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How do I figure out which career to choose?
I really enjoy psychology, criminology, and sociology but I'm having a hard time choosing which one I should pursue. #psychology #sociology #criminology
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6 answers
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Mike’s Answer
Hi Ari'elle,
I think it is a good idea to reach out to people in those various fields to better understand the various options and role/responsibilities. Often times it can be more wide ranging than you may think. I am not sure the best way to track people down in those fields, however using your local businesses as well as LinkedIn may help. Tell them you are interested in learning about what they do and how they got there. If you dont get replies, just keep trying!
Additionally, I would seek to educate yourself as much as possible using the internet and other public resources. This should help you ask more and better questions with the individuals you speak with.
I think it is a good idea to reach out to people in those various fields to better understand the various options and role/responsibilities. Often times it can be more wide ranging than you may think. I am not sure the best way to track people down in those fields, however using your local businesses as well as LinkedIn may help. Tell them you are interested in learning about what they do and how they got there. If you dont get replies, just keep trying!
Additionally, I would seek to educate yourself as much as possible using the internet and other public resources. This should help you ask more and better questions with the individuals you speak with.
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hey Ari’elle,
I remember facing a similar dilemma when I was going to school. I was drawn to all three too, but couldn't decide which path to take. Just like you, I wanted to find the one that resonated with me the most. It was a challenging journey, but ultimately, I chose to follow my interests and let them guide me.
I started by taking courses in each subject, diving deeper into the topics and exploring the various aspects of each field. As I learned more about each discipline, I began to understand which areas truly captivated me and aligned with my long-term goals and personal values. Throughout this process, I sought advice from mentors, professionals, and even my friends and family. Their perspectives and experiences were invaluable in helping me find my way.
I also took advantage of internships and volunteer opportunities related to the fields I was considering. These experiences allowed me to gain first-hand insights into the day-to-day work and the challenges and rewards associated with each profession.
After much reflection, research, and hands-on experience, I ultimately changed my major to sociology. It took some time and effort, but I am glad I pursued what interested me the most. I encourage you to do the same: explore your passions, be open to new experiences, and remember that your career journey is unique to you. It may take time to find your path, but with determination and a focus on your interests, you can find a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and goals.
I remember facing a similar dilemma when I was going to school. I was drawn to all three too, but couldn't decide which path to take. Just like you, I wanted to find the one that resonated with me the most. It was a challenging journey, but ultimately, I chose to follow my interests and let them guide me.
I started by taking courses in each subject, diving deeper into the topics and exploring the various aspects of each field. As I learned more about each discipline, I began to understand which areas truly captivated me and aligned with my long-term goals and personal values. Throughout this process, I sought advice from mentors, professionals, and even my friends and family. Their perspectives and experiences were invaluable in helping me find my way.
I also took advantage of internships and volunteer opportunities related to the fields I was considering. These experiences allowed me to gain first-hand insights into the day-to-day work and the challenges and rewards associated with each profession.
After much reflection, research, and hands-on experience, I ultimately changed my major to sociology. It took some time and effort, but I am glad I pursued what interested me the most. I encourage you to do the same: explore your passions, be open to new experiences, and remember that your career journey is unique to you. It may take time to find your path, but with determination and a focus on your interests, you can find a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions and goals.
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Hi! I would think that if you have the ability to shadow someone in these careers, check out videos, or take some classes in each, maybe you will get a better picture of what you would like to do. I began school majoring in Psychology and minored in Biology, with the intent to do something in the medical field. Once I hit the middle of my college career, I was sure I did not want to do medical field, and took some counseling classes, speech therapy classes, and asked occupational therapists I knew about their jobs. I also attended career counseling at school to get more guidance. Maybe one of these (or several of these!) can be of help to you =). O Net is a great resource for job outlook as well!
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Traci’s Answer
Psychology & Sociology provide a world of options. Psychology looks at the individual and you could explore counseling, human development, psychiatry, therapy or endless options, including human resources.
I was a Sociology major because of my interest in groups and how different groups function and behave in society. I partnered that with Marketing and applied many of the principles of sociology to better understanding the audiences I needed to connect to or sell products. Understanding needs and what drives them, helped me to better position the the messages and products.
Know that any of the areas of study that you mentioned are a great foundation for many different careers!
I was a Sociology major because of my interest in groups and how different groups function and behave in society. I partnered that with Marketing and applied many of the principles of sociology to better understanding the audiences I needed to connect to or sell products. Understanding needs and what drives them, helped me to better position the the messages and products.
Know that any of the areas of study that you mentioned are a great foundation for many different careers!
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Tammy’s Answer
I think the awesome thing about your interests is that they are all related. Many students who major in psychology also do a minor in sociology or vice versa. Criminology and psychology can go hand-in-hand and it’s possible that you could major in psychology with your main area being criminal psych. If you get a bachelors degree in psychology and or sociology the unfortunate thing is that there is not much you can do with those degrees at that point. As you go through those programs consider internships and do research at the campus career center. Talk with your advisors and with professors about the many career path that you can take from there. As you decide, that will help you narrow down what to pursue your masters degree in. Those degrees are versatile and will position you for wherever path is next.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
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Katherine’s Answer
Well, I ended up going into psychology a little more because of my whole life experience and what I did for a job, but I couldn't get into any of the sections of psychology class in college the semester I was supposed to take either psychology or sociology, and so I ended up "having to" take sociology. And it was awesome! At least at the college I went to, it turned out the big secret was that the sociology professor was like the most famous, most fun guy ever, and once you had taken his class you spent all your time telling everyone else they should take his class. So that's not a guarantee for everywhere, but you never know. Having experience in both of those, and having gone through college now, I would say make sure to take one class in all three of these that you're interested in. You'll be able to tell which one you think you like better after that.
But nowadays, you can find all sorts of good books and lectures for free online about all three too, so you don't have to wait till you're in college, or pay the money for a class, in order to find out! Look at EdX, Coursera, The Great Courses, and TED talks for lectures about any of these subjects. You can find things about EdX, Coursera and The Great Courses and each of those subjects on YouTube as well.
And check out what you can find by some great psychologists, criminologists, and sociologists, and see what they're like and whether you might seem a better match with one or more of them as people with their worldview. Jordan Peterson, Les Parrott, John and Julie Gottman, John Townsend, Jonathan Haidt, William Julius Wilson, etc.
But nowadays, you can find all sorts of good books and lectures for free online about all three too, so you don't have to wait till you're in college, or pay the money for a class, in order to find out! Look at EdX, Coursera, The Great Courses, and TED talks for lectures about any of these subjects. You can find things about EdX, Coursera and The Great Courses and each of those subjects on YouTube as well.
And check out what you can find by some great psychologists, criminologists, and sociologists, and see what they're like and whether you might seem a better match with one or more of them as people with their worldview. Jordan Peterson, Les Parrott, John and Julie Gottman, John Townsend, Jonathan Haidt, William Julius Wilson, etc.