After six months and a lot of frustration (including around 12 hours in the last four days), I think I've finally figured it all out. My schedule for next semester. The direction I want to take academically. Where I want to go with the rest of my life. It's all set in stone.

Sort of.

If you've been following my tweets, you've noticed that I've been in credit hell. My plan was perfect; get a BA in Physics and a degree in Education along with endorsements in General Science and Physics.

It took me about four hours last Sunday to realize that this was going to be completely im-freaking-possible. There was just no way I could complete the Ed program without sacrificing my Physics Major for a Minor, which I was okay with, until my physics advisor pointed out to me the possibility of me falling madly in love with a hot woman from Massachusetts. This, he explained, would be a major problem.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with women in Massachusetts, but the fact is, I can't teach there without a degree in Physics. That's not the only state where I would be restricted either, although I've had a hard time finding concrete statistics.

There's no way I can pursue Education by pursuing my physics major, and there's no way I can be unrestricted by pursuing an education major. See my problem?

The good news is that I can get by another semester without making the major decision to stay at Drake another year or pursue my Ed major at some other point in my life, while still taking a couple of Ed courses next semester. Unless my Ed advisor says otherwise, that's what I'm going to do, and hopefully I can make a more informed decision sometime in the next few months.

Think I made the right choice? Maybe you could... Leave a comment, yes? Yes? Yes?
 


Comments

an SOE friend
04/07/2010 21:24

Matt, here is my 2 cents. Firstly, i assume that Staunton is your Physics Advisor. He's a dick. Secondly, If you teach in Iowa, you can get all your student loans paid in five years if you are willing to go to a place that is in need (ie really poor) and if you figure out that math its like getting an additional 20k a year. Plus we need science teachers, no questions asked. Thats really all i have to say, besides i think you will make a good teacher.

But try to get in a classroom next semester to see if you like it. I recommend Ruby Van Meter (school for children with special needs) or East High School with Maureen Griffen (shes chemistry, but fantastic).

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Christina @ Northern Cheapskate link
04/08/2010 11:51

Here's another option. Major in Physics, get a masters in Physics. Teach at a community college and make more money and not have to deal with punk high school students.

Honestly, Matt, you'll be fabulous at whatever you do! But as a former academic advisor, I say to choose the path that offers the most flexibility for your future. It makes it much easier to find and take a variety of career paths!

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an SOE Friend
04/09/2010 08:10

Christina also has a great point. I will admit that I am biased towards the School of Education. I agree wholeheartedly that you will be fantastic at whatever you do, though. Best of luck figuring it out.

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Matt Nelson link
04/29/2010 06:48

I just realized I never responded to these comments. Shame on me.

Thanks to both of you for your comments — mysterious SOE friend, I know who you are, but I won't reveal your secret identity (doesn't that make this comment sound WAY cool?). I would like to say that I don't think Staunton is quite as awful as you described, at least one-on-one. In a classroom setting he intimidates the crap out of me, but I've never been that worked up to go to his office hours.

Christina — I want to talk about some other educational options with you this summer sometime. It's been a ball of fun (sarcasm intended) to try and figure out exactly what is available to me, so I like hearing outside opinions. I'm pretty sure, however (okay, downright positive) that I never, ever want to get a Masters in Physics, because I never, ever want to go to grad school for physics.

But hey, who knows where they're going to end up, especially as a sophomore in college? I'll get it figured out at some point I guess.

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