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I want to choose a certain major but my parents don't agree with the one I'm choosing. What should I do?
I want to major in animal health science but my parents think business is more useful in life.
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Dexter’s Answer
Hi Jillian,
I don't have an answer for you unfortunately :(
What I can tell you is that I was in similar shoes in my senior year of high school. I wanted to graduate high school and major in history, as it was my favorite subject by far. But, being that my family didn't have much money, my parents thought that I should go into engineering. Being the dutiful son that I was hoping I'd be, I chose the latter and hated almost all of college. I still graduated with a degree, and have learned to love being in the tech world over time.
If I could go back in time would I choose to pursue history? I'm not sure. I currently am working in the software world where I love my job and the people I work with. I get paid a handsome salary since I'm working in tech, and it allows me to live a lifestyle that I never thought I'd lead. If I were to choose history, would my life be as easy as it is now? I highly doubt it.
I just wanted to tell you that story, and in the end, I bet you there's no right answer. Which ever major you choose, no one will know how it'd gone if you'd chosen the other. I just hope the one that you choose helps you achieve happiness with your life.
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Dexter
I don't have an answer for you unfortunately :(
What I can tell you is that I was in similar shoes in my senior year of high school. I wanted to graduate high school and major in history, as it was my favorite subject by far. But, being that my family didn't have much money, my parents thought that I should go into engineering. Being the dutiful son that I was hoping I'd be, I chose the latter and hated almost all of college. I still graduated with a degree, and have learned to love being in the tech world over time.
If I could go back in time would I choose to pursue history? I'm not sure. I currently am working in the software world where I love my job and the people I work with. I get paid a handsome salary since I'm working in tech, and it allows me to live a lifestyle that I never thought I'd lead. If I were to choose history, would my life be as easy as it is now? I highly doubt it.
I just wanted to tell you that story, and in the end, I bet you there's no right answer. Which ever major you choose, no one will know how it'd gone if you'd chosen the other. I just hope the one that you choose helps you achieve happiness with your life.
--
Dexter
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Hi Jillian, this is a tough one! I wanted to major in many fields that my parents were against. I ended up majoring in what I wanted with a minor in what they wanted, with the aim to do the job that was closer to their desires. At the end of the day I ended up in a job I chose with the help of career counselors and therapy, and the support of my sister to help me organize classes. At the end of the day, my mom told me I will be the one that has to live with the job when they are gone. And it was true. I do not regret making my choices, and I got the opportunity to take more classes I desired once working, but everyone's circumstances are different. If you have access to a guidance counselor at school, maybe they can help you organize your desires and thoughts and help you make the choice best for you. At the end of the day there is not a wrong choice--just a different one. If you pick what they want, you may find a way you like, and same with if you pick what you want. Take your time to think it out and you can always change your majors in college (especially in the first 2 years if you are working on your basic courses.) You may have different needs than those around you, or myself, and I think talking to a guidance counselor on your career goals and needs can help you on your journey. Good luck and just know it really is a journey! Even if you make one choice now, it does not determine everything :). Wishing you all the best in your path.
Updated
Barry’s Answer
First, I think it's important to note that your parents want what is best for you so they want you to have a good job and a good career.
Animal science is a great field and a very interesting career. The first question you need to ask yourself is, "What job can I get with a degree in animal science." Do you want to work with animals? Do you want to work at a vet office?
Is it possible to major in animal science and get a minor in business? Many colleges allow students to have a major area of concentration and a minor area of concentration. I know students that major in computer science and also minor in astronomy or business. Check with the college you plant to attend to see if you could have a major and a minor.
I would advise you to keep your options open. It will be your choice ultimately because it's your life. But I am sure your parents just want to make sure you pick a good area of study so you can get a good job and have options. Animal science can be a nice career. Maybe call your local college that offers animal science and ask to speak to an advisor that could give you some ideas of possible animal science careers.
Animal science is a great field and a very interesting career. The first question you need to ask yourself is, "What job can I get with a degree in animal science." Do you want to work with animals? Do you want to work at a vet office?
Is it possible to major in animal science and get a minor in business? Many colleges allow students to have a major area of concentration and a minor area of concentration. I know students that major in computer science and also minor in astronomy or business. Check with the college you plant to attend to see if you could have a major and a minor.
I would advise you to keep your options open. It will be your choice ultimately because it's your life. But I am sure your parents just want to make sure you pick a good area of study so you can get a good job and have options. Animal science can be a nice career. Maybe call your local college that offers animal science and ask to speak to an advisor that could give you some ideas of possible animal science careers.
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Gerardo’s Answer
Great question! It is always hard to go against your parents, after all they want what is best for you. I suggest speaking with your parents about what YOU want to do with your life. Your parents my think they know whats best for you and may have great advice for you, but ultimately in the end it is your life. You want to be happy with what you do in life and the career you pursue. Your parents already chose their life, it is up to you to choose your own! goodluck!
Updated
Madisyn’s Answer
Hi Jillian.
You can always try to talk to your parents about Animal Health science. You can talk to them about the classes, the job opportunities after college and how much the field interests you. Ultimately, it will be you taking the courses in college. If you aren't interested in business, you may not be motivated to participate or excel in your classes.
Another option could be to double major in Business and Animal Health Science. This way, you'd be pleasing your parents and yourself. However, note that double majoring may require additional course loads.
Good luck!
You can always try to talk to your parents about Animal Health science. You can talk to them about the classes, the job opportunities after college and how much the field interests you. Ultimately, it will be you taking the courses in college. If you aren't interested in business, you may not be motivated to participate or excel in your classes.
Another option could be to double major in Business and Animal Health Science. This way, you'd be pleasing your parents and yourself. However, note that double majoring may require additional course loads.
Good luck!
Adam Ek, MBA, MS
Changing Lives through Higher Education Student Services
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Answers
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Adam’s Answer
Navigating expectations is always difficult, your parents, society, your own expectations.
As you can see from the other responses, several others have experienced these or similar expectations. I would encourage you to consider carefully what you think you want to do in your career. I say "think" because in my experience very few people know exactly what they want to do even after they complete a college degree. Understand that your academic career as well as your vocational career are journeys that you go on in life. There may be careers or jobs that you have for a season but it is likely that you may need to retool or shift your career with your preference, job demand, or other factors.
I always recommend that students go with their heart but check with their head to make sure that there are jobs that exist within the field that you are pursuing a degree in that will allow you to pay back the loans that you have to take out to get the degree.
For job research, I always recommend onetonline.org and the BLS.gov to get additional information about career fields, demand for those careers, what those careers entail, and how much those jobs pay.
Enjoy the journey, you got this!
As you can see from the other responses, several others have experienced these or similar expectations. I would encourage you to consider carefully what you think you want to do in your career. I say "think" because in my experience very few people know exactly what they want to do even after they complete a college degree. Understand that your academic career as well as your vocational career are journeys that you go on in life. There may be careers or jobs that you have for a season but it is likely that you may need to retool or shift your career with your preference, job demand, or other factors.
I always recommend that students go with their heart but check with their head to make sure that there are jobs that exist within the field that you are pursuing a degree in that will allow you to pay back the loans that you have to take out to get the degree.
For job research, I always recommend onetonline.org and the BLS.gov to get additional information about career fields, demand for those careers, what those careers entail, and how much those jobs pay.
Enjoy the journey, you got this!
Updated
Grisselda’s Answer
Hi!
A possibility is for you to major in animal health science and then minor with the business degree. It is possible to work in a job that is slightly different from the major you studied for. I work for a junior high school teacher that received their bachelor’s in forensic science and is now working at a school district as a special education teacher with their masters in special education. You can always double major, or take your masters in either animal health science or business which ever you decide. I would say choose the one that will dictate how you want your future to look, take into consideration your happiness, choose what will bring you fulfillment in life financially, emotionally, etc.
A possibility is for you to major in animal health science and then minor with the business degree. It is possible to work in a job that is slightly different from the major you studied for. I work for a junior high school teacher that received their bachelor’s in forensic science and is now working at a school district as a special education teacher with their masters in special education. You can always double major, or take your masters in either animal health science or business which ever you decide. I would say choose the one that will dictate how you want your future to look, take into consideration your happiness, choose what will bring you fulfillment in life financially, emotionally, etc.
Updated
Niaz’s Answer
As someone who graduated with a degree in human biology, with many friends who have graduated with degrees in business - I can tell you that your degree does not completely dictate what will happen in your future. You can get both degrees, or get the one that interests you most. If you would like to get your bachelors in animal science, and then get an online masters in business, that is also another great option. The best question to ask yourself is what do you want to do after your graduate? And then choose the major that would best set you up for that field! Getting a degree is expensive so you want to make sure that you are spending your resources and time on the best degree that will set you up for long term success.
Best of luck to you!
Best of luck to you!
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