college major help?

Question

although i know it is a decision i am going to have to make for myself, i wanted some advice on what i should major in. my whole life i've always been a writer and its been a passion of mine. there are great schools to go to (i live in southern california) that have creative writing majors but i feel like there is nothing i can really do with a degree in writing; everyone can write.

at my community college, i registered with my major as being "communications: writing for film, tv, and radio" but there are not that many schools with screenwriting majors, plus it would be so hard to break into "the biz"

recently i've become obsessed with interior design and was thinking of persuing that instead, but there are only really art schools to go to.

my parents never went to college so i feel like i deserve a real education. what should i do?

my parents never went to college so i feel

that i deserve a real education at a real school.


PLEASE HELP!


i'm so misguided

Answer 1

Written expression is a priceless skill to have no matter what career you choose. Interior Design, Creative Writing, Communications, and Journalism are all fields which are very difficult to find worthwhile employment in. Sometimes when your interests are in those areas it is smarter to choose a broader major which would still qualify you to work in those areas, but would allow you other opportunities if those careers don't work out.

Everyone gets a degree in it, but Business while specializing in your interests is a great way to set yourself up for success in Art, or fashion design while still having the opportunity to work anywhere else.

Another thought is a Construction Management degree(hear me out on this one), Construction Management teaches skills in business, along with construction methods, architectural design, cost estimates, a lot of very valuable skills. The advantage to you would be first, there are very few women in this field so you would be a great hire for a company trying to deversify its employees. Second the degree provides such a wide range of skills that you can find employment anywhere from being a Project Foreman(pardon me Forewoman), to an estimator working indoors in construction sales.

Construction Management could also be a creative way to break in to interior design as it would provide you ample opportunity to learn the building trade and meet prospective clients. It has often seemed to me that since so many people want to do interior design it is a person's skills and connections which decide whether or not they can succeed.

In the end though just pick something, your first couple years will mostly be general requirements which apply to any degree, and if you're like every other college student you'll probably end up changing your major after finding something new you're interested in. The most important thing about college is finishing it without getting hung up on what major to choose. The last I heard some 60% of college graduates end up in a career which is different from there major. Remember a degree does not decide what you do, it is you who decides what your degree does.

Answer 2

First, my experience is that few people know how to write passably, and it is even more rare to find someone who writes well.

Unfortunately, few writers or interior designers make a lot of money. Of course, some do, but the odds are against it.

I'm not sure what you mean by "deserve a real education." I too come a family where neither of my parents went to college. I went to a public university, partly because it was less expensive. I believe that if you want a good education and are willing to spend the time taking advantage of what is available, you can go to almost any college. Yes, Harvard offers more opportunities than Podunk U., but most schools have programs few students make use of and present interesting speakers that few students bother to go and listen to. Also, as a librarian, I am amused (I stopped being surprised years ago) by how many students never use their college libraries. As a writer, you probably know that doing extensive reading is part of the writing process. Authors ranging from Stephen King to scholars who do more academic writing talk about the importance of reading to being able to write well. Even small college libraries have more books than you will ever read.

I'd suggest you make a realistic choice for your college career, and become an active participant in campus activities. Speak to the dean or the director of student activities and tell them you want to be involved. I'm pretty sure you will get a warm reception and they will assist you in getting an education. Good luck.

Answer 3

You should major in interior design and minor in creative writing..my current school (Mount Ida in Newton MA) has an amazing program in both majors. Other good schools include Johnson State in Vermont and University of Rhode Island. Good luck and you do deserve a good real school...for Mount Ida you can apply for spring semester so you can get right in there this year if you dont want to stick with community college!

Answer 4

Many jobs just look for a degree, so in that sense it doesn't matter what you major in. That said, it can be vital to have that experience in whatever you're looking to do. If you like writing, major in it, or communications, it will help in your job hunt to have that core knowledge.
Whatever you major in, take a wide distribution of courses, as many different topics as you can, on the early side so if you find something interesting you can major in that.

Answer 5

Your substantial is plenty greater significant except you're attending an Ivy league college. yet, as between the others observed, a random lib arts degree will possibly no longer get you the perfect job whether its from Harvard (even with the undeniable fact which you will possibly probable have a plenty better risk at landing a writing/editor job with a harvard english degree than one from a random state college.)

Answer 6

It's a tough decision, no doubt. Do you have a flair for interior design or merely are obsessed with it? if you have a talent for it, you could major in ID and minor in writing.

Answer 7

if you really have a passion for writing then you should stick to it. And I disagree, not every one can write. With writing you can work for a newspaper company or a magazine publishers or something else similar to that. Hope this helps =)

Answer 8

I am kinda in the same boat.

I can chose something that I am naturally good at or something I am interested in.