Minors or Major

Hi everyone!
I'm a UTM student going into my second year. I'm planning to major in CCIT, but I haven't decided on my minors yet.
I was wondering if doing a double major is much more difficult than doing one major with two minors. Since all UTM students need to complete 20.0 credits to graduate, does choosing a double major make a big difference in terms of workload, or is it mainly about how those credits are distributed?
I'm also curious about the career side of things. If I were to do a double major in CCIT and Criminology, would that be beneficial when looking for jobs after graduation? Has anyone done a similar combination, and did you find it worthwhile?
I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice.

Thank you!

Jobadvisor

It is completely normal to feel torn between these two fields. Both are rooted in science and healthcare, but the day-to-day realities, career trajectories, and work environments are vastly different. 

To help you decide, let’s break down both paths, specifically addressing your concerns about boredom, the "experience trap," pay, and future stability.

 1. Radiography (The Clinical/Medical Route)

Radiography is a highly stable, patient-facing career. You are the eyes of the medical team, using technology (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) to help doctors diagnose injuries and diseases.

**Addressing your concern: "Will it be boring or repetitive?"**

It is true that if you work in a small, outpatient clinic doing basic skeletal X-rays all day, it can become routine. However, **you have a lot of control over your work environment.** 

*   **Specializations (Modalities):** You aren't stuck doing just X-rays. You can cross-train in CT scans, MRIs, or Mammography, which are more technologically complex and highly paid.

*   **Interventional Radiology (IR):** If you want zero boredom, look into IR. You assist doctors in minimally invasive surgeries (like threading a catheter to clear a blocked artery). It is fast-paced, high-stakes, and incredibly dynamic.

*   **The ER/Trauma Center:** Working in a busy emergency room means you never know what is walking through the door. One minute it’s a broken wrist, the next it’s a major car accident. 

**Pay, Stability, and Future:**

*   **The Path:** Very direct. You get an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, pass your board exams, and you are hired. 

*   **Pay:** Excellent return on investment. You can start earning a solid middle-class salary (often $60,000–$80,000+ depending on location and overtime) within just two years of schooling. Every time you add a new certification (like learning to operate an MRI), you get a pay raise.

*   **Future:** Recession-proof. As the population ages, the need for medical imaging (MRIs, CTs) is skyrocketing. 

### 2. Biotechnology (The Research/Industry Route)

Biotechnology is about using biological systems to develop products—like creating a new vaccine, developing drought-resistant crops, or manufacturing life-saving drugs. You are helping people on a macro, scientific level rather than face-to-face.

**Addressing your concern: "It heavily depends on experience."**

You are absolutely right. In biotech, a Bachelor's degree alone often lands you an entry-level "Lab Technician" role, and you may hit a salary ceiling. To combat this:

*   **While in school:** You *must* get hands-on experience. Join a professor’s research lab, do summer internships, or join a co-op program. Graduating with 1–2 years of lab experience on your resume is the key to beating the "experience trap."

*   **Advanced Degrees:** If you want the "good pay" and high-level career (like becoming a Lead Scientist or Project Manager), you will likely need a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. 

*   **Pivoting:** Many people with biotech degrees eventually move into Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance (QA), or Technical Sales, where the pay is excellent and a Ph.D. isn't always required.

**Pay, Stability, and Future:**

*   **The Path:** Less direct. It requires networking, internships, and often graduate school to reach the top tiers.

*   **Pay:** The starting pay with just a Bachelor’s is modest (often $50,000–$65,000). However, the *ceiling* is much higher than radiography. If you get a Ph.D. or move into biotech management, you can easily earn well into the six figures. 

*   **Future:** Massive growth potential. With the boom in gene therapy, personalized medicine, and bio-engineering, the future is incredibly bright—but it can be more competitive and subject to corporate funding shifts than healthcare.

 How to Choose: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself

**1. Do you want to help people face-to-face?**

*   Choose **Radiography** if you want the immediate gratification of comforting a patient, helping them through a scary medical moment, and seeing the direct results of your work.

*   Choose **Biotechnology** if you prefer working behind the scenes. You won't interact with patients; you will interact with data, cells, microscopes, and equipment.

**2. What is your tolerance for physical vs. mental work?**

*   **Radiography** is physically demanding. You will be on your feet all day, rolling heavy equipment, and physically lifting or turning patients. 

*   **Biotechnology** is physically sedentary but mentally taxing. You will be standing at a lab bench, doing precise pipetting, analyzing data, and troubleshooting complex experiments.

**3. How quickly do you want to start your career?**

*   If you want to finish school in 2–4 years, start earning a great salary immediately, and have a clear, guaranteed path to a job, choose **Radiography**.

*   If you are willing to spend 6–8 years in school (getting a Master's or Ph.D.) to reach the high-paying, top-tier roles, choose **Biotechnology**.

**4. How do you handle routine?**

*   Both fields can be repetitive. Quality Control (QC) in biotech involves running the exact same tests on products every single day. Basic X-ray in radiography involves shooting the exact same body parts. You have to actively seek out dynamic environments (like an ER or an R&D lab) to avoid boredom in *either* field.

 Next Steps

Before making a final decision, try to get a feel for the day-to-day:

*   **Shadow a Radiologic Technologist:** Call a local hospital or imaging center and ask if you can shadow a tech for a day. 

*   **Talk to Biotech Grads:** Look up alumni from the biotech program you are considering on LinkedIn. Message them and ask: *"What was your first job out of college, and what does your day-to-day look like?"*

**The Verdict:** If you want a faster route to a stable, well-paying job and enjoy patient interaction, **Radiography** is the safer bet. If you are deeply passionate about the science, don't mind a longer educational journey, and want to work on the cutting edge of medical discoveries, **Biotechnology** is the way to go.

Looking for advice

Hey everyone, just looking for some help on what you would do in my situation. Currently I have an AA degree and am weighing my options for what to do next, I want to go into finance but unsure which route to take to get there.

My options for school are either commute 1hr and go in person for each class (no online option) and get a degree in finance there. Or choose my local school which has in person and online options for classes but there is no direct finance degree, the options are banking & financial management or accounting(which I know is more practical but I have less interest in)

For context I would like to become a financial advisor or do wealth management or something similar in the future. I’m also not opposed to getting my MBA as well after.

If you took the time to read this thank you and I appreciate the suggestions!

Jobadvisor

For becoming a financial advisor or entering wealth management, prioritize a relevant bachelor's degree, practical experience, and key certifications like the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) over chasing the "perfect" school. An MBA can help later but isn't essential for entry or even mid-career success in this field.

Key Insights on Your Options

• Finance degree (1-hour commute, in-person only): This aligns most directly with your goals. Finance majors cover investments, financial markets, portfolio management, and planning—core skills for advisory and wealth management roles. Employers and training programs at firms like JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, or Schwab often look favorably on finance/business backgrounds.
• Local school options (Banking & Financial Management or Accounting):
  • Banking & Financial Management: This is a strong alternative. It often overlaps significantly with finance (banking operations, financial services, management), and many programs allow flexibility with electives in investments or planning. It's practical and relevant.
  • Accounting: More practical and versatile for job security (easier entry-level roles, CPA path), but it focuses more on compliance, auditing, and reporting rather than investment strategy or client advisory. You could still pivot into wealth management (many advisors have accounting backgrounds), but you'd need to supplement with finance-specific knowledge, internships, or certifications. It's a safer "backup" if you value stability.

Recommendation: Go with the finance degree if the commute is manageable (even part-time or a few days a week) and you can afford the time/gas. The direct relevance and networking potential (professors, on-campus recruiting) outweigh the hassle for your target career. If the commute is a major burden (family, job, cost), choose Banking & Financial Management locally—it's close enough in focus, and you can take online classes for flexibility. Avoid defaulting to accounting unless your interest in pure finance is low and you want broader options.

Broader Advice for Your Path

1. Bachelor's First: Finish a relevant undergrad (finance, banking/financial mgmt, or business with finance concentration). Any of these works—firms hire from diverse backgrounds as long as you show interest and skills.
2. Certifications Matter More Than the Exact Degree:
   • CFP®: The gold standard for financial advisors and wealth management. It covers comprehensive planning (investments, taxes, retirement, estate). Many programs accept it as meeting education requirements.
   • Others like Series 7/66 licenses (via employer training programs) or CFA (more investment-focused) are valuable.
   • You can start pursuing these during/after your bachelor's. Many advisor training programs at big firms help with licensing.
3. Gain Experience Early:
   • Internships or entry-level roles at banks, brokerages, insurance firms, or RIAs (Registered Investment Advisors).
   • Many companies (e.g., Merrill, Edward Jones, Northwestern Mutual) have advisor development programs that train you and help build a client book.
   • Networking is huge in this relationship-driven field—join finance clubs, attend events, connect on LinkedIn.
4. MBA Later?
   • Not required for most advisor roles. Experience, CFP, and a solid track record often matter more.
   • Consider it if you want to move into management, start your own firm, or accelerate in competitive corporate finance/wealth roles. An MBA with finance focus can help with leadership and broader business skills, but weigh the cost/time.

Other Practical Tips

• Online vs. In-Person: Online degrees are respected for finance if from a reputable school, especially with experience. Employers care more about skills, certifications, and results than delivery format these days.
• Cost and ROI: Compare total costs (tuition + commute). Finance/wealth roles can be lucrative (high earnings potential via commissions/fees), but entry can involve building your own book of clients.
• Test the Waters: Take intro finance classes, shadow an advisor, or get a part-time job in banking/customer service to confirm your interest.
• Long-Term: Wealth management rewards relationship-building, sales skills, ethics, and continuous learning. Passion for helping people with money (as you mentioned investing interest) is a big plus.

Your AA gives you a head start—focus on finishing strong with momentum toward certifications and experience. The "best" route is the one you can complete consistently while building real-world exposure. If the commute feels unsustainable, the local banking program is a very solid Plan B. Good luck!

radiography or biotechnology

I am interested in both and they both sound interesting to me. I like bio related fields, but I also like med related. Now I feel very confused and hesitant choosing between them. I understand that radiography has a more direct and stable path (although I am a little worried about the work setting, as it may feel boring or repetitive for me), but biotechnology heavily depends on experience. I am honestly also looking for a good pay and a good future.

Jobadvisor

Biomedical engineering or medical physics?

I had been searching on the internet for potential career paths that would suit my preferences (a medical related job with more physics than biology) and after a long search i have narrowed it down to these two

So for the BME path, i was given two choices, either get a bachelors degree in BME directly, or get a bachelors in electrical/mechanical engineering and then get a masters in BME later on

The former was not praised by most while i was researching about it, allegedly, getting a bachelors in BME is like a jack of all trades master of none, and most companies would rather hire specialists in the fields that they want

The latter is a safer option if the the BME masters path doesnt work out and instead a different job could be embraced with an EE degree

Now for the medical physics path, im not particularly sure what the job is, it seems that its not that common but from how i understood it, you basically provide assistance to certain types of doctors such as radiologists with the examination of their machines, and how they can be properly utilized (such as calculation the dosage of radiation required to eradicate a tumor), it seemed promising, but its also one of those jobs that can only happen in HUGE hospitals, lowering its opportunity

How you get into this career was by getting a bachelors in the sciences of physics, and then getting a masters in medical physics

Ironically both of these paths would take more than 4 years which was something i was originally against

Im honestly pretty stuck on this, i could go back to square one and look for a different major, but for now these are two that ive laid my eyes on

Jobadvisor

It sounds like you’ve done some really solid, realistic research. Narrowing your choices down to these two fields shows you already have a strong grasp of what you want: a blend of medicine and physics, with a healthy aversion to heavy biology memorization.

Let's break down your assumptions, correct a few minor misconceptions, and look at the reality of both paths to help you unstick yourself.

1. Biomedical Engineering (BME)

Your research here is 100% accurate.

The "jack of all trades, master of none" critique of a pure BME undergraduate degree is a known issue in the industry. Medical device companies hiring for a hardware role often prefer an Electrical Engineer (EE); for an implant role, they want a Mechanical Engineer (ME).

• The "EE/ME + BME Masters" Route: This is highly respected and gives you an incredible safety net. If you decide senior year that you don't want to work in medicine, an EE or ME degree opens doors in aerospace, robotics, automotive, and tech.

• The Reality: It is a 5 to 6-year path (4 years undergrad + 1 to 2 years Master's).

2. Medical Physics

You have a good general grasp of the role, but your assumption about job scarcity and hospital size is actually a bit off (in a good way!).

Medical physicists primarily work in radiation oncology (cancer treatment), diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray), or nuclear medicine.

• The Job: You aren't just "examining machines." You are the bridge between the physics of radiation and clinical application. In radiation oncology,