Major Question

[Tate]

Originally Posted by Sa'ar Chasm

A guy I went to undergrad with has a B.Sc. in math. He works at Starbucks.

As what, an analyst?

But that does seem to confirm what I've heard, that an undegraduate degree in math isn't worth very much.

Originally Posted by Sa'ar Chasm

Incidentally, if you're at all considering grad school, go for the PhD or don't go at all. The Master's is nigh-well useless

Spoken from painful experience, I presume.

Originally Posted by Nate the Great

I suppose my only advice is to take a few courses not related to your major and try to get a part-time job that has nothing to do with your major, if you choose to work on campus.

Good advice, I suppose. My college career should be about more than just my major. I can get a better education, and better preparation for a job, if I don't focus all my energy on a single subject.

Originally Posted by PointyHairedJedi

I like cheese

Me too.

While we're on the topic of cheese, er college, I might as well ask if anyone knows a good college they can reccommend, particularly in northern California. I realize this is a long shot, as I can't think of anyone here (except for IJD, who's a relative newcomer) who lives around here, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[Nate the Great]

As I said, I wasn't going to touch the "get a 'squishy subject' degree, work in fast food" tired argument. Not a chance.

One reason I believe in the university system is that they make you get an education that isn't horribly niched.

[Sa'ar Chasm]

One reason I believe in the university system is that they make you get an education that isn't horribly niched.

A broad education in unemployable subjects makes you as unwanted as a niche education.

Don't mind me, I'm still annoyed that Science majors needed to take six Arts courses, but Arts majors only needed four Science courses, *and* they got special dumbed-down courses so the scary sciences wouldn't tax their brains, but I had to struggle through opaque analyses of Othello.

*cough* But I digress.

Spoken from painful experience, I presume.

There's a reason I haven't written a fiver in about a year and a half. Perpetual unemployment kills the funnybone.

[NAHTMMM]

FWIW, a physics degree is very heavy on mathematics. If you can handle matrices and systems of linear equations, non-stationary and abstract coordinate systems, differential and integral calculus, and the memorization of a few recurring formulas, plus random combinations of the above, you have a good shot at getting a physics degree should you feel so inclined.

[Nate the Great]

Ugh, differential calculus. I actually took that course, and all I can say is...

Back, back! I say thee NAY!

Sa'ar: Perpetual unemployment kills the funnybone.

I've faced that problem, and all I can do is parrot one of the wisest statements ever made by Dave Barry: "Do not confuse your career with your life." Embrace joy wherever you can find it, I say (as long as it's legal and inexpensive, of course), and if you find joy in fiving, then five! Simple as that.

[Nate the Great]

At least that picture served some purpose, namely reminding me of a classic bumper sticker:

"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."

[PointyHairedJedi]

So does rat; well, have you ever tried rat without ketchup?


[/Random sideways Discworld reference]

[Tate]

Originally Posted by Nate the Great

At least that picture served some purpose, namely reminding me of a classic bumper sticker:

"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."

What picture? (I'm saying this on behalf of those who didn't see the spambot post.)

[JVTruman]

Originally Posted by Tate

While we're on the topic of cheese, er college, I might as well ask if anyone knows a good college they can reccommend, particularly in northern California. I realize this is a long shot, as I can't think of anyone here (except for IJD, who's a relative newcomer) who lives around here, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Well, I'm from Arizona, but I've looked into it when I was applying for schools, and I'm told UC Berkeley is excellent. They only accept applications in November, though, and I'm not quite sure how your current credits would transfer. In Arizona, nearly all community college credits transfer to the state universities, but I'm not sure about other states.

[Nate the Great]

Berkley? Whoa. I shudder to think of the tuition there.

[JVTruman]

Well, sure, but why not aim for the top? As far as I know, a lot of schools currently have very nice grants for poor students (I'm getting quite a bit here in Arizona from my low family income). Also, I figure that if one were to apply to the UC system, there's a decent range of schools that might fit a lot of tuition/selectivity combinations.