Hi guys! I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice about my plans/prospective major?
I’m interested in languages, history, graphic design, and politics. I was looking into applying for the intelligence analysis program at JMU because I want to do something in national security or diplomacy, but I’m afraid of the job prospects when I’m older. It’s also very computer science/ networking based, and I’m not sure if I’d actually like that or not because I have little experience with computers.
If I was to do the IA program, I was thinking about being pre-med as well because I like the idea of helping people, and I being pre-med could keep the door to being a doctor open. The only problem with that is that while I’m good at science, I only like biology. I’d be okay with the extra schooling time wise, but I’m not sure I could suffer through calculus and chem (sorry any math/ chem lovers out there).
Another thing that I’ve been looking into is cultural anthropology, but, again, the job outlook is not very good.
Basically, I have a lot of interests, but I’m having a hard time narrowing it down. If anyone could offer any advice/ careers that I could look into, that would be awesome. Thanks for reading 
Quite frankly, I can’t see how you’d thrive in IA with little experience in IT. And if you’re dubious about chem right now, wait until you’re up to your eyeballs in it, needing a solid gpa for med school.
It sounds like you’ve already identified a few majors/fields that are more interesting to you. But how did you develop an interest in graphic design with little experience in computers? And what languages have you studied?
@Dunboyne I’ve taken a few computer graphics class at school. They’ve mainly focus on photoshop and other programs like that, but I have been trying to learn a little bit about coding on the side. As far as languages go, I’ve been learning French for the past five years, and I’ve picked up a little bit of Russian too
Ok. Well, I’m not going to say you can’t be successful in graphic design – I assume you have the requisite creativity, plus there’s still time to learn enough IT – but GD seems to run counter to your other interests in history, languages, politics, and career fields like intelligence/diplomacy. Maybe it would be a bit risky to pursue for that reason.
If you want a better chance at intelligence/security work, definitely learn as much coding/IT as possible throughout undergrad. The intelligence field largely revolves around it. I’m not so sure the particular IA program at JMU really aligns with your overall interests, though. You’d probably be better off approaching the intelligence/security field through your interest in politics/history and languages, especially Russian, which is one of the languages in demand for that type of work. Keep up with French, too, as it’s widely spoken and useful in world affairs.
Anyway, pursuing a language or perhaps double majoring alongside history or politics seems to be a better hedge, in your case, for a broader range of career possibilities, including diplomatic work, and as mentioned, intelligence/security work. You’d very likely add a grad degree of some persuasion, too, to narrow things down even further. Intelligence work, I might add, is difficult to get into; be careful how you stack up. They pursue high stats people with STEM skills and languages, for the most part, so if you don’t see yourself down the road with some useful tech skills (and calculus!), you might want to focus your energy elsewhere. Something similar, by all means, but more aligned with your “softer” skills.
Why are you interested in Russian?
@Dunboyne That was my concern with graphic design. I really enjoy it, but it I don’t think it really aligns with my other interests career wise. I’ll definitely look into the double majoring as well because, like you mentioned, it is really competitive field to be in. I think the jmu program has a few majors/ minors like international affairs/ computer science that they recommend, so it’s something I’ll take a look at.
Also, the reason I chose Russian is because when I started researching skills needed in intelligence, foreign languages seemed to be a pretty common theme. I’ve always enjoyed Russian history at school and the country still seems to be pretty influential, so I realized that it might be pretty useful.
Anyways, thank you so much much for your advice! It was super helpful and I really appreciate it!
Yes, Russian is valuable these days for the fields that interest you. Keep it going.
You don’t need to have started IT in high school to study it in college. Many computer science and IT majors go into their major not having taken any computer science classes in high school. However, since JMU’s program is competitive admissions, having expressed/demonstrated interest by taking classes ahead of time may benefit you.
With a degree in cultural anthropology, you don’t have to become an anthropologist. An anthropology major can go onto work in politics and international affairs, in business, in the nonprofit sector…anywhere. Most jobs don’t require a specific major, and most liberal arts majors don’t lead directly into any one professional career or track. It gives you some flexibility, but you have to develop skills and experience that are valued by employers (like doing internships and learning a skill like coding or writing). You could, for example, major in anthro and minor or take classes in computer science.
There are many, many, many ways to help people. I wouldn’t go pre-med unless you are actually serious about being a doctor, not just to “keep the door open.”