Choosing a College Major Using 3 Paths as a Starting Point Guide (Podcast Version)

[sanantone]

Math and physics are definitely not computer science or IT. Sometimes, computer science is classified as a natural science/liberal art since it is math-based but not the other way around. Math is old; CS is new. A field of study can be STEM and a liberal art at the same time. Math and physics are very much theory. They don't train people to perform specific occupations other than being a mathematician or physicist, which are research-based occupations. As with all natural and social sciences, you're usually not considered a scientist until you earn a graduate degree.

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I've heard of distinction without a difference, but this seems almost the opposite. Narrowing of categorization without a purpose.

I'm not getting why healthcare and engineering are listed as exceptions and not as main degree options. The healthcare category is one of the most popular categories. There are more people earning healthcare degrees than humanities degrees.

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Math/Physics may be considered liberal arts to some though employers may view this degree as a technical skills type of degree similar to Computer Science, IT, etc. Should these STEM-type majors be combined in one category of STEM instead of Computer Studies? Maybe. You are right I'm missing some valuable degrees that can stand on their own. 

It is a stretch to throw all these degrees together, but on the flip side of the coin, it's also a stretch to pretend there are all these unique degrees.

So, for example, ASU will say that you could be a police or corrections officer with a criminal justice degree. But couldn't you do the same thing with psychology, history, or any liberal arts degree? With an English degree, they tell you that you could be a writer or communication specialist. Again any liberal arts degree you could do that.

I guess what I'm getting at is when do employers on places such as Indeed.com request employees have certain liberal arts degrees for certain jobs, and when do they pay a premium for those degrees?

Liberal arts teaches valuable skills, which is why every degree has some component of liberal arts. I could go through one-by-one and list the reasons why each course is important on Sophia for example. Though a subject like environmental science may not help you career-wise, it may help you socially to understand the environmental debate.

Anyway, I'm open to criticism. Nothing is set in stone.

How are math and science STEM-type degrees and not just STEM, and why would there be a debate over whether they should be grouped with computer studies? The M in STEM stands for math. The S in STEM stands for science; physics is a science. T is for technology, so that's for the IT majors.