I am currently a third year undergraduate linguistics student at a
Massachusetts University. I certainly plan on going to graduate
school, and would like to do so at the best school possible in
Massachusetts or the North East.

However, as time goes on, I am beginning to wonder more and more about
my ability to ?stick? with linguistics. I am a very strong student and
have a reasonably strong resume. I maintain very good marks, I am
involved at school, and I have done and continue to do research in
various sub areas of linguistics. I have shown aptitude in
linguistics, however, this can be said about most areas of study I
have worked in. I don?t want to continue with linguistics simply
because I am good at it, as I feel I could be good at other things as
well. Furthermore, linguistics is a highly academic area of study,
with low numbers of graduate students going into private sector work,
instead working in academia.

I want to consider other areas of study that I can pursue with a
Bachelor?s of Science in linguistics. I don?t want to limit myself to
a career in academics, and I do not want to limit myself to humanities
studies.

I have tried to consider my various options, however, I do not know
what resources are available for someone in my position.

What are the possibilities for going into graduate study outside of
your area of undergraduate study? Certainly this can be done, but how
far can one drift from their bachelor?s degree? Is it possible to go
on for a PhD in a physical science (or other doctorate programs) with
a background in humanistic studies?

What resources are available for guidance and counseling to choose not
just a graduate school, but a particular program or area of study?

Career counseling has been less than effective with me in the past,
however, what are the best of these services and would they be any
benefit to me?


Thank You For Your Assistance.

Talk to your professors.  They may have suggestions on what you could
do, and they ought to know what previous students have done after
graduating.  (If the professors are clueless about former students,
talk to your department's secretary.  The secretaries are usually
pretty good about keeping track of where former students have gone.)

afaik, yes, it is possible to enroll in a different course of study
for a master's, but many of the sciences have "core requirements" that
you must have completed.  For example, the med school at my university
has a 2-year prep program for non-science majors.  And you could
always apply to law school.