To Major or Not to Major

[Katterina]

...in psychology. So I'm trying to decide on a major before I enroll with Excelsior. I could go BA/BS Psychology with a Sociology focus or BA/BS Liberal Studies with Psychology and Sociology focuses. The coursework would be almost the same for either degree-- the only difference being that I would skip statistics with the LS major. I just can't decide which would be better for me on a resume.:confused: I have also been considering grad work in management or library science.

I've had a couple bad experiences in telling people I was going to be a psyche major. One person told me that I had issues because I was pursuing it without wanting to practice mental health (to my face!) and the other took it to mean that every time I asked her how she was doing (as in, "Good morning, how are you?") I was psycholanalyzing her! Is there really a stigma attached to psych majors or is it just the weirdos I work with? I just happen to like studying social sciences.

On the other hand, I like the Liberal Studies major because it would be more general, which might be good for the type of government jobs I would apply for. But then, I wonder if there are also employers that might frown upon the absence of a traditional major... like my older brother who loves to tease me about my AA in "Nothing" (General Studies). Bad brother!

Basically the same degree, different names. I don't feel terribly strongly one way or another. So I would love some opinions on the subject. Any thoughts?

[snazzlefrag]

I've had a couple bad experiences in telling people I was going to be a psyche major. One person told me that I had issues because I was pursuing it without wanting to practice mental health (to my face!) and the other took it to mean that every time I asked her how she was doing (as in, "Good morning, how are you?") I was psycholanalyzing her! Is there really a stigma attached to psych majors or is it just the weirdos I work with? I just happen to like studying social sciences.

It's the weirdos you work with...for sure! What are THEIR degrees in?

Does an English major HAVE to become an author? Does a Theology major HAVE to become a preacher? Does a Business major HAVE to become a CEO? Does a Biology major HAVE to become an MD?

Of course not! It is totally acceptable to study any number of subjects without it being assumed that you must eventually become a fully-fledged and licensed practitioner in that specialty.

What utter codswallop your workmates are spewing. Find out what their degrees are in, and it had BETTER be the exact same area of expertise they are currently working in, or they should forever sit down and SHUT UP!

It is perfectly okay for you to study a subject simply because you enjoy it, rather than because you want to necessarily devote your entire working career to that field.

As for the woman who is afraid you are psychoanalyzing her: It sounds to me as though she is suffering from neurotic paranoia, and that she has a profoundly repressed subconscious phobia of being 'found out' for who she really is inside! Tell her that you can see her completely naked psyche whenever she opens her mouth, and that you do understand her psychosocial angst, but that she should try not to let her ego suppress her id so much....then give her a bill for $300, and watch her have a Dissociative Fugue right before your very eyes.
hilarious

Don't let ignorant and interfering fools determine your choices Katterina. Do what YOU think is best for YOU.

As for your brother: Give him a smack up the side of the head. He's just doing what brothers do!

Good luck to you,
Snazzlefrag

[wannabeit]

You go Snazzlefrag. I really liked your response to Katterina.

[Kiwi Lover]

As for the woman who is afraid you are psychoanalyzing her: It sounds to me as though she is suffering from neurotic paranoia, and that she has a profoundly repressed subconscious phobia of being 'found out' for who she really is inside! Tell her that you can see her completely naked psyche whenever she opens her mouth, and that you do understand her psychosocial angst, but that she should try not to let her ego suppress her id so much....then give her a bill for $300, and watch her have a Dissociative Fugue right before your very eyes.
hilarious

CLASSIC! Snazz...I do believe this is one of your BEST posts yet!

[LuBee]

I've had a couple bad experiences in telling people I was going to be a psyche major. One person told me that I had issues because I was pursuing it without wanting to practice mental health (to my face!) and the other took it to mean that every time I asked her how she was doing (as in, "Good morning, how are you?") I was psycholanalyzing her! Is there really a stigma attached to psych majors or is it just the weirdos I work with? I just happen to like studying social sciences.

Hi Katterina,

Snazzlefrag put it so well. It can be the banner for all of us that come across those that have issues and want to keep us down too.

You can't choose your family and you can't control who your co-workers are in most cases. But you can keep talking to people that are supportive like people on this forum. Do you have any others in your life that are encouraging? Try to avoid talking to the negative ones about your plans and seek out the ones that will support you in your dreams. Sometimes we are disappointed because people that we think should be there for us are not. And we can be surprised by who turns out be our cheerleader.

[ShotoJuku]

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Navy"]People who level criticism usually don't get it, can't get it, or just can't sell it.

Move on, move forward, and move up and away from those who choose to stay behind - GOOD LUCK!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[steelers]

I would definately go for the Psych major. A BS in Psych sounds better then a BSL in my opinion. Also, IC will be doing Research Methods in Psych (also required for a BS in Psych at Excelsior) after Abnormal Psych (due in November). That means that by the end of this year you could have all of the study materials that you need from this site to pass all of the UL Psych exams currently required by Excelsior to acquire a BS in Psychology! That is huge!

[Katterina]

Snazzle, your post had me rolling, thank you!

And I didn't know IC would be doing Research Methods so soon-- sweet!

It is true that I haven't really had any support in my major from family and friends. In fact, psychology was my "first" major after I took general psych when I was 17. But my family talked me out of it for religious reasons, so I tried out a lot of other majors but never found a better fit. They still don't like the idea, but are at least glad I'm finishing a four year degree, which is a first in my immediate family.

What is up with people discouraging viable majors? My husband wanted to be a biology major and his parents made him do civil engineering instead because they paid for his tuition. They said biology majors didn't make decent salaries (seriously!). But guess what-- he never finished because he hated it. It ruined most of his college experience and he still doesn't have a degree years later. What was the sense in that? I guess I am surrounded by the ignorant.:confused: