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Bethany Lehman on choosing a major

From the time I enrolled in the seventh grade until a couple months into my college career, I was sure I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Being one of those people who cannot go outside on a clear night without taking a few minutes to appreciate the stars, I knew I wanted to become an astrophysicist. For years I read up on space facts. I even took a college astronomy class and participated in a summer research program about space. So when I left to begin my first semester at Carnegie Mellon in August 2000, my plan was to be a physics major with an astrophysics concentration.

However, things did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. I realized within a few weeks of class that I didn't really enjoy my physics class. This has nothing to do with the excellent teaching staff at Carnegie Mellon - my heart just wasn't into it. I was, quite simply, just not comfortable with physics. I couldn't imagine spending the next four years, let alone the rest of my life, studying a field that was based on the subject. So in spite of my intense interest in space, I decided to switch my plans. But what would I major in now? I was stricken with panic. For the first time in years, I had lost my direction.

I thoroughly enjoy playing the clarinet, and am a member of the Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Mellon. For years I have been playing competitively, but I never considered pursuing a career in music. Yet when I let my mind ponder the possibilities for the first time in several years, I realized I might enjoy being an instrumental performance major. I talked to my advisor in MCS and one of the directors of the School of Music, and took a placement test. Yet after another few weeks, I realized that music wasn't where my heart truly was, either.

After more soul-searching, I realized that I am interested in all kinds of scientific research, not just astrophysics. I decided to stay with the sciences, and thus, MCS. Initially, I was relieved. At least I knew MCS was where I belonged. I just didn't know where to go within the college. Since I had really enjoyed my chemistry class, and an MCS seminar that discussed genetics, I narrowed the field down to chemistry and biology.

So where am I now? Well, I'm almost certain chemistry is the way I want to go. I'm happy with my choice, and I know that I like chemistry a lot more than I realized all those years when I narrowed my vision based on what I was "positive" I wanted to do. The point is not to panic if you do not know exactly what you want to do with your life. As many of my friends can attest, you won't be the only one who is uncertain. Think about the times you were sitting in class and caught yourself smiling, or actively participating in a discussion, or even just wanting to know more about the subject the instructor is explaining. Then you'll realize the decision is not as difficult as it may seem.

Bethany Lehman
Chemistry, Class of 2004