——BY Sean Angiolillo
作者简介：Sean
Angiolillo 2011年毕业于宾夕法尼亚大学，主修国际关系和东南亚研究。Sean Angiolillo graduated from
the University of Pennsylvania in 2011 with a BA in International
Relationship & South Asia Studies.
一些人在15岁的时候就知道他们的职业方向并为之努力不懈，而另一些人可能到了21岁，甚至更大的时候依然在寻觅之中。2007年，Sean来到宾大，
开始了他的大学生活。他的专业是生物工程。然而，就像他的许多同学一样，Sean在宾大的专业改了再改，从生物工程到"未决定"，再到政治科学，再到政治
科学与东南亚研究。最终，在大三快要结束的时候，他选择了国际关系与东南亚研究。Sean的故事绝非个案，美国大学的开放体制使得学生有足够充裕的时间进
行专业的选择。
In September 2007, my freshman-self arrived on
campus of the University of Pennsylvania, ready to earn a Bachelor of
Science in Bioengineering. In May 2011, I graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts in International Relations and South Asia Studies. And now, I am a
Dipont Fellow in Shanghai,China. Sometimes plans change.
For many
students, major change, and change often. In the course of four years, I
switched from Bioengineering, to Undecided, to Political Science, to
Political Science, to Political Science and South Asia Studies,and
finally almost at the end of my junior year, I decided on International
Relations and South Asia Studies. And I graduated on-time without
difficulty.
I have friends who entered college as Pre-Med, and who
finished with degrees in Classics. I have a friend who entered as a
Computer Science major and finished with a degree in English. Of course,
I also have friends who entered and finished college as Bioengineering
Majors; or those who made only small changes, such as a switch from
electrical to mechanical engineering.
One can learn only so much
about a particular major until they get in the actual classroom or lab.
Often, student interest change. The unique flexibility of the American
university system allows for and even encourages this kind of
exploration and personal development. Universities know that students'
interests can change, and that is why every semester you will see
advertisements for Major Fairs, Major Dinners, or Major Panels.
When filling out my college application, I checked the box for
bioengineering. As a 17-year-old, it seemed like a very interesting
subject that was worth investigating. I know that if my passion moved
elsewhere, I would be able to make a change. As it turned out, I made
that change quickly. After one semester full of Math, Chemistry, and
Physics, I was ready for an Engineering track , I knew I had the
flexibility and freedom to explore my interests. At the University of
Pennsylvania, I discovered that I could even create my own major if none
suited me. As a sophomore, I thought I found my home when I wanted to
focus more on South Asia politics. Then ,while not a major shift, I
moved from PoliSci to International Relations, mainly for its more
comprehensive Senior Thesis program.
When interviewing for jobs my
senior year, I wondered how my choice of major would be perceived, but
in fact, it played little role in the discussions or outcomes. Employers
were much more interested in my accomplishments, experience, and
skills. They were interested in my senior theses and my internships. Of
course, certain industries do seek out a certain degree, if not a
certain major-such as for engineering. But for a wide variety of jobs
seeking graduates from the humanities and social sciences, the choice of
particular major is not foremost.
The choice of major is a very
personal decision. Some students will know exactly what discipline they
want to pursue when they are 15 years old. Others might not know until
they are 21, or even older. However, when you choose to study in
America, you have the flexibility to figure it out along the way.