What to study for in College?

D

dangerdan87

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 12, 2009
523
12
Tyler, TX
#1
I'm getting out of the Corps soon and I am going to go to school.
I really don't know what I want to study for, but I would like to work in the medical field because people are accident prone.
Not really looking into being a Physician as I just spent the last 4 years fighting bad dudes and I am getting married later this year. I was looking into Ultrasound Radiology, but I'm sure there are more. I would like to be a Pharmacist, but I dont think I could do the 6 years of school for a Masters Degree while working part time, paying bills and going to school at the same time for that long.

Anyway, just looking for insight on other jobs out there in the medical world.
 
#2
Re: What to study for in College?

Check TUI university for online studies they are very friendly to vets. You just won't get the BAH unless you live in Cali. Radiology tech is an excellent field to get into. Might be worth your while to look at going into the Navy for 4 years as a Corpsman. By the time you get done w/ school you'll only have 2 years to go.

Cheers,

Doc
 
#3
Re: What to study for in College?

I gotta tell ya, as someone who was in your shoes and wanted to be an electrical engineer - I spent 2 years working towards it and hit a mental block at calculus...

Now, never got an F in my life until I hit calc - it was devestating - was going to just STOP.

My academic advisor told me to go back over my aptitude again as ENGLISH is what my scores showed I was best at ....but I hated english.

Well I love to write though and I've published a coupel of short stories so I'll give it a go.

So I did, I still am, (That's the key - I lost 1 of those 2 years as those classes do not count towards a Social Science degree).


But I'm a straight A student working towards a degree in literature - you will see my name on the NY times best seller list, someday LOL

I'm 44 and I stil don't know what I want to be when I grow up with so I'm going to tell you for a career to follow your passion but for a degree - follow your aptitude - it knows!!!
 
#4
Re: What to study for in College?

Look into an EMT class course. I'm taking one now per my department requirements, and a lot of pre-med kids in there. Plus, it's a valuable and practical skill set and excellent on a resume. Plus it will be a good test to see if you really like the medical field. I always had my what if's about practicing medicine, but this experience has cleared all doubts.
 
#5
Re: What to study for in College?

Take it from a guy that knows. Study engineering. It is practically recession proof, desirable in many industries and pays well. The only problem is you can't party hard and get laid by college hoochies every day for four years of college. To me it is a trade off because you will never get finer trim than in college.... unless you live in the South and have an extended family reunion.
 
#7
Re: What to study for in College?

Hmmmmm...
1: Getting out of the Corps
2: Wondering what to take in school

First semester electives, Human Sexuality, Theology, and Critical Thinking Argumentative Tactic

For the core classes, shoot man, got to ask,"What do you wanna be when ya grow up?" Back to school is like a free ticket to start over and have some serious fun
 
#9
Re: What to study for in College?

The field of business administrataion could use a legion or two of people with balls instead of the generations of go-along-to-get-along panty waists that have been churned out for the last couple generations. You know the type; they have presided over the remnants of once great companies who wallow in gutlessnes and can't seem to defy the petulant short term desire of their stockholders to chase profits to the extent that nearly everything is made in China and now they are neither great nor profitable.

There is a huge, unmet need for people in business who know how to get risky and unpopular shit done and can articulate far more than the mantras of "Outsourcing", "tax cuts" and "When's my tee time?"

Good luck and thank you for protecting us while we were flipping houses with our desperate housewives, at the mall...
 
#10
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The field of business administrataion could use a legion or two of people with balls instead of the generations of go-along-to-get-along panty waists that have been churned out for the last couple generations. You know the type; they have presided over the remnants of once great companies who wallow in gutlessnes and can't seem to defy the petulant short term desire of their stockholders to chase profits to the extent that nearly everything is made in China and now they are neither great nor profitable.

There is a huge, unmet need for people in business who know how to get risky and unpopular shit done and can articulate far more than the mantras of "Outsourcing", "tax cuts" and "When's my tee time?"

Good luck and thank you for protecting us while we were flipping houses with our desperate housewives, at the mall... </div></div>

WOW! Truer words haven't been spoken. It was like reading my own thoughts. Good post, qq.
 
#11
Re: What to study for in College?

See if you can test out of a few things before you go back. Might just be electives but if you are not spending time on them that leaves more time for the serious classes that you need. You also might want to think about this during summers (get books on subject, study up and test out).
Good luck.
 
#12
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shankster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Take it from a guy that knows. Study engineering. It is practically recession proof, desirable in many industries and pays well. The only problem is you can't party hard and get laid by college hoochies every day for four years of college. To me it is a trade off because you will never get finer trim than in college.... unless you live in the South and have an extended family reunion. </div></div>

I can't agree more, except I'd recommend mechanical as opposed to electrical. Nothing personal, I just enjoy the subject matter more. There are definitely plenty of jobs out there so long as you have a decent GPA.

Shankster is right about getting poon though. I've not been out in two weeks because of the first round of tests. It's something you have to really want or else you'll burn out.
 
#13
Re: What to study for in College?

Radiology tech, nurse leading to nurse practioner, anesthesiology tech, biomed tech with biomed engineering degree, emergency management degree with paramedic, etc. etc.

Specialization is for insects, get a broad degree and then a minor or second degree in a similar course of study.
 
#14
Re: What to study for in College?

I would advise you to study a field in engineering. Americans like to build and design shit. I'd be leery studying for the medical field, because who knows what kind of salaries Obama care may bring...

On the plus side, you can still begin college without worrying about your major. Focus on your Gen Eds (math, english, etc.) first THEN decide what you want to do.
 
#15
Re: What to study for in College?

Assuming you're eligible for the Post-911 GI Bill, I would strongly advise you to make use of the money you're entitled, and attend a resident 4-yr university with the intent of earning a Bachelors Degree. There is no substitute for a resident university, and while some people have life situations that demand a steady income while attending school, it doesn't sound like you fall in that category.

Once you've settled on the type of school to attend, begin taking courses in what you "think" you'd like to do, with the understanding that you may not have the interest or aptitude after being exposed to the course material (I had my arse kicked by engineering too). Most technical degrees require the same arts/humanities requirements, and you won't be taking specific technical courses until your 2nd year at the earliest.

Regardless of your chosen course of study, my personal advise is to earn a minor in Psychology. Bottom line: unless you plan on being Austin Millbarge working under a staircase on a computer, psych will apply to every day of your life.

If you need ideas, talk to your resources in the Marines about aptitude tests, or have someone who understands ASVAB scores go through your entry results. Good luck.
 
#19
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EdZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you considered engineering? </div></div>

Kind of. I'd like to learn CAD/CAM and other machines.
 
#20
Re: What to study for in College?

If you study just about anything in today's Medical field you can go just about anywhere and be employed. Check out the salaries for Nursing, Physicians assistants. Great way to work a few 12 hours shifts a week and spend alot of free time doing whatever you want.
 
#21
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazlo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Regardless of your chosen course of study, my personal advise is to earn a minor in Psychology. Bottom line: unless you plan on being Austin Millbarge working under a staircase on a computer, psych will apply to every day of your life.
</div></div>


Good advice here, BUT, only do a minor unless you are planning on going further than a BA. A BA in psych is not particularly marketable in the employment arena. Same would apply to sociology, philosophy, history and most of the other core disciplines. Those degrees are good degrees to make a life, not a living. Which leads me to my next bit of banter.

I agree with the statement that specialization is for insects, particularly at the bachelors level. If you want to specialize, go to graduate school. A bachelors degree should be filled with broad general education courses. I am of the opinion that the goal of a a good bachelors education should not be to prepare you for a job but to give you a foundation of knowledge and general cognitive skills to apply once you get get one. Education is different than training. Universities are supposed to educate, not train.

You have a couple years and many credit hours of gen eds to figure out what you want to major in. Use that time to get an education and a broad understanding of many disciplines.

One more bit of advice. Unless you plan on using your education to develop connections, ignore the high cost high prestige universities. Find a university that gives you high quality instruction. I am biased here (because I teach in one) but the mid level state universities are the best bang for the buck. Faculty with terminal degrees actually teach your courses, not GA's and the tuition rates are more affordable.

Online education is ok but I would start on campus if you can. Try and at least swing the Bachelors degree on campus, then if you go on, graduate education is less critical to do on campus because it is more self directed anyway.

Just my .02

 
#22
Re: What to study for in College?

Bottom line is find something you like and do it. You may not land in something you'll love right away, but eventually you'll get there. I'm on my third degree and moving to my third career. I ended up doing comp sci but really don't like engineering that much, but now I'm doing my MBA and getting into marketing and more project level stuff. You can and should apply all your experience to whatever you end up doing.
 
#23
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hannibal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ultrasound is cool but guys kind of get shoved over to tracking vessels and stuff. Lot of that ultrasound stuff involves baginas and very strange looking objects that get placed inside the bagina- so guys in the room aren't always appreciated.

I've been a an RN for 20 years- can't go wrong with that degree. Recession proof and RN are in every kind of medicine so you can go from psych to ER to OR to whatever you want without much difficulty. Even do the anesthesia thing and make 6 figures passing gas. Good luck.

Han</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lt. Arclight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you study just about anything in today's Medical field you can go just about anywhere and be employed. Check out the salaries for Nursing, Physicians assistants. Great way to work a few 12 hours shifts a week and spend alot of free time doing whatever you want.</div></div>

Good advice here. Ive got a buddy whos an RN and knocks down 80K per year. Another who works only IC, 3 thirteen hour shifts and 4 days off in a row, 65-70K. Another pal who is studying physical therapy and has already had an offer of 68K. Plenty of opportunity in healthcareand you can work anywhere . Finish you profile...ie, location. Good luck
 
#24
Re: What to study for in College?

I think any guy in the OBGYN field - uh......MUST lose respect for that anatomy in the "Entertainment" part of his life.

I can't imagine....going down...."Oh I see you have pallops"...let me fix that, Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


LOL....crap...
 
#28
Re: What to study for in College?

Do yourself a BIG favor and get to the local Ed Ctr asap. Start taking all the CLEP and end of course tests that they have.

Does not cost you anything, and everyone you pass gives you college credit. You can pick up over 60 hrs credit.

That will save you a lot of money, shorten the college time and as long as they are the mandatory type prequisite classes, they will not hurt you on your major.

BH
 
#29
Re: What to study for in College?

I have an appointment with a counselor at the Joint Education Center. I will go over things with them along with what GI Bill is best for me.

For the record - I'm not worried about price because I have the GI Bill and thats also backed up by the Hazlewood Act (I'm from Texas).

I understand that not all colleges (very few) accept the GI Bill, but it would be silly to go to a college that doesnt accept it.

If I wanted to, I could get a Doctorates degree with very little cost to me. But it would be hard considering that in itself is expensive, finding a school to pay for me for continuing education after I extinguish my GI Bill might be difficult (Thats basically what the Hazlewood Act is).

But as of now, I'm not really looking for a +6 year school. Looking to get an Associate or Bachelors degree for starters and get a job to get on my feet. Later I will try to peruse a Masters.

Just finding what I want to study is the hard part. I want a steady job that easy to get hired on to and good benefits. Thats why I was thinking about the medical aspect of things.
 
#30
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CPEC0402</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On the plus side, you can still begin college without worrying about your major. Focus on your Gen Eds (math, english, etc.) first THEN decide what you want to do. </div></div>

Coming from a former college professor at a major state institution.

TAKE THIS ROUTE!!!!!!

Don't try and decide now, it narrows down your options too far. Most college students change majors an average of 3 times before they start in their field. What may sound cool to you now, might suck once you get in the classroom.

Also, 99% of majors do not actually start until the 3rd year. There are some exceptions, but not many. The 1st 2 years will be devoted to general ed courses. Allow these to guide you towards a major.
 
#31
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CPEC0402</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On the plus side, you can still begin college without worrying about your major. Focus on your Gen Eds (math, english, etc.) first THEN decide what you want to do. </div></div>

Coming from a former college professor at a major state institution.

TAKE THIS ROUTE!!!!!!

Don't try and decide now, it narrows down your options too far. Most college students change majors an average of 3 times before they start in their field. What may sound cool to you now, might suck once you get in the classroom.

Also, 99% of majors do not actually start until the 3rd year. There are some exceptions, but not many. The 1st 2 years will be devoted to general ed courses. Allow these to guide you towards a major. </div></div>


I agree. Take honest stock of what you could see yourself doing for a successful and fulfilling career. Start by taking your General Education courses and use elective spots in your schedule to take courses that are common requirements for your potential majors (medical careers = lots of science but they seek well rounded applicants). Don't overload your schedule in the first semester - leave some breathing room so you can acclimate to your new AO and so as not to get overwhelmed and burn out. Get to know your advisor early on as they typically have a wealth of valuable information and advice.
I don't know about nursing but many PA programs and likely all medical schools will not accept CLEP credit for any prerequisite courses. Never hurts to call around and ask about specific requirements. I know you stated that you were not leaning toward becoming a physician but I would recommend that you design your education in such a way as to leave all the doors open until you have a much better idea of what you find enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. Not only do interests shift and change as you progress, so do markets, politics, and life situations.
In general if you get a C or worse in a science course, don't sweat it... just take it again in the summer and do better.
Best of luck, college should be a few of the best years. Work hard and play hard and remember - it is never too early to begin networking.

Semper Fi
 
#32
Re: What to study for in College?

Depending on what you did in the military, and whether you bore easily or are at ease with being bored, choose a field of study that will hold your interest for the next four years. Other than that, it doesn't much matter what you study.
 
#33
Re: What to study for in College?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on what you did in the military, and whether you bore easily or are at ease with being bored, choose a field of study that will hold your interest for the next four years. Other than that, it doesn't much matter what you study. </div></div>

This.

As a former vet who has been to school prior to service, that was the hardest thing for me. Getting back into school mode, and then finding something that could keep my attention. If youre interested in some sort of medical field, but youre not exactly sure what...think about a HHS major or exercise science degree as both can be directed towards the field of health care. I chose EXSS and have a lot of friends with a general degree in science who went on to become cardiac physilogists. That is one way to make pretty good money, reading EKGs...and it doesnt take long to learn.
 
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