Is business law and commercial law the same thing?

Should I pursue a career in computers/IT, business/economics, or law/politics?

• So, I'm one of those people who are interested in many different things but then quickly looses interests...which is my main problem. I still have time to choose so its really not a big concern of mine at the moment. I'm currently in high school. Anyway, I just want to hear some opinions and views. I've been interested in computers for a while and I can program in C++, Java and PHP, (HTML). Actually, my initial interest in computers started from when I was in eighth grade probably. (command prompt, bash shell...classic kiddie stuff). I'm very good at networking and all kinds of internet related things when it comes to computers. I'm pretty good at network security for reasons not to be said on yahoo answers. I also love Linux and UNIX operating systems and building them. So, I'm pretty tech savvy and I'm great at algebra but not too good at geometry. The shapes hurt my brain. (This probably related to the fact that I hate GUIs in computers and prefer command line 100%) I'm good at all sciences too (except earth science). I'm interested in physics. I haven't taken physics yet but I like to read those Science magazines and learn about quantum physics. (I actually use to be really into Star Wars...yeah, I know...geeky...) but that was what sparked my interest in Black Holes and the Electromagnetic Spectrum. I love the theories...especially the theory of relativity, and the theory that goes that matter CAN be created but will quickly be destroyed after...something like that. Anyway, I despise HTML though because I just find it really boring and dry. The forms, scripts and iframe part of HTML is kinda fun though. I'm in love with object oriented programming (OOP) and I think that's the coolest thing ever. Anyway, my point is, I'm pretty passionate about computers. So, recently I've also become interested in law and politics. There's this great book that I'm reading called U.S Court Cases Volume 1 (Magil's Choice). I learned a lot about the U.S Judicial system from this book and I really like how the Constitution works and the Bill of Rights. (I know this sounds nerdy..but I memorized all of the Bill of Rights/First-Ten Amendments...I was bored in geometry). I'm also really good with dates and U.S history in general. I'm also part of Speech and Debate (Extemporaneous...the most hated category) I'm very liberal (left) and I love debating and arguing politics. I also support the occupy wall street movement although I don't agree with the idea of Anarchy. I'm pretty solid with my political views but I'm also tolerable to others. The way I see it, any political view is fine so long as it is supported. But, I'll never pass up a chance to argue and debate. I've read Plato's The Republic (translated to English of course) and I like his views on justice. The only problem about this is that I suck at grammar and I'm a good writer but English is my weak subject. I'm good at history but unfortunately not so good at the essay writing part. Also, I don't believe that politics will ever work out for me because I'm not white or black and I'm female and that's a major minority in politics. I feel like, no matter how great a lawyer I will become, I will not make it in politics. For economics and business, I was mostly inspired by Steve Job's biography and I liked the idea of having my own company but I feel like I don't have the personality for it. As far as personality, I'm not very popular in general. It's not that I'm shy or have poor people skill, it's just that I don't really care for social activities...which is probably not too good. People like me because I'm smart and I'm outspoken in class and everyone gets along with me but its not like I'm part of the "in" group. I don't play sports but I'm pretty good at Long Distance running. Also, I've been told that at times, I can be really aloof and uncaring which is something that I try not to be. But, I can be very passionate too...which is really bi-polar and backwards of me. (Ehh..it's probably a teen thing) Also, I'm really bad at "hurt-feelings." Like, I don't know what to say. This is probably because I use to suffer from Depression (mild, mostly in middle school). I get depressed if I don't have a goal or an ambition. I'm not ashamed of it, it's who I am. Anyway, I know this post was really long. So, I hope you did read it, and if you didn't please don't be that jerk who posts "tl;dr). Thanks for your opinion.

• Answer:

  The common answer when a young person asks "what career should I pursue?" is to say do whatever interests you the most. If you have multiple interests - you have a good dilemma. So, in your case I will make a more specific recommendation. You say you have these three areas of interest: computers/IT, business/economics, or law/politics. I recommend you pursue them in the order you have listed. Why? Well, you cannot get a bachelors degree in law. Politics is not a degree and it is generally a career that requires a law degree or some other degree. Business/economics is pretty broad. You could get a basic business degree or a degree in economics. But you will probably have trouble getting a job of any significance with only a bachelors. So, start with IT. Get a degree in computer science. If you are already programming in multiple languages, you should be able to learn the theory and advanced concepts in college and get a good job immediately after you graduate. Then, get a few years of experience and when you start to get bored with your IT career, decide whether to go for an MBA (business / management route) or JD (law / politics route). After 4 years of college and 3-5 years in the work world, you will be in a much better position to decide which of the other paths to pursue. And you may find that your employer will pay your tuition for your advanced degree. Incidentally, if you find taking classes to be enjoyable and easy, consider pursuing multiple advanced degrees. There are some very powerful combinations of degrees that put you in a very lucrative position - e.g., MD and JD, PhD and MD, JD and MBA, etc. If you like multiple topics, consider multiple degrees to improve your career potential. Good Luck. J