Distraction

I used to be very interested in business. Modules such as International Business and Business Economics during my Sixth form studies were a lot of fun and I found them stimulating, whilst also being academically successful with it. However, my interest has decayed quite a bit. I now gain stimulation and excitement from economics, and especially economics not concerned with business. I do not know why I had a change in interest, but I do not think it matters why either.

Regardless, I have somewhat seen a major flaw in business and its excitement. Business is a distraction from the world. Business ignores problems. It's an idea that I have been devouring for some time but it has credibility. Working in business creates a new form of world for an individual. They must worry about its growth, its sustainability (how long will the business last?) and its current health. All the time someone is in business, 'making money', I do not think they can worry or be concerned about more pressing issues. Climate change, poverty, inequality, food shortages, rising fuel prices, water shortages and inefficient supply-chains are real-world problems. But who cares when they are in business? All these real problems are ignored when an individual works in a business.


I have a friend, Mark, who works as a trainee accountant. Talking to him about it  reveals that it is a lot of fun. It can be stimulating and it can be rewarding. I find business the easy solution and a route that I should not take. I think about the future of the world, not the future of a business. I worry about the pollution we cause, not the profit that can be made from the things that cause it. It is for this reason that I do not like business. Business is a distraction from the world. Business is a completely new world, with new worries and new consequences.

I know I am archetyping the term 'business'. I know that is was essential for economic growth and to increase our standard of living. My theory is still legitimate.

Struggle

Having decided to do a gap year after not achieving the grades required for entry this year, I have spent a lot of my time searching for courses again. There is no doubt that I shall go to university. And, I almost certainly know what it is that I am interested in, what I aim to do after my degree and what I see my passion being.
 

My search for five more courses has not been as easy as I had thought. When I read an article from the University of Gloucestershire it seemed apparent as to why. The article can be found here:

http://insight.glos.ac.uk/sustainability/Education/Documents/Sus%20in%20DNA%20_Javier_%20FINAL%20Mar%2010.pdf

The article queries why 'sustainability sciences' are not being brought into the university curriculums with full effect. It states "The early decades of the 21st century have brought challenges which are forcing universities worldwide to reconsider their role in society as well as the skills needed by future graduate cohorts to address worldwide recession, ongoing humanitarian concerns and unexpected ecological crises (Ryan et al 2010)."
 


I am interested in solving these '21st century challenges'; such as inequality, environmental mis-management and poverty. My problem comes when I try to find a subject that helps me solve these problems. Sustainable Development courses seem to outline the problems, with little real-world application and methods to solve them. Meanwhile, Economics courses seem to focus heavily on financial institutions and 'insignificant' problems, in my opinion. International Development courses focus on the developing world too much for my liking, whilst Sociology courses are more theory based and concerned with more micro-problems, such as crime and gender. It seems as though my perfect course does not exist as of yet.
 

I have always intended to do a Masters degree and I think I have found an even stronger reason to do so. Whilst browsing many times online at the types of courses; Innovation of Sustainability for International Development, Environmental Economics, Economics of Natural Resources, Global Environmental Challenges to name a few, I think that a Postgraduate degree is where I shall be able to specialise in my interests. I researched the entry requirements for these programmes and others and found that a 2:1 or above in Economics is very desirable. It is for this reason that I feel a solid grounding in economics is perhaps my safest option for undergraduate study. I hope that my interests in the environment and ecology are not however brushed aside by lecturers or classmates who are obsessed with financial institutions, economic growth and labour markets. This is perhaps my greatest scare when choosing to study economics.


I have been told many times that I think too much. Perhaps I have thought too much about my degree choice and this is all irelevant. My brother seemed to pick History with relative ease, and others chose sciences and English without much deliberation. This makes me think I think too much. Insane.