Advice on majors

So I was in the computer lab, working on an assignment and I had a mini panic attack when I realized I hated what I was doing and it was what I was going to school for. So, I decided to change my major. The problem is that I'm not entirely sure what to change it to... I just know I need to stop what I'm doing now.

I've always enjoyed art, I'm good at it, but when people tell me I should pursue that I always think "How the hell am I going to make money with that?" Concept designs, animation, visual effects, all that stuff sounds interesting to me, but it seems like such a flooded field with sooo many really damn good people that money and job security keep popping up in my decision.

The only other option I can think of that I might want to go into is Psychology. That one I think I just want to go into because certain things and people in my life caused me to really look into that stuff... so I'm worried it could be a phase really.

Simplest course of action: take a semester to take classes in both to see if I enjoy it, which is what I'm planning on doing.

So basically, have any of you guys gone through art or psych? And what did you end up doing with it? I looked at the websites and all that for careers in certain majors but those seem to be the jobs you're supposed to aim for, rather than what people actually end up doing.

TLDR; Changing major, thinking of art or psych. Anyone have advice/success/fail stories on either during college or after getting your degree?

My two cents, as a college graduate with several years in the "real world" (and currently taking night classes for a masters degree):

First off, don't feel frustrated, most students change their majors several times. It isn't advisable of course, but you certainly aren't the first to have doubts. I changed my junior year from computer science to political science.

If you go the art route, don't major in "art" or "art history" or anything like that. You want something applied. For example, major in communications or marketing, and learn the art stuff on your own. You can then be employable as graphic designer. I would bet a marketing firm would rather have a marketing major with a nice portfolio to showcase your photoshop skills than an art major who doesn't know about advertising, marketing, or business communications - even if you know those, they are much harder to "prove" or display than a portfolio of artwork.

I would advise against the psych route unless you are serious about getting a PhD in it. Psych majors are a dime a dozen and are often thought of as a non-serious degree because it is a pretty easy courseload (I took enough psych classes to almost get a minor, for elective credits, since it was so easy).

College is expensive, taking classes to "see if you like it" is a pretty dumb idea, in my opinion, unless you can have them count as elective credits for whatever route you choose. I don't know what kind of school you're going to, but if there is a cheaper alternative (local community college or something) where you can take some classes on the cheap that will transfer to your current school, I would advise researching that option.

All in all, college is necessary to even have a chance at a job these days, but it isn't because you have a degree in a particular field, for most jobs. Employers are interested in knowing you can finish a 4 year program, and then you will have a crap job you hate out of college probably, because most of the better jobs require job experience which you obviously won't have coming out of the gate. Hope that helps!

My parents used to say, "If you love what you do, the money will come."

It's a nice thought, but it's complete bullshit. They were lucky that they enjoy jobs that also make them lots of money.

I dont get people who try to work forwards, choosing classes and trying to parlay it into a career. No one applies to Med School to see if he wants to be a doctor. I recommend you network your parents' and friend's resources, along with the school's, and try to figure out what career interests you most. Look for opportunities to shadow or intern (for free--economy sucks, deal with it) in different fields. When you know what you like, choose a course of study that makes you most attractive to employers. If you want to do consulting, study accounting, finance, management, or MIS/CS. If you want to be a graphic designer, study journalism/advertising/marketing and art. If you want to be a doctor, study Biology or Biochem. If you want to be a writer, study Journalism and English. Use that coursework to get intern/externships that give real experience in the field you want.

I've been on both sides of the hiring process for multiple firms. I don't give a shit about how rewarding your college experience is, I care how well you can do the job. Some candidates study unrelated fields and have good practical experience, but ultimately, in this economy, most companies are staring down candidates with mostly classroom experience and fewer internship. You need to study towards your first job, not expect a job to fit your studies.

Also, remember that there are a million recent graduates competing for jobs every year. You must stand out, so in addition to the quality of your preparedness for the work, you also need to put focus on your professionalism, resume, and interview. Ultimately, you're hired by a person--people are most inclined to hire people they WANT to work with.

PS: Art is an easy double major, since the theory requires little studying and the art history courses and basically notecard memorization. It's a great second major and compliments some fields of study well. It's a terrible major.

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Originally Posted by Rick Scarf

If you go the art route, don't major in "art" or "art history" or anything like that. You want something applied. For example, major in communications or marketing, and learn the art stuff on your own. You can then be employable as graphic designer. I would bet a marketing firm would rather have a marketing major with a nice portfolio to showcase your photoshop skills than an art major who doesn't know about advertising, marketing, or business communications - even if you know those, they are much harder to "prove" or display than a portfolio of artwork.

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I was an art major for a while. I whole-heartedly disagree with the bolded statement. If you want to get an art related job, you should really take college level art classes. I think Atmosfear's idea of double major in marketing and art is preferable, but if you don't want to double major, at least minor in art. (Actually majoring/minoring in graphic design is better than studio art).

The reason you should study art in a classroom, instead of teaching yourself, is primarily because in the classroom setting you're forced to create what the instructor wants. Sometimes you'll get really stupid sounding assignments or what you think is awesome, the instructor hates. When you teach yourself you only create what you want and you create it however you want to. In the real world, when you're in an entry level graphic design job, you're working for someone else and you have to create what they want. Learning how to take and use criticism constructively and learning how to make art the way others want it are probably the most valuable skills you'll need and I think the best place to acquire those skills are in the classroom.


But with all of that said, I think art related careers are terrible unless you're happy making $30k a year.

Do what I'm gonna do.

Leave College, and all the badass parties, and go to a trade school, for like a Lab Technician(~55k/yr) takes 12-24months to train, and then you have a job.

After you're making money, you can decide wtf to do.

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Originally Posted by Vengeful Scars

Do what I'm gonna do.

Leave College, and all the badass parties, and go to a trade school, for like a Lab Technician(~55k/yr) takes 12-24months to train, and then you have a job.

After you're making money, you can decide wtf to do.

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Or don't and leave college with a marketable degree and strong resume, make more money, and also have growth potential, as well as the comfort of knowing one hasn't invested in a dead end.

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Originally Posted by Atmoscheer

Or don't and leave college with a marketable degree and strong resume, make more money, and also have growth potential, as well as the comfort of knowing one hasn't invested in a dead end.

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Yea for some of us, we're fucked and this is the best thing we can get.

But I am putting $100 in a Stab. Monetary Fund(think that's it) so I can retire at 12

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Originally Posted by Atmoscheer

Or don't and leave college with a marketable degree and strong resume, make more money, and also have growth potential, as well as the comfort of knowing one hasn't invested in a dead end.

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55k today has a future value of 182.5k (assuming 3% inflation) 40 years from now at retirement. Even if he never gets any raise other than a cost of living adjustment, since he starts out with a decent income so early, he is doing a hell of a lot better than most people. If he makes 55k today and saves a nice chunk for retirement, he is way ahead of the game in terms of the magic of compound interest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick Scarf

other than a cost of living adjustment

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lol rick scarf you are entertainingly optimistic

also I bet that 55k is before tax

Yeah I like how Rick Scarf thinks that a lab technician can negotiate for a cost of living adjustment every year. That only works for people who aren't in commodity labor industries.

And what does that future value even mean? The price level is going to increase proportionately--now you're 65 with the same purchasing power as when you were 20. Sign me up.

They're both useless fucking majors unless you're going for the Doc with the psych, and you sound like the kind of loser who wouldn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vengeful Scars

Do what I'm gonna do.

Leave College, and all the badass parties, and go to a trade school, for like a Lab Technician(~55k/yr) takes 12-24months to train, and then you have a job.

After you're making money, you can decide wtf to do.

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Or go to college for free while working, with experience and training counting for nearly half of the required credits needed for your degree. In another eighteen or so months I'll have my BS in criminal justice. Exotic degree plan? No. Will I make hundreds of thousands of dollars with it? Probably not. But before I'm fifty I'll be retired and probably drawing well over $4000 a month in pay and benefits. I won't have student loans to pay back, will possibly have a master's at no cost to myself and have a resume supported not only by education but by significant leadership experience that few ever gain. My house will be paid off (or nearly so), my retirement check should cover all of my bills and then some, and I can seek a job at my own leisure doing what I choose to.

That said, I don't disagree with your plan. Trades are often overlooked, but can lead to gainful employment with minimal indebtedness. A lot of kids I encounter think they are going to do great things with college, only to drop out with no appreciable skills. Trades will always be in demand, and even a trade school drop-out has more to offer than someone completing a two or four year degree in certain subjects.