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Accounting
AccountingIf you like free enterprise, thank an accountant. No, really. While Accounting isn’t exactly glamorous, it’s absolutely central to any properly functioning free market system. In a nutshell, if you major in Accounting, you’ll learn how to keep financial records of business transactions and how to prepare statements concerning assets, liabilities, and operating results. It’s a fairly technical and very numbers- and detail-oriented field that involves economics, the interpretation of financial data, and management skills. It’s also a rapidly growing profession, and that’s not likely to change any time soon because monolithic corporations, governments, charities, labor unions, individuals, and pretty much all other kinds of entities need accountants. While it’s possible to be a general accountant, specialization is a Big Thing in this field. Many accountants specialize in auditing, taxes, or consulting. There are also several professional designations within the field of Accounting. There’s your garden-variety CPA (Certified Public Accountant) as well as your CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and your CIA (Certified Internal Auditor). Keep in mind that you’ve got to pass an extremely challenging exam after graduation in order to earn any one of these titles, though.
Preparation
No surprises here. If you want to major in Accounting, you need a strong background in math. Ideally, you will have completed four or five years of college-prep math by the time you are a first-year student, as Accounting majors generally take calculus in their first year of college. Experience with computers and business-related software programs will also prove extremely beneficial.
Actuarial Science
Actuarial ScienceAs Frank Drebin so wisely reminds us in Naked Gun: You take a chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan. Exactly how risky is it to stick your head in a fan, though? For that matter, how can a corporation determine the financial risks of manufacturing shoes in China? How does an insurance company know how much to charge automobile owners for collision insurance? Do people really keep tabs on such things? Of course they do. These risk evaluators are called actuaries, and they spend their days calculating the costs to assume all different kinds of risks. More precisely, Actuarial Science is the mathematical and statistical underpinning of every kind of insurance on earth – health insurance, life insurance, property insurance, pension plans, you name it. There really aren’t that many people in the actuarial profession – less than 20,000 in North America – but they make good money their entire careers (most end up in upper management and executive positions) and they like what they do; actuaries consistently give their line of work stellar job satisfaction ratings. If you major in Actuarial Science, you’ll become something of a Zen Master in statistics and, upon graduation, you will likely take a job in the insurance industry. You should note that actuaries only achieve professional status by passing a series of hairy examinations prescribed by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or Society of Actuaries (SOA). Examinations are held twice each year, in the spring and fall.
Preparation
Actuarial work involves lots of math. Take every available math course in your high school, particularly the ones that are intended to prepare you for the rigors of college math. Actuaries must also be abreast of business issues and trends in social science and economics, so plan accordingly.
Advertising
AdvertisingWhat with the gazillions of television channels, radio stations, Internet sites, and periodicals out there, there’s certainly no lack of media in the world. And, as everybody knows, the driving force behind nearly all media is ads. If you major in Advertising, you’ll become something of an expert in advertising principles, copywriting and layout, media campaigns, and media economics. You’ll also hone your writing, presentation, and problem-solving skills. You’ll become a pretty good psychologist, too. You’ll learn how and why people make decisions and how to influence those decisions. Behind all the glitz and the cool slogans, Advertising is really about understanding what motivates people to buy a product, or use a service, or support a cause. Advertising is an overwhelmingly project-oriented major. You’ll spend enormous chunks of time looking at ads, talking about them, and criticizing them. (By the way, and this stands to reason, if you don’t like to talk about ads already, you probably shouldn’t make them your life.) However, you’ll mostly learn about Advertising by doing Advertising. You’ll develop concepts and portfolios. You’ll swamp yourself in market research (maybe even for real firms). You’ll create sales presentations and come up with irresistible jingles designed to motivate your target audience. Most importantly, you’ll have internships. They are utterly indispensable. When recruiters come to campus, or employers are eyeballing you for that Big First Job, they’ll be a lot more interested in you if you have a few internships under your belt. After graduation, most Advertising majors go to work for traditional Advertising agencies, media conglomerates, or marketing firms.
Preparation
Take lots of English courses. Any other writing-intensive courses are good as well. If your high school offers courses that will teach you how to use computer programs or, even better, how to create computer-based graphic art, take them, too. You’ll probably be required to take a foreign language in college if you choose to major in Advertising. Plan accordingly. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Advertising majors almost universally involve some fairly challenging statistics courses. Consequently, if you ignore math in high school, you’ll be in for a rude awakening.
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace EngineeringWe’re certainly not rocket scientists, but you can be one by choosing Aerospace Engineering (or Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, as it’s often called) as your major. Be forewarned, though: it will be rigorous, difficult, and time consuming. Aerospace Engineering is all about flight – airplanes, spacecraft, hovercraft, helicopters, you name it. It includes the study of aerodynamics, aerospace structures, propulsion, flight mechanics and systems, and vehicle design. If you major in Aerospace Engineering, you’ll endure four seriously intense years, but you’ll graduate with a solid understanding of the physical fundamentals underlying atmospheric and space flight and the ability to research, analyze, and design the flying machines of the future.
This knowledge will serve you well. The aerospace industry is the second largest industry in the United States, and it is definitely one of the largest employers of engineers. With a major in Aerospace Engineering, you can expect to land a fairly lucrative job with a big aircraft manufacturer, an airline, or with NASA. You’ll also be qualified to continue your education at the graduate level or to work in any number of non-aerospace (and, for that matter, non-engineering) fields.
Preparation
A strong background in mathematics and physics is absolutely vital if you want to pursue Aerospace Engineering, as is extensive knowledge of computers and computer programming skills. Take A.P. physics and chemistry, and take calculus or the highest-level math class that your high school offers.
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
African Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsDo you have an interest in Africa and a gift for languages? Africa has eight-hundred-plus spoken languages, fifty of which are spoken by a half a million people or more, some of which are spoken only by small tribes. Those interested in linguistics — the study of the units, structure, nature, and development of languages, as well as the relationships between different languages and language branches — will find Africa an especially rich area of concentration. African Languages, Literatures and Linguistics majors learn one or more languages from the following families: Afro-asiatic, Niger-Kordofanian, Nilo-Saharan, and Khoisan. More important than memorizing languages, is understanding the nature and history of African languages, with special attention to phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Students study philology, the study of language, as it relates to and is used in literature, and take classes in African literature. Because few African languages have written languages, literature studied will often be in the form of transcribed oral tradition.
Preparation
Immerse yourself in the humanities, concentrating on history and English classes. Take four years of French, plus any additional language your school offers to get your brain ready for some headier linguistic challenges.
African Studies
African StudiesColleges often list a major in African Studies within a broader major of African-American/Afro-American studies. This broader context will provide you the opportunity to look not only at African culture and history, but also the relationship between them and the African-American experience in the United States. Areas of focus within the African Studies major include history, religion, cultural and social issues, literature, and the arts. Given the breadth of African history and African-American culture, there are plenty of areas from which you may choose. Whether it’s women’s issues in contemporary Africa, or the political, economic, and social effects of slavery within the United States, the African Studies major is a wonderful opportunity to explore the connections between Africa and the rest of the world.
Preparation
The best preparation for a major in African Studies is a strong interest and commitment to humanities. English courses, especially those in which discussion of texts is the normal way class is conducted, get you ready for a major that often involves polemic issues. Geography is essential, as there are over 40 countries in Africa, and learning them all has been compared to learning the periodic table of elements
African-American Studies
African-American StudiesA multi-disciplinary major, African-American Studies will offer you an understanding of what it means to be African-American. You’ll learn how African-Americans have affected and been affected by American culture, and how those effects have been viewed by society throughout history. You’ll study the problems that African-Americans have encountered in the past, and the problems they face today—such as economic and political discrimination. You’ll study the roles of African-American women, the problems faced by African-American children and teenagers, and the issues of race in the media. You might encounter subjects such as the portrayal of African-Americans in the news, the problems and benefits of government programs like affirmative action, and the influence of African-Americans on pop culture. Throughout your studies you’ll gain exposure to African art, language, music, politics, psychologies, and literature. You’ll begin to form ideas of how the relationship between identity and race has evolved. This major will give you the opportunity to become knowledgeable in many different fields, including political science, English, women’s studies, psychology, sociology, history, and many others. African-American Studies is a great major for anyone interested in the black experience.
Preparation
You’ll be best prepared for a major in African-American Studies by taking courses in English, history, philosophy, and religion. Foreign language, art, and music courses might be useful as well. The multi-disciplinary nature of the major makes a diverse background of knowledge your best preparation.
Agricultural Business and Management
Agricultural Business and ManagementDo you have a head for business and an interest in agriculture? A major in Agricultural Business Management combines the best of both worlds. Agriculture in the 21st century is a complex, multifaceted, and cutting-edge industry, and in order to ensure that the farm products Americans need are grown, manufactured, and distributed effectively, all agricultural businesses need managers to take charge. As an Agricultural Business Management major, you’ll be studying all the fundamentals of business—economics, management, marketing, finance, and others—while learning exactly how these fields apply to the world of agriculture. You’ll apply your business skills to areas like natural resources management, food systems, and biotechnology. You’ll investigate ways to maintain the delicate balance between environmental protection and profitable business. You’ll learn about the processing and distributing of agricultural commodities. You’ll also learn about the newest advances in technology and computer science that have advanced the field of agriculture and made agricultural practices more efficient and convenient. With this major, you’ll get the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this lively industry.
Preparation
If you’re considering a major in Agricultural Business Management, your best bets for building a good academic foundation are math, biology, chemistry, business, and computer courses. Business classes your high school offers would be perfect. You may also want to get involved in agricultural clubs to see what the agriculture world is all about.
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural EconomicsConsider the Twinkie. Its primary ingredient is flour, which typically comes from wheat. The wheat is grown in, say, Iowa, then shipped to factories in places like San Francisco, where it’s mixed with mysterious things like dextrin, sleekly packaged, and – eventually – shipped to your favorite convenience store. The crazy thing is, after all that work, everybody involved makes a profit and you can enjoy a tasty Twinkie for not much more than the cost of a postage stamp. Your enjoyment of that Twinkie is possible thanks in large part to the brilliance of people in the agribusiness industry, which accounts for almost one-fifth of the United States gross national product. To be a part of this huge national and international food industry (which has more jobs than applicants), you need a strong background in agriculture and business. Agricultural Economics – also called Agribusiness – prepares you for just such a future. Agricultural Economics majors put economic theory into practice. They develop management and financial strategies for the food and farming industries. They focus on understanding and correcting problems in the manufacture, selling, financing, and distribution of food products. They also work to preserve natural resources and the environment. If you major in Agricultural Economics, you’ll forecast market prices, develop marketing strategies for new products and participate in case studies of the successes and failures of real products and real farms. You’ll also participate in internships with agribusiness companies and government agencies.
Preparation
Agricultural Economics involves lots of critical thinking and heavy doses of math and science. If you think you might major in Agricultural Economics, try to get as many advanced math courses under your belt as possible while you are still in high school. Experience with computers is good, too, as is any introduction you can get to formal logic. Obviously, if your high school offers economics or agriculture courses as electives, you should take them. Biology and chemistry are pretty vital as well.
Agricultural Education
Agricultural EducationA major in Agricultural Education provides the communication skills, leadership training, and knowledge of technical and agriculture necessary to be certified as a teacher of agricultural education, particularly in high schools and community colleges. You can also find employment in agricultural development, personnel training, and sales positions in various agricultural-related industries.
Agricultural teachers need a broad background in agriculture. As such, expect to take courses in agricultural economics, animal science, entomology, veterinary science, and crop and weed sciences. You can frequently choose among several certification areas including horticulture, agribusiness, natural resource management, and agricultural production.
State teacher certification is based on the recommendations from the departments of education in individual states. Wherever you are, though, it’s a virtual certainty that you’ll participate in student teaching at high schools near campus. Keep in mind, by the way, that you should make your student teaching plans as early as you can.
Preparation
English and history courses are also a very good idea, as are agriculture courses (of course) if your high school offers them. Courses in biology, chemistry, math, and earth science will also serve you well. Courses in speech (and anything else involving public speaking) are good, too.
Agricultural Journalism
Agricultural JournalismTorn between your love for broadcast media and your passion for farming? We know the feeling. Luckily, there is a solution. If you’re interested in communicating about science, agriculture, health, or the environment, Agricultural Journalism (also known as Agricultural Communication) is just the thing. A major in Agricultural Journalism is exactly what it sounds like. You take courses in news writing, advertising, broadcast news, photojournalism, and editing and design. You also take courses in animal and plant science, agricultural economics, biochemistry, and forestry. Upon completion of the major program, you’ll receive a bachelor’s of science degree. A major in Agricultural Journalism prepares you for a variety of career opportunities in agriculture, business, and science. Depending on the journalism courses you take, you can apply for editorial positions with farm journals, daily and weekly newspapers, or in the radio, television, advertising, and public relations industries. You can also work for non-specialized newspapers and non-farm radio and television stations. The agriculture background helps Agricultural Journalism majors organize and transmit scientific and technical information in a way that regular folks can understand.
Preparation
You don’t need to know anything about journalism or agriculture to major in Agricultural Journalism, but it sure would help. If possible, get on your high school newspaper or yearbook staff. If your high school has any broadcast media, get on the staff of that, too. English and history courses are also a very good idea. As far as agriculture, take courses in biology, chemistry, and earth science. Obviously, if your high school offers agriculture courses, you should take a few.
Agricultural Mechanization
Agricultural MechanizationThe history of Agricultural Mechanization is filled with exciting technological advances and complicated social issues. Agriculture, once a harrowing and back-breaking endeavor, has been vastly improved in the past few centuries thanks to inventions such as the tractor, the thresher, and the baler. These inventions—and the sweeping changes in the agricultural field that accompanied them—are generally referred to as Agricultural Mechanization. As a major, Agricultural Mechanization aims to expose you to the technological and mechanical aspects of farming equipment. You’ll study areas such as electric power and processing; construction and maintenance; and water management. You’ll learn the ins and outs of engines, combines, tractors, balers, and other devices. You’ll study building construction, and learn mechanical skills such as welding and drafting. Ultimately, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to design, build, repair, sell, manage, and operate farm equipment. There are many career options open to you as an Agricultural Mechanization major. Many students choose to begin their own business; others embark on careers in service management, product service or testing, or agricultural management. Whatever the case, know that you’re furthering a field that has allowed agriculture to come amazingly far.
Preparation
Your best preparation for a major in Agricultural Mechanization is to take as many advanced-level math and science courses as possible. You’ll be using mathematics in many areas of this field, and the broader your foundation when you get to college, the better. You might also want to investigate agricultural clubs at your school to gain some knowledge about the farming world.
Agricultural Technology Management
Agricultural Technology ManagementIf you major in Agricultural Technology Management, you’ll study agricultural and biological sciences, and learn how to manage the production and processing of food and agricultural products. Agricultural Technology Management courses are mostly practical in nature. You’ll spend a large chunk of your time applying physical science concepts to problems in agricultural systems and food production. You’ll also spend a good deal of time studying math, chemistry, business, agricultural economics, and computer science. Upon graduation, Agricultural Technology Management majors frequently find employment in the technical sales, service, and management side of agribusiness and agricultural production.
Preparation
Agricultural Technology Management involves physical sciences, agriculture, and some math. If you think you might major in Agricultural Technology Management, try to get as many advanced math courses under your belt as possible while you are still in high school. Experience with computers is good, too, and courses in chemistry and biology are essential. Obviously, if your high school offers agriculture courses, you should take them.
Agricultural/Biological Engineering and Bioengineering
Agricultural/Biological Engineering and BioengineeringThe 1978 film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes opens with a fresh tomato coming to life and rolling toward the lady of the house as she does housework. In subsequent scenes, overgrown tomatoes gurgle, grunt, fly, and fling themselves at moving cars. A bioengineer’s dream come true . . . or his worst nightmare? Hard to say. But if you pursue a career in agricultural/biological engineering and bioengineering, you may well be involved in developing tools that make it easier—and safer—to produce and distribute food of the highest quality, the biggest and the best there is. Agricultural/biological engineering and bioengineering are swiftly evolving fields that integrate the principles of biological and physical sciences and use them to solve agricultural and environmental problems. Engineers in these fields design systems and equipment that increase agricultural productivity and food safety. They also manage and conserve soil, water, air, energy, and other agricultural resources. As an agricultural/biological engineering or bioengineering major, you’ll learn the skills of engineering as they relate to agriculture, food production, and resource conservation. For example, as a bioengineer, your interests might lie in working to create a breed of fatter, tastier tomatoes (non-attacking variety) or speeding up the fermentation of grape juice into wine. These majors are not for the fainthearted; you’ll take advanced and difficult courses in many different subjects, including math, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Laboratory work and computer science will also be big components of your studies. (A personal computer should be at the top of your list of Things To Buy For College.)
Students who graduate in these highly specialized fields often choose to continue their studies in graduate or medical school. Others go on immediately into the workforce and find that they are highly prized by government agencies, consulting firms, and monolithic corporations such as International Paper, Tyson Foods, Archer Daniels Midland, and Haliburton.
Preparation
You don’t need to be a whiz in engineering, agriculture, or biology in order to pursue these majors, but having an enduring love of math and the physical sciences will help immensely. Take all the math, physics, biology, and chemistry courses that your high school offers. Experience with computers and computer programming will also prove valuable. If your high school offers agriculture courses, you’ll obviously want to take those, too. Any extra knowledge of the field you acquire before college will only help you. If you know where you want to apply, consider contacting the university for information on their agricultural and biological engineering programs; this way you can choose high school courses that will satisfy admission requirements and prepare you for the workload ahead.
Agriculture
AgricultureAgriculture is the largest and most diverse industry on the planet. It employs no less than 20 percent of the people in the United States – from traders waving frantically on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade to bioengineers at huge state universities to farmers in the boondocks of Southeast Missouri. It strikes us as strange that enrollment in most colleges of agriculture has declined lately, despite the fact that the demand for food in the world and the demand for qualified employees in the agriculture and food production industry have not diminished at all.
General programs in Agriculture are broad in scope. In fact, at many schools, the colleges of agriculture are so comprehensive that you must decide on a much narrower area of study by the end of your sophomore year so that you can complete the particular requirements in that area within four years. Specialty areas include animal science, horticulture, agronomy, and agricultural economics.
If you decide (and are allowed) to major in Agriculture generally, you’ll have an endless array of courses to choose from and you can pursue a wealth of well-paying career options in agriculture and agribusiness.
Preparation
If you think you might major in Agriculture, try to get as many physical sciences courses as you can while you are in high school. Courses in chemistry and biology are essential. Obviously, if your high school offers agriculture courses, you should take them.
Agronomy and Crop Science
Agronomy and Crop ScienceNow here’s a down-to-Earth major: studying what the good Earth produces, and what we do with it to survive. A major in agronomy and crop science will take you all over the map of crop production, soil management, and food-producing plants. The focus of agronomy, historically and presently, has been on growing crops and providing safe, edible chow for the people of Planet Earth—from a shiny red apple to a spongy yellow Twinkie. To that end, crop science is the study of the fairly complicated processes plants go through to become food for humans, feed for animals, and other important products (like shampoo and pajamas). Crop science involves the application of biological, chemical, and physical science principles to the cultivation of these plants. The use of biotechnology and agricultural engineering in the agriculture industry is becoming increasingly important as nations’ economies come to increasingly depend on one another and the prospect of genetically engineered foods becomes more acceptable. What does all this mean for you and your major in agronomy and crop science? Well, in addition to tastier, juicier strawberries, you can expect to see more math-, physics-, and engineering-related course matter. As an agronomy and crop science major, you’ll be immersed in biotechnology, cell biology, plant physiology, genetics, turfgrass science, crop quality, chemistry, computer science, animal sciences, botany, agricultural economics, entomology (that’s the study of bugs), plant pathology, and the conservation and improvement of natural resources. Get set to investigate the growth and behavior of crops, the development of new plant varieties, and the soils and nutrients that serve them best. You’ll also learn about the production of quality seed, different soil environments, and control of weeds, insects/pests, and plant diseases. By the time you graduate, you should have a solid understanding of the interrelationships among the physical and biological factors inherent to crop production. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to craft cutting-edge solutions to all manner of modern-day agricultural problems. This major offers a wide variety of career paths—agronomy and crop science majors are highly sought after in today’s economy. Another plus is that agronomists and crop scientists are able to spend a great deal of time outdoors and in cool laboratories (i.e., not behind desks).
Preparation
You don’t need to know anything about agronomy and crop science to major in it, but having an enduring love of biology and the physical sciences will help you immensely. Take all the biology and chemistry courses that your high school offers—as well as any available agriculture courses. Learn everything you can learn about climate, soil, water, and plants both in and out of the classroom. And get used to working outdoors and in laboratories. Familiarity with computers helps. Seek out volunteer opportunities that might offer hands-on experience in the field.
Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic ControlNext time you’re flying, say thanks to the air traffic controllers below—they’re the ones tracking your plane, marking its progress, and clearing a flight path to assure the safe travel of thousands of passengers just like you each hour. Sound like a stressful job? Well, it is. It’s an occupation with tremendous responsibilities, partly because air traffic controllers have life and death in their hands every day and partly because they help move people all over creation, which has exponential effects on the health and growth of an economy. As an air traffic control major, you’ll learn exactly how to keep planes flying safely and how to ensure that air traffic runs smoothly and without delay. Most controllers monitor traffic in and out of airports and alert pilots to changing weather conditions. You’ll study all aspects of flight and how to communicate with pilots and ground crew members. Technology plays a vital role in today’s aviation industry, and your curriculum will have you working with radar—the primary tool of the air traffic controller—radio, and other electronic scanning equipment. You’ll also learn how to plot a flight path, and your studies will likely include a cooperative stint at the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Control Center. Along with the stress of the job however, comes the satisfaction of controlling a 747 with the mere wave of your arm. What you say goes. And they better listen. Air traffic control requires a Zen-master’s ability to focus one’s attention and it doesn’t hurt to possess nerves of steel. If you work well under pressure, are detail oriented, can multitask effectively, and are well organized, you’ve got the right stuff to succeed as an air traffic controller.
Preparation
Since careful attention to detail and supreme organization are key to this field, almost all of your high school courses can serve as useful preparation for this major. Consider also the importance of computer classes—the more you know, the easier it will be to learn the advanced technology knowledge required of an air traffic controller. Upper-level math courses, as well as English, languages, and business courses, could prove valuable in college and beyond.
American History
American HistoryAn American History major is really just a specialized version of a regular history major. In practice, if you decide to major in American History, you’ll take several American History courses but you’ll also be required to take a wide variety of other kinds of history courses within the larger department. No matter how thrilling (or dull) your high school American History and Civics classes have been, we can pretty much guarantee that American History courses in college will be a lot more exciting. You won’t have to memorize a bunch of names and dates. No, there will be few – if any – matching quizzes in college-level history courses. Instead, you’ll pursue major developments in American foreign policy from colonial times to the present; analyze the unique and fascinating contributions of the American West to the evolution of the United States; and discuss Jacksonian Democracy, Reconstruction, Progressivism, American Imperialism, and many other -isms. Yeah, but can you get a job with a major in American History? Absolutely. If you major in American History, you’ll learn how to think clearly and critically, to write clearly and convincingly, and to read intelligently. These are exactly the things all employers want.
Preparation
History in general involves lots of critical thinking and a great deal of reading and writing. If you think you might major in American History, you obviously want to take as many courses in American history, civics, world history, and geography as you can. You should also take English composition so you can get good at writing essays. And, finally, take foreign language classes because you are almost certainly going to be required to take several foreign language classes as a liberal arts major.
American Literature
American LiteratureA major in American Literature is a specialization of a more general major in English. Many universities will offer American Literature as a concentration. American Literature is as varied and rich as the country itself, with layer upon layer of historical, social, and cultural interpretations of texts. Some of the more significant things you’ll learn about are the three significant movements of American writing: the naturalist period, the realist period, and the romantic period. One of the more fascinating characteristics of American Literature is the vast difference in literature written in various regions of the country: literature from the South, from the West, from the Midwest, etc. Each has a unique perspective, and by reading widely you will begin to form a deeper and more personal vision about what it means to be an American. As with a more general English major, you will learn to be a critical reader and a skilled writer, both of which are valuable skills in many lines of work.
Preparation
You should try to take as many English courses as possible, focusing on both reading and writing. Since you’ll be looking at American Literature through the ages, history courses will give you valuable background and perspective. Spanish courses will also be useful if you plan to study literatures of Hispanic Americans. And read the newspaper. Remember that you live in the America of today. Knowing what goes on in your nation gives you a deeper perspective of what “being American” really means.
American Sign Language
American Sign LanguageA theater background couldn’t hurt when you enter into the study of American Sign Language because often you’ll find all eyes on you. But this language is not about theatrics, of course, although it can be rather dramatic to watch. The set of hand motions that make up ASL is as varied and intricate as any spoken language, and the study of ASL is, in many respects, similar to studying French or Spanish or German. As an American Sign Language major, you’ll not only study the signs themselves but also the accompanying facial expressions and body language that are crucial pieces of this unique communication system. Like any other language, it will take time, patience, and dedication to become fluent. Courses will cover translation and transcription as well as the culture of the deaf—their challenges, communities, and perspectives and interpretations of the world. Some programs employ deaf instructors for the language courses, giving students an enhanced opportunity to truly communicate with the deaf and ask questions about the experiences of the deaf community. If your program offers a concentration in interpreting, you’ll gain the skills necessary to become a competent, professional interpreter—a job that could take you around the world. Other programs might ask students to combine their studies in ASL with another academic field such as psychology or education. However you choose to put it to use, ASL is a challenging major that offers abundant rewards for both you and those with whom you interact.
Preparation
Like any other foreign language, ASL requires knowledge of more than just “vocabulary.” Studying another foreign language in high school would be useful, as would any studies in culture, history, English, psychology, and philosophy. If possible, try to get involved in the deaf community in your area through volunteer work—you might even get a head start on learning ASL.