What subject should I study?

[CroMagna]

As you know, I would like to be a professor. I'm not going to grad school for another 2 years, but I'm starting bounce around the subject areas I would like to study:

English - My mom and sister both think I should be an English professor. I was an English major, English was always my best and favorite subject in school, and I could propel myself into living in a foreign country for a while and working as an English professor there (through their foreign language department). I'm not 100% interested in a PhD in English for two reasons: 1) I've never considered reading novels to be "meaningful" or "socially relevant" work 2) The job market may not be ripe for English PhDs. 3) may end up talking too about race/class/gender

Religion - This is my new favorite subject. Not 100% sure because 1) see above: who cares about Scientology? 2) see above: PhD in religion? 3) I may be tempted to talk about my own religion which is the most taboo religion in existence and could cost me my job

Foreign Language - Another favorite subject of mine. And I know this has practical, socially relevant value as foreign languages enable one to communicate with people in other countries. Another bonus is that I checked the salaries, and to my surprise, you can make six figures doing this. Again not 100% sure because 1) I'm not a native speaker of a foreign language. English is my first language. I don't know if that will make it more difficult to land a gig 2) same thing about job market 3) potentially not as intellectually stimulating

Latin-American Studies - Another exciting area. This one is potentially useful from a "save the world" standpoint. 1) took a Latin American Politics class, got a B, didn't feel strongly about the coursework

Other - ?

[dice]

Acting, stoic philosophy, and buddhism. Especially if your still young. those will set you up for more specific stuff later

From there add in History, English, and sciences last. 70% of the people I know who are in sciences are whining about it 24/7. It becomes more interesting if you avoid it for a long time...then you get really curious and your mind soaks everything up like a sponge when you hit it up again.

I stress acting so much if your going to be a prof. You need some stage presence or the kids will snuff you.

[CroMagna]

Acting! Wow! What a great idea! Hadn't thought of that... thanks

[Lucid Dreamer]

may end up talking too about race/class/gender

If you're interested in this, it's perfect for teaching English! There are always a couple of modules specialising in these subjects in English university departments. It's almost obligatory.

[dice]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

Acting! Wow! What a great idea! Hadn't thought of that... thanks

Do your research though, seriously. Make sure that your prof/instructor is actually working in show buisness and taking it very seriously, while teaching on the side. I've had god-awful embarassing experiences with puritan 'Drama Educators'. *shudder*

[Cran]

I've got a diploma in theology. If you're prepared to shut up and practice a bit of hypocrisy, even an atheist can do an admirable job

I don't know about the subjects your universities offer, but we have a course that does not deal with one religion specifically (i.e. catholic theology), but with all of them, often working comparatively. Over here (germany), graduates are sought after, as the dangers of religious fundamentalism and the need for proper religious education rise.

But philosophy would be, imho, also a good choice, but as you are so intend on being "meanful", I doubt this would be a good path to choose, as you'd spent most of your time not thinking up your own sophisticated ideas how to change the world and how the world works and share those ideas with others, but studying the concepts others invented before you were even thought of.

Perhaps an PhD in English would be a ood option after all? Sure, you'd have to read many, many novels while studying, but I guess you could specialize in another field later on, along the lines of "reasearching how people use and perceive language these days and how this can and should affect teaching", for example.

What about history, is that to your liking? To me, history has much meaning, others might disagree, because understanding the past helps shaping the future by leanring from past success and failure alike.

[ZHereford]

CroMagna,
I think everything can be meaningful if you love it and you apply yourself. I suggest that you take something that excites you and will keep you engaged. If you don't, you will lose interest and it will become drudgery no matter how 'relevant' it initially seems.

[CroMagna]

English and Latin American Studies definitely don't excite me. I never find myself reading novels or reading books about Latin American politics/history (besides Brazil).

Foreign Languages and Religion definitely excite me.

[Susanna77]

Boa sorte.