Opinions on degree...

[jmz250]

Well it's official...I'm changing my major. I'm thinking I'm going to switch to either psychology or sociology or some sort of social science with a minor in journalism/mass communications (since I'm already pretty much there).

Anybody have any thoughts on this plan? From the breif research I've done (more to come obviously) it looks like this would be my best bet, but any opinion would be good.

[SpacemanSpiff]

As a sociology major myself, I have to strongly recommend against you signing up for that program of study. Sociology is a very weak major, based on theories and assumptions. Furthermore, my professors have generally been blatantly left-wing, which makes it difficult for me as a conservative.

I do agree that there are some benefits to the major, as I enjoyed working with statistics and learning to present arguments based on research completed. However, there are other fields of study you can get into if you enjoy conducting research and presenting findings.

If you do decide to take Sociology classes, do not assume that taking Soc 101 will prepare you for the major. I found the upper level classes to be much more rewarding than the low-level classes. This is just my experience, and I know there are many who would disagree with me, but my final opinion is that if you decide to take sociology, combine it with something else - like psychology, criminal justice, or social work.

[renli3d]

I would also caution against a sociology degree. With just an undergrad, a professional job will be hard to obtain. I've found this out the hard way, since my degree is Law, Socities & Justice which is basically a mix of political science, sociology and law; I've been looking for a job now for six months now with no leads. I would recommend accounting if I ever had to repick a major. Also, computer science and any of the engineering disciplines, especially EE would be great as well if you're looking to get a job easily after graduating.

[Kimble]

Well it's official...I'm changing my major. I'm thinking I'm going to switch to either psychology or sociology or some sort of social science with a minor in journalism/mass communications (since I'm already pretty much there).

Anybody have any thoughts on this plan? From the breif research I've done (more to come obviously) it looks like this would be my best bet, but any opinion would be good.

The "best bet" for what? Psychology and Sociology are fields where researchers/practitioners, at a MINIMUM, need a MS/MA, but preferably a PhD. If you're plans are to work in LE (which I assume is the case since you are visiting this site), major in whatever you find interesting, but if you're looking for a degree major that will offer more career opportunities outside of LE than a CJ degree, Psych and Sociology are not them. Majoring in journalism would likely provide a greater number of career opportunities.

Do as you wish, but I'd highly advise you to really think this through before graduating in a degree program with little or now job opportunities upon graduation at the baccalaureate level.

[squeeeg]

Don't pick your major just because you think it is the best. Pick something that you are going to enjoy. You are going to struggle through a program in something that you don't like and I am sure you don't want to change majors again. I too am assuming you are looking into law enforcement, so keep in mind that it is the paper that makes the biggest difference not what program is behind the paper.

[Bearcat06]

Don't pick your major just because you think it is the best. Pick something that you are going to enjoy.

Exactly....mines in History.....I picked that because that's what I enjoy (and still do very much). I tried a CJ minor but the school I went to has a ****ty CJ minor program.....so I switched it to English Writing......

[Ryanh1985]

Pick something you enjoy. Hell it took me three years of college and 4 major changes to figure out what i wanted to do. But i will say with a sociology degree you will need at least a Master if not a PHD.

[Kimble]

But i will say with a sociology degree you will need at least a Master if not a PHD.

You know, Ryanh1985, while we're on the subject of colleges and degree programs, have you ever heard of plagiarism?

The "best bet" for what? Psychology and Sociology are fields where researchers/practitioners, at a MINIMUM, need a MS/MA, but preferably a PhD.

:p

[Ryanh1985]

You know, Ryanh1985, while we're on the subject of colleges and degree programs, have you ever heard of plagiarism?

:p

Looks like i should read before posting. lol:p

[DiamondStealth]

I'm glad to see several of you saying that you should choose what you enjoy as a major. I struggled for a bit choosing a major, but ended up choosing Photography over Criminal Justice.

I don't know if my reasoning helps any, but I will post why I ended up going with my major instead of CJ.
Although I want to get into LE and become an officer, I also try to plan ahead and have a "plan B" if needed. There are lots of things that can prevent or delay having a career in LE.
1. I might not pass some of the tests
2. They may not want me for a variety of reasons
3. They might want me, but I can't get hired on the first try, or the second, etc.
4. I might get hired on and realize that I can't handle the stress and end up quitting

I am sure there are other things that can come up as well, but these were the main ones I considered. My goal is still to try for the state police after I get my B.S. degree, but at least if I don't make it or it takes me years of trying to get on, I will be able to use my degree to get a job that I enjoy very much as a hobby. "Plan A" is my favorite, but "Plan B" will work if I have to use it. If you are going to do something for the majority of your life until retirement you should at least like it, if not enjoy it, IMO.

[jmz250]

I may have missed a few questions you guys brought up here, but hopefully I got everything.

First off, to state the obvious, yes I do plan on getting into law enforcement after college.

Next, I'm leaning towards psychology as my official major (still have a week and a half to decide for certain). While it's not my ideal major, I don't think I'll be able to find anything more enjoyable (and I've been researching different things to do for a while now). In addition, I already have a few years of Spanish under my belt and I'll probably continue that and possibly get a basic understanding of another language (Arabic?) After I get my undergrad degree, I plan on mastering in criminal justice (don't know where yet...have to figure all this out first).

ROS-By best bet I mean best bet to get through college and have a decent resume to hopefully get hired by an agency somewhere. I realize I'll have a hard time finding a job out of college right away, but the two years of journalism have made me realize I REALLY don't want to do it for the rest of my life.

Like I said before, I still have at least a week and a half (with most of that being my spring break...hell of a way to spend it) to research and God knows I probably will be looking around a lot seeing as how I'll be dong nothing all week. Thanks for everyone's advice so far. If I have any more questions I'll definitely post 'em up...you guys have been helpful.

[Kimble]

Next, I'm leaning towards psychology as my official major (still have a week and a half to decide for certain). While it's not my ideal major, I don't think I'll be able to find anything more enjoyable (and I've been researching different things to do for a while now). In addition, I already have a few years of Spanish under my belt and I'll probably continue that and possibly get a basic understanding of another language (Arabic?) After I get my undergrad degree, I plan on mastering in criminal justice (don't know where yet...have to figure all this out first).

Nothing wrong with that. The MOST important thing is that you complete a degree and finish your education. I got my undergrad degree in Psychology, and I can tell you it opened no special career doors to me. I did find it an interesting, so if that helps you to complete you're degree, it's better to major in Psychology than something you won't finish. I also have my master's in CJ, and it did open an unforeseen career door to me, but remember that a master's degree, generally speaking, is no special qualification for careers in law enforcement. You most likely won't be given any additional pay increase over someone with a bachelor's degree (except at some departments, and at the federal level), and you may even be turned down for not having "practical real-world experience" (i.e. full-time work in LE or another field prior to applying). This happened to me, which is why I pursued my current position in academia.

ROS-By best bet I mean best bet to get through college and have a decent resume to hopefully get hired by an agency somewhere. I realize I'll have a hard time finding a job out of college right away, but the two years of journalism have made me realize I REALLY don't want to do it for the rest of my life.

Like I said above, there's nothing wrong with this. As long as you get a degree, you're ahead of many others (education-wise). Think about this matter more fully and then do what you think is best for YOU.

[MP_Steve]

Don't pick your major just because you think it is the best. Pick something that you are going to enjoy.

Exactly! Amongst all the comments on here about CJ, and it would be wise to pick a major with broader oppurtunities, I still went ahead and picked BA in Criminal Justice - Cont. in Law Enforcement Operations.

I picked CJ because there is nothing else I am interested in (maybe history, Bearcat :D). I would flunk out of any other program because I would loose interest.

One other member on here is in USAF Security Forces and has the same major though the same school.

Best of luck to me :D !