May 5, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS IN KS
A: In a word , yes. You might change your mind in your first or second
year of college about what you'd like to do. In most careers, you can benefit
from a good solid basis in mathematics, and in almost any career, having some
experience with computer science is going to be a real asset. Finally,
you might want to take some SET courses just for fun, to learn more about the
world and how things work!
********************
A: FROM MENTOR CHARLENE CASSIDY IN PA
Zenobia, if an SET field is not what you plan to major in during
college, it is likely that you will have time to take classes in these
areas, depending on the course requirements for your major and how much of
your time they require. However, if you enjoy SET coursework, perhaps you
will be able to take those types of classes as an "elective", if your
electives are not limited to certain types of courses. If you have no
interest in these subjects, then you should not feel obligated to continue
studying them! Best of luck to you.
********************
A: FROM MENTOR JOAN LUSK IN RI
If you enjoy them, sure. You might even find that in college science
becomes even more interesting. In high school sometimes it's
presented as if everything is known already; in college it becomes
clear that science was made by fallible human beings and that there
is lots more left to do. The excitement of discovery can be
addictive.

Science is part of a liberal education. Its arguably the major
intellectual achievement of modern times; it underlies the high-tech
world we live in; everyone should know something of it to understand
the world around them. People in general need to be better educated
in science in order to know what's comparatively safe and what is too
dangerous, what political decisions to make when technology is
involved.

You notice I didnt' come out insisting that everyone study science
even if they can't stand it. I despair of teaching anything to
people who don't want to learn. But if you are not opposed to
learning more science, give it a try in college - it may be even more
attractive at the more sophisticated level, and if you don't try it
you've cut yourself off from a wide range of opportunities.