I have a degree in engineering.  If you dislike math as a freshman you'll absolutely detest it as a junior and senior.

The engineering field is unstable.  Layoffs left and right.  You really have to be good to survive. 

If you develop your writing craft you can make a good living.  What kind of writing do you prefer?

I have faced something similar in my life. in the beginning, I wanted to study something related to children, but there is no career can I choose from other than be a teacher. so I scrapped that idea and wanted to become a urban planner. I've done much research and was determined to become an urban planner - plus I was told it makes good money (not that it matters much). but the misleading part was, I based it on my hobby, rather than what I really want to do. i mean, i know nothing about urban planning, and I only like it because you get to travel and explore different places. also, i'm not really an office type of person. I realized that, time and time again, God always leads me back to children-related work. I was reading "40 Days Purpose Driven Life" and one of the section said...if you like what you do, you will enjoy it and will continue doing it. if you don't, it means it is not meant for you. so, yes, I will be pursuing in a children-related career, and knowing that God will lead the way. Just ask God for directions and have patiences because His timing is always right.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:3

@LoBornlite@xanga - i love all kinds of writing. in fiction, i love sci fi, post apocalyptic, near-future, zombie... well, the only kind of fiction i DON'T like is like mystery/love story, unless it is good... okay, i like fiction. i also like writing about myself (haha) and about politics. i write a TON of posts on xanga to all the different ish sites because i like to write about my opinion wherever people will see it. 

I think what you can do is to pray about it and let god lead you.:) the thing about my education was i didnt have to declare major at beginning so everything was like general in the first year. After that then you start to declare your major.

Why dun u take cross major stuff first, work towards something that you love and do it. What i did was i loved makeup artistry so on the other hand i pursued a diploma in that while doing my finance degree which was what my parents wanted me to do.;)

I did both and was happy. Then god lead me into teaching...after that there was no turning back. I did my masters in english and my dad and mom had no comments abt that. Teaching after all is a respectable job and earns me decent money.

I say do what you love.  If you love writing, go for it.  I worked for a while at a high paying job that I didn't enjoy and I was miserable.  I was much happier with my low-paying EMT job.  There is no compensation worth hating your job.

There are plenty of ways to make money writing, and if it is what God wants for you, He will provide.

I shared this quote a couple days ago, but I'll give it to you too: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." -- Frederick Buechner

Well, science and writing can go hand in hand if you are good at writing reports... Start a partnership business can be good, but be sure to have a trustworthy and business-orientated partner. You can then use your ideas on a new scientific magazine, that's just my little thoughts... Erm... Just follow your heart...

Keep praying to God and ask him to show you the way that he has for you. Over time he will eventually reveal his plan that he has for you.

I am in a similar predicament--I have always felt like I should go into Music Education, but I have a strong passion for writing and would love to go into journalism. I think one of the important things to understand is that God will use is ways we may not understand. We may not end up in a field that we're passionate about, but that doesn't mean we won't accomplish something there.

i say do what you really love, what you feel like you were meant to do. not what you feel like you should do but don't want to do. if that makes any sense.

I believe there's no exact path that God calls us to take.  I think there are only guiding principles.  

Have you see the movie "The Rookie?"  If not, you should!  How long will it take before your parents (or friends) understand your definition of success? .....maybe forever!!  Many bright and motivated young people have been where you are right now...I was, once. 

Engineering is considered a prestigious profession - a sign of great knowledge and achievement, but when you get there you find that it ( your secure future ) is just as uncertain as in any other field,  Besides, how you present yourself as a prospective engineer carries at least as much, if not more, weight than your degree.  You really have no guarantee that you will ever succeed in the field you have chosen.

All this is not to say that there is no value in education.  Your education should continue for the rest of your earthly life.  (Maybe even beyond).  (If you believe that your talent, your passion is writing, please give it a go - even while you are making up your mind.  You will not look back on your life choices with regret if you follow God's leading in the best way you know how.

This started as a response to your post, and turned into a vent on my life...sorry!

Oh MAN can I relate.  I think most people in college at one point in time felt this way, too.  For my entire life I wanted to be a writer; I used to constantly write short stories, poems, and essays as a kid.  I was convinced that I would go to college and major in journalism, and write for a magazine.  I was also a jock in high school, playing 3 varsity sports and another just for fun.  I took sports medicine because I thought it would help me better understand my body and sports-related injuries, and I discovered my love for physiology and became obsessed with the musculoskeletal injuries.  I was pre-physical therapy in college, and am currently in a 3-year doctoral program in physical therapy. 

Sometimes I wonder what happened to that little girl who loved to write poems.  What happened to the 8-year-old who stayed up late reading under the covers with a flashlight (oh wait, I still do that...)  I think she listened to the mainstream culture of her DC-suburban upbringing that says the only respectable jobs are the ones that help you earn 6 figures and afford all the luxuries of life.  I think she sold out.  Now I'm wondering how to reconcile all of my passions.  I still love the body, and I'm still enthralled with it's functions.  I love to read, write, and research.  I'm planning on going through with PT, but I hope to get my PhD in exercise physiology and teach at a small college, while reading and writing research to further the evidence in my field.  Either that or I will get a masters in public health and work in wellness and prevention.

I ask God every day to show me if I'm taking the right path.  Am I scared of becoming a physical therapist because I'm not confident in my abilities and skills?  If so, this will be no different no matter what field I choose.  I have chosen to commit to this program the next 2 years and $40,000 of my life, while keeping in the back of my mind that no matter how much time and effort you put into your career, nothing is set in stone.  I could completely change my mind and end up a dietician 10 years from now. 

Money is not life.  Don't chose a career based on money.  Your career is not life.  A job is what you do for about 40-50 hours a week, your life is what you do with the remaining 118-128 hours.  You can serve God and His people through whatever career you choose.  Do something that you are passionate about, because you will be a better servant if you care about your career...but don't stress too much, most people change their career at least 4-5 times in their life. 

Then again, maybe I'll quit school, move to Ecuador, and write poetry.