Africana Studies...

[AMD1588]

I decided to post this because i really need some advice. Im 17 years old, and will be a senior in high school next year. So basiclly its time for me to start thinking about college, and what i will be majoring in when i get there. What truely interest me is African/African American Studies. Unfortunately, im scared that if i major in that, then perhaps i wont find success in finding a career. Alot of people discourage me from wanting to study the history of our people. I understand that, that shouldnt be, but at the same time i would like to know what others think. Should i go to college and major in African studies? If so, what type of careers do you in my future? And if success would await, at what institution do you think would be great for that. Ive always had Howard University in mind........

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by AMD1588

I decided to post this because i really need some advice. Im 17 years old, and will be a senior in high school next year. So basiclly its time for me to start thinking about college, and what i will be majoring in when i get there. What truely interest me is African/African American Studies. Unfortunately, im scared that if i major in that, then perhaps i wont find success in finding a career. Alot of people discourage me from wanting to study the history of our people. I understand that, that shouldnt be, but at the same time i would like to know what others think. Should i go to college and major in African studies? If so, what type of careers do you in my future? And if success would await, at what institution do you think would be great for that. Ive always had Howard University in mind........

I personally steered away from Africana Studies as a major because I do not like the idea of being "graded" for something like that. I "understand" it...but I don't "like" it. That is in NO WAY meant to steer YOU away from it. I am just sharing with you my experience. In the final analysis, I STILL took classes in Africana Studies as I LOVE studying anything I can regarding Africa.

If Africana/black/Pan-African/African-amerikkkan/African Studies is what TRUELY interests you...I suggest you go for it. I believe one of the most significant aspects of being successful in College is to study something you are ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN! This is sometimes overlooked and I know that for me, my college experience would have been HORRIBLE if I would not have majored in something I enjoyed. People tried to discourage me from majoring in my major too, but in the end, everything is working out for me (I just graduated).

Also...you should DEFINITELY take into consideration what career you are interested in and how your degree can help you in that capacity. You should be thinking about that NOW. It should NOT be the priority in your decision making process though. YOUR PRIORITY should be to figure out what major do you think you could utilize best toward the upliftment of our people. I based alot of my college decisions on that (even my decisions as to which Colleges I would apply to). I suggest you talk to people in the departments of the majors you are interested in and ask them about career opportunities that come with respective majors.

But don't be scared to major in ANYTHING you want to. The world is YOURS young comrade! Just don't forget that our people SHED BLOOD to get US into schools! Not so that we could sell ourselves to highest bidder. They struggled for us so that we could in turn, take the struggle to the higher level. If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns about College...I'm a person who is always willing to talk to you about it. Okay?

Forward ever, backwards NEVER!

[Shaheed]

Originally Posted by AMD1588

I decided to post this because i really need some advice. Im 17 years old, and will be a senior in high school next year. So basiclly its time for me to start thinking about college, and what i will be majoring in when i get there. What truely interest me is African/African American Studies. Unfortunately, im scared that if i major in that, then perhaps i wont find success in finding a career. Alot of people discourage me from wanting to study the history of our people. I understand that, that shouldnt be, but at the same time i would like to know what others think. Should i go to college and major in African studies? If so, what type of careers do you in my future? And if success would await, at what institution do you think would be great for that. Ive always had Howard University in mind........

I think you're making a right choice....for one you want to go college and study African/African American studies. My advice to you is to do what makes you happy...if you find joy learning about black history go for it. However, if you dont see yourself doing that in 10 years from now....I think you may want to rethink it. Also you should become a black scholar and write books about black history..you can reveal the truth about our history that eurocentric scholars are trying to cover up. But what ever you decide make sure you LIKE TO DO IT...I know it sounds corney but its the truth ..peace

[New Dwaben Chief]

I'm a Pan African Studies major with an option in Social Science. I looked at the back of the department catalogue and I saw the list of careers you could get with a BA in Pan African Studies with a social science option and I can tell you its nothing to write home about.

Most people who major in Africana studies, Pan African studies do not stop at a BA degree you have to get your Masters.

I noticed that a lot of the Chicano students at my school are double majoring in Chicano Studies and something else, a lot are in the business department with me. The Armenians at my school do the samething, I think its beneficial to be a double major.

I'm also a Finance major and I have to say that I'm really happy that I picked up PAS it really diversifies my resume and it puts an interesting perspective on how i analyze business.

What exactly do you want to do?

[rebelAfrika]

Originally Posted by New Dwaben Chief

I'm a Pan African Studies major with an option in Social Science. I looked at the back of the department catalogue and I saw the list of careers you could get with a BA in Pan African Studies with a social science option and I can tell you its nothing to write home about.

Most people who major in Africana studies, Pan African studies do not stop at a BA degree you have to get your Masters.

I noticed that a lot of the Chicano students at my school are double majoring in Chicano Studies and something else, a lot are in the business department with me. The Armenians at my school do the samething, I think its beneficial to be a double major.

I'm also a Finance major and I have to say that I'm really happy that I picked up PAS it really diversifies my resume and it puts an interesting perspective on how i analyze business.

What exactly do you want to do?

RIGHT!!! The DOUBLE MAJOR!!! Thats the other option I forgot to mention!!!

[New Dwaben Chief]

Originally Posted by rebelAfrika*AAPRP

RIGHT!!! The DOUBLE MAJOR!!! Thats the other option I forgot to mention!!!

Yup

Its also important that we support our Black Studies programs just to keep them alive on our campuses. I know in some of the CSU system the Black Studies programs only have a few professors because the students aren't majoring in it. The African concentration at my school got axed and is now mixed with African American concentration to keep that subject around. Next thing you know these concentrations will only be minors which isn't good.

There really aren't as many Armenians, or Central American students on my campus but I can bet you that 80-90% are majoring in there program just to keep them around.

I can understand that a lot of us don't have much time to play at school with these school fees, work and other pressures in life but I really encourage people who can double major to double major and pick up there ethnic studies as another major.

[AMD1588]

Originally Posted by New Dwaben Chief

What exactly do you want to do?

Well, thats the hard part. Im not really sure. I have an interest in teaching people, literature, and visual/film arts. I just don't know what would be the best path for me to take. I would like the social science major also(at first i wanted to major in Sociology) its just finding my exact career path that has got me beat. As far as me choosing something that truely interest me, thats why i said African-American studies. It seems like its the one thing that could keep my attention, and something i really feel like i'd have alot to gain from. In school, i always liked Social Studies and History, until i got to US History class and realized how f*** up the curriculum was. Which leads me to education, something really needs to be done about what folk are learning in the public schools. But i dont know, its all too confusing, and stressing to think about.

[blackentropy]

Hello! I can understand your questions because when I decided to major in Pan African Studies my sophomore year, I was thinking the same thing. You can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to with a Black Studies degree if you have the motivation to work hard to make your dreams come true. You go on to teach, go to law school, graduate school, get your MBA, go to medical school, the options are endless. I have read of stories in which peope with only B.A.s in black studies have gone on to become vice presidents of banks, politicians and millionaires, journalists, mathematicians, successful businessmen and women, professors and the list goes on. People who double majored in Black Studies and other disclipines include Dr. Mae Jemison, the first black woman to go to outer space. She majored in African/African American Studies and Chemical Engineering at Standford University, and proceed to travel and teach in Africa through peacecorps. After she came back, she attended medical school at Cornell, an ivy league university.

Of course, Aaron McGruder earned a BA degree in African American Studies and you see how successful he is.

The key is finding a decent job after graduation and getting the most of your Pan African Studies education or any education for that matter is by excelling in your studies, establishing networks with other like-minded individuals and scholars in the field, and taking courses and acquiring skills that will help you in achieving those career goals. I am a Pan African Studies and Geography double major, with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems and I absolutely love it. Not only am I learning a valuable trade, GIS (map making software and technology), I am applying that knowledge to my Black Studies education. It was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I made the assumption that because I was black, I didn't need to major in Pan African Studies because I thought I knew everything there was about our history. But I saw that I was wrong. I have learned so much, it's unbelievable. I went from being a minor to a major. I decided to double major in PAS and Geography, because the GIS industry is booming and expanding in this area and there great paying jobs in the field, some ranging to $70,000-90,000+ for five years experience without a master's degree.

If you are worried about your job prospects, you can very well double major in Black Studies and something else. Or you can minor in something else as well. But it's important to understand that just because you have a "marketable degree" doesn't mean that you are guaranteed a great job after graduation, and just because you don't have a marketabe degree doesn't mean that you won't get a great job. It's about connections, persistance, hard-work, and using your knowledge to go where you want to go.

I'm sorry, this post is so long.