Study choice

[miniboes]

As I am finished the fifth and final year of secondary education I need to make the choice of what I want to study. I feel quite lost, therefore I decided to ask you. I have many inspiring individuals around me, such as my brother, but none have given me very helpful advice. From one I hear to choose something that is sure to deliver a job, from the other I hear that I should do what interests me most. I add another factor to the consideration, which is how much of a contribution I could make to the world. If only there were some great balance of job security and fun out there. I seem to nudge towards the second, however even if I were to choose whatever I would enjoy I have no idea what that would be.

I know two things for sure; I want to develop my mind and contribute to the world in some way. Yet where is the place to do that best? Do I become an expert in a field where problems lie, or do I go where decisions are made to nudge things into the right direction?

Here are some fields I am considering:
- Public administration/government management (Great job security, moderate curiosity)
- Environment (Low job security, moderate curiosity)
- Public health/nutrition (moderate job security, high curiosity)
- Law (high job security, low curiosity)
- history/philosophy (low job security, high curiosity)

Do any of you have advice or suggestions?

[Jebus]

Miniboes. The book "What color is your parachute" is a classic that has helped many people in your situation. I completely agree with the people who asked you what you enjoy the most. Another important question is what you are good at i.e. :

Do you have leadership/management skills?
Do you have social skills?
Do you have analytic skills?
Do you have good language skills?

My educational background is in Industrial Organizational Psychology which is a booming field with excellent pay and which gives opportunities to make a positive difference. I would recommend it to any young person with good leadership skills, cultural sensitivity, and with an interest in psychology.

[miniboes]

Thanks for the book tip, I will check it out. My leadership is quite good I think, I am a bit awkward socially, my analytic skills are above average at least and my language skills are too. Organizational psychology is indeed an interesting option, I will keep it in mind!

[Jebus]

I am a bit awkward socially

No worries. I was too at a young age, but I learned to be a good actor.

[miniboes]

I am a bit awkward socially

No worries. I was too at a young age, but I learned to be a good actor.

Hehe, that is a good description. I feel like every day when I go to school I put on some sort of mask. The confident social guy is not really me.

[brimstoneSalad]

I suggest you go into nutrition and medicine, since it interests you and you can help a lot of people (and other animals) in that capacity as a vegan advocate.

Get a nursing degree (very high job security), and get certified as a registered dietitian.
Basic nursing degree is just a couple years, and not very expensive.

As a nurse, you'll be able to find a position where you can consult with dozens of people daily and help guide them to a vegan diet. You can also take night classes while you work to get higher certification. Nurses can level up into full doctor over time.

Unless school is free where you are, in which case go all out and get a PhD right away.

[miniboes]

Great suggestion, Brimstone! I am looking into how much of a problem it is that I have regrettably not chosen biology as one of my subjects. It does seem like a nursing degree does not actually require biology. For a dietitian degree it might be more complicated.

[brimstoneSalad]

Why is that? Is it because of dissection?

[miniboes]

Why is that? Is it because of dissection?

2 years ago, back when I had to make that decision, I had little interest in biology and was quite bad at the sciences in general. Therefore I chose no physics, chemistry or biology. That was long before I watched Forks Over Knives and that all changed. In 3rd grade I actually had to dissect a cow eye, one of the grossest experiences I can remember. Then I still had all subjects.

[brimstoneSalad]

Oh, did you edit your post, or did I misread it before?

Usually you can take a subject like that to make up for anything missed, although sometimes it can delay you a bit.

But if it's not required for a nursing degree (which I didn't think it was), then go for it- huge demand, and you can catch up over time and advance your education while working.