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Help with college/university degree

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-Zimbo-
Posts: 42 - Karma: 106
ok so im currently in rolled in a architecture program in a university program in Ontario. Im in my first year. I aways had a paisson in design and creating things. My dad is in the construction industry and also does a lot of house renovations for a hobby and to flip. I got a lot of my inspiration from my dad. I always liked the idea of designing houses and then building them. As a kid I was always really creative. I loved photography, video editing, drawing, painting, animation etc. I decided to go into architecture because it appealed to me and seemed to match a lot of my personality traits. After my first semester I started to get fixed feeling about architecture and discovered it isn’t really my passion. I realized for the amount of schooling you have to go through is not worth it if its not your passion. We recently did a advertising project on a poster for an IKEA lamp. I really liked the process of designing the poster and even pursued poster making for friends and for fun after the project was complete.

This brings me to my next point. Im thinking of dropping out of my architecture program and pursuing something in the graphic design/media/advertising field. I always liked the idea of creating logos, posters, websites, taking pictures, animations, advertising etc. for companies.

What do you guys think about this field? Im scared because it seems to be a less promising field then architecture talking salary and job prospect wise. Also what programs do you recommend? Im open to moving out of Ontario because I want to ski as well. I was looking at BC but no programs really appealed to me.
Dec 17 2015 6:15PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
Realize that what you major in undergrad is not terribly important, unless it is Nursing or Engineering. To realistically work in the fields you are interested in, a Masters will be important. You can get into a Masters program without having done an undergrad in the same major, although it can certainly aid you.

For being in your first year of university, put off any serious decisions. Take a wide array of courses over the different areas you think you might be interested in. You can delay declaring a major until your Junior or Senior year most of the time. Also, seriously pursue an internship in an area you think you are interested in. This will give you a real-life look at your potential career, and allow you to evaluate it more critically.
Dec 17 2015 6:58PM
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-Zimbo-
Posts: 42 - Karma: 106
iFlipRealize that what you major in undergrad is not terribly important, unless it is Nursing or Engineering. To realistically work in the fields you are interested in, a Masters will be important. You can get into a Masters program without having done an undergrad in the same major, although it can certainly aid you.

For being in your first year of university, put off any serious decisions. Take a wide array of courses over the different areas you think you might be interested in. You can delay declaring a major until your Junior or Senior year most of the time. Also, seriously pursue an internship in an area you think you are interested in. This will give you a real-life look at your potential career, and allow you to evaluate it more critically.


i completely agree...this is where i messed up
Dec 17 2015 8:05PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
You said that "I always had a passion in design and creating things." and "My dad is in the construction industry".

I suggest that you enroll yourself in an Engineering program. Once you get the fundamentals down you'll begin to learn about the design process. Engineering is not (entirely) a world of nerdy math and science. It is design using science fundamentals. I think that if you have a good work ethic and a strong affinity to both the sciences and maths then you should try engineering. Further down the degree you'll get into design projects and might end up in a niche stream of academia that you really enjoy. You can take your engineering degree back to any college or university program or in the workplace.

I'm a 4th year Mechanical Engineering Student. The design projects at my school are pretty cool. I built a hybrid design wind turbine in 2nd year and tested it in a wind tunnel on campus.

Really cool program, we cover, in detail how planes fly, how cars work, why boats float, how to cool a beer, how to program mechanical systems like drones. There are student run teams that build a race cars, underwater vehicles, flying drones and lots more. They compete all over the world.
Dec 17 2015 8:38PM
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DBack1321
Posts: 410 - Karma: 485
When I first started college I wanted to be a game warden, then fish or wildlife biologist and now after taking a couple of forestry classes I actually know what I enjoy learning about/want to concentrate in.

My point is don't be afraid to change your mind, especially after your first year. You'll never truly know if youll enjoy it until you actually do it.
Dec 17 2015 9:26PM
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-Zimbo-
Posts: 42 - Karma: 106
DBack1321When I first started college I wanted to be a game warden, then fish or wildlife biologist and now after taking a couple of forestry classes I actually know what I enjoy learning about/want to concentrate in.

My point is don't be afraid to change your mind, especially after your first year. You'll never truly know if youll enjoy it until you actually do it.


i wish i could experiment but university is expensive and i dont want to keep restarting.. i think im going to look at general advertising and media programs..
Dec 17 2015 10:55PM
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000000000000
Posts: 843 - Karma: 1,552
Sorry to say, but college is a giant waste of money and time if you do not know what you want to do. I went for two years without a major, and realized i actually wanted to make a living. I enrolled in a trades program for two more years. I can find work wherever making decent paychecks. Point being, don't fall into the debt trap and have nothing to show for it.
Dec 17 2015 11:34PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
I went in for general science because I was unsure, but then I decided to transfer to engineering. Ive always wanted to do product design and prototyping, and this program was the closest match I could think of. I also really enjoy building and designing things. Ive only just transferred so i can keep you posted if youre interested, but I'm already enjoying it a hell of a lot more than sciences. I got to UBCO in kelowna by the way
Dec 17 2015 11:39PM
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-Zimbo-
Posts: 42 - Karma: 106
-WZ-I went in for general science because I was unsure, but then I decided to transfer to engineering. Ive always wanted to do product design and prototyping, and this program was the closest match I could think of. I also really enjoy building and designing things. Ive only just transferred so i can keep you posted if youre interested, but I'm already enjoying it a hell of a lot more than sciences. I got to UBCO in kelowna by the way


ya sure i would love to hear from u!! wat kind of engineering are you in?
Dec 18 2015 12:41AM
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DBack1321
Posts: 410 - Karma: 485
-Zimbo-i wish i could experiment but university is expensive and i dont want to keep restarting.. i think im going to look at general advertising and media programs..


Yes that is true. I could switch because they were very related, but architecture and media programs not so much haha
Dec 18 2015 12:43AM
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Rparr
Posts: 5559 - Karma: 45,545
On the other side of the issue, don't be like me. I'm a 4th year Chemical engineering student at a well regarded university for engineering and I fucking hate it. the work expectations are insane. It really didn't ramp up to the point of me hating it until third year, so I'm stuck grinding it out. Only 2 semesters left but it's like pulling teeth.
Dec 18 2015 12:45AM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
-Zimbo-ya sure i would love to hear from u!! wat kind of engineering are you in?


I havent declared a major yet but Ill probably go mechanical and plan to minor in environmental or material!
Dec 18 2015 1:28AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
You can't go wrong with engineering even if you don't want to pursue the field. Employers will respect it MUCH more than most other degrees. Unless you want to do Graphic design and go into that field specifically. Engineering gives you a ton of options
Dec 18 2015 2:42PM
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