What are you studying?

[Ali-F]

I'm soon finishing school, and I thus need to find out what I want to study in the future.

It could be great to hear from my fellow Shiachatters who are studying: what are you studying? What do you want to be?

Let go!

 

[hasanhh]

@Ali-F I thought you were/are in college.

You're in High School?

[Ali-F]

32 minutes ago, hasanhh said:

@Ali-F I thought you were/are in college.

You're in High School?

 

Yes

[coldcow]

Be an engineer.  Solve problems instead of create them (lawyers), and live a comfortable life.  You can still do humanatarian stuff and actually save more lives than doctors (because the stuff you design and build will be around for a lot longer than a group of visiting doctors).

[Sirius_Bright]

2 hours ago, Ali-F said:

I'm soon finishing school, and I thus need to find out what I want to study in the future.

It could be great to hear from my fellow Shiachatters who are studying: what are you studying? What do you want to be?

Let go!

 

Salaam br. Ali.

As soon as you pass your high school look for your interest rather than going with the hype. Don't jump into any field without knowing thoroughly about it means what will you be studying and what you will be working on in the future. I would suggest to attend a career guidance session and appear for an aptitude test and go according to your interest/passion. I myself is an engineer and I saw few people leaving the college in the first year itself because they were not able to cope up thus wasting a precious year. Also look for placement record in the college/University. 

Best of luck for your future. 

[von Lohengramm]

BA Ancient History at Uni (in the UK).

[Hayy ibn Yaqzan]

Salaam,

Said with no pride, but without shame also -

from the perspective of a two-time university drop out; any time you spend pursuing a cause, or looking for knowledge which you are convinced will make your creator pleased with you, is time well spent (regardless of the outcome).

So yes, do your research, and try your hand at a few things that you feel are worthwhile - importantly talk to people with experience (and be fearless in sending out emails/tweets to people whose work you admire to ask for advice or propose a meeting over lunch or an internship/work experience).

Often you will find professionals to be quite flattered, and readily willing to help you - if you show them you have a good attitude and a genuine interest.

 

A precious discovery for me at university was finding out that in any discipline (Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Design, Social Sciences, Philosophy, the Arts etc..) you may find common demographics - but you will always find variation too. No matter which study you go into, there will be the full political spectrum, and if you can find the community you're interested in before you even get to college, you'll be at a huge advantage.

For example there may be collectives of student Architects who do amazing projects creating low-tech easy-to-implement refugee shelters; as well as groups of student Architects devoted to building the next corporate Burj Khalifa or military infrastructure.

You'll find the presence all over the web, and very easy to get involved in as a pre-undergraduate-potential-student.

 

Anyways, when it comes to suggestions on what to study - I do feel that Architecture (and related disciplines) is a very worthwhile endeavor, as the skillsets it provides you with are very versatile - reaching from the pragmatic to the philosophical, whilst bridging science and art.

Insha'Allah it will all go well for you!

P.S. I did not study Architecture on either occaision ;)

Edited August 2, 2016 by Hayy ibn Yaqzan

[Ibn Al-Shahid]

Bachelors of Fine Art. I pursued it because I can study many things, especially Islam, whilst doing it.

[hasanhh]

Salam,

To add to @Hayy ibn Yaqzan, studies conducted in the 1960s and 70s of senior corporate leaders and a few gov't came to "surprise' conclusion.

The studies showed that all these men and then a few women all went to the same graduate schools, professional schools and employed by a lot of the same companies. Compared with their peers, the researches found that they also went to the same grad schools ... but they were the ones that topped-out.

So the researches went back and asked their subjects what they thought made a difference to them in their careers. Uniformly the researchers found the same response: These people had started or completed their undergrad work in small colleges or in small-sized departments in universities. The advantage they got from that was the attention and time they got from their instructors and professors, where their questions were answered and their thinking/thoughts critically reviewed in a mentoring way.

[Zendegi]

2nd Year Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) / Mechatronic Engineering. I really enjoyed Maths at school and did the highest level possible.

Do what you enjoy and don't go for things simply because of prestige and money. 

At the same time do degrees which can get you employed, don't do the useless ones like Arts, History, Philosophy or whatever which won't get you a job. 

[Zendegi]

1 hour ago, Vestige said:

BA Ancient History at Uni (in the UK).

Waste of time. No jobs out there. 

I encourage all to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) related degrees. STEM is the future. 

Useless degrees which don't contribute an ounce to society are not worth doing. 

Refer to this old thread. 

 

[coldcow]

19 minutes ago, Zendegi said:

Waste of time. No jobs out there. 

I encourage all to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) related degrees. STEM is the future. 

Useless degrees which don't contribute an ounce to society are not worth doing. 

Refer to this old thread. 

 

I'm an engineer, and I encourage STEM as much as the next engineer.  But to say historians do not contribute to society is patently false.  Remember that we must learn from our history or we are doomed to repeat it.  That being said, anyone that wants to pursue a degree in something not as marketable or where the job market is flooded (like certain liberal arts majors) should always have a backup plan and/or a second degree.

[Hayy ibn Yaqzan]

52 minutes ago, Zendegi said:

Waste of time. No jobs out there. 

I encourage all to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) related degrees. STEM is the future. 

Useless degrees which don't contribute an ounce to society are not worth doing. 

 

Salaam,

Respectfully - I couldn't disagree with what is said here more;
at the very least from a Shia, Muslim, Humanistic and Educationalist perspective
at the very most, from an industrial, economic, social and cybernetic view.

The claim that arts and humanities are a waste of time, or that their worth is pinned against how many jobs are out there, or that 'the future' and success in it lies entirely in STEM, is incredibly damaging - not to mention, false.

I just wish I had the eloquence by which to explain how I see this,
So this flag to encourage you to think critically before accepting such a statement will have to do.

May Allah guide us all to the best of decisions.

P.S. I was a Computer Science undergrad ;)
Often, resistance to tyranny and profound social movements are born from the enlightenment of a humanities education - the way in which postcolonial theory filtered through Academics and Student Unions over the last decades; gradually building support and renewing Civil Rights campaigns like Occupy and Black Lives Matter.

This and much more. (I might be veering off-topic now)

Salaam!

Edited August 2, 2016 by Hayy ibn Yaqzan

[Reza]

1 hour ago, Zendegi said:

At the same time do degrees which can get you employed, don't do the useless ones like Arts, History, Philosophy or whatever which won't get you a job. 

#Civilization

[von Lohengramm]

45 minutes ago, Zendegi said:

Waste of time. No jobs out there. 

I encourage all to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) related degrees. STEM is the future. 

Useless degrees which don't contribute an ounce to society are not worth doing. 

Refer to this old thread. 

 

I'm sorry, but that's a load of rubbish. Re-read the comment I made on that thread you made:

"Here in the UK there are employers who care less about your academic qualifications and more about the experience you've accumulated throughout your educational career. And sometimes the degree you do in University doesn't even need to be directly relevant to the occupation you wish to pursue. English Literature, for example, is valued by employers in the Law/Education/Information & Research/Marketing sectors, meaning there are many jobs for you to pick within these categories."

In the case of Ancient History (or just History), it can lead to rewarding careers in many sectors: Education, Media, Publishing, Law, Heritage, Museums and charities, and government positions. Besides, I'm terrible at maths and find science boring. Why should I force myself to do something I'm disinterested in? 

And likewise, Philosophy isn't useless either.

[hasanhh]

1 hour ago, coldcow said:

I'm an engineer, and I encourage STEM as much as the next engineer.  But to say historians do not contribute to society is patently false.  Remember that we must learn from our history or we are doomed to repeat it.  That being said, anyone that wants to pursue a degree in something not as marketable or where the job market is flooded (like certain liberal arts majors) should always have a backup plan and/or a second degree.

Historians do contribute when they do their profession rightly. Yet, when they substitute or alter things for political correctness they protect their tenure but do not advance insight.

[Gaius I. Caesar]

1 hour ago, Zendegi said:

Waste of time. No jobs out there. 

I encourage all to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) related degrees. STEM is the future. 

Useless degrees which don't contribute an ounce to society are not worth doing. 

Refer to this old thread. 

 

I strongly disagree, not everyone is gifted with an enjoyment of mathematics and science.  Many people have jobs with degrees in History,  Law, Literature and Philosophy. 

Try telling a politician, lawmaker and librarian that their degrees and education are useless and don't contribute anything useful to society. Somehow, I doubt that it will end well. 

[Chaotic Muslem]

I'm studying whither or not we are affected by the RNA/DNA we are ingesting from food.

[Ali-F]

Nice replies, thanks.

I'm interested in these things):

1) Entrepreneur

2) Helping the needy (working with them)

What could I become?  

[Chaotic Muslem]

3 minutes ago, Ali-F said:

Nice replies, thanks.

I'm interested in these things):

1) Entrepreneur

2) Helping the needy (working with them)

What could I become?  

Mother Tereza 

[Hayy ibn Yaqzan]

10 minutes ago, Chaotic Muslem said:

Mother Tereza 

 

14 minutes ago, Ali-F said:

Nice replies, thanks.

I'm interested in these things):

1) Entrepreneur

2) Helping the needy (working with them)

What could I become?  

:P

Or if you're aiming for something original / achievable:

Social Enterprise and Social Innovation is a broad and burgeoning field;

It straddles the aims of philanthropy and charitable projects, whilst attempting to be economically feasible and profitable;

All this whilst being a field full of amazing problem solvers.

 

It would be amazing to see Shia brothers and sisters, better represented in SocEnt and SocInn.

Edited August 2, 2016 by Hayy ibn Yaqzan

[Ali-F]

What about becoming a doctor? 

[King]

Muslims are obsessed with becoming doctors, the percentage of muslim doctors out there is disproportionately high.  It is true that most science and arts graduates will have trouble finding jobs or good paying jobs.  Most sought after jobs are reserved for students who are professionally qualified, i.e engineer, software developer, chartered accountant, lawyer, doctor and CFA etc.  Even students who simply graduate with science degrees in bio, chem or physics have a difficult time finding work unless they go work in a lab as an assistant etc.

All of this is really unfortunate because an arts education is extremely important, but businesses are interested in obedient professionals and not enlightened individuals.

[Hayy ibn Yaqzan]

2 hours ago, Ali-F said:

What about becoming a doctor? 

 

1 hour ago, King said:

Muslims are obsessed with becoming doctors, the percentage of muslim doctors out there is disproportionately high.  It is true that most science and arts graduates will have trouble finding jobs or good paying jobs.  Most sought after jobs are reserved for students who are professionally qualified, i.e engineer, software developer, chartered accountant, lawyer, doctor and CFA etc.  Even students who simply graduate with science degrees in bio, chem or physics have a difficult time finding work unless they go work in a lab as an assistant etc.

All of this is really unfortunate because an arts education is extremely important, but businesses are interested in obedient professionals and not enlightened individuals.

 

You might both be onto something...

 

Where there is a lot of focus and prestige associate with the profession of a Physician (which is a bit different historically from a modern day 'Doctor' in my very humble, unqualified opinion)-

There is less focus and prestige - but perhaps a more urgent requirement for associated health professionals; experts in Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Medical Ethics - particularly from a Muslim perspective?

Just a thought...

[King]

1 minute ago, Hayy ibn Yaqzan said:

Where there is a lot of focus and prestige associate with the profession of a Physician (which is a bit different historically from a modern day 'Doctor' in my very humble, unqualified opinion)-

There is less focus and prestige - but perhaps a more urgent requirement for associated health professionals; experts in Mental Health, Occupational Therapy, Medical Ethics - particularly from a Muslim perspective?

Just a thought...

A lot of people in the east still do not take mental health issues seriously, they tend to see it all as a deficiency in character.  

[Reza]

6 hours ago, Ali-F said:

Nice replies, thanks.

I'm interested in these things):

1) Entrepreneur

2) Helping the needy (working with them)

What could I become?  

What do you want to sell? Pitch your idea, maybe I'll invest!

[Ali-F]

3 minutes ago, magma said:

What do you want to sell? Pitch your idea, maybe I'll invest!

No jokes here, I'm serious.

I once thought that I could make a business of "strange things". Wait, let me explain. Basically, it would be an online store, where people could buy unusual things from the world. Let's say a person sold dust from China or another person small trees from Cuba - and people could buy each thing. Lol. I think I just admitted that it was too strange.... Alas.

[Reza]

Just now, Ali-F said:

No jokes here, I'm serious.

I once thought that I could make a business of "strange things". Wait, let me explain. Basically, it would be an online store, where people could buy unusual things from the world. Let's say a person sold dust from China or another person small trees from Cuba - and people could buy each thing. Lol. I think I just admitted that it was too strange.... Alas.

No good, difficult model to maintain. Niche market!

[Ali-F]

6 minutes ago, magma said:

No good, difficult model to maintain. Niche market!

Yeah.

What about this one?

I thought I would start my little own business at first. I would then sell mid-eastern food (which in my country is not something you see every day = unusual)  and thus I would sell the food on an online store. Meaning people would order some food (mainly Arabic food) and I would then bicycle to them (because I don't have a car). 

Slowly, I could build my empire.

Thoughts? 

aPOAhXMZpoKHUMEBYoQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=arabic+fatayer&imgrc=stNdvRLJ6ekVTM%3A

Edited August 3, 2016 by Ali-F

[Reza]

1 minute ago, Ali-F said:

Thoughts? 

 

Here in this country, we call that a restaurant with a delivery service! Try again!

[Ali-F]

1 hour ago, magma said:

Here in this country, we call that a restaurant with a delivery service! Try again!

Thanks for ruining my life...

[Chaotic Muslem]

7 hours ago, Ali-F said:

What about becoming a doctor? 

a doctor is not a charity.. it is honey money..

[Ali-F]

7 hours ago, Chaotic Muslem said:

a doctor is not a charity.. it is honey money..

everything is done with an intention 

[Zarla]

19 hours ago, Ali-F said:

Nice replies, thanks.

I'm interested in these things):

1) Entrepreneur

2) Helping the needy (working with them)

What could I become?  

A Social Worker.

Edited August 3, 2016 by Zarla

[Reza]

3 hours ago, Ali-F said:

everything is done with an intention 

Intention and attention!