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Is it better to be an art freak, a science weenie or one of those
fence sitters? This is a major question faced by young people
today. Many students struggle with trying to decide what courses
they should take in high school, not to mention the problems
they face trying to pick classes for post-secondary school. |
Copyright
of Canada's SchoolNet |
Some people will tell you that sciences and math are more
difficult than humanities-based courses, and therefore people
should focus on becoming a scientist, preferably a doctor. This
is not true. There is not a winner in this contest between humanities
and sciences. The two areas are very different, but it is impossible
to have one without the other.
When choosing to concentrate your studies on one area, make
sure you look at your interests and skills first. And remember,
there are advantages to being in both, so don’t worry about
what you are missing out on.
According to science teacher, Mr. Coote, "People in sciences
are looking for precise answers to questions." So, if you
tend to focus on fine details, and you always want your questions
answered, the sciences may be the right choice for you. One definite
advantage is that, "there are possibly more jobs in the
sciences," says science teacher Mr. Farkas. The sciences
are more specific, and you often graduate with a degree or diploma
that is particular to a certain job. For example if you graduate
with a degree in electronic engineering, you will probably end
up working as an electronic engineer. For this reason, the sciences
are believed to be more job-ready.
Humanities, on the other hand, are much more liberal. Usually
your degree does not fit simply one specific job but a diverse
group of occupations. A person majoring in the arts may end up
working as executive for high-tech companies, as they need "creative
thinkers for developing marketing strategies, analysts to make
sense of all those statistics, team leaders to coordinate projects
and sales representatives to service clients," according
to Jenny Lass, a geography major who writes for schoolfinder.com.
According to Misao Dean, an English professor at UVic, one major
advantage to focussing on the arts is, "Humanities teaches
many skills which the Education Ministry and BC employers have
identified as the most important for long-term success in the
work world." Mr. Kneisz also believes that there are definite
advantages to being in humanities. "Universities are looking
for people who think that this is better developed in humanities."
If you don’t see yourself as falling into either the
science or humanities category, don’t panic. Margery Fee,
the Associate Dean of Arts at UBC, says that some students choose
to take a science minor in arts or an arts minor in science.
Comments Fee, "I think it’s unfortunate that science
and arts faculties have become so separate and we are really
working here to bring them closer together."
It may be assuring for you to know that you can change your
mind even after you finish your degree. Someone with a Bachelor
of Science may want to receive a Masters in Journalism and work
for a science journal. Another person might decide to go into
medicine after completing their Bachelor of Arts. It basically
boils down to your personal interests, and who’s to say
these won’t change.
So if you can’t decide what to do, don’t fret. Both
choices can be rewarding, so you win either way you pick. And
if you don’t want to choose between the two, combine them.
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you must only
pick one or the other. Do what you like to do and you will succeed. |
