yeeeeelainezz - 

    I was always worried in high school that I would end up picking a major that might be good financially but would be too boring and uninteresting. You're right; I much rather be not as rich but satisfied with life as oppose to being wealthy but not enjoying life.

    @Free_2Cents - 

    That's exactly why I try to stay away from talking about this topic around those annoying relatives as much as possible . I know nothing really good can come out of those conversations.

    @theedobster - 

    Ah yeah, I'm sure you've had it worse. You're right about psychology being a starter degree for a lot of folks. I've known a lot of classmates who was just doing psychology because they didn't know what else to do. At least for me, I chose psychology because out of all the majors it was the one I could relate and enjoy the most.

    @B1ANCACACA - 

    haha go for it. Not sure if my entry will change her mind, but perhaps it will give her a different viewpoint on this isssue.

    @sweetNsour_dreamer - 

    Wow, already feeling the pressure? Things sure have changed since I was in high school. In the end, I think you should follow your heart. What languages would you wanna learn? If you ever pick up Arabic or Mandarin I'm sure you'll be in high demand by the government

  • @secretxxkeeper - 

    You seem to have a really good heart . Yeah, it will probably take a lot of schooling, but if you're passionate enough about it then it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

    @sugar_mama - 

    Exactly, I don't want a cookie cutter white collar type of job too! I want to have a lot more people interaction and what not. I've thought about being a chiropractor myself. Why do some people give you crap about that? I think that's a reputable job that is definitely needed in the sports industry for one thing.

    I love how you quote Dr. Seuss haha. So true.

    @the_pokerfaced - 

    yeah, no shame in that. We gotta be able to feel out what we want.

    @Tara - 

    I actually minored in philosophy just because I could. After going to those philosophy classes and seeing the real hardcore philosophy people I don't think I could major in it. So much goes over my head that I really need to focus to understand.

    @Kathleen_g - 

    It is! I always thought that psychology was one of the most useful thing you could study since it deals with human behaviors. We're constantly interacting with people, so it wouldn't hurt to understand how people come to be.

  • @RiceDish - 

    That's exactly how I think. Of course, it would be nice to be passionate about something that can make me extremely wealthy haha, but I know I can't have everything in life. I'm fine with that.

    @storiesandsinker - 

    I know that some of my peers have joked around saying that same line. It's just such a bad joke that I've heard one too many haha. No more please!

    @ReeserTheShadow - 

    My goal is to keep on having fun . I know I'll eventually land something I'm really happy about. It's just taking longer than I originally expected.

    @NoPenniesHere - 

    That's good to hear! After my senior year of college, I was just so tired of papers and exams that I didn't wanna go do more schooling if I didn't have to. Unfortunately, I may have to now. Eh, with the economy the way it is I guess grad school isn't so bad of a choice to consider.

    @RunAwayCOW - 

    I was pretty good at math, but I didn't find it interesting at all. Once I finished AP Calc in high school I didn't take another math class in college haha.

  • @Nope_Ive_Never - 

    Exactly. Of course I don't wanna be poor, but I don't need a boat load of money to make me feel worthy.

    @lminutelsecond - 

    Thanks, I'm usually good at keeping my head up. I'm just annoyed that there are so many people that tries to bring you down.

    @mycontinuity - 

    That's what my ex-gf majored in. She had some difficulties the first year, but she's now interning for a pretty famous guy in DC. In the end, I think it's who you know in that business that matters the most.

    @KiraWuzHerexD - 

    Haha oh I have occasionally with peers. Doesn't quite work with my relatives though; goes right over their heads.

    @x_onholiday - 

    Oh yeah, I definitely keep my cool when people are "on the attack". I just hate that I have to defend my choices so often.

    @tulipsinspring - 

    Hmm very interesting perspective! I guess I wouldn't mind going elsewhere to study, but I think I've just known my area for so long it's difficult for me to think I could live somewhere else. However, I did enjoy my experiences in Canada. Hmm...

  • While I AM a Biology major, I do have a psych minor. And I love every psych class I take.

    Do what you love, because that's what's important. I believe everything else just sort of falls into place.

  • "In my mind, happiness trumps monetary reward any day." < That just about sums up my whole attitude on the issue.

    I totally don't see anything wrong with being a psych major, though. I know several people who are doing just that. :]

  • @gwace_anatomy - 

    I wish you good luck with that! I was researching options up until the end of my undergraduates as well as afterward. I've learn that the world is ever changing and opportunities come and go. Eventually one of those opportunities will stick.

    @kitvankat - 

    Hey no problem, it's always interesting to read about other people's issues and what they go through, so I enjoyed reading your whole comment. I agree that a lot of liberal arts degrees aren't as hard as more technical degrees persay, but that shouldn't take away too much of the value of them. We just do completely different things. In some ways, liberal art majors can be more difficult for certain people because they can't think abstractly or what not.

    Good luck on your test! I'm so glad I didn't have to take any of those science classes. I've heard too many stories of them. I only had to take non-math base physics and science of water for my science requirements

    @ldy_cinnamon - 

    Good for you! That's exactly what I had to go through. I wish that some people can understand it's not always about money, money, money. Yeah it plays a big factor, but it should not be your main factor for choosing what you want to do.

    @Ro_ad808 - 

    Really? I heard I/O psychology was one of the better path to take for finding practical jobs in companies. What doubts have come up for you?

  • @xx_x_beautifully_broken_x_xx - 

    Haha good, keep following what you believe in and don't let those people get to you! I've done a good job at it so far; they are just annoyances for me right now =P .

    I actually had a chance to work for an insurance company after graduating. However, I knew it wasn't the right fit, for me anyway.

    @trickery19 - 

    Thanks! Yeah, I'm happy I'm not one of those people that picked a major they hated but felt they had to due to potential monetary benefits. I personally don't think that's the best way to see life, although money sure can make things more convenient

    @UnpredictableIdentity - 

    It's so nice to hear that so many others are going through this same type of issue but keep trucking along. Psychology is amazing!

    @AzNgUrl3510 - 

    I'm happy you think that way . It's always nice to hear that so many other people are following their heart more than the green monster haha.

    @sweetNsour_dreamer - 

    Haha you're the second person that quoted that line from Dr. Seuss. He sure was a smart man!

    @Laryssa - 

    I sure hope that everything will eventually fall into place. I just gotta keep doing what I'm doing.

    @IfonEarth - 

    the main thing that certain people bring up is the money factor for psych majors that don't go to grad school. They have a slight point with that because it is pretty hard to land something directly psychology related with just a bachelors. That's why I'm going for a masters!

  • @Roadlesstaken - Oh, I don't doubt that they have a point. But I also don't think it's really any of their business what you decide to do with your degree or with your life. :] I don't even want to think about grad school right now...

  • people look down on psych majors? two of my best friends did psych. didn't just them at all. they don't really help me in my psych needs though. i ask my friend to analyze my dreams and she tells me she's afraid of what she'll find out. kinda messed up, right?

  • oops, i meant "judge" not "just." not sure how that came out. those two words are nowhere near each other!

  • It's pretty much the same thing when people ask me "So what do you plan on studying?" -__- I feel as if they're expecting me to say heart surgeon, or something. Gah! But I agree with you on the happiness over money part :]

  • @manoagirl7 - 

    Haha well for the most part dreams don't really mean too much unless you're dreaming about the same thing over and over again. I wish there was a dream analysis class in college. That would be interesting to take!

    @juliebeanss - 

    So you're just gonna be a spinal surgeon then?

  • I majored in history. The only thing you can really do with that is history teacher.

  • i want to major in creative writing. i think that may be slightly more useless.

  • i know what youre talking about with the whole, people reacting to psychology thing. every time my bio class doesnt understand something, my professor goes, "oh its okay, if you dont want to do this you can always just change to a psychology major."

    and i get the same reaction for my major too...

    person: whats you major?
    me: biochemistry.
    person: WHOA thats like...WOW. good luck.

    as if luck has something to do with hard work and studying :P

  • @Roadlesstaken- -_- I don't speak Mandarin... OR Arabic... I speak Spanish, English, [learning] French... and hope to take German. I can somewhat understand Italian and Latin... (since they're so close to Spanish) Yeah... Dr. Seuss was a smart man :)

  • I like psychology.
    I hear ya, I went from pre-med to print journalism.
    Most people are okay with it but it's not something you get into to make the big bucks (depends on experience and who you end up working for). I have no idea why people think journalists make a lot of money. If they did half of my professors wouldn't have to work two jobs (teaching/reporter).
    Don't even get me started on how that went over with Asian parents.

  • I love psychology. I find it fascinating to study how humans think and behave. I thought about going into psychiatry but ended up going into pre-pharmacy instead. But luckily I fell in love with marketing along the way.

    Keep going strong Alex! People have certain images in their minds of what each major is but we all know it's stupid and outdated... but it just takes time to change that.

  • really? that's cool, do you like it? Uhm well my cousins are there and everything's so pretty and a bit quieter than new york city and the people are so much nicer there than compared to the ones here, haha. The weather's always nice and you don't needa wear big jackets, well I didn't for the time I was there =)

  • I hate being defined by what I majored in. As if, it is my personality put into reality or something.

  • I wish I could go back to psychlogy, but I need to make money to support my family... I plan on getting my psychology degree later on after I have an established job >.<  I envy you.

  • nah, dude. psychology is a great major. you're right, it's kinda tough to do anything "useful" with a background in psych but it's so important to understand the human psyche; you understand why people do the things they do. im in sales, and i wish i had a strong back ground in psychology so that i can get into my clients' brains, haha! not that that's what psychology is ALL ABOUT, but i think i would excel 10x w/ a psych b/g.

    keep on truckin' do what makes ya happy. fuck the rest.

  • whooo. I still don't know what I want to do yet...

  • @JetaimeMing - psychology is a popular major.  If you have the grades and ability, go for the other.  You'll thank yourself later -- both in career happiness and financial standing. 

    I do what I love, but I have small plans, so it's easy :)

  • @Randomness9933 - 

    I don't know what else there is that's interesting haha but thanks for the advice (:

  • Imagine people's response to hearing that I'm a theater major.

  • @JetaimeMing - you could always get this major later in life, or you could minor in it with your free electives. 

  • I am also, like lilsquirrel up there, a psych major and while I didn't major in English as well, I have enough credits floating along behind me to major in it after one more semester.
    I (currently) work in a care facility that specializes in Alzheimer's and Downs syndrome residents. And frankly, its a bit disheartening because so many people can get hired right off the street there, while I went through my four (and eventually more) years of school to do what they do. It's strange, however. People don't put two and two together when they find out that I'm the only one capable of dealing with behavior issues or I'm more quickly able to pinpoint what is wrong with even my more limited skills in the psychology field. I work a lot of overtime because of it.
    It IS hard, but there are ways that your talents and knowledge shine through. People may not recognize it at first, but it's there and it definitely helps you navigate those tricky waters that people who DON'T make it a habit to study the mind would barge right into.

  • As long as you're happy and have no regrets, then that's good. :) People looks down at me because I am not studying at uni. Screw them. After all, at the end of the day, it's MY LIFE. :D

  • It's ok, I'm an art major. I get the same looks.

    "Oh. You mean you need a degree for that?"

  • that's alright... i have a B.A and i'm using it, but i still get the same impressions from people you do. "oh? you certainly didn't want to become rich, did you?" and things like, "why'd you go to school for that? you like your job?!?"

    but i'm happy... and that's all that matters. so as long as you're content, who cares what other people think!

  • Thanks for this post. I'm majoring in something "useless" (economics and history minor) and I get really discouraged with all the negativity I receive for it.

  • Music industry studies!

    theatre & business administration as minors

  • haha my friend feels the same way
    he's majoring in political science
    and people outwardly say " what the hell are you going to do with THAT?"

    and they say jokes like
    "what does a poli sci grad say? -- Do you want fries with that?"

    I think ultimately people will always have their perceptions but as long as you're happy with your major and your career, you shouldn't let it affect you and it shouldn't be a problem!

  • At least your passion could be found at a university; If I had my way, I would go into event planning/culinary school. I could talk and plan out cakes/pastries/baked goods all day long....but its a tough business that needs money in order to start. The downside to my interests is that culinary arts = tough work and a lot less pay than if I were to just suck it up and finish up my double major of Biology and Mechanical Engineering. Funny how my father isn't keen on business majors, but I just chalk it up his biased point of view because he's an engineer himself. Science fields were interesting to me but not grad school; surprisingly, my dad could handle that.

    I thought about going into psychology and pursue psychiatry......perhaps later on.

  • Psych is the most common major at my college. Most people who major in it don't plan on using it for their career. So when someone tells me that they're majoring in Psych, it could mean that they're pursuing anything (Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, Business, etc). I usually follow up the question with "Do you plan on using your psych degree?"

  • i'm in the same boat. I came into college as a biology major going pre-med. that failed because I hated it. I'm now a music education major with a concentration in voice. oh. and I'm a guy. I'm a male singer who wants to teach high school band or choir for a living. That made my doctor parents really happy...

  • Wow, this kind of reminds me of what happens in high school. "Oh what college are you going to? Which one are you attending?" Attend a state school and you would be looked down upon. Then it goes on to what your major, then what do you do, oh and the type of kids you have. I was watching something like this on Oprah and Maria Shriver was talking about how throughout your life there's always going to be a comparision like a competition. Like everyone wants to know what type of life you'll and whether they're better or not. I wouldn't worry about that now just what until they ask what type of kids you have and what they're doing. In other words, you'll always be judged!

  • i wanted to major psychology but realized that it wasn't for me. instead i am going for culinary arts. hope that all goes well in may. so i can graduate in june! then, hope to get my ged so i can go to college to get my degree.

  • Hurray org.b ftw! xD

    Lol funny thing... I read the first few lines of your entry and I was like "hmm must be a psych major" lol not that I'm JUDGMENTAL (which I don't begin to deny... everyone CAN be) or anything...

    but it's because that's EXACTLY how I feel. lolololol
    I once had someone straight out say it.
    Me: I'm doing cog neurology + psych major
    Him: Oh, so you're going nowhere with your life then.

    =/ I always feel people like these NEED to take a psych course or two, or ten...
    <3

  • haha i get that all the time with my major. i'm a music education major, emphasis on choral conducting. and at family reunions, my parents will brag about my sisters being lawyers and nurses, and will quickly change the subject with me or say that i am undeclared. oh asian parents...

  • My dad always makes me feel like shit about potential majors.
    I want to get a doctorate in PoliSci, with a minor in International Relations.
    He HATES it.

  • i have a friend majoring in the same field and i still have no idea what she's gonna do with the degree. probably cuz she never bothered to explain and i never asked. did you ever bother to explain?

  • well i'm getting shit for being a dental assistant who majored in math and wants to go to grad school for writing, so i guess with some critics *cough cough--family--cough*, it doesn't matter, it's never good enough.  excuse me for not wanting a career in number crunching.  math was fascinating, i don't regret studying it, but i had planned on teaching, and when i dropped that major, i just wanted to graduate already.  besides, most places (number crunchers or not) wanted specific math-related degrees--accounting, computer science, engineering, etc.  nobody wants a BA in math, it's pointless, other than to show you finished something.

    at this point, i'm perpetually moments away from becoming a hippie.

  • As long as you don't have any regrets you'll be fine. Back in college, I'd always drool after architecture and fine arts students sprawled on the university's lawn drawing, I wanted so bad to sit with them and draw. Later on I wished I took up culinary arts. But here I am, trying to make the best with my degree in pharmacy. LOL.  I agree, hapiness trumps monetary rewards anyday.

  • hmm pretty interesting post...my area of interest in university is psychology and i find it really interesting! I'm kind of disappointed at the fact that most people tend to judge it without actually learning a little about it first!

  • I know EXACTLY how you feel! I'm a kinesiology major, which most people have never even heard of. Once I proceed to explain to them what it means (pretty much the science of movement), they ask "So are you going to be a gym teacher?" Then I have to explain that I actually want to go to nursing school, but that kines is a major that I've really enjoyed and gotten very interested in over the past year. I hate having to defend my choice and getting that "Oh" look as I've begun to refer to it as! But, like yourself, I really enjoy my major and am happy with my choice and I can't wait to graduate in a month's time!

  • i'm majoring in psychology right now
    your blog enlightened me =)

  • I think it is interesting that you seem to be getting negative reactions to being a psychology major. In my area, psychology majors (who are majoring in it because they want to not just because it sounds cool) get positive reactions. I have never got a negative reaction in any way when I have told people I am a psych major.  I, too, plan on going to graduate school because it is pretty much necessary, but I just found out that with a Bachelors in psych I could get a job as a family counselor at a substance abuse center... maybe you would be interested in that for now? I/O psych was my plan for a while, but Sport and Entertainment Psych and International Disaster Psych are options as well. Good luck with getting your dream job!

  • H"OMG
    Try majoring in philosophy. Seriously.
    They ask you this, and then they ask you questions akin to 'what's the meaning of life?'

  • I'm a psych major and I get the comments about being able to read minds, but the ones I really hate are, "Oh, well now you can tell us what's wrong with so and so." I also get really annoyed when people don't understand the difference in a psychologist and a psychiatrist and then go off on a tangent about how they don't trust all of those medications.

    Good for you for going to I/O. From what I've read that field is one of the fastest growing in psychology concentrations. I looked into it before I decided that I would rather go an easier route and get an MA in counseling psych. Good luck if you do decide to go for the degree!

  • Same goes for a Sociology major. And people especially confuse Sociology with Social Welfare, which are two entirely different majors. Sociology was definitely an eye opener for me...and I never regretted majoring in Sociology one bit.

  • I majored in biomechanical engineering. When I tell people that, they are kind of like, "Oh my, good luck with that" or I get the response you get, "What can you do with that?". The responses I receive are not negative though, but rather with awkward curiosity. It is definitely not something I drop early into a conversation with a female I am interested in because they quickly label me as a geek/nerd.

    [For anyone curious, it is the engineering stuff behind total knee replacements, heart stents, or any other surgical tool/device you can think of.]

  • I totally understand. You think you get funny reactions being a Psych major...

    Try being a Photography major... :(

  • I think it's awesome that you're a psychology major. I've had pretty similar reactions when I told people what I was majoring in...fashion design, but it's what I love and it's what I've wanted to do since I was 6. Your post actually helped me a bit. I recently stopped going to college because of personal reasons and over time I've realized that I could have a great future and still do what I want without having a degree. People have always told me that I should go to college because that's the only way I'll make money and that I should at least get a degree in something but your post just proves that's not always true and it has made me feel a little better about my decision to no longer be in college. So thanks and good luck!

  • I know a lot of people who are psychology majors...but they never know what they want to do for their career. So I still don't know what psychology majors really do. =[ (No offense.)

    I'm a human biology major, and I always get defensive when people give me the, "So you're another one of those pre-med students eh?"-look. =[ Every major has it's stereotypes, and it pretty much sucks to be any major...lol.

  • Cousin: What are you majoring in?
    Me: I want to major in Psychology.
    Cousin: Oh, so you're undeclared.
    My Asian family has the same reaction, except they don't even think that it's a real major! I'm really glad I read your post. Since I haven't started college yet, I was planning on changing my major. But I do love learning about psychology, so I'll stick with it too (and maybe double major). :]

  • im majoring in health science and i get that reaction too...i still don't know what to do

  • haha im majoring in psych and minoring in child and family studies AND doing the premed track. it's all so much that im actually considering giving up the premed track. (even though my parents think otherwise). but i know what you mean. it's not only the major. as an asian, i really do suck at math. people then to ask me what math course im in and if im i tell them (usually not the high math course they think im in) then their tone of voice changes or there's a long pause.

    I love how you described how you stuck with being a psych major. I also agree that i would pick happiness over money anyday. All i care about is being able to care for others. It doesn't have to be at an operation table or even in a hospital. I just want to be there for someone and be able to carry on a job in that field. That's why i chose psych and child and family studies minor.

  • Pursue whatever makes you happiest.
    It's all we ever live for. xx

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I don't think prospective teachers get to choose where they work, but I'd like to stay in California.

  • Im majoring in dietetics, which isn't so bad with my Asian family, but when about 5 of my close cousins are majoring in Pharmacy, I get many, many lectures about me not caring about my family cause I won't be able to buy superbowl tickets for my dad in the future.

    Pgh, screw that

  • I dunno what I want to major in. English... art? Communications? That seems like a more practical art/english degree to me. No idea what I want to do with it though.

  • I think majors are overrated. To be honest, I have a B.S. in Information Systems but don't really have a passion for it. A lot of people major in something, but end up working in a different field. I actually have a web design job and an accounting job and love it. I say do what makes you happy. Right now, I have a passion for photography and I know it'll be tough starting off, but if you have the passion for you, you'll succeed no matter what. Don't listen to what others say. Do what you feel is right. I wish you the best of luck~!

  • but if you have the passion for it* sorry typo >_<

  • "So, do you read minds or something?"
    HAHA. Well, basically ;D

  • loll we are on the exact same page .. except im in my last year and my major is sociology .. womp womp* .. but im rlly happy about it .. its rlly easygoing .. i hate science and math .. but when someone asks me .. its kinda nerve racking .. any who "In my mind, happiness trumps monetary reward any day." ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!! cheers! thanks for sharing

  • I'm a Linguistics major and even from professors I get "Oh, so you know a bunch of languages, right?" And when I start explaining to them what I actually study I can see that they are losing interest fast. Even my boyfriend thinks it's completely useless (and he's a psych major, just to provide some context). I don't know what I'm going to do with the major yet, I figured I'd just major in something I actually like and go from there. I always feel like I need to be defensive about what I study because of the kind of questions I get, so I definitely hear you on that one.

  • I'm a psych/soci major and I love it.  I'm just finishing my first year so I haven't really gotten into the major classes yet, but I'm already so glad I chose it.  I don't care about money really.  I agree that happiness is much more important than making a lot of money.  As long as I make enough to support myself, I'll be ok.  After all, if you love what you're doing, you'll look forward to going to work instead of being one of those people who always talks about hating their job. =]

  • yay

  • I think the trouble with psychology, at least at my university, is that it's often been a major taken when someone wants a college degree but doesn't really want a college-based career (of course there are exceptions, such as my friend who double majored in psychology and Spanish so that she can go to grad school for psycholinguistics).

    I have the same problem telling people my major, though - when they find out I'm elementary education, they envision me wearing a jumper, wiping snotty noses, and passing out coloring sheets.

  • I won't lie. I do wonder why people chose to be psych majors--but I'll admit that it's because I don't know much about what they can do with their degree. Alot of people have told me that it's an easy major (not actual people who major in psych, just people who assume they know what it's all about)--I wouldn't know since I've only taken 2 (3?) psych classes. Anyways, I'm getting sidetracked--I click on this blog specifically because of the title.  I'm a nursing major and I feel the same way--defensive. When people hear "nursing" they're are two very popular responses: "Why don't you become a doctor?" or by their facial expression or eyes--you know they're thinking "why do they want to be that ? And I do always feel the need to defend my major, but I know that unless people are open minded they won't really get it. I personally don't think that chosing a profession simply because it pays a lot of money is something to be proud of. I'm glad that you'd still make the same decision again. That's how you know you made the right choice.

    Also, I have to say..I read some of your previous entries and the one about your date with Bubble Tea Girl? Definitely funny. I don't mean to be laughing at you unsuccessful date, but it was truely amusing.  I really can't believe people can be like that. Coats make her look fat? But hey, who am I to say anything? As long as the girl is happy. (you too!)

  • i know how you feel. i have those conversations with various people. i'm an english major, and plan on being a ghostwriter...and people are always confused about what i am going to do with that degree.
    <3

  • I've wanted to major in Psychology since I was in the 7th grade. I feel as though I now have an overrated major. A large majority of people now want to be a Psych major, it's almost become a trend to major in Psychology.

  • Mine were always:
    "What are you studying?"
    "I'm an English major."
    "Oh. So... what are you going to do, teach?"
    "Nope."
    "Oh... Oh."
    (I want to go into publishing, thankyouverymuch. It's not like English is only in the classroom, folks.)

    I've had my English degree for almost a year, now, and I'm ... baking pie? Huh. Luckily, the economy has given me a break, and I might be on the right track now, but I can't help but feel that everyone who ever raised an eyebrow at "English major" is feeling pretty validated in their doubt. But I agree with you entirely; happiness trumps money any day, and though I'm taking a roundabout, luckless path, I'll soon be the one validated. I'll be the one smiling.

    I hope you get your dreams, too, stranger.

    Peace.

  • It is important to be firm and sure of what you are doing is what you like. Don't be too bothered by others' reaction or whether you can earn lots of money from it. I believe passion can take you further than what  money would. I chose to do a even weirder major---Chinese language. Imagine the stares I get when I tell people my major..lolx

  • omg

    i'm a psych major and even though i'm not planning on pursuing it after college, i still love studying it now. but when i tell people, i get the same exact reaction you wrote about! and some people actually go ahead and say "why? there's no money in that."

    i hate when they do that.

  • At least you have a degree! I'm a college drop out. Imagine the comments I get. I did manage to find an excellent job without it so I guess I really didn't need it. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks! What matters is that your happy. I wasn't happy going to college. It just didn't feel right. The way it's all set up just doesn't appeal to me. What is your major? That question still gets on my nerves! I'm very anti-traditional. It feels good to tell people that I don't have one!

  • I'm not going to lie...when someone tells me psychology...i think "oh...psych..i hate psych...i think it is interesting..but learning and getting it test on is another story!"  I DONT think about money or what you will do in life with a psych major though. I'm just glad someone is doing something i dont get or want to do.  That's why there's always a pause..'cuz i know nothing about psych.  For example..if someone said they were bioengineers; I would ask them what their interest is.  This is because I'm also a bioengineer and I know what they will be talking about when they answer.  I dont even know what to ask if they are a psych major 'cuz it is so foreign to me.  

    Take this for an example.  If you ask what nationality someone is and they said chinese and you are chinese...there's more convo to be started.  If they said Korean and you are chinese..there's a pause because you dont know how to follow that statement....^_^'' 

  • Ha, that sucks everyone is negative about it. I get that no one has ever heard of my major and no one knows what it is (communicative disorders).

  • a good friend of mine did psych and although he is not currently working in that area, he is kicking ass where he is working because of his abilities to interact and gain trust/respect/leadership. psych is a great way to start your life and career. we did maths and chemistry and physics and french in high school, but who really puts those skills to use? where psych is an actual foundation. having said that, it could have been a hobbie, too.

    my favourite psych (who does the radio stations for "the positive mind" is Armand DiMele.

  • try telling people you majored in theatre

  • I majored in psych too, and one thing I don't miss about college is getting the raised eyebrow and blank stares from others (especially those in "hard sciences") who ask me why I chose my major. One time, a chemical engineering student actually said, "What possessed you to major in psych?" Fortunately, now in the real world, I almost never get asked this question. And while I don't know how much a degree in psych has helped me, I don't think it has hurt me either. I'm working in the field that I want (publishing) and still feel like studying psych in college has given me the most well-rounded education I could have had.

  • (add) my friend has moved up (in level and pay) further in 6months than people who has been there for 10+ years. it can pay off very well depending on how you choose to utilize it.

  • True, in the past I have sort of "stereotyped" psych majors, but now that I'm well into my college career and have met many psych majors, a lot of that stereotypical attitude I've had has kinda been wiped away.  Even more so now that I'm doing so horribly in school that I'm going to take a break!  I commend anyone in any major who is able to stick it out.

  • i think it's awesome you're passionate in psychology.  i'm taking it right now, and am not enjoying it as much as i thought (the fact that it seems like my teacher just took it to get a degree in something is related with my dislike).

    after i graduate, i'm going to major in fine arts, which also makes me defensive.  i've never cared about money, so i'm lucky i'm going to columbia (in chicago) because it's one of the cheapest art schools in america.  so even if i end up with a low-paying job (which i probably will), i won't worry about paying of 200k loans :) .

  • I guess majoring Psychology just really has a lot of prejudices. Considering the economy is a bit of a downer nowadays, almost all of us study to find a great job. Not just for self-interest ... because then, maybe the parents would just yell at you for being such a self-induced bastard.

  • seems like you need to see a psychologist about your problem. but since your a psychologist you know how the mind works and use those mindgames into make people thinking psychology is a great major.

  • Dude i know how you feel.
    I switched from bio to psych my second year of college. I remembered when I told people I was a bio major and they would sound impress and stuff, but when I tell them about my new major... they sound a little more skeptical, like I gave up with bio and just settled with an "easy" major. I have not regretted the switch. I see my roommate's lifestyle as a bio major and it definitely is not for meThe way I see it...psychology is just as challenging as Biology or any other major! . Really, you can do whatever you want with whatever major. You just need to have the determination and motivation to go for it.

    Thanks for such a great post!

  • My boyfriend is Asian, and he wants to major in English.  However, his mom wants him to be a nurse really badly.  She told him to become a nurse first, and go back and major in English later.  I feel bad because I definitely encouraged him to be an English major because it's what he likes, and he's really good at it.  He seemed miserable with the thought of being a nurse...He is such an INCREDIBLE writer.  English isn't even his first lanaguage.  He's just so incredibly talented, and he just touches people when he writes.  Or when he posts stories up people actually love them, and talk about them and bring up his characters in conversations...It'd be a SHAME for him to let that go to waste.

    BUT

    I'm slowly realizing now that we're in college that he's seriously the type that needs to be pushed into doing things.  I'm starting to feel like it might be a better idea for him to do what his mom says...I just don't think he has the drive to really get out there as a writer, ON HIS OWN.  Everything he's written recently--short stories--have mainly been school assignments. :/

  • excellent post. I majored in theatre and I know the feeling of the "What did you major in" question. I am glad that you went through with what you were passionate about. Originally when I started college I wanted to major in theatre and decided not to because "I'll never make a living with that." So I decided to minor in theatre. My next thought for a major was psychology. Then I saw the requirements and I said "Forget that!" so I went on to Sociology. Close to psychology, but with "easier" requirements. As time went on, I did end up briefly majoring in psych because I did enjoy the gen ed psych classes I took. But then I looked at the requirements again and decided I was happier with my theatre and soc. Ultimately, I did end up majoring in theatre and minoring in sociology, and have fond memories of the few psych classes I took.

    No, I'm not "working in my field." And no, I don't think I necessarily ever will work in theatre or sociology professionally. But it's the road that matters. I did what I was interested in. I did what made me happy. And I think that is the best choice.

  • I'm a senior in high school and people ask me what I want to major in and i truly hate that question. I actually wanted to major in psychology and I get the same crap people have given to you. "Wow, its really hard to find a job.." etc. And as an Asian person, they expect me to major in computer science or engineering. It's a bit frustrating so I agree with you all the way. Do what you want, and don't let other people bother you, you're going to succeed in life anyway, its just going to be a challenge is all. :]

  • I feel ya man. I'm just going to college this fall, and people are already asking me what I want to major in. We tend to fall for the stereotypes of who will succeed and who won't, just through majors. Because apparently, money dictates how happy you are in life. It doesn't. I applaud you for taking this major. Why? Because you have the balls to do it. For all those idiots who think that taking a major for the money is where it's at, they need to calm down. Taking the risk is where it's at, yo.

  • OMGsh really ? I was not aware of that =X and that's what I wanted to major in! Wow... well there is always medicine... I help people there too =)

  • Good for you :D . Ah I wouldn't give a crap
    what ppl think ^-^, at least you'll be happy
    with the field that you're in. You're not doing it based
    on what others think. You're doing something that
    interests you ! Most people pick majors to please others, like
    their parents, friends, anyone around them.

    There will always be people who will JUDGE YOU, even if they don't
    ask you about your major! As if you didn't figure that out already :) .
    I can't be a psychology major O_O, I dunno why...it makes my brain hurt O_O.
    I don't think I'd do well in it..or any other major, maybe art.
    I'm a bio major :D .

  • my sister is majoring in pysch & criminology-she wants to profile for the FBI. not necessarily the most common route for a psych major. people are always like, "oh, your sister must be butch" or something like that. yea, shes tough, and she kicks a lot of ass, but she has a lot of heart, hence the combination of butt-kicking & compassion.

    i think youre sorta exaggerating about how people see psych majors. yea, they usually expect you to become a psychologist, but i think everyone understands it to be a tough major that means doing a shitload of work. being s music ed major myself, people always seem to think my job will be easy and my education is a joke. i do more work outside the classroom than anyone in other majors that i know. on top of all the practicing and other shit music majors do, i also do 3/4 of the shit any other education major does. even worse, i know i will never make a decent living. i do it because i love it, but people dont realize how hard it is. its something i fight every day.

  • i'm considering getting my master's in psychology of some sort :) um, even though i majored in intl business and asian studies. no shame! i agree with what you said--unlike some degrees, yours has enabled you in multiple areas of your life when relating and aiding others in your life. screw the asian stereotypes--follow your heart always!

  • I wanted to be a psych major, until I realized I take people's problems & make them my own way too much & worry 24/7 about trying to help them, etc. to do that for a living (plus I read somewhere shrinks have a high suicide rate. Awesome!), & that I have a much greater passion for all things related to food & nutrition (plus I took Psych 100 & couldn't stand it).
    My dad was a Sociology major & he's been a graphic/web designer for 30+ years. LOL you never know where you might end up with a humanities major.

  • I majored in English and I know exactly how you feel. I'm having a HUGE problem finding a job now, especially because I decided to drop out of law school last semester. (Everyone was expecting my law school career to be that "money making" boost)

    I LOVED majoring in English and I am sure that if I graduated 5-10 years ago I'd have a job now. But I can't find a thing. It's the economy, and I feel like this whole college thing is a fluke. They want us to go to college, spend thousands of dollars, and now what? I graduated at the top of my class, had small jobs here and there, and nothing!

    I'm thinking of going into Education or Nursing, just anything where I can start making money and get good job security.

  • My dad's next door neighbor is an organizational psychologist, who wrote her PhD thesis on how hate can develop in the workplace. She works in Washington D.C. and makes a very pretty penny. Has an expensive house and all that. She said she paid off her grad school debt by teaching extra undergrad classes during the summers when she wasn't doing research.

  • I haven't majored in anything yet...I'm a freshman in high school....but I do know what I want to major in...Literature....I want to be a high school Literature teacher preferably on the ninth or tenth grade level....

  • Most people who ask you that are probably asians lol. By the way, I remember once my guidance counsellor told me, people are successful are usually the ones who chose a career that they love to do/ happy with. Good luck! =)

  • Actually, I'm really jealous.  I would trade my Genetics degree for a psych degree any day.  It was the one decision of mine that I regret most.

  • what made you take psych? :)
    Just curious, I've always wanted that, but people here keep on saying that you can't earn money with that and stuff.. But nice post :) )

  • "So what do you intend to major in?"
    -this was the question my dad and mom's friends, and of course relatives ask when I was in 3rd Year High school.
    "I don't really know."
    "You should choose Nursing. They make tons of money abroad!"
    "Hahaha, no I don't think so... hahaha"
    and they usually turn to my mom or dad after that

    "What's your major?"
    -This is what they ask me now.
    I just stare at them. and say "Sociology", "oh, so what do you do there? are you gonna be a social worker or something?", another dumb look "I don't know. Maybe" smile and the conversation ends

    I don't know if I should feel happy or sad about this.
    But it feels good that I'm not the only person who's told about these kinds of things

    :D

  • my sister is majoring in liberal arts and psychology. she gets a lot of the same bull that you do =P

  • hmph...i always thought u could make a lot of money in that.
    oh well, it still sounds alot more exciting than accounting!

  • I understand this; I'm an English and Spanish major and most people respond to me with, "OH so you're going to do translation?" and when I go, "No, I want to be a bilingual writer," I see the surprise, the gaze slowly start shifting away from mine, etc. My family has been pushing me to change my major all year; and I'm a freshman. Fortunately for me, however, I'm actually confident enough in my endeavors to say, "No, I'm not going to change it." In my family the expectancy would appear to be either science or business and I'm getting it from all angles. I understand I'm pretty much going to have to go to graduate school, foot the bills and then hope for the best after that and probably rely on translation to get through it all or possibly education, but in the end I think it's worth it to get what you want.

    Sorry for the personal rant - simply put, I feel you.

  • psychology is pretty much my perfect major... i knew this a long time ago and then people who knew me and even all those "what should you do?" type of tests pointed to psychology. but i'm not majoring in psychology, for the very reason of this post. instead, i picked cognitive science. it's pretty much psychology + linguistics + computer science + a bunch of other stuff combined, but yea, without the same reaction people give to psychology majors. props for you to standing up to the pressure!

  • I get the same reaction when people ask me where I'm going to college and I tell them the name of a small college they've never heard of. It's like, oh, that's nice...not Yale or Stanford then? I guess we have to remember that if we chose the things we did just for other people's reactions (wow, Stanford?) we'd be quite an unhappy bunch.

  • yep i get that too..

  • I wish I majored in psychology. It's fascinating. At least from what my psych major friends tell me.

    Unfortunately, I submitted to peer pressure and caved into the stereotype. I'm majoring in Economics and I absolutely hate it. To make matters worse, I have no idea where this major will lead me in terms of a job because outside of the classes, I could give less of a hoot about money matters. (which means I have no interest in financial jobs, but getting a social or humanities based job is difficult with my major too...) I'm already an undergrad junior so I might as well finish the major. And to add more icing on top of this fabulous cake, I have unimaginable, painful amount of student loans. Talk about major regret. I'm still wishing that I learned what I really wanted to learn, especially if I'm paying for it. At this moment, I'm still wondering what to do in life after undergrad.

    You majored in what interested you and stick to it to this very day. Good for you.

  • The funny thing is, when people ask me "So what do you major in?"
    I respond, "It's economics, but I hate it. Let's not talk about it."

    I'm not proud of my major at all. And I don't want to deal with the reactions either.
    In fact, I'd rather be proud of saying my major even if it is liberal arts, rather than be ashamed of it.

  • As a Sociologist, I feel the same way. When I add on that I did Electronics, I always get the puzzled look followed by, "Why did you switch?" Ahhh, delicious outsourcing.

  • yeah, i kind of get the same thing too. like i'll be going to college in the fall and my sister became a nurse just by going to a community college. I'm going to a university and I'm majoring in Communications: Radio-Television-Film.

    My relatives go "so vat line are you going?" and i say "um....communications....radio...television...film...."

    "Vat kind of work do they do? How much money is it?"

    "uh....well it's like...being on the radio or i could go into just television and do the news or something.."

    I give them a general broad answer and just...go with it.
    In all honesty I'm doing this because I love everything about shooting, producing, directing and editing as well as being on camera. But my main focus is to use this degree as a means of networking with large figures to get my name about. What I really wanna do is join the peace corp after college and get people moving in a positive direction.

    I'm one of those people who wants to create a change in the world, but I actually have short term goals in trying to accomplish that. Is it wrong for me to prepare to live the poor broke ass life in order to work to better humanity?

  • I understand completely! I am majoring in social welfare and I feel like people constantly say what are you going to do with that? or react in such a way that makes me feel like they disapprove! Forget em! Psychologists and social workers are going to help this screwed up world and that's what REALLY matters!

  • I am TOTALLY with you on this. I get the same sort of responses because I am right now pursuing a degree in history. After telling people this (and you're right, usually older acquaintances and relatives) the first question is, "Oh, are you gonna teach?" and after I say no the disdainful looks ensue. My rebuttal is weak, I admit, because when they ask what I am gonna do I honestly tell them I'm really not sure and I would be happy doing things outside the field of history; history is just what I want to study and pursue right now. Your college major really does not pave the way for the rest of your life. There are many jobs out there that require a bachelor's in anything. With history I'm learning to write, communicate, and think, and that's what employers want. Good luck with the tennis job, and congrats on being comfortable with your decision to do what you love and not what's "most practical!" More power to ya!

  • I totally know what you're talking about. I'm a psych major too and whenever I tell people that, they always ask something like, "Well, what are you gonna do with that?" Ugh. Hate it.

  • I am so happy and proud of you for even going to school and pursuing what you truly want to do. Not many people can say that. You don't have to defend anything you do, whether it deals with what you major in or not. You make your choices for yourself, and if they give you funny looks or respond with a negative tone, just smile and walk away because those people can suck it. :p

    Good luck with your future schooling/career. Psychology is an excellent choice.

  • i would love to major in psych, but i don't know what i'd do with it, so i'm not going to. i'm definitely going to take psychology-related classes though when i'm in college.

  • I so relate to this.. I am double majoring in Psychology and Anthropology. I think I get more weird reactions to Anthropology than I do with Psychology. My mom keeps asking me if I plan on digging fossils in Egypt. Then when I explained to her that I am more interested in the Biological aspect of it, and thus modern day non-human primates. So now she asks if I plan on hanging out with monkeys in Africa. -__-

    It's so frustrating to not have the support from people close to me. Kudos to you for following your dreams, and I wish you luck on your endeavors. :)

  • Ahhh, I hate that question to! I go to a predominately pre-med school, so undecided majors(such as myself) are secretly scoffed at.. i like psych but I'm not majoring in it cause of everything you mentioned that comes with being a psych major.. also, I don't want to end up hating it because right now, it feels like its a second skin. I'm glad to hear you don't regret it. Good luck with the job hunt!

    p.s. I've had chasing cars stuck in my head all day and now I see it on your playlist on your page XD

  • I'm like a black sheep in the family. My parents look ashamed when they're asked what my sister and I are majoring in. They'd only mention my sister's major, not mine.

  • my friend is doing a masters in psychology. she's the only smart person i can talk to who doesn't make me feel stupid and understands how other people feel. umm.. awesomeness that psych stuff.

  • kudos to you!
    you're so right, and i agree!

  • Wow, congrats on being featured, Mr. Popular!

    Oh gosh, I AM FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. My major is ALSO psychology! I'm kind of in a mid-university-career rut right now...I'm thinking of changing my major, since I'm doubting the practicality of a degree in the psychology field. I'm thinking of switching to Communications. Any words of wisdom that you might offer to a young grasshopper who, mind you, is currently walking on the same educational road you have taken? (Oh, my failed puns..)

  • wow... good for you...

  • i major in psych, only a first year tho =P

  • Psychology is a great major. I am a major in Creative Writing. Now that has hardly any career options except maybe tutoring, which sort of sucks. But no worries, psyh. has loads of careers.

  • i share ur sentiment..I'm a psychology major too..and every time someone asks me what's my course, i roll my eyes and answer "psychology"..not that i didn't like my course but that's because i know what's their follow up question.."so..can you read my mind?"..duh!..so depressing..;p

    but hey!..psychology is an all around course..you can be an HR in a company or school, a guidance counselor, or you can be a psychiatrist [now..that's a tough one].

    like you..i never regret taking up the course.. and I'm proud to a psychology major.

  • oh snap! I'm mad late lol nway, I hope I didn't give u that impression. didn't I tell u that I was gonna do psych too if I didn't get in to nursing school?? hmmm but I think u should go back to school and get another degree. (I'll be doing the same in two years! yuck to research paper!) ur too cool to worry about what other people think anyway! haha happy Easter! (that's why I'm extra nice today! LOL)

  • I totally get the same response from people when I tell 'em I'm majoring in psych. *sigh*

  • Its good that you have no regrets (: Psych is such an interesting field, it just has this stigma that its not on the same par as some majors simply because of how their salary compares up, but looking at my psych prof (I took as elective), he seems so happy and was so in-tune with the world and with others. Really, as long as you love what you do, and stuff, thats just awesome. And screw what everyone else says.

  • i'm a psych major too! :)

  • I'm no psych major, but I'll be graduating with a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology and Architecture. It's a special "interdisciplinary" program (like half majors of each) that we have here.
    "Wait, Biology...and Architecture?" Yeah, let's not talk about what I'm doing after May right now. The worst kind of looks are after they ask if I'm pre-med (no) and then if they ask if I'm going to grad school in the fall (rejected). Looks like I'm a big winner too.

    Good luck to you!

  • I just saw this one my feed and it caught my eye... I am a senior in college a psych major as well and looking to go into industrial and organization psych for grad school! I totally know where your coming from that no one understands being a psych major

  • I major in biopsychology, so I can say I'm a psychology major in the Faculty of Science! Most people with my degree can get into med school if they want to. That just totally messes people up who try to box science and humanities into separate things, because honestly I'm interested in a lot of things so I'm all over the place. Knowledge is knowledge no matter where it comes from. Great post :)

  • Wtf, I'm a psych major - you can do ANYTHING with a psych major. I've never gotten any weird looks about it at all. People sometimes just ask if I am going into counseling, but I just reply that I am going into Human Resources, which is very applicable to psychology. I am a firm believer in liberal arts education, it gives us a flexibility and insight that specialized majors do not have. :) How dare people assume things about your major - what people major in means very little about what they will do in the future!

  • its only a piece of paper in the end

  • I got that a lot with English and now that I changed to History the reactions are even more ludacris like, what? What are you goign to do with a degree in History, teach? Yes, I want to be a teacher but I could work in museums, i could work for the records department in my city, whatever. But it is what I am passionate about. So does it matter what I want to do with it?

  • hahaha i am majoring in Fine Arts, Painting. can you imagine the looks i was given.

  • @Justin_DeBin - 

    Is that what you wanted to do though?

    @XxRainyxMondayxX - 

    I don't think any major is really useless. There has to be a reason why they exist right?

    @iusemycerebellum - 

    Urgh, is stuff like that that peeves me. Psychology may not be terribly hard, but it's also not a walk in the park either. I definitely worked hard to get my magna cum laude achievement

    @Essence_of_Hope - 

    My ex is a journalism major, so I'm actually pretty familiar with that major haha. I supported her all the way despite what people said about it. She's a very intelligent girl and I'm sure that she will be successful doing what you loves to do eventually.

    @tigerdauphin - 

    Yeah, it sure does seem like there are so many huge stereotypes of every majors out there. I guess we'll just have to educate people one step at a time!

    @JetaimeMing - 

    haha are you sure the weather is always nice? Maryland is known for it's bipolar like weather. I'm used to it (more or less), so I really enjoy it here.

    @Levanna - 

    Exactly. Our major defines one part of us but not everything.

  • @firechild06 - 

    Luckily for me money isn't too big of a problem where it could have affected my major choice. Did you graduate with another degree then, or did you have to work a bit to save up money for college? I'm sorta doing that right now so I can prepare for graduate school.

    @MJeeeeeeeezy - 

    psychology is definitely very worldly useful! I find myself using some aspect of psychology almost every day. Thank you for your support and I will keep on truckin'!

    @fried_ryce - 

    It's alright, you're still quite young. I know people who have graduated college that still do not know what they want to do haha.

    @AdriennaAnonymous - 

    Oh I can imagine X_X

    @ska_ness - 

    Really, people can just be hired just like that? What was required of them if not a psych degree?

    @Got_Takoyaki - 

    You're a strong willed person . Glad we can relate!

    @PixelDOT - 

    Ew, what a jerkish thing to say. People should at least be respectful even if they disapprove.

    @Dreams_of_a_Cowgirl - 

    Do you have a B.A. in psych? Out of curiosity, how are you using it so far? I'm working at a tennis club right now, so I'm not really yet haha.

    @MoonFaeEyryan - 

    Who says economics is useless?? With the way the world is now we can sure use more economics majors. Stay strong and know that you're not alone

    @im_numba_8 - 

    That's actually pretty cool! I don't think music industry majors are very common in my area.

  • Totally know what you mean. I tell people that i'm a pre-med student and that I'm a psychology major and you can see they're a little surprised so i have to go on and explain that medical schools actually want variety (not just bio, chem, biochem majors...boring) and more humanities majors get into medical school than science majors. guess why? medical schools want doctors who are going to CARE about their patients, it's not ALL about physical sciences.

  • I'm a psych major as well and I get incredibly annoyed whenever people ask, "Can you analyze me?/Are you reading my mind right now?". Many of my family members and older adults always ask me what I'm going to do with my major and whether or not I'll get decent job, let alone any job itself. I agree with your friend Trisha on her view on psychology degrees! I think what's important if you pursue this major is that it is essential to build up your work experience pertaining what you want to do in your future career because degrees don't do much as opposed to whether or not you have good people skills to thrive in a work place.

    Go you! Psych majors have all the options in the world to narrow their academic/occupational path in diverse facets. :)

  • @misstephy - 

    Yea, I'm a strong person so people don't really bring me down if they say anything negative about my major. It's just an annoyance haha.

    @toefu6000 - 

    Yeah culinary arts can be tough but can also be very rewarding. Who knows? Perhaps later down the road you'll end up doing that.

    @kevin_jia - 

    Make senses. I agree, at my college psychology is also rather common. Besides doing something in the tennis industry, I always thought I would end up using my degree to be a psychologist or therapist.

    @bucs2710 - 

    Haha oh I bet it did =P. It seemed like you at least tried to do something your parents wanted you to do, so they should give you credit for that. You tried it and hated it, so make sense you would go for something else you would much rather do. You have my support!

    @PookieFlirtsAgain - 

    Ah yes, I'm quite used to the judging aspect of life by now haha. So many people seem to see life as a competition. Sometimes we should just enjoy and cooperate in harmony.

    @discover_hienie - 

    Ah good luck!

    @Meletta - 

    Haha was I that obviously a psychology major? Darn you got me. I guess psychology majors can sure recognize each other! Hmm I wonder what would happen if everyone was required to take at least one psych course.

  • @itsHUYNERTIME - 

    Aw that sucks to hear. My parents still don't quite understand what psychology is, so when they talk about it they kind of say I'll be studying people's minds in the future haha.

    @kaitikilljoyxo - 

    Sorry to hear your dad is so negative about your choices. I don't see anything wrong with what you chose if that's what you're passionate about.

    @saigonese - 

    Oh I have. Sometimes people get it and sometimes they will still stick to their preconceived notions =P. Ah well.

    @eowynnabeeowyn - 

    My college roommate was a math major and pretty much said the same thing you said haha. I was always good at math but wasn't very interested in it. I didn't take any course in math in college after I did AP Calc in high school

    @diane_florence - 

    I always wanted to be one of those people that love their job. Money has always been in the backseat because really, what's the point of having a lot of money if you're unhappy with your life?

    @Dobserver - 

    Me too. I can understand if someone truly doesn't know what one can do with a psych major and then proceeds to ask me about it, but I have a problem when they just assume the worse.

  • @nxaxzxixa - 

    I think kinesiology is pretty cool and was thinking about doing that too! Unfortunately it wasn't offered at my college, but if it was I would have probably wanted to double major or at least minor in it. Could be very useful in the tennis industry!

    @stickiirice - 

    Haha how so? I'm glad it did

    @sararrrr - 

    There's such thing as sport and Entertainment Psych and International Disaster Psych??? Aw why weren't that offered in my area! I would have definitely been interested in the sport and entertainment psych major. Sure would relate with my tennis passion.

    @feedtheplants - 

    Ah that doesn't surprise me. I guess each major has one of those lame jokes that get associated with them =P

    @Anomalous813 - 

    I didn't even hear about I/O psych until this past year. Wasn't exactly something I've always dreamed about doing, but I can see myself liking it

    @Abtcwvss - 

    Good for you =D. You know, I've had people come up to me thinking psychology and sociology were the same thing! Oh people...

    @TransportPhenomena - 

    I've heard of that type of engineering before. I don't know about anyone else, but that sure does sound extremely useful! Who knows, perhaps some girls would dig hearing that on the first date haha.

    @youre_my_zero - 

    Oh yeah, I agree that in terms of judgments people probably judge photography majors worse. Hey, at least we're all in the same boat! Thanks for relating

    @CraziiMunkey8969 - 

    Wow, I'm happy my post had such an effect on you! Thanks and good luck to you too!

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Wow, I am quite impressed that you read through these posts, and are replying to each one.
    Take care bud.
    -Andrew

  • I'm a Sociology major and I get the exact same responses and questions. Ah well, I'm used to it now. Honestly, I don't know exactly what I want to do, but I started my first 2 years as a Biology major, and I dreaded it! Thank god I switched. Although, yes, the major is really broad and there aren't many jobs that is directly related to it, I'm still glad I chose Soc over Bio. I just wish that I volunteered or applied for a job that had something to do with my career earlier... during the school term, unlike now, where I'm graduating with no experience. Hopefully I can find a job like you (travelling)! Good luck with your plans!

  • I wanted to major in psychology for the longest time until someone told me you couldn't find a job with a B.A in Psychology. So I switched to Social Work. I still took a lot of psychology courses, so I'm happy. =)

    I'm 1/4 Japanese, and it's kind of funny here when people find out (I live in a city that's about 95% Hispanic). I'm pretty okay in math and science, and they say, "It's 'cause you're part Asian." And when they find out how I'm pretty good in English as well, they say, "It's 'cause you're white." It's funny how people tend to link certain subjects with certain people based on their ethnicity.

    Much madd love,

    Christian

  • I have a psychology degree as a complementary to my IS degree. You can always use psychology to understand people, whether they are an introvert, or an extrovert. People are just afraid you would judge them so you probably feel the same way, let them know what you can do with Psychology and it should relieve their anxiety and then yours as well.

  • Making a lots of money doesn't really concern, as long as you can live through life is what I believe to the key of success. So what, if psychologies don't gives tons of money, but realizing that you could understand people surround you is still the best. As you could see how many liar there's in this world. But, realizing who they were will still give us a head-up

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    well not always but it's better than nyc! i wanna go back this summer :)

  • this is why i come up with a new story every time. "Oh im in bio engineering." "oh im in english literature" "oh i dropped out from highschool but made it here by pure wits"

  • @everenchanted - 

    Haha I guess for the most part that's true. I haven't heard any bad stereotypes of engineer majors though (except it takes a lot of work).

    @Pha5e - 

    Wow, that's cool that my post gave you some strength to stick with psychology! Really it's not bad at all. Just expect to go to grad school if you want to do something really psychology related. What other major would you consider?

    @beeeffkay - 

    It's not easy to pick out the thing you're gonna do for the rest of your life. Take your time and don't worry about it too much

    @love_hate_wish - 

    I'm glad you're sticking with it! You seem like a good hearted person and the world sure could use more people like that. Kudos!

    @journalofsparkles - 

    Very true. Money is overrated

    @xLove_Me_Alwaysx - 

    Oh really? When they were talking to me about it they said I could have preferences for where I go.

    @winniecantthink - 

    Damn, that sure is a lot of pressure to study pharmacy. Good that you break the mold though!

    @AnnaMayBeGrimmjow - 

    It's a lot of pressure isn't it? Just take comfort that your totally not alone and really just take your time. You got your whole life ahead of you.

  • @ImprezaGirl - 

    Nah you're right, a lot of my co-workers at past internships have said the same thing, especially in the insurance business ("who actually grows up wanting to do insurance?" haha). I've seen your photography before and I think they are great. You definitely don't have to worry about your talent level

    @Losertastic - 

    I only read minds if I get their permission first =P

    @foolishmistakeZ - 

    I hate science and math too! I made sure to take the least amount of classes for each as possible in college

    @UnVolume - 

    Oh wow, that's interesting to hear. Just out of curiosity, what is it that you specifically study then? For one reason or another I'm not very familiar with linguistics majors.

    @CountryChicadee6 - 

    Exactly! Money won't make me that happy if I don't enjoy what I do. Glad you think that way

  • lol

    "what are you majoring in/studying?"

    "English."

    "So you want to be a teacher?"

    "No. Not really."

    "So you want to ... what?"

    "I don't know really. Stop asking me."

  • @sakura_xp - 

    @suttone2 - 

    Nah, I totally know what you mean about people picking psychology just for the hell of it. I'm fortunately am not one of those people

    @IpowerhouseI - 

    Yeah, I'm fine if people are just unsure of what I will do w/ my major. It's when I sense they already have a negative attitude about it that kinda peeves me. It's not a bad major at all! Nursing is a great major and, at least at my old college, I never really heard nursing folks getting a bad rap.

    Oh btw you're more than welcome to laugh about my bubble tea girl date haha. It was quite interesting.

    @undercoverXXlove - 

    That's cool. What inspired you to be a ghostwriter?

    @conphettirainphall - 

    Oh really? In my area, it seems technology majors have become the trend. So many information system majors!

    @beagairbheag - 

    I hope you and I get validated sooner rather than later. I don't feel like letting those that have doubted us feel right in their beliefs!

    @zyyulu - 

    Seriously? I wish I was better at speaking Cantonese or had learn Mandarin growing up. You're gonna be very valuable to foreign business and government folks

    @perpetual_chasm - 

    URgh I don't like it when people go straight into the money argument. Making money is fine, but when people come out and say that it's pretty much like spitting down at our major. Not cool!

    @nickeysblog - 

    I'm glad it worked out for you! Yeah a college degree is a wonderful asset, but there are tons of other factors that can determine one's success in life.

  • @a_single_raindrop - 

    This makes me laugh :)

  • @realisticallyoverratedreality9 - 

    Yeah I haven't heard of that yet X_X . Can you tell me about it though? I always like to be more informed of what's out there!

    @SusanGalloway - 

    glad it worked out for you! Yeah, come to think about it I do owe psych for helping me out with my leadership abilities. Otherwise I wouldn't have achieved as much as I did in these past years.

    @KylieCoo - 

    You probably get it worse huh?

    @ivorygem - 

    That's very good to hear! Someone actually asked you what possessed you to be a psych major?! So rude!

    @Elektrik_Red - 

    Awesome, glad to hear you've changed your thought processes along the way. I'm pretty sure I've done the same as well.

    @whatatravesty - 

    Ah, that's one positive way to look at things . The closest art school near me is MICA, which I heard was expensive. Heard of that school?

    @Alleysinthedark - 

    I totally get that people would want to major in something that can make them money in these times. I just know that for me, I don't think I can live happily doing something that works financially but that I absolutely find boring and tedious.

    @Jchhouk - 

    I guess my "mind games" are very effective

  • All psych majors check in!

    -hey! :D

  • @sydneyrhymeswithkidney - 

    I'm 100% in agreement with everything you just said. I've had so many friends complain about their science courses. I say no thank you! Not for me

    @ittybitty_x - 

    I see where you're coming from. It's great to have the talent, but without the mental strength to drive you it's hard to realize your full potential.

    @GumonyerShoe - 

    That's very good to hear! Indeed, it's the path that matters most, not the destination

    @mingwai_x - 

    In high school, my 3 closest friends were all planning to major in engineering. I sure felt like the black sheep in that pack haha. Seriously though, go for psychology if that's what you really feel is best for you!

    @bellsbeatlancers - 

    Exactly. Risks makes life a lot more exciting. I rather be where I'm at right now than in an office doing insurance (which I almost did haha).

    @lauraislove - 

    Haha well contrary to beliefs, psychology majors do have the potential to make good money too. You just have to go into more schooling for it. If you really feel psychology is for you, pursue it. If not that's fine too; I won't be upset

  • @Roadlesstaken - i do know, i just read about it :) .  apparently jeff koons (the guy with the huge dog sculpture) went there, so props.

  • I agree with everything you said! My parents have such high expectations of me, too. I want to be a hair stylist and go to a beauty school. yes, i'll still get a degree in something else, but my parents just want me to make money and not get in trouble with money. but, like you, i'd rather be happy with less money than depressed with all the money in the world.

    ;]]

  • From one psych major to another:
    I feel your pain.

  • I can one up you:
    "So, what did you major in?"
    "Music."

    Fail.

    You wouldn't believe the looks I get when I tell people that. Even worse when they ask if I want to be a music teacher and I say no, haha.

  • @uduckylee - 

    Thanks for the encouragement . Yeah, I'm pretty good at letting those little things roll off my shoulders. Still annoys me though -_-

    @shatteredmoonbeams - 

    You must really care about your sister . Ah I wish I was just exaggerating, but I've come across my share of people who simply dismiss psychology majors right from the start. That dismissive attitude is what annoys me the most, although I can handle it for the most part.

    @Shopgirl0393 - 

    Indeed I will! Thanks for the encouragement

    @dartarro_21 - 

    Haha that is interesting. I almost ended up working for an insurance company out of college. I'm glad I didn't =P

    @Vanillesence - 

    It's a difficult balance right now, trying to do what you want to do while remaining financially stable. Stupid economy came at the wrong time for us huh? I wish you the best of luck!

    @until_the_stars_go_out - 

    Oh cool! Hopefully something like that will end up happening for me

    @Punky13dq - 

    Wow, you already know what you want to do in 9th grade? I was still trying to figure out how to gel my hair correctly back then haha

    @xJanicexJLx - 

    Actually what kinda inspired this post were the conversations I've had with a lot of the richer white fellas at my tennis club. Most of them were cool, just a select few made me feel defensive.

    @meltykb - 

    Aw, why do you regret your genetics degree?

  • haha i know what you mean. I'm an English major. The only question I get is "So, are you going to be a teacher?"

  • Well, considering that people who can ask that question haven't met you, they are less likely to care about how you feel.

  • @sugarcoatedcandypuff - 

    Actually there is a lot of earning potential in psychology depending on what you do. For example, a therapist or a clinical psychologist can make a pretty penny. You just have to expect to go do more schooling if you want to achieve that.

    What made me choose psych? I took AP Psych in high school and loved it. I enjoy understanding people and helping people out, so I figured it would be a good fit for me.

    @Ms_Fat_Pinkie - 

    Man, those conversations sure sound awfully familiar to me haha. Judging from all the comments I've received, you absolutely not alone dealing with this scenario!

    @beetunes - 

    Oh I can believe that. I hope she never gets discouraged from the naysayers!

    @gorgeous_soul101 - 

    well that's the funny thing; you CAN make a lot of money with psychology, but it requires more schooling past your bachelors to achieve that. You have to really want it I suppose.

    @ALWAYZ_SEXii_RiiSA - 

    Nah don't apologize, I enjoy hearing other people's stories . I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit!

    @ddeborah31 - 

    Psychology definitely feels like the perfect one for me . You're still doing something that relates to psychology, so that's not a totally big change. It's a fine balance between happiness and money sometimes.

    @smartygirlie - 

    Ah yes, I went to a good college but it's relatively new so not everyone is familiar with it. I get a similar vibe with those conversations as well..but that's another story haha.

    @black_lie - 

    ...and apparently most of Xanga feels the same way too judging from all the comments so far =P

  • i dropped out of high school

  • @smackthatsass - 

    Sorry to hear about the tough road you had to travel so far. Someone once told me that every second that passes is another chance for you to turn things around. Even though you're a junior it may not be terribly too late for you. I had a friend who was a senior when I came to college that is STILL in college right now! haha

    P.S. is your name really Cora? That's my mom's name! I think you're the only other Cora I've ever encountered.

    @W3nch - 

    Haha, for some reason I thought the "switch" part was some pun since you "switch" to "electronics". Get it? Eh, maybe I'm just too tired right now X_X

    @PiscesPhishie - 

    Nah, nothing wrong with that. Happiness is much more valuable in the long run. If that's what you want to do go for it! It's very respectable. Yeah, network is so important nowadays. I really believe networking is the biggest key to landing you a good job a lot of the time.

    @Proverbs4_23 - 

    I love the way you think! The world definitely needs people like us

    @kookoocachoo27 - 

    Yeah, a lot of places consider a degree just something to show you were able to focus and get through a college workload. Thank you for saying all those nice words, and more power to you as well!

    @jess - 

    it's so annoying reliving the same old tired conversation again and again isn't it? Urgh.

    @h0peLeSs_RoMaNtiC - 

    Aw thanks for all the encouragement! They sure can suck it hard

  • @sophia - 

    For sure, a couple of psychology classes never hurts . Just don't take psychology of learning X_X . Did not like that class at all.

    @for___sale - 

    Aw man, you definitely have heard it worse than me. Thank you for your wishes and I wish you well as well!

    @insertcliche_sn_here - 

    If you liked that song you should listen to "Crack The Shutters" by them as well (in my playlist below). It's like their new Chasing Cars!

    @jennlee@datingish - 

    I was the black sheep in my group of friends in high school; they were all engineer majors and I chose psychology. Well, I guess I could call it Mind Engineering haha.

    @snowbits - 

    Sounds like a great friend to have

    @OhItWontBeForever - 

    Thanks! I'm happy you enjoyed reading my post!

    @sincerely_winnie - 

    Haha nice try on the pun. Well let's see, it's depends on your intentions with the psych degree. Do you have a particular interest you wanna do like say clinical psychology? If so, a psychology major can be practical for sure.

    @maniacsicko - 

    @weiweii____x - 

    I hope you enjoy it as much as I did

    @craziloonie01 - 

    Would you be happy doing tutoring, or is there something else you have in mind?

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Haha, yeah my name really is Cora. The other Coras that I usually hear about are always people's parents (as in your case!), grandparents or in one case, great-grandparent. I think my name is probably just really... old-fashioned. I googled my name once and found that it was at it's lowest point of popularity when I was born.

    Thanks for personally responding to all of our comments! That's really awesome of you! =)

  • @lavenderlace09 - 

    Yes, that same lame joke gets old quite fast. Psychology can be applied to so many things that I don't understand why they wouldn't be in higher demand!

    @pasaway4eva - 

    Oh nah, you didn't give me that impression. I probably will end up going back to school, but I sure don't wanna -_-

    @d_cee - 

    Nex time, you should just answer that question by saying "now wouldn't YOU want to know?" and walk away ever so slightly

    @AzureRecollections - 

    Ah for sure! In a lot of ways I'm an idealist, so being in tune with the world doesn't sound bad to me at all.

    @pretty_secrets - 

    Sweet! Wow, who would have thought that there would be so many psych majors on Xanga? It's a pleasant surprise!

  • There's judgement everywhere.....
    I'm an artist, I'd find it hard to believe if I wasn't judged on that by a stranger lol....and I doubt I'll be making all that much money ^^;

    If I wasn't an artist, I'd probably go into psychology or philosophy. I would really enjoy both/either :)

    It's about satisfaction. Like you said, what's the point if it's not what makes you happy? To me, happiness in internal. Say you did follow a career that made a lot of money......you would be so unfulfilled, so bored, and probably half-ass your job because you couldn't stand it.

  • I totally see where you're coming from! I wanna major in English so I can be a teacher, and when people make comments like "you don't make a lot of money teaching", I get really defensive over it. Some have even asked me why I would choose this path as opposed to nursing or starting a business. Well, hey, I'm not good at that stuff, and I don't like it very much. I wanna do something that makes me happy and is within my area of expertise!

    So yeah. Thanks for posting this!

  • @noodley - 

    Time must be flying by fast for you right now huh? It sure did for me! I was telling people I wasn't planning on going to grad school after college but instead go straight to working for the USTA. Yea, things didn't quite worked out as planned, but that's okay. I've learned quite a lot in just this past year alone.

    @cheers_to_friends - 

    no one quite understands like another psych major haha. I/O psychologist make good money, so people shouldn't give you crap for choosing that based on the money.

    @Queenie_B - 

    Yeah, I don't think I would have done what you're doing just because I was so turn off my science based on my experiences in high school. Glad you enjoyed my post!

    @XfantomcatX - 

    I like your response! Yeah, people need to understand psychology applies to so many things it's not even funny.

    P.S. Just noticed you were a fellow Marylander. Hello! So rare to see Xangans from my home state.

    @DDBoy06 - 

    Indeed. The paper can only take you so far if you don't have the drive.

    @cocainecupcakes - 

    I think if you enjoy it then other people shouldn't be so concern with your life

    @shayismyname - 

    Oh I can visualize that quite well (not sure if that's a good thing or not haha)

    @Phi_izzle - 

    Ah yes exactly! Way to shut them up

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I've lost interest in science over the years. And I didn't realize how many different toxic chemicals we had to work with. I've had several scary accidents in the lab. What really side-lined me was tendonitis from the repetitive stress with using pipettes for 8+ hours a day. Now, I'm stuck at a desk job (project management), which I don't really like either. Oh, well...I'll look into doing something else.

  • holy mother of gooooooooooooooood, 286 comments!! way to go :) I know people who are majoring in psych and I admire them. I love psychology, I find it very intriguing and interesting and wouldn't mind dating someone who is majoring in that :p Very smart people indeed so you should be really proud of yourself!!
    Money doesn't bring happiness and I feel sorry for people who pursue money and think that that's all there is to life. I definitely do NOT want to be with someone like that. Sure it's good to be financially stable but it's been proven that rich people are not more happy than average normal people. Only people who are beneath the poverty line would gain happiness with money, but if you go from middle class to super rich, the level of happiness stays basically the same really. So you go do what you love and be happy with it!!

    And that guy at burger looked like a sex offender!

  • @pinkberry_x - 

    I like the way you think =D . Yeah, I feel very secure that psychology has lead me to be the confident and understanding individual I am today.

    @TransportPhenomena - 

    Haha um yeah, it's taking quite a bit longer than initially thought X_X. However, I've always thought that if someone took the time out to write me something meaningful, I should reply back at the very least. I just normally don't have to deal with such overwhelming feedback haha, but I appreciate it all just the same as if I only got a few.

    @vvn_0_0 - 

    Ah yes, experience and networking skills are essential to finding a good job, and I know that from experiences haha. Good luck to you too!

    @oOo_itsJuJu - 

    People always want to make sense of the world, even if their methods aren't exactly the most accurate haha. Thanks for coming by my humble little post

    @f1NalFurY - 

    Yup that works for the most part. Too bad there are some really stubborn older folks that I've talked to X_X

    @AtLDjDoubleT - 

    Haha that's one good way of seeing things. Now if only if I could actually read minds...

    @JetaimeMing - 

    What part of MD do you go to?

    @dearmisery - 

    LOL that's great! I might have to consider doing that next time.

    @thinkin_up_dreams - 

    Quite a lot of us on here aren't there? Pretty cool I say!

    @livingxwithvogue - 

    I'm sure your parents have the best intentions for you, but in the end it's your life. There are more than one road to become successful and happy.

    @Xbeautifully_broken_downX - 

    Haha thanks

    @fruitball4u - 

    Yeah, you probably do one up me =P

    @missed0memory - 

    that seems to be a very common questions for English majors. Wow, each major sure does have their own lame sayings don't they?

  • @kuhuhuck - 

    Yeah true. By that same reason is why I don't get too affected by their feelings. It's just an annoyance that I wouldn't mind avoiding if I can haha.

    @jeezcak3 - 

    Just looking briefly at your blog you seem to be doing alright for yourself

    @smackthatsass - 

    Haha that's really interesting. Fun fact: my car's license plate says "CORA 8", since it was originally my mom's car.

    Oh no need to thank me; I should really be thanking everyone for taking the time to comment on my post. I certainly wasn't expecting the response at all.

    @lapis_lazuli917 - 

    Exactly. Doing a job that I don't like seems extremely unfulfilling, so if I can I will try to avoid that scenario as much as possible.

    @strappleberry_xD - 

    Woo, all the power to you! In a perfect world teachers really should be one of the highest paying jobs. They do so much it's not even funny.

  • @missedout_onlife - 

    @missedout_onlife - 

    "...wouldn't mind dating someone who is majoring in that"

    Hinting at something there? haha

    Yeah, I have read that middle to high income people don't really have that much of a change in happiness ratings, which further reinforces my belief of doing what I feel is right despite the monetary rewards.

  • its good to be passionate about a major that pays well too. haha

  • try art. people i meet think i'm committing career suicide and give me this "why don't you put a down payment on a cardbox box already" look. :T

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    I don't think it's necessarily rude to ask why someone chose a certain major. I've been asked why I'm an elementary education major, on more than one occasion - maybe because I don't fit the stereotypes (I graduated at the top of my high school class, love academia, enjoy math and science, etc). I don't mind being asked as long as people are open-minded enough to listen to my answer (which is that I'd like to administrate bilingual programs for disadvantaged students, and I feel that teaching experience is necessary to be successful at that).

  • i completely understand, im majoring in political science and when i tell people that, they either attack me with political questions and insult everything that i think or they tell me that there arent many jobs in that field and maybe i should try something more practical.

  • I play to major in psychology and minor in women's studies.  I don't normally get the same reaction you described.  The people that I've told seem to think it's very fitting for me (if they know me, that is).  Others that don't know me haven't mentioned the possibility of a lower income, but that could be because I plan to do clinical psychology (most likely, at least).  I've also considered maybe doing psychiatry instead, but at this point, I really don't know.

    I usually don't even mention that I am going to minor in women's studies, because alot of people don't even know that exists. lol. For some reason, I also get the feeling that when I say "women's studies", other people think "LESBIAN!". hahah, not that I care, nor do I know why I feel that way, but I always have.  Other than that, pretty much my only reasoning for following that as a minor is that I'm interested in it; not to pursue a career with it.  Hell, I figure I might as well get as much out of the college experience as possible. :]

  • Yeah, haha. I can SO relate to you on that topic. My major was counseling, which was a version of psychology. At my first school, the official title of the degree was "Counseling Psychology." At the school I graduated from, it was "Christian Counseling." (The main difference is a counseling degree focuses more on the people aspect and how to help them through things, rather than the medicines and stuff that some psych. majors alone have to deal with. I'll get most of my training along those lines in my master's program, more than likely.) I have to go back from my Master's to do what I want to do with my degree, though.. School counseling. It is a long road, but I feel it will be worth it in the end. I think I'll stop once I have my Master's degree, though. I'd love a Doctorate, but it's just not likely in today's world. n.n; Haha. So, yeah.. Master's, here I come! As soon as I get a steady source of income and find a school that offers the degree program I am looking for. :p

    Here's to psychology majors!,

    ~*Akarui Mitsukai*~

  • @aznguyjeremy - 

    Oh I agree; I wish I was passionate about something like engineering (like the rest of my best friends from high school). That sure would have made my life a bit easier haha. Are you going to UMD right now? That's where all my engineering friends went to.

    @ballroom_brawl - 

    Oy, that's harsh!

    @suttone2 - 

    Oh no I agree, I'm fine with people asking me why I chose my major too. Just wish some were more open to it as oppose to being negative right from the start.

    @limeconfetti - 

    Yeah, that's definitely very insulting. I try my best to avoid talking to people like that about my major for the obvious reasons haha.

    @Xm0shXgaZmX - 

    I minored in philosophy just for the hell of it. I figure it would be interesting and it was only 6 classes to minor, so why not?

  • I am a psychology, and people said the exactly same thing to me, "do you read mind", what a stereotype. and none of my relatives know what exactly i do. Now that I graduated and found a job that is totally non-psychology related.. and people think i waste my 4 years of college.. But I am happy with my major(though i have a second though when I was looking for jobs after graduation), Psychology is very useful in all aspects of my life, human interpersonal skill and self-management,etc... guess people need to be a psychology major to understand what we gain...

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    you guessed it. i am majoring in engineering. but i found my interest were more in the consulting area and not pure design. i guess as a kid i thought i was going to design a spaceship or something. but unless you are a PhD or someone as cool as Tony Stark, that is not happening. design engineers design like 1/10000th of the final product.

    i think consulting is something i would like as i would be able to interact with a lot of people and hopefully find a solution to the client's problems.

    good luck with your job hunt. imagine the world with only doctors and engineers, and lawyers... ack.

  • I really want to major in Psychology, and people tell me it's a useless degree too LOL.

    It's sad how everything is about money in people's eyes. Every situation, every decision, it all has to do with money in one aspect or another. That's definitely not what life's about.

    I want to major in psychology because it'd be interesting, but then again I could just learn about it with textbooks, but the exp. would be diff. I guess

  • congrats on getting featured :) i'm not sure if you saw my comment from a few days ago about my sister wanting to major in psychology. i sent her a link to this entry and i think you made her rethink her decision. like how important it will be for her to get a masters in order to get a job.
    sooo thanks for writing this :)

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    :o ! Yeah it is pretty rare to see other Marylanders on xanga!

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Definitely! Everyone and his/her mother is a Psych major. It's rather discouraging, really.

  • @akarui_mitsukai - 

    A masters is probably all I'm looking at if I end up going to grad school. Luckily for the I/O psychology program that's all you really need (thank goodness).

    @ChoosingU - 

    as a fellow psychology major I for sure understand what one can gain from that degree even if we don't end up doing something exactly psychology related. What did you end up doing btw?

    @deadlyelixir - 

    Psychology is very interesting since you can really use what you learn in class and relate it to your real life, unlike so many major. Do you have anything in particular you want to work up to?

    @B1ANCACACA - 

    Oh yea I saw it and replied to it; didn't you get my reply? I'm glad my post helped out you sister!

  • Man, I empathize with you completely. I also have a bachelor in psychology (that I love), graduated with honors and have faced some of the ignorance about psychology that you have faced. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel a little intimidated about it because they seem to think that we can fully read them and find out the secrets of who they are by casually interacting with them. It is disappointing & frustrating. I wrote a blog about this and I think that you might enjoy it because it deals with these feelings. It's called "Psychologists/Counselors - their untold story" (link: Psychologists/counselors - their untold story). Check it out. I am sure you will be able to empathize.

  • @aznguyjeremy - 

    Thanks man, and I wish you well too!

    @XfantomcatX - 

    For real. It seems like all the Xangans are either in NY or CA haha.

  • Thank you so much for writing this! I am majoring in psych too, and it was a really hard decision to make because of the economic situation and because it IS really hard to get a job with a BA. I'm looking at more of a counseling degree than traditional psychology, so that might help :P
    Good luck with finding a job or grad school!

  • Agreed! I'm a business major right now (not sure exactly what in business yet though) and just today I was talking to my mom and she was asking me if I would make enough money being a business major and if I'd made the right decision, etc. The majority of my family is either some sort of doctor, pharmaceutical-something, engineer of some sort, etc. (I'm Indian, not much difference when it comes to these things between Asians and Indians I suppose, but hey, we're all technically from Asia right?). I think I might branch out into law or something in the future, but I'm pretty sure I'm NOT going to be a doctor or an engineer ever! Even if the money's great and all, I know I'd never be happy doing that. I want to work with living, breathing, speaking, conscious people - not unconscious people or paper people (aka specifications for something on paper).

    And wow, having said that all I think I understand myself just a little bit better. So thanks! :)

  • I'm a psychology major as well and the worst part, for me, when people find out is that they automatically assume I can fix them/their kids/their families/any other general clinical issue. I just want to scream at them that I'm NOT going to be a clinical psychologist and that what I really love is research. When I tell them that, I get the same reaction you get, the "what do you do with that?".

    I agree that it can be difficult to get a job that is related to your field with just a bachelor's degree in psychology, but the cool thing is that you can practically do anything and it relates somehow to what you've learned. One thing I've thought about for a job is working for a politician (I'm into social psych) which at first doesn't even seem like it could apply, but it really does.

    Congrats on grad school, by the way, and good luck with the ignorance about psych majors! lol

  • I'm in law school, majored in History and Political Science. Worst preparation for law school ever. The few Philosophy and Business classes that I took were far more helpful.

    And, had I not gotten into law school, History + Poli Sci= totally useless unless I decided to go to grad school and teach.

  • I get the same thing. My bachelors is in History, my M.A in Northern Studies. I have to spend several minutes explaining career fields and opportunities in these fields! I just want to say, "look, I love the North." Why would I want to get a degree in something I didn't enjoy? That would be a waste. So, you're not alone, psych man :)

  • I think the University structure itself is more powerful than we might think. There's a core group of select technical majors (business, engineering, etc.) catered to providing a steady supply of future workers for mostly corporate institutions in America. These institutions rely on these graduates to employ because they themselves came from this structure. There's also less technical periphery degrees like psych, mass comm, arts, etc. that also pumps out a steady supply of graduates, but there aren't as many places willing to employ these people because of a lack of need. I have quite a few friends with college degrees in these periphery fields and they are working part-time in jobs they don't like at wages they could get with a high school diploma. Simple economics says when there is too much supply and a steady demand, the price will go down. Therefore, these periphery workers don't get paid what the other core majors might get paid. Universities provide WAY more of a supply than is probably needed for the jobs to fill these few positions, and as a result, people end up spending thousands of dollars on degrees that they might love, but won't be able to realistically use.

    So when someone tells me they are majoring in mass comm or psychology, I wonder inside if they know what they are getting themselves into. If they do and are fine with it, then more power to them...I just prefer the steady paycheck at the end of the week.

  • I was a criminal justice major and everyone who asks me that question automatically assumes I want to be a police officer or continue on to law school, because obviously those are the only two career choices for someone with a CJ major. *rolls eyes*

  • Love for psychology majors everywhere.

  • @Roadlesstaken - "I/O"? What's that? And yeah.. A Master's degree is all that is required for much of the psychology/counseling work in my state of GA, too. However, a Doctorate pays more, I hear. Much more. However, I don't really see it as being worth it. So long as I get a job I'm happy at, I'll be set. :) Wish me luck in becoming a school counselor, and a school teacher in the journey to become a school counselor. :) (My plan is to become a school teacher in the here and now while I am going for my Master's degree.. And then once I have my Masters, to then become a school counselor. :) We'll see how God allows this to work out in my life, I guess! :) )

    <3, ~*Akarui Mitsukai*~

  • kudos to you, for actually living my dream.

    pursuing something that makes you happy..
    over something that makes money.

    everyone says it easily. but few live it.

  • I'm a psych major as well, and I dread the responses people have when they're told about it.

    The most annoying (and common) to date is "I should watch what I say... You can read my mind!", and when it's coming from family members, it's fairly difficult to come up with a respectable yet snappy retort.
    And I get where you're coming from. I have no idea what I'm going to do with this degree under my belt, and while I want to have a decent cash flow (after working my butt off for years, who wouldn't?!), there aren't too many jobs unless you go post-grad.

    Geez.

  • why do you sound so much like me? the only thing with me is that if i could go back in time I would've studied accounting instead.

  • do what you LOVE to do-- i was aiming for a psychology major too but that was something my family WANTED me to do. (asians and their expectations of doctorate fields)

    with art/arthistory by my side, you know it's not much as well. but money cant always buy happiness-- i rather live off for the rest of my life without the dreary.

    anyways. i hate replying to ppl when they ask me about my major as well. they assume that me going to community college currently is because im not good enough and that dealing with c.graphics means that i lack any background of intelligence in general things. FUUUCkthatttt.

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Exactly, you can actually apply psychology to everyday life..I'm a lot more motivated to actually pay attention in school if I know how it'll help me in real life. Trig and pre calc, I really don't find that helpful to me. I originally just wanted to take it because it sounds like the only 'fun' major, but I kind of want to be a criminal psychologist :P lots of schooling though D: LOL

  • Maybe people just jelous.

  • I also wanted to say that I am very impressed you've taken the time out to respond to everyone's comments o_O;
    <3
    (wait, that means this'll be endless?)

  • Hey, I'm glad you're interested (most aren't and probably think I'm lying when I say a random majors). Communicative disorders is the undergrad major for people who want to be speech and language pathologists and audiologists. Speech pathologists work with people who have trouble speaking (autism, down's, parkinson's etc). Audiologists work with hearing impaired patients, fitting them with hearing aids and such. So really it's better if you don't know what these professions are, because if you do it means you probably know someone with hearing loss or language problems and that's kind of sad.

    Have a wonderful day!!

  • I love Psychology! I want to get units next term.

  • @Meletta - 

    haha.. he is one of the most amazing xangans

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    Yes yes. That's why I said, how I wish our interests incorporates to a lot of kesh. So that these wouldn't be problems at all ... and won't be prejudged as something 'foolish' to choose.

  • I believe you are in a very lucrative field where the possibilities for employment are endless. You can be self-employed, work for corporations, run groups, do workshops, or even move down the coaching line if you so choose. You made a great decision, regardless of people's inability to respond. Next time someone stutters at what you do, you could simply say, "Oh, you're having trouble responding! I can help you with that!" Then laugh it off. You will make a true difference in the life of others.

  • @Blessed_Enigma - 

    Wait, you can't read people's minds like I can?? haha j/k . Yeah, we sure have some weird expectations.

    @OperationDuctTape - 

    Counseling is a good path that I thought about doing too. I just didn't have someone to push me more into that direction otherwise I could totally see myself studying that. The economy is a bummer isn't it? Oh well, let's try our best not to let it get us down. Ain't no one gonna break our stride! =P

    @Rhia_Pyrithea - 

    You're welcome . That's pretty cool that my post helped you out that way! You seem to know what you want and don't want, so keep it up!

    @rabiddomfreak - 

    I've had a fair amount of friends that did psychology majors that are doing all types of seemingly random things. Psych sure is flexible that's for sure. I actually still haven't gotten my official acceptance to grad school, although I'm pretty sure I won't have problem getting in. I really hope I do *crosses fingers*

    @sahel578 - 

    Law school is pretty tough from what I've heard. You must be a pretty smart individual to get in though, so congrats to that

    @Thrasherstack - 

    Haha "psych man", sounds like a superhero name. Nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh PSYCH MAN! Okay, that's the end of that dorkiness

    @incuman33 - 

    Don't we all prefer a steady paycheck? Haha yes, it's a balance between what we want and what we need in order to be stable. I would have loved it had I been born with a passion for accounting or something, but for now I guess I'll have to deal with the cards I have right now.

    @Xx_save_me_kitty_xX - 

    Haha oh yeah clearly . What path did you decide to take?

    @Marchinbandrules - 

    Much love!

  • @akarui_mitsukai - 

    I/O is industrial/organizational psychology, which is sorta like consulting for the HR departments of businesses. Of course I wish you luck =D

    @your_reaction - 

    I'm trying. I'm thankful for all the encouraging responses I've gotten so far!

    @cokaholic - 

    accounting does make good money. I just know it wouldn't mesh well for me.

    @anyarockstar - 

    In the beginning I used to just play along with the whole mind reading thing. After a while though I can't keep up with tiresome act.

    @babii_ninner - 

    Haha wait your family wanted you to do psychology? That's a first! Your family should talk to some of my relatives

    @deadlyelixir - 

    criminal psychologist would be exciting. If you can have the drive to go through the additional schooling I think it will be worth it. I do have to agree; I don't look forward to those papers again X_X

    @VIOLALA11 - 

    Somehow I don't get that vibe haha, but it would be interesting if that was more the case.

  • @Meletta - 

    Theoretically it would be endless, but conversations will die down eventually. Like I might have mentioned before, I feel like if someone took the time to write me a comment the least I can do is not have it go unanswered!

    @superblessed - 

    I heard he sucks

    @realisticallyoverratedreality9 - 

    Very interesting! I can definitely see how you may work with some psychology major folks especially with say autism. Thanks for the information!

    @hevanslight - 

    Haha I may very well have to try that line the next time someone ask me that question

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    It definitely would have been useful for your profession! I really love it and find it very interesting and I love how I can apply it all to myself!

  • I'm a psych major and my family has said the same thing to me but psychology is what makes me happy and it will help me help other people when I get out of school. I already understand people's problems and I'm able to help them 100 times better. If psychology is something that you love, don't give up on your dreams.

  • amen! life isn't all about making money. you can't take it with you. it's awesomethat you are going to use what you learned to make a difference. as i see it, you'll be able to look back on your life and not have as many regrets. whereas, often people who chase after whatever will make them successful or wealthy, often end up miserable and feeling empty.

    and, geeez louise....i hate that when people try to make other people feel bad about what they are a) doing for a living or b) majored in, etc.

    what you learned will be useful in relating with people; and that is going to be relevant in any job you have -- for the rest of your life! 

  • @nvaise24 - 

    Oh for sure, I'm not one to give up on dreams that easily! Hmm since I love tennis and psychology I really should consider sport psychology. I need to look up more info on that.

    @YouTOme - 

    That's exactly how I thought of psychology going in. I figured that since we interact with people so often it has to give me a leg up in understanding how the world works.

  • i knowwwwwwwww . it sucks, i like being young haha

  • I think i can understand that choice. I was a religion major - and it's something i get some strange looks over. But, it's not a decision I regret.

  • Same goes with Philosophy. Except there's no grad school for philosophers... or jobs at all.

  • hypnosis or personal coach in success, wealth and relationship is always fun!

  • you can do alot with Psychology!
    Its also a class I didnt fall asleep in!

    we cant have too many people doing the same jobs.

  • @JadedJanissary - 

    I'm glad you don't regret it. I think if it's something you're interested in it's no business for others to make you want to regret your choice.

    @punkofzombie - 

    Are you sure about that? I remember my friend (who's a phil major) talking to his philosophy teacher about getting into a philosophy graduate program after he was finished with his undergraduate.

    @Jeneivou - 

    Those do sound fun. Do you have any experiences with that stuff?

    @retarded_beautiful - 

    True, otherwise that gets monotamous haha. I almost decided to work for an insurance company at one point. I'm happy I didn't.

  • hey alex, cant you recorddd lost? lol

  • @BigSarah - 

    haha oh I would if I had tivo or something but sadly I don't. Let me know the next time there's something going on though!

  • thanks for your post, you've basically spoken up for psych majors everywhere. It's sad that it's such an awesome and yet misunderstood major...

  • That's alright, it doesn't bother me if a person doesn't know exactly what linguists do it's just when people make the same wrong assumption over and over, that's when it starts to get annoying. Basically, in linguistics we study language as a whole, so we look at what's innate and universal and what's different/unique between all languages, how people understand language, how they produce language. Actually, you don't even really need to know too much about a language to study it, you just need data with translations and you can already learn a lot just from that. It all sounds somewhat similar to what a communications major would study except in linguistics we make hypotheses and theories about the very things that make up a language (syntax/grammar, phonetics/speech sounds) and acquisition (not to be confused with the word learning)...That was a mouthful. I hope that answers your question, I'm really glad you asked. Sorry it took a while for me to get back to you. =)

  • @Shirley_Ilene_Tuquieres - 

    Very misunderstood, but I guess all we can do is just try to educate!

    @UnVolume - 

    Oh no thank you, I enjoy being more knowledgeable. Thanks for explaining

  • oh boy, i can relate. except . .i realized i didn't want to do psychology but it was too late to switch schools or change majors. i mean .. i want to teach so psychology is useful but gw doesn't even have a education major. T_T i can't wait until i graduate but i don't know exactly what i'm going to do from there. lols.

    seems like tennis is your true passion so i hope getting a job with USTA works out. ;]

    <3

  • @s0rair0 - 

    Tennis really is. Man, if only I was blessed with superior tennis skills! I think going on the pro tour would have been an amazing experience.

  • think about it this way, at least you're not in a major known as "children's studies"... where everyone you meet and find out you're in such major thinks you're a pedophile! ... we study children's culture, not how to stalk them. >_>

  • @j4d3d_s0uL - 

    Haha seriously? That wouldn't be my first thought if I heard that.

  • @Roadlesstaken - 

    almost everytime i tell somebody i'm in children's studies... it's automatically *omg, you're studying to become a pedophile!*
    .. the ironic thing is, i kinda look like a child.

  • @j4d3d_s0uL - 

    Don't worry about that, Asian people tend to look more youthful than we really are. It's more of a plus later on in life, at least to until we're like 60. After that, we start looking like Yoda haha. Eh, I'll worry about that later.

  • I find a lot of people in our area that choose to major in Psych and when people ask what I'm majoring in and I answer with "Equine Business Management" I always get what's that?  Oh horses...when are you ever going to use that in life.  It's even worse now since I'm an online student and not your typical attend class student...at first it bothered a lot of people and they would reask again later hoping I had changed majors...if it's something you love/enjoy...you stick with it!

  • ugh, if you live a happy and not-so rich life, it's so much better than living an unhappy rich life.

  • Keep going! Do what you want to do!!^^ 加油~加油~ (go go) 

  • @蓉 - Thanks, I shall!

    @HiROBii - That's exactly how I think.  Of course ideally I would live a rich and happy life , but if I can only have one or the other I'll pick happiness

    @Tease4U - Doesn't it drive you crazy when people keep asking?  Yeah same to you, stick with what you love!  I'm certainly going to.

  • People who judge you for something like that are frankly, idiots. I am a graduating with a double major in English and Classics, so I have two useless degrees. I did it for the same reasons. I started out as a CS major but decided in the first year that though I could do that (and make money) it wasn't what I loved. I admire people much more if they are doing, pursuing something that they truly love then those that just choose something that is monetarily convenient. You should be proud! You have a depth of mind that should be envied by all those who squeaked by in a field that they are, at best, indifferent to.

  • lol I hate when people ask me what are you gonna major in next year (I'm a senior). But not because of my major its just it's asked so frequently, don't you have anything else to say to me? But Psychology is awesome. Out of curiosity, and the fact that everyone's different, why did you major in Psychology.I am purely interested. ^_^

  • @RaquelHiggins005 - 

    I majored because I took the AP Psych class and loved it. I felt in tune with everything we talked about and was genuinely interested in it as oppose to all the other classes I took.

    @WhiteFlag25 - 

    I am proud of my accomplishments and my choices . It's just frustrating to deal with the same type of people that passive aggressively try to knock you down.

  • I like the way you think! So...what's a solid 5?

  • Uh...apparantly my comment went to the wrong post...but anyhoo, I went to UMCP and UMBC, and just having that on your resume seems to be enough! With all the kooks in the world, we need more psychologists and sociologists running the planet!

  • @lipsticknpens - 

    Oh cool did you really? I graduated from UMBC last May. How about you?

  • 2007! I want to go back...the real world sucks lol

  • @lipsticknpens - 

    Haha yea I felt that way too soon after graduating. Did you ever do anything on campus, like clubs or anything? I wonder if we've ever seen each other on campus.

  • Psychology is one of the majors I'm highly considering. I think the aspects of psychology are great for not only a career per say but in everyday life. We psychology lovers know the importance of motives and can condition you to do things, understand human memory, and also help people.

    Psychology rules!

  • @Swingin4Mars - 

    Yes, we will be able to brainwash the world! Haha j/k, but yes psychology rock

  • I'm majoring in Psychology too and people constantly ask me about it as well. I was just having a converstion with my uncle in the car, and I saw him shake his head when he heard of Psych. Oh well. 

  • @sageng - Does he even understand what psychology majors do?  Before my relatives disapproved because they thought I would be one of those people that just talk to folks on a couch.

  • oh wow, I actually entered college pursuing premed my first year, then I decided to switch because biology just wasn't something I enjoyed. my second year, I decided to go pre-business, and I'm actually taking courses towards accounting... just because I know I'll find a good job with more than decent money after graduation. But now... I'm contemplating whether or not to do what I've always wanted to do, which was architecture. I didn't have much faith in finding a good job after graduation with architecture, but now I've realized that if I'm going to pursue something, it might as well be something I'm passionate about and can enjoy. (but, tennis can still be my love too) haha, oy I'm going to be in school for about another 3-4 years undergrad now T.T

  • @lisadoremi - Hey, in this economy it's understandable you wanna major in something that can make money.  I just hope you enjoy it enough to do it for a good amount of time.  If so that's good!  If not then...uh oh =P

  • Thanks for writing this. I'm going into psych to get my B.A. this September, and I wasn't sure exactly what I could do with that degree. But I'm definately interested in it, so I'm excited. Nice to see that you enjoyed studying psych. Looking forward to next year now! :)

  • @vintage_envelope - Yay, I'm happy you're more excited for psych now!  It's a fun major for sure and there is quite a lot you can do with it; just depends on your preference.

  • @Roadlesstaken - Yes that's it exactly! He thought that the only thing Psychologists do was sit on couches and be like Dr. Phil, which I explained wasn't really the case. Even my psych professors tell me that there is no good money in taking Psychology, since here in our country, people with problems usually go to friends & ask for advice, than have to pay $200 an hour for a session. There is no money for Psychologists here in the Philippines. Eh. I'll be changing courses anyway, though. But Psychology is something I've always been interested in.

  • Psychology is a good major.Two of my closest friends actually majored in psych and they're just awesome people.Smart ones.

  • And I can totally relate...me...myself... i graduated cumlaude with a political science degree and i thought finding a job that suits my field would be that easy.well, i did get a job after grad but not in my field of expertise. i actually worked as an HR supervisor (so i felt a little misplaced). and then people would ask me about my major and they would be like "Ah...polisci...so you're gonna take up law?" it's like there isn't any other available route for polisci people but to take up law. well, i did quit my job after 10 months and took up law. haha!

  • @shangrila1 - Haha nice.  Do you at least enjoy doing law?

  • @Roadlesstaken - Yeah! I enjoy every bit of it. Time flew so fast I didn't even realize that I already graduated.

  • i wanted to go into psychology.. seem like a very great major to get into! hehe  what kind of psychology were you getting yourself into? i was thinking about before clinical psychology.. i really wanted to own a business of my own.. have my own practice and what not.. 

  • @discover_hienie - I used to think I wanted to do that too, but I didn't wanna deal with all the science classes.  Right now, I'm pursuing a masters in industrial/organizational psychology.  Ever heard of it?

  • oh i have never heard of that before! haha i am not even in college yet.. i was suppose to be graduating this yr! lol anyways, it's okay i am going into culinary arts
    so it's all cool.. i am about to start pretty soon. haha my high school yrs suck.. i wish that i could just adjust my grades.. long story short.. i didn't do well in math..
    haha

  • don't talk to doctors then because most of them think psych is useless.. my roommate goes on and on about how he hates it all and how he treats patients like machines that need fixing. haha he's so frank sometimes its annoying.

  • @ch0w - Haha oh man.  Yeah, I don't wanna end up hating what I do in the near future.  If I can have some passion in it, then I know I can keep doing it for a long time.

  • hahah, I'm not sure if you're trying to sound irritated, annoyed, or sarcastic?  whatever it is, I should tell you Psychology was my second choice then way back when I was still deciding what to major in, though I ended up being in Marketing.

    Don't worry Alex, what's important is understanding the essence of life, live it to the fullest.

    (Chia yo!)

  • @bloomblog - I was going for being annoyed  

  • Psychology has been my dream major. And yes, it's easy to get a job with this degree in my place. I love psychology and dude, you're so lucky to be able to learn it and please never mind what people say. You know what you do and learn :)

  • @xonyagestler - Are you currently studying psychology too? 

  • I get weird looks when I tell people my major is Pastoral Ministries. 

  • @TheGreatBout - Ah cool.  That might get some people's attention around here to for the fact that I don't think that major is taught anywhere near by.

  • i love creeping on your site :p

    dear alex,
    reading this really made me smile. :) i like how you're so confident
         and determined about your decision. I'm really happy for you
         because you know what will make you happy and you know what
         you have to do to get there. More obstacles will come your way,
         but here is my push: I'm rooting for you.
                                                                     sincerely, jeannie.

  • @jeannie_dot_com - Thank you Jeannie.  You are always welcome to creep all over.  My site, of course =)

  • I agree with you, man. There is nothing wrong with a Psychology major. It is a very intresting subject. I once wanted to major in it, but switched cause of a bad professor and  I need to go to grad school to do simething with it. I agree, theres not much you can do with it, without going to grad shcool. But I am asian too, and my parents were happy with me majoring in psychology. But now I switched it to Journalism. I love to write, I am curious, and have a nose for news. And everytime people ask what I am majoring in, I get the same response.

    Person: So, do you know what you want to major in?

    Me: Yeah! Journalism.

    Person: Journalism? Wow! That's cool.

    Me: Yeah.

    Person: So what are your plans? So what are you going to do with it?"

    see it sounds innocent, but you should see their tone of voice. In their heads I know they are thinking. Wow, she's asian, I would of thought she would be a nursing major, a chemistry, or biology major. And what trips people more is that my parents are okay with it. They dont mind, becasue at least I am gettin an education.

    So what I want everyone to know is that: Do what you want to do. If it's sociology, nursing, psychology, English, art, or whatever, follow your dreams.... Cause, it's not worth it doing a major that you hate. You should graduate being proud of your chosen major! Remember you are graduating, not your parents. You are the one getting a job, not them. Of course my mom and dad would love for me to be a DR, or something like that... But they are proud that I am working towards my Journalism degree. I am after all first in my family to graduate.

  • @lilibabbyy - I know what you mean about the tone of voice.  I'm fine with my major, and I'm doing something with it right now in grad school that will lead to some good job potential in the near future.  Journalism is a tough major and I have full respect for anyone who can do it successfully.  My ex is a journalism major, so I'm very well aware of what they have to do.

  • you seem way happier than me and i was actually looking to see what you majored in, because i did accounting and i'm trying to find something else! i wish i did psych or an arts degree instead of accounting (which i'm unmotivated in).

  • @stepaside_loser - Any particular alternative career you're looking at?  For me with psychology I'm doing industrial/organizational psych, which has a very good future.

  • @Roadlesstaken - i haven't heard of ind/org psych before but i'll look that up. i think i'll be most happy with a career that is mainly about being creative, where i have a final product. i'm not sure what career that is. 

  • So you're majoring in psychology? Don't psychoanalyze me!! That's the one I get the most. That or some judgements on "science" and that it's not a real one. 

  • I went through all the same choices that would have given me the same question: psychology then philosophy before I finally settled on English. People look at me like I'm retarded when I tell them that. 

  • @suggestivetongue - The thing I get is that I can read people's minds.  Really?  Haha

    @remiblanc0 - I minored in Philosophy, just because I could and it wasn't too many credits to do so.  Haven't really used it much though

  • @Roadlesstaken - Argh. I wanted to minor in psychology actually. I got lazy. I was like 2 classes away though from the minor. Dumb move probably :(

  • yup! my friend has a BA in psychology, she can't find jobs either.. she's working on her graduate degree.  have fun! 

  • @juiCyer - Luckily the masters I'm working on has a good job outlook =D

  • what are you working on?

  • @juiCyer - industrial/organizational psychology.

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