how not to pick your university major

ferd
31 Dec 202105:42
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe transcript depicts a high school student grappling with the decision of choosing a college major. Influenced by peers and societal expectations, the student contemplates computer science despite a lack of genuine interest. The conversation highlights the pressure of career choices and the struggle of aligning personal passions with societal norms, culminating in the student's satirical decision to base their future on the sound of keyboard clicks.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 College application dilemmas are common among high school students, especially when choosing a major.
  • 💻 Computer science is a popular major choice due to its financial prospects and job stability.
  • 👨‍🎓 Peer influence and societal expectations play a significant role in students' career decisions.
  • 🤔 A lack of exposure to various fields can limit students' ability to make informed choices about their future.
  • 📝 College essays often require students to articulate their interest in their chosen major, which can be challenging.
  • 🧠 The pressure to conform to expectations can lead to students making decisions based on external factors rather than personal interests.
  • 💡 It's important for students to consider their true passions and not just follow the crowd when selecting a major.
  • 🔄 Many students change their majors during college, so initial choices are not always set in stone.
  • 🌟 Personal fulfillment and happiness should be prioritized alongside financial success and societal acceptance.
  • 🚫 Avoid making major decisions based on superficial aspects, such as the sound of typing on a keyboard.
  • 🤷‍♂️ The realization of personal goals and interests may come later in life, potentially leading to a change in career path.
Q & A

  • What is the main concern of the student in the script about their college application?

    -The main concern is deciding on a major to put on their college application.

  • Why are many of the student's friends choosing computer science as their major?

    -They choose computer science because it can lead to high-paying jobs and is considered a stable career.

  • What is the student's initial reaction to the idea of studying computer science?

    -The student is unsure because they don't like science, but they do like computers.

  • How does the conversation suggest that the student's choice of major should be based on?

    -The conversation suggests that the choice of major should be based on financial stability, social acceptability, and parental approval.

  • What is the student's deadline for submitting their college application?

    -The deadline for submitting their college application is tomorrow.

  • What is the student's approach to writing the essay for the application?

    -The student decides to write the essay about their interest in the sound of keyboard clicks.

  • How does the student's friend react to the idea of basing the essay on keyboard sounds?

    -The friend is skeptical and doesn't think it's a good idea to base the entire essay on that.

  • What is the student's rationale for choosing computer science as their major?

    -The student chooses computer science because it's a popular choice among their friends and it meets the criteria of financial stability and social acceptability.

  • What is the potential issue the student foresees in the future regarding their major choice?,

    -The student worries that they might have a career crisis in college realizing that they chose a major based on external pressures rather than personal interest.

  • What is the final conclusion the student jokingly reaches in the script?

    -The student jokingly concludes that they might as well become a YouTuber as a way to do something they enjoy while making money.

  • How does the script comment on the societal and peer pressures in choosing a college major?

    -The script highlights the influence of societal and peer pressures in making career choices, often leading to decisions that may not align with personal interests or passions.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 College Major Dilemma

The first paragraph depicts a conversation among students during lunchtime, focusing on the uncertainty of choosing a college major. The main character is indecisive about what to study, and their peers suggest computer science due to its financial stability and social acceptance. The discussion highlights the pressure to conform to the expectations of family and the community, as well as the lack of exposure to diverse career paths. The character's reluctance to commit to computer science is evident, but they consider it due to the persuasive arguments of their friends. The paragraph ends with a humorous note, as the character decides to major in computer science based on the appealing sound of typing on a keyboard.

05:00
😅 Anticipated Career Crisis

The second paragraph presents a monologue reflecting on the potential future regrets of choosing a college major based on external influences rather than personal interest. The speaker anticipates a career crisis in the future, where they realize that their goals were shaped by their environment rather than their true desires. This realization may lead to a pursuit of a career that aligns more with their passions, such as becoming a YouTuber, despite it seeming like an unrealistic dream. The paragraph underscores the importance of making career choices based on genuine interest and personal fulfillment rather than societal expectations.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡college application
A college application is a formal document or process by which students apply for admission to a college or university. In the context of the video, the main character is struggling to decide on a major to declare in their application, which is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact their future academic and professional path.
💡computer science
Computer science is the study of computers and computing technologies, including hardware, software, and algorithms. It is a popular field of study due to its applicability in various industries and high earning potential. In the video, several characters mention they are pursuing computer science, highlighting its prevalence among the youth.
💡career choice
A career choice refers to the decision one makes regarding their profession or occupation. It is a critical decision that can shape an individual's future and life trajectory. In the video, the main character is uncertain about their career choice, reflecting a common dilemma faced by many teenagers.
💡coding
Coding, short for computer programming, is the process of creating instructions for computers to execute. It involves writing scripts or programs in a specific programming language. The video highlights the main character's uncertainty about whether they enjoy coding, which is a fundamental aspect of computer science.
💡social acceptance
Social acceptance refers to the extent to which an individual's actions, choices, or characteristics are approved or supported by society or a specific social group. In the video, the characters discuss how certain career choices, like computer science, are considered socially acceptable and can lead to less judgment or disappointment from others.
💡college essay
A college essay is a written piece required by many colleges and universities as part of the application process. It allows the applicant to express their interests, experiences, and goals, and is often a critical component in the admissions decision. In the video, the main character faces the challenge of writing an essay about their interest in a major they are uncertain about.
💡keyboard clicks
Keyboard clicks refer to the audible sounds produced when pressing the keys on a keyboard. In the video, the main character humorously decides to base their entire career choice on the appealing sound of keyboard clicks, which is a satirical representation of making life decisions based on superficial preferences.
💡career crisis
A career crisis is a period of uncertainty or dissatisfaction related to one's professional life, often leading to a reevaluation of career choices and goals. In the video, the main character anticipates a potential career crisis in the future due to making decisions based on external pressures rather than personal interests.
💡external pressures
External pressures refer to the influences or demands from outside an individual, such as family, friends, or society, that can affect their decisions and actions. In the video, the main character contemplates how societal and community expectations may have led them to choose a major and career path that they may not genuinely enjoy.
💡success
Success is the accomplishment of goals or the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. In the context of the video, success is discussed in relation to societal standards and personal fulfillment, highlighting the tension between pursuing a career that is deemed successful by others and following one's true interests.
💡youtuber
A YouTuber is a content creator who produces and publishes videos on the YouTube platform. In the video, the term is used satirically to represent an unconventional and unexpected career choice that the main character considers as an alternative to their current path.
Highlights

College application dilemma discussed during lunchtime.

Student unsure about choosing a major due to lack of exposure to various fields.

Computer science is a popular major among peers due to financial stability.

The societal and parental pressure to choose a stable and respectable career.

The uncertainty and indecisiveness of a teenager regarding career choices.

The unrealistic expectation for young adults to have their entire career path figured out.

The pressure to conform to the choice of studying computer science.

The importance of choosing a major based on personal interest, not just financial gain.

The challenge of writing a college essay on a subject the student is not genuinely interested in.

The humorous yet concerning idea of basing a career choice on the sound of typing.

The peer's support, albeit questionable, in the student's impulsive decision.

The ease of changing majors later on, as suggested by college tour guides.

The potential for a career crisis due to external pressures and a lack of personal fulfillment.

The fear of waking up to the realization that one's goals are not self-determined.

The internal struggle between external success standards and personal interests.

The hypothetical yet unlikely conclusion of becoming a YouTuber as a solution.

The overall satire on the pressures and uncertainties in choosing a college major.

Transcripts

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College DecisionsCareer GuidanceSocial ExpectationsParental PressurePeer InfluenceMajor SelectionHumorous DialogueEducational ChoicesPersonal FulfillmentIndustry Stereotypes