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What are the majors and careers I can choose if I'm interested in chemistry, biology, physics, and math I'm not entirely sure I want to study medicine or do hardcore engineering. I have a 4.0 GPA and am in the IB Diploma Program.?

I'm not interested in computer programming.

engineering college-major science biology stem
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Elsie’s Answer

Do you enjoy helping others? Do you enjoy interaction? Do you foresee working in the health sector? If the answer is yes - how about considering a course that major in Physiotherapy? It allows you to help people with their recovery; continue to be exposed with AI technics; learn new skills and what's more you get to interact with different people from all walks of life.
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Bobbi’s Answer

I went into college with a similar set of interests and came out with an agriculture degree (crop and soil sciences, to be specific). I really liked the practical applications of physics, chemistry and biology. Something to consider with agriculture, though, is whether you want to live somewhere it is practiced! (Many jobs are in rural areas, rather than cities.) After college I also ended up working in accounting for a bit before going into tech. I had never considered majoring in accounting, but the same part of my brain that enjoyed physics really liked applying rules and getting clear answers.

I also think that Richard (Tony)'s advice above about shadowing is spot on - learning and working can be very different. If you don't know someone to shadow, I would encourage you to just try to learn as much as you can about the daily work for any careers you are interested in. I loved learning about chemistry and I was interested in biochemistry as a major until I spent a semester working part time in a lab, which I found was not for me.
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William’s Answer

Hi Anu,
You have a rich blend of subjects that can lead to many possible career pathways.
A good approach would be to try to find out what truly interests you. Being good at something is just a starting point. What truly draws passion, commitment, dedication and diligence out of you is worth giving a strategic priority. Earning a decent life is a major consideration in choosing a career path. Ideally making our world a better place to live in is a very noble way of making a lifelong career commitment.
Pharmacy, Agriculture, medical sciences are good options besides engineering disciplines.
What you are really interested in and exceptional at is by design what you can persue as a lifelong occupation.
Hope you find this useful.
Best regards.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much William for your thoughtful response. I will certainly think about it. Anu
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Isabel’s Answer

Hi Anu!

With your impressive GPA and strong background in IB subjects like chemistry, biology, physics, and math, you have so many exciting paths to explore beyond just medicine and engineering. Think about majors like biochemistry, biomedical sciences, environmental science, physics, or applied mathematics. You could consider careers in research, biotechnology, pharmacology, forensics, data analysis, healthcare policy, science education, or working in a lab. Fields like public health, genetics, neuroscience, or even astronomy could also match your interests. You might enjoy interdisciplinary areas such as materials science or cognitive science. These options let you dive into science without needing to focus on medical school or engineering. Keep discovering new possibilities through internships and electives.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much Isabel for your detailed response. I truly appreciate it. This is very helpful and gives me plenty to explore and research over the next year. Anu
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Karthick’s Answer

A 4.0 GPA in the IB program for core sciences and math is a great start. You can explore exciting fields that blend these subjects without sticking to pure medicine or traditional engineering. Here are three paths to consider:

1. Biology & Chemistry: Focus on the molecular level to understand and change life's building blocks. You could major in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or Genetics. Careers include being a Research Scientist developing new drugs, a Geneticist studying diseases, a Food Scientist creating sustainable food, or working in Cosmetic Chemistry.

2. Physics & Math: Use these skills to model complex systems, often in finance or risk analysis. Consider majors like Actuarial Science, Quantitative Finance, Mathematical Physics, or Statistics. Careers include becoming a Quant on Wall Street, an Actuary calculating insurance risks, or a Data Scientist analyzing market trends.

3. Interdisciplinary Approach: Combine all four subjects to tackle real-world issues. Majors could be Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Materials Science, or Environmental Science. Careers include being a Bioengineer creating biofuels, a Materials Scientist developing solar panels, or an Environmental Scientist modeling climate change. You could also pursue Patent Law, using your technical knowledge to help inventors.

Don't limit yourself to one subject. The best careers today involve thinking across different areas. Check out universities and see what their professors are researching to get inspired.
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Bill’s Answer

Hi Anu,

It's great to hear you're thinking about moving towards something you enjoy. If you like helping people, nursing or med school might be a good fit. You could check with local hospitals about volunteer programs. With your skills in engineering, biology, and chemistry, you have many choices. Try to keep your options open and explore different paths, maybe by working on prerequisite courses as you decide.

The most important thing is to find what makes you happy, since you'll spend a lot of time in your career. Think about what you'd love to do. Also, consider future job opportunities; the Bureau of Labor Statistics has useful info on job growth in different fields.

Wishing you the best! It sounds like you'll do great in whatever you choose!
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Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer

Anu,
Lots of subjects, not a lot of interests.... So - Start with an interest inventory (your school counselors should be able to assist you with this) on what interests and excites YOU. Keep in mind that it is two dimensional:
Intellectual/emotional fulfilment (what makes you FEEL really good at the end of the day)
Productivity Fulfillment (What you like to do with your time)

These two aspects of fulfilment may or may not coincide or intersect with each other or the skills and talents you bring to the mix (as it were). There are writers who love an active adventurous lifestyle and those two things are very disruptive of the other. Ideally, you will have passions and interests that coincide. But that wouldn't preclude doing both.

Back to you - your access to careers is very broad at this point, and it may be that you need to experience some firsthand experiences as a "Shadow" with a willing profesional who can introduce you to the worlds of careers you are interested in. Keep in mind that there is much (MUCH) more going on than what we perceive from media and descriptors for things like "engineering". As an "engineer" I engage in creating systems that serve a purpose in society and (hopefully) a profit as well. The challenge of conceiving and realizing successful systems is the elixir of my career through emotional fulfilment.

Other folks are focused on money or power over emotional satisfaction - and you might be too. But seek and understand what excites you before planning a career path.

Otherwise, all I can do is guess with you along a broad line of research science (oceanographer - climat change) to in-house expertise for a hedge fund.

So get that "Scope" of interest to a reasonable level, then ask that question again. You will probably already know the answer at that point.

Tony
Thank you comment icon Thank you Richard for your detailed response. Yes, my I will think more about what my passions are to help narrow down what I want to make my career in. Anu
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Dennis’s Answer

Hello Anu, You are in the same boat as many people your age....what do I study? what kind of career do I want? I agree with suggestions in the previous answers. First, get a good assessment of your interests. A profile test usually asks a series of questions about the preferencse you have for many different endeavors or activities. Your response is compared to that of people already involved in these different endeavors. The output of the evaluation helps you understand how your interests match those of people already in these diffeent fields. That might help you focus on one career or another. In turn, that can help you focus on the courses you need to qualify in that area. Both of my daughters did such an evaluation, and it helped them decide on the degrees and careers they would ultimately pursue.
Since you may be torn between "medical" versus "hardcore engineering," I have this suggestion: courses in Pre-med get you ready for Medical school (if you qualify, which could be very likely in your case.). But that fPre-med coursework may not be much good for any other endeavor. Wheras, an engineering or science degree IS a good start for further studies in the medical field. And,fi you don't qualify for Med school, you have a useful degree to pursue just about any other STEM-related degree or employment.
Good luck to you, Anu, whatever you decide to do.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much Dennis for your detailed response. You make good points and it makes good sense to keep my options open should I not choose to go to medical school. Anu
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Aoife (Ee-fah)’s Answer

If you like math and physics, a career in Quant might be a good fit for you. Consider looking into college courses in math or physics.
Thank you comment icon Thank you your response. What is Quant? Anu
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