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Picking a major

 
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blue_apple



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:54 pm    Post subject: Picking a major Reply with quote

First, I just want to say I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question! I'm just trying to get as much information as I can so please humor me.

Here's the deal. I'm going to be starting my junior year of university soon. When I get my Bachelor's I'm thinking of going abroad to teach English in East Asia. I'm really leaning towards Japan or Hong Kong, although I wouldn't mind South Korea or China. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure what I want to major in but I'm really leaning towards registered nursing.

I'm really interested in medicine but I'm also really interested in Asian culture. I don't really know what major would work with that. I was thinking of teaching in university about Asian culture, history, and so on but that sort of thing seems location based. I don't want to have to pick up and move to a state with a large Asian population just to find a job.

I'm leaning more towards nursing but I just worry that the time away teaching English will effect my skills and what I remember. I don't want to go away for 1 or 2 years and then come back, ready to be a nurse and start my career, only to realize that I hardly remember anything and need to go back to school.

I know it seems a little silly to think of planning my major around being able to teach English but its just something that I really want to experience. However, if it can't be done then it just can't be done. I won't have a cow over it. I could always travel, right?

So, finally, my questions are as follows:

Do you think it would be feasible to go teach English for a year or two if I were a nursing major, fresh out of college?

If so, in order to remember everything that I learned, would you suggest self-study while I'm away?

Or should I just forget about teaching English because all my training in university would go to waste?


Thanks for reading this long post. Smile
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RACETRAITOR



Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It really doesn't matter what your major is, as long as you have one.
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jindodog



Joined: 31 May 2007
Location: not seoul

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah, you might want to work on youre researching skills Rolling Eyes
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Poemer



Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Mullae

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Talk to some of the faculty in the nursing program at your school and see what they think, they should be able to give you some guidance.
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Atavistic



Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Poemer wrote:
Talk to some of the faculty in the nursing program at your school and see what they think, they should be able to give you some guidance.


Seconded. Also ask them about travel nursing.
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Fresh Prince



Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Location: The glorious nation of Korea

PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I heard that the minimum requirements to be a nurse were lower but in some states, realistically to land a job and meet the certification requirements you would need a masters. I don't know if that's true or not but something to do some research on maybe.

Quote:
Do you think it would be feasible to go teach English for a year or two if I were a nursing major, fresh out of college?
The basic requirement for teaching English in most Asian countries is a Bachelor in any subject so you could get a job, but you're young and can always get certified as a nurse, then go work in Asia as a nurse, or teach English if you don't like the nursing field.

Quote:
Or should I just forget about teaching English because all my training in university would go to waste?
I believe most states require internships of some type in order to become certified in nursing, as well as passing some type of test/s. If that is true, then it would be best to take those tests and get the internships while the knowledge is still fresh in your head.

If you're looking for people's advice then mine would be to get a degree in something you really enjoy, where going to work everyday is interesting and not a drag. If you really like nursing then my advice is to get your degree in nursing then work on getting certified/licensed and work for several years. You can always come to Asia after that and find a job teaching English then, or work in nursing.

If you are looking at nursing for all the wrong reasons: It's a job that pays well but you don't really like it, or want to deal with sick people, then change your degree to something you really like.

I chose a field for all the wrong reasons, it paid really well and there were plenty of job opportunities. After working in that field I realized it was a big mistake for me and I would be a lot happier making less money but going to work everyday and enjoying my job. I've met a lot of people that had made the same mistake. I've met a lot of people that got a degree for the money and prestige, only to end up leaving the field because they hated it so much.
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Atavistic



Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fresh Prince wrote:
I heard that the minimum requirements to be a nurse were lower but in some states, realistically to land a job and meet the certification requirements you would need a masters. I don't know if that's true or not but something to do some research on maybe.


Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! While that may be true for SOME states, it's really nothing to worry about. Just like while SOME States require an M. Ed. to teach, you really don't need it.

There is a shortage of nurses. The majority of nurses are employed after getting a two year degree, their Assoc of Applied Sci in Nursing. The term is a bit misleading since most have to do the one to two years of college science and math before being admitted to nursing school. Because of the shortage, foreign nurses are being recruited.

(My mom is a nurse and my stepfather graduates in May with his nursing degree.)
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blue_apple



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive to post this thread because some of you seem so jaded and cynical that I thought you might eat me alive haha. I've been lurking around for a few months now. Anyway, I think I will talk to a counselor at my university about this. I was also thinking about maybe majoring in history with a minor in education. Lol I'll pick something eventually. Smile
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Atavistic



Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

blue_apple wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive to post this thread because some of you seem so jaded and cynical that I thought you might eat me alive haha. I've been lurking around for a few months now. Anyway, I think I will talk to a counselor at my university about this. I was also thinking about maybe majoring in history with a minor in education. Lol I'll pick something eventually. Smile


If you're not sure if you want to do nursing, get a job in a nursing home this summer. Or volunteer to do nursing related stuff. Same with teaching. That's help make up your mind one way or the other rather quickly.
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blue_apple



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Atavistic wrote:
blue_apple wrote:
Thanks for the replies. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive to post this thread because some of you seem so jaded and cynical that I thought you might eat me alive haha. I've been lurking around for a few months now. Anyway, I think I will talk to a counselor at my university about this. I was also thinking about maybe majoring in history with a minor in education. Lol I'll pick something eventually. Smile


If you're not sure if you want to do nursing, get a job in a nursing home this summer. Or volunteer to do nursing related stuff. Same with teaching. That's help make up your mind one way or the other rather quickly.

That's a great idea. I really shoud've thought of that myself. Thanks a bunch. Smile
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lvasia



Joined: 15 Nov 2007

PostPosted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

if you plan on teaching a short time, major in what you are most interested in. also you may find that you don't like teaching and want to do something else. i would pick the one you like the most.
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