Choosing a Major

By Patangi Rangachari

“I learn by going where I have to go." Theodore Roethke

Often, I get students asking me about careers and choice of courses etc. I usually tell them to stop thinking and start feeling. My general advice is to choose something they would want to do for the next 40-50 years, so gut instincts are a better help. Thinking of openings and niches and current opportunities is fraught with danger that those may disappear and one is left with a career one positively loathes!

One clearly needs some sort of self-assessment skills. I took a good look at my skills/attributes and decided long ago that ballet dancing, Sumo wrestling or being a gigolo was not an option.

P.K. Rangachari, Department of Medicine at McMaster University, and award-winning 3M National Teaching Fellow.

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ieth95 wrote:	I am thinking of going into law what would be the best undergraduate degree?? Posted on Feb 17, 2013 at 09:20

tinaay wrote:	Hi, i am about to apply for life sciences at waterloo university. just wondering what is the easiest life sci program to get into? i need a high gpa for medical school or optometry.. just wondering is BIOLOGY better or BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES? Thanks <3 Posted on Nov 18, 2012 at 02:36

Curio125 wrote:	I have decided to get a creative writing degree and I figure if I am going to be paying 20k a year it will be for something I love, but I am a little worried I won't find a job in it. How far does this following your heart idea go?! Posted on Nov 03, 2012 at 12:45

universitybound3 wrote:	"stop thinking and start feeling": quote of the day! Posted on Aug 10, 2012 at 10:56

anmolgupta25 wrote:	that's so true. i plan on going to mcmaster... if i make it, i would love to meet this prof! Posted on May 19, 2012 at 12:11

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