Need College Help

[kapolani]

Take a few computer science courses!

Take the first programming class and see if you like it.

Gone are the days when people can go to school and study fluff degrees and hope to get a job. It aint happening.

Engineers and healthcare providers are always in demand.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

If I had to do it all over again I would have made Mathematics my major and work to become an Actuary. 100% employment rate, huge pay and many colleges have a degree in math that can set you up to be an actuary.

From there, I would have tried that and if I didn't like it, I would have tried to work in Air Traffic Control. It's a federal government job that pays BIG money and has tremendous benefits and you can retire at a very early age.

Unfortunately, I found out about the Air Traffic Control jobs until I was too old to try for it. I believe you have to do it before you are 29 years old. You either need a college degree or time spent in the military to qualify. Then you go to Oklahoma for a school for about 1-year.

I'm good at math and work as a statistician for a living. But, I would have to go back and get re-educated in order to pass the actuary exams. Still, I regret to this day I never took that path because between the actuary and ATC, I could have found a tremendous job with a lot less nonsense that I went thru.

Accounting has always had a high demand since I was in high school. That was my first major, but it's brutal when you're an 18-year old kid trying to learn Tax Accounting. It's probably better now because back when I took it, we didn't have readily available computer programs like Excel to do the math for us. We had to use a calculator and paper.

A regular accountant makes a decent living. CPA's are the ones who make the big dollars. My friend recently became a CPA, but there are far more doctors than there are CPA's which tells you how difficult it is.

You can do anything if you really apply yourself and have a passion for it. But the real question becomes when you get into something and there are some things that turn you off about it will you still be passionate enough to see it through?





YR

 

[Future]

Make sure to pick something that suits you. Don't pick a career that you'll hate just because the prospects look good on paper.

Figure out what you're good at. Is it math and science? Reading or writing? Helping people?

Find jobs and fields that lean on the strengths that you have and like to use regularly. Also, imo there's nothing wrong with junior or community college even if it's just for a year. Take basic classes like e comp, algebra/calculus, chemistry, and do a couple of survey classes. Get exposed to different things and people and try to think about how you'd like to be spending your days for the rest of your life.

Beat me to it, on all points.

I won't argue that getting a Lib. Arts degree might make it harder to find work (though that's not always the case), but I would not trade my college experience for anything, even more money. Lots of private companies look for talent and experience, rather than a specific degree, so I'm in the "do what you want and find a way to sell it to employers" crowd.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Thanks man. Advice will be taken. I might cancel UNT this fall to attend either Angelina college, Hill College, Kilgore College or Northeast Texas Community College for their 2+2 program. UNT is about $25,000 a year for me right now so the change would really help. Not sure about community colleges themselves but to save that much money I wouldn't mind. They all have dorms in them which is what I am looking for.

Also the accounting jobs I am looking at require experience. Mostly all of them. What would you do coming out of college with your 4-year degree and 0 experience?

I am an accounting major. Transferring into the 3rd best undergrad accounting program in the nation. Will be in AZ all summer doing a very prestigious (and high paying) internship. Pm me if you have any questions

 

[TheCowboy]

I have chosen mechanical engineering for my major. Sounds interesting and challenging. All the physics and science doesn't bother me, but I have not taken a calculus course in my four years of high school. I am just hoping UNT will help with all the necessary steps to become a good engineer.

 

[ajk23az]

I am about to finish my BA in Computer Information Systems and found an internship that offered me a full time gig after school.

Supply Chain Management is also a hot field right now and there are a TON of jobs in that industry.

 

[Nova]

I have chosen mechanical engineering for my major. Sounds interesting and challenging. All the physics and science doesn't bother me, but I have not taken a calculus course in my four years of high school. I am just hoping UNT will help with all the necessary steps to become a good engineer.

I began the Mechanical Engineering Campaign in 2006 at UNT so let me give you some advice.

Math... you'll have to love it. To complete your degree program you'll have to complete --in order-- Math 1010 (remedial), 1100 (College Algebra), Pre-Cal, Cal I, and Cal II.

The most important thing I can stress is, if you want to graduate on time, you will need to already be in Pre-Cal or better from day 1. It may have changed since I've been there, but there are two maths you have to complete or test out of to be in pre-cal right off the bat (Math 1010 and Math 1100).

The reason for that is you cannot take physics without Cal I I believe... or maybe it was just pre-cal, can't really remember, and if you haven't taken physics you won't be able to take several major classes, and you'll start to get 'stuck' around around the beginning of your 4th semester.

I don't remember exactly what the GPA you'll need to maintain is, but if I remember right you'll need to average a B or greater over the course of Pre-Cal, Cal, and Cal II-- and believe me, these are NOT easy classes.

Outside of Math, the makeup of most major classes are very meticulous as you'll have to be familiar with countless details about materials you may not have even heard of before, or working with design programs such as Autocad.

It is definitely a challenge, but the reward is there. I think Mech Engineering is the highest paying right out of college. I think the average salary right out of college is around 56k, but I knew guys who started making 70+ right out.

For the record, I ended up switching majors.

 

[Nova]

I am about to finish my BA in Computer Information Systems and found an internship that offered me a full time gig after school.

Supply Chain Management is also a hot field right now and there are a TON of jobs in that industry.

To add to that, Logistics and Supply Chain Management are only offered as a Bachelors of Science program at UNT, which means you would be dealing with Honors classes. (again, unless it's changed since I left... requirements are always changing from year to year).

 

[TheCowboy]

I began the Mechanical Engineering Campaign in 2006 at UNT so let me give you some advice.

Math... you'll have to love it. To complete your degree program you'll have to complete --in order-- Math 1010 (remedial), 1100 (College Algebra), Pre-Cal, Cal I, and Cal II.

The most important thing I can stress is, if you want to graduate on time, you will need to already be in Pre-Cal or better from day 1. It may have changed since I've been there, but there are two maths you have to complete or test out of to be in pre-cal right off the bat (Math 1010 and Math 1100).

The reason for that is you cannot take physics without Cal I I believe... or maybe it was just pre-cal, can't really remember, and if you haven't taken physics you won't be able to take several major classes, and you'll start to get 'stuck' around around the beginning of your 4th semester.

I don't remember exactly what the GPA you'll need to maintain is, but if I remember right you'll need to average a B or greater over the course of Pre-Cal, Cal, and Cal II-- and believe me, these are NOT easy classes.

Outside of Math, the makeup of most major classes are very meticulous as you'll have to be familiar with countless details about materials you may not have even heard of before, or working with design programs such as Autocad.

It is definitely a challenge, but the reward is there. I think Mech Engineering is the highest paying right out of college. I think the average salary right out of college is around 56k, but I knew guys who started making 70+ right out.

For the record, I ended up switching majors.

Having a B or higher in calculus I and II seems hard to do. Not saying I am unable to achieve that, but I have heard that it is a pretty difficult class. As for physics, I do enjoy it. I take Physics right now and my average is about an 86. It's interesting and I like it. I hope my math and science skills really help me for this major, but man that B or lower and you're out has me a little worried lol.

 

[Tabascocat]

Having a B or higher in calculus I and II seems hard to do. Not saying I am unable to achieve that, but I have heard that it is a pretty difficult class. As for physics, I do enjoy it. I take Physics right now and my average is about an 86. It's interesting and I like it. I hope my math and science skills really help me for this major, but man that B or lower and you're out has me a little worried lol.

Don't let math scare you. There are so many tools today that can aid you. I went all the way through differential equations and I think cal II was the hardest but it did make cal III and diff eq a bit easier. A B grade isn't hard to achieve if you study and prepare but do not procrastinate in those classes.

 

[TheCowboy]

Don't let math scare you. There are so many tools today that can aid you. I went all the way through differential equations and I think cal II was the hardest but it did make cal III and diff eq a bit easier. A B grade isn't hard to achieve if you study and prepare but do not procrastinate in those classes.

Not that I am saying I don't believe you but where do you see that lower than a B is a failing grade? I couldn't find that for any college

 

[Nova]

Not that I am saying I don't believe you but where do you see that lower than a B is a failing grade? I couldn't find that for any college

I didn't mean to scare you away from Mech Eng or anything-- what dexternjack said is true, colleges have plenty of resources to help you succeed.

UNT in particular has a free Math Lab (and any other subject for that matter) that's open until about 8:00 or 9:00pm that you can do your homework in and there are grad students there to assist you and help you understand the material. I would recommend getting a study group together and form a routine of doing homework in the aforementioned Math Lab.

I just want you to know up front that it's not easy and it's something you'll have to WANT to do.

And as far as the B average goes, I want to make sure that you understand its a cumulative average. You can get an A in pre-cal, B in cal I and C and Cal II and you pass. But really you should be fine if you take advantage of the resources available to you. And, again I can't remember for sure if it's a B average or possibly a bit lower. Plus, who knows, it may be different now...

Outside of math and the other tedious parts of Mech Engineering, the labs are fun because they're really nothing more than machining classes. They'll introduce you to heavy machinery like Lathes, Milling machines, drill presses, etc, and let you dabble in molding and welding. It's quite fun if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[Tabascocat]

Not that I am saying I don't believe you but where do you see that lower than a B is a failing grade? I couldn't find that for any college

Never said that B was a failing grade, assumed ya had to get a B or better to keep a scholarship or something.

Keep this motto in mind then....C's get you degrees

 

[RastaRocket]

Accounting is also what I am looking at. I wouldn't mind the Statistics field but not sure how their demand is.

If you get a CPA you will be golden in the business world. Make sure you do something that interests you though.

Have you looked into any ROTC programs? It's not for everybody but seeing as you listed DEA and things of that nature it may be something you like.

 

[RastaRocket]

I didn't mean to scare you away from Mech Eng or anything-- what dexternjack said is true, colleges have plenty of resources to help you succeed.

UNT in particular has a free Math Lab (and any other subject for that matter) that's open until about 8:00 or 9:00pm that you can do your homework in and there are grad students there to assist you and help you understand the material. I would recommend getting a study group together and form a routine of doing homework in the aforementioned Math Lab.

I just want you to know up front that it's not easy and it's something you'll have to WANT to do.

And as far as the B average goes, I want to make sure that you understand its a cumulative average. You can get an A in pre-cal, B in cal I and C and Cal II and you pass. But really you should be fine if you take advantage of the resources available to you. And, again I can't remember for sure if it's a B average or possibly a bit lower. Plus, who knows, it may be different now...

Outside of math and the other tedious parts of Mech Engineering, the labs are fun because they're really nothing more than machining classes. They'll introduce you to heavy machinery like Lathes, Milling machines, drill presses, etc, and let you dabble in molding and welding. It's quite fun if you're into that sort of thing.

Exactly why you need to do something you are interested in... If you do not like it college courses may be hell for you. Engineering and Accounting will require a lot of dedication in your "free time".

 

[RastaRocket]

Never said that B was a failing grade, assumed ya had to get a B or better to keep a scholarship or something.

Keep this motto in mind then....C's get you degrees

Not always... I had to have a 3.0 or better in my core lower division classes before I was able to take the upper division courses required to graduate.

 

[Tabascocat]

Not always... I had to have a 3.0 or better in my core lower division classes before I was able to take the upper division courses required to graduate.

I know, it was tongue-in-cheek. A lot of programs require certain GPA's to continue, etc, etc and some degrees just need a 2.0. Just depends on what it is in and if continuing education is in the future(Masters/PHD/Med school, etc).