Expert: Sue Kayton - 8/9/2011

Question
Hello,

I'm having a very tough time choosing a major but I have something in mind. It's either Biology with the intention of going to dental school or Mathematics with the intention of joining the Air Force.

I'm currently a Biology major but the classes really just make me cry because they're so hard (it's only my first year). I like the challenge but sometimes I want to be like normal college students and have fun every once in a while. If I don't become a dentist, I'll  let my family down.

I would love to be a mathematics major because math was my favorite subject in High School. I Love the Air Force! What makes me cry even more than my science courses is seeing the ROTC students in uniform and knowing I can't be one of them. The only reason why I haven't switched to this option is because I don't want to look back and think "I could have been a doctor... was I too weak to get a biology degree?"

I've listed the pros an cons of the two options I am considering. I am at a lost as to what to do so I would really appreciate your advice. What do you think I should do?

Answer
My advice is to do what YOU want, not what your family wants.  Did you know that dentists have a very, very high suicide rate?  Many people go into dentistry because their families want them to, but they hate the work, and end up very, very unhappy.  Of all the professional fields that require advanced degrees, dentists have, by far, the highest suicide rate.

If you think biology is a difficult subject, organic chemistry lab (which is required for bio majors) makes biology look really easy.  

If you love math, be a math major.  If you love the air force, sign up for ROTC.  You'll be doing what you love, and they might pay your tuition.  Being in ROTC will help you decide if you want a career in the Air Force.  If they pay your tuition, then you have a mandatory enlistment.  But if you don't take their tuition money, as I recall, there is no mandatory enlistment.  Try it and see if you like it.  

If you don't try math or the air force, then you will look back and think "I could have been doing something fun... but I was too weak to stand up to my family."  Do what YOU want since you will be doing it for 50 years before you retire.  Good luck!