Degree fears!

Post Reply New Topic

I'm studying an Undergraduate Triple Major in Mathematics, Economics and History. I went with what I enjoyed, but I'm worried that my degree(s) won't be worth much. I would be receiving three separate degrees (two Bachelors of Art and a Bachelor of Science), but I'm not sure if that's consequential in any way. I do plan on attending Graduate School (hopefully Law. Economics or Mathematics) at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College London, etc.

My career plan is to work as an economist or policy analyst in North Korea. After that, who knows...
I love to travel, so something where I won't be rooted in one place!

If anyone knows anything about degrees, would you be able to tell me if my prospective majors are worthwhile? There's no sense getting bogged down in debt if I'm not going to get anything out of it, no matter how much I love the subjects. I'm not looking for a high salary; I'm more concerned about "hireability", so to speak.

Thanks!
Tudball

There are very few westerners who have managed to settle in North Korea and you certainly wouldn't be allowed into any "sensitive" position. The few westerners who do live there are usually used for propaganda films.

I've been researching North Korea for years and years, so I know the options available. It would be through a foreign (or strictly monitored domestic) organisation, sanctioned by the government. I'm hoping to work in the field of economic development or policy analysis, in order to assist the country in re-mapping its agricultural system and economic organisation (within the constraints of a socialist system, of course).
That being said, the agrarian sector is increasingly privatised, and Kim Jong-il himself has expressed an interest in introducing (albeit limited) market economics (so long as the regime maintains its hold on power). The heir apparent Kim Jong-un has expressed the priority of economic development over military capabilities as recently as November, 2010. But the regime is at a crossroads - it knows that it must change, but cannot decide how and where. This is why North Korea will discuss fundamental structural change in conjunction with military provocations. It's in a volatile position, and it's an exciting field to be working in! (At least in my opinion, because the regime is both at its most, and least, malleable).

And you'd be surprised at the number of westerners living in North Korea - it's reminiscent of the old trading districts in feudal Japan and China. Foreigners are allocated to special districts (cut off from the rest of P'yongyang). But the variety of people living there is surprising - businessmen, diplomats, NGO workers, UN ambassadors, etc.) When looking at North Korea propaganda, you need to consider its intended audience. Much of what you see is intended for foreigners, and is often quite different from what is intended for the domestic population. That's why I've been learning Korean - so that I can read first-hand documents and communicate with Koreans myself.

But I digress...
At the moment, I need to focus on the usefulness of my degrees!

Has history ever been useful?

eh???! !! !!?

Well, you can use it to teach history at the high school or college level, or you could write books. Ken Burns seems to be quite successful with his historical documentaries.

I figured it might be useful in conjunction with some other degrees.

I can safely say that my Economics degree has been completely useless.

What degrees are useful, then? I went for the prestige in picking Mathematics and Economics; History was the only one I did solely out of interest.

You may fare better than I have, since you're also majoring in math. However, you should get your BA in Economics changed to a BS instead. That'll improve your chances of finding a decent job when you graduate.

My University only offers a BA in Economics, even at the Specialist level. I'm planning to do Graduate School, though. So, I'm hoping that the Maths degree will complement the Economics degree in my Grad School application. I have no idea, though.

Yes.

Problem solved! I made a call or two, and I can take a Specialist Major in Mathematics and Economics (BSc).
Well, that should make me a bit more marketable.

Just get an internship as a Risk Analyst (or something similar), and you should be set!

Lol. Lovely one word answers guys.

I was serious. I can't see history courses ever leading to a successful career for the average person. School teacher, author and documentary film maker aren't hugely ambitious.

Congratulations Tudball. Sounds like you've got things under control.