<p>Currently in 11th grade. English and art interests me the most and ignites my passion Science and math, Ive come to realize, earn a living. </p>
<p>Although I cannot stand math or science, I feel obligated to enjoy them. Reason being: Im frightened of financial insecurity. Its just something that will not change and Ive learned to accept. This, of course, presents a problem. An artistic career will satisfy my passion, but not my paycheck. A scientific/mathematic career will satisfy my paycheck, but not my passion. Both will make me simultaneously thrilled and miserable.</p>
<p>With college approaching, Im really stuck at a dead end. Do you have any possible suggestions for me? I would appreciate them beyond measure.
Thank you very much for your time. Have a great weekend. x</p>
<p>Many careers will “satisfy your paycheck” (I assume you mean pay your bills) that don’t require extensive college-level science and math. </p>
<p>But since you’re only in 11th grade, you don’t have to pick a major – let alone a career – at this point. Think about schools where you can pursue both the arts and math/science - that won’t be hard since nearly all universities will offer plenty of both. </p>
<p>Try classes at both ends of the spectrum, along with all the other general education requirements. Explore what the school has to offer and I bet you’ll find your way. Many students enter college without a clue of what they want to study – and eventually figure it out. You will too.</p>
<p>I agree with katliamom. You don’t have to worry yet about your career or even your major. Find a college that offers strong departments in both art and science and explore both fully. Internships, summer jobs and networking will start you on the path toward a rewarding and fulfilling career. </p>
<p>Actually jobs that draw on both art and science are not uncommon. Architecture, industrial design, tech driven design. I know many artists who use scientific theories in their work and many scientists who see beauty in the universe. Wouldn’t you say that Steve Jobs was both an artist and a scientist?</p>
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<p>Not all sciences lead to good careers. Biology and chemistry in particular tend to have poor job and career prospects generally. Math, statistics, and computer science tend to do the best of the sciences, although computer science can experience extreme swings in the industry cycles. The better job prospects for math and statistics are mostly in finance, so if you do not like finance, that may not be a good idea. Also, if you dislike the subject, you are less likely to be good at it in school and on the job.</p>
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<p>Watch the film Office Space, which is one of the most vivid cautionary tales about working a job that is meaningless to you.</p>
<p>There are plenty of careers that need people who are good with words and ideas, skills honed through arts/humanities/English. Pursue subjects in college that are interesting to you and that you’re good at. You don’t have to have your distant life plan figured out this early.</p>
<p>To the above suggestions I’d add that you might want to look into Industrial Design down the road. A friend of mine pretty high up in the field says that companies have a constant need for people with both technical and artistic skills. Here is info on one well-regarded program:</p>
<p>[Industrial</a>, University of Cincinnati](<a href=“http://daap.uc.edu/academics/design/bs_industrial.html]Industrial”>http://daap.uc.edu/academics/design/bs_industrial.html)</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, all. Very much appreciated. </p>
<p>I should clarify and narrow down the careers. In terms of science and math, I’m referring to engineering. In terms of English and the arts, I’m referring either to novel writing, screenwriting, directing, or acting. Should have titled it as literature and cinema. My apologies! </p>
<p>Anyway, that does negate most careers that include drawing or design. I do appreciate the suggestions, though.</p>
<p>You might find this (optimistic) recent piece on the future of English Majors helpful.</p>
<p>[Michael</a> S. Malone: How to Avoid a Bonfire of the Humanities - WSJ.com](<a href=“Michael S. Malone: How to Avoid a Bonfire of the Humanities - WSJ”>Michael S. Malone: How to Avoid a Bonfire of the Humanities - WSJ)</p>
<p>If the link is blocked for non-subscribers, you might have to Google the author and title to find a readable copy.</p>
<p>The first thing you need to disabuse yourself of is the notion that their is a clear glide path that navigates between engineering and any of the fields you’ve mentioned. There isn’t. Basically, you have three years of required courses beginning freshman year with almost no room for error in terms of career choice. </p>
<p>Assuming you graduate and get a job in your field, it would be alnost impossible to do the necessary work of filling each day with auditions and call-backs necessary to pursue acting. Even if you could somehow do both, the odds would still be stacked against your ever making a living at it.</p>
<p>Here’s what I would do: hone your writing skills; take a few courses while in college. Start writing on the side. Marketing spec scripts (unsolicited screenplays) takes almost as much, if not more, work than trying to break into the acting field, but if you can write a novel or a stage play first and adapt them later as screenplays, you can perhaps parlay them into an attractive package. Getting an agent is key.</p>
<p>If you do not LIKE math and science, or the idea of solving design problems using math and science, it is unlikely that you will enjoy studying engineering or working as an engineer. In that case, you may not be all that good at it, which will impact your job and career prospects in that field. Unless you dislike everything else equally or more, that may not be a good idea.</p>
<p>It is, however, a good idea to get some background in math and science, including statistics, since such knowledge can be useful in many contexts even if you major in arts, humanities, or social studies.</p>
<p>^ Amen to that.</p>
<p>Are there any math or science areas that you LIKE, if not necessarily LOVE? And if there are some, can you see yourself enjoying those subjects enough to make a career out of them?</p>
<p>Have you thought about interdisciplinary majors? Or dual degree programs that let you pursue a BA and BS simultaneously? Brown is one school that offers such a program; I’m sure you could find some more in your college search.</p>
<p>On the same line of thought as some of the earlier replies, STEM is not necessarily always synonymous with great career prospects and high salaries, just as humanities and liberal arts is not necessarily always synonymous with poverty and unemployment. Just because you major in X lucrative field doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed anything at all. Consider double-majoring in something you love AND something you LIKE that is likely to also “satisfy” your “paycheck.” (I’m currently thinking about this option and considering doubling in the “useless” field of English and the more “practical” Economics.)</p>
<p>On a related note, this may seem contradictory to what I just said, but…Generally speaking, STEM majors prepare you for specialized work that often requires grad school and can lead to high-demand but potentially difficult careers BECAUSE of the fact that they require special skills and knowledge. Generally speaking, liberal arts and humanities majors give you skills that can be applied to a broad range of jobs, so just because you study X liberal art major does not mean that you’re on the path to Y specific career. So liberal arts majors are easier to replace.</p>
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<p>Not all jobs and careers that require special STEM skills and knowledge are high demand relative to supply. Biology in particular is an area with high supply (of graduating biology majors) compared to demand (of people to fill biology jobs).</p>
<p>Also, science and math are considered liberal arts as well.</p>