Help! How did you choose which major was right for you?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>So I still have one year of High School ahead of me but I am now thinking of my future, higher education mostly, more than ever. I have become obsessed this year to the point that I study until the early hours of the morning whenever I have exams/projects and although I can definitely see it rewarding me, I have such a big turbulence in my head right now.</p>

<p>So as I said I'm in second year of High School. I have one more year left and I'll go to college but I'm still unsure of my major. At first I really wanted to do something in the Accounting/Finance/Medical field because that's where I read most of the big bucks are made, but from what I've been reading from others, almost everybody tells NOT to base your choice on the salary but on what you truly love. Well, I am scared that what I love just wont be enough for my living. I love animals so at first I thought I would go for veterinary, but I just somehow don't quite find myself there, so I thought I'd leave that just be a hobby of mine. </p>

<p>I am also very fascinated by computers, games and visual arts but mostly digital ones only (animation in 2D/3D, etc. etc.). Yeah, when I thought of it, I can really find myself doing this kind of job, designing a very successful game that will sell worldwide, or animating a great 3D movie, I can really feel "the fire" burn in my eyes, but the thing is that in my home country there are really no majors in High School that are related to this kind of field and I am truly 'gifted' in math and sciences, isn't visual/game designing more artistic? What I really fear is just "tossing" these values I have in the science part and making a wrong decision that would blow up my whole career. And I don't think Computer Science is a solution for that matter because I don't enjoy it as much because it's more in the coding and programming part. From what I read online people say that if you want to get into this type of job you need to be very immersed in art otherwise you'll fall in the programming category, you should take writing courses and other social ones in university because you really need it, and it was true, when I was checking the web pages of very popular companies such as "Electronic Arts", "Rockstar Games", etc. in almost every job info page, having excellent communicative and linguistic skills was usually a must.</p>

<p>So without making it any longer, that's what I mostly need your help with. Should I do something about my math skills, or just follow my inner heart and just choose what I truly love an find myself capable of doing? Should I really not be based on the salary? Okay, I love this type of job but how am I going to make a comfortable living if this-or any other job, I have no idea, I'm 17- doesn't earn you a lot? </p>

<p>I feel as if I'm in a very critical point of my life and it's like it's too early for me to choose. I don't want to be one of those adults that go to work everyday nagging and considering job more of a boring task..</p>

<p>I'd really appreciate any advice on how to decide...</p>

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<p>Please don’t base your decision on “money.” It makes no sense to pursue a degree in something so you can make money only to find out that you hate your existence, or worse - can’t find steady employment because you aren’t good at what you do. Those fields are competitive and weed out weak players pretty fast.</p>

<p>I’m an engineer working in an artistic field by choice and by passion. My hubby is a medical professional. We ended up with two art kids. Not sure how that happened. But our philosophy is “happy, healthy, and fulfilled” and we’re showing them both how to take their skills and apply it in a way that will allow them a decent income stream that doesn’t include working at a fast food restaurant.</p>

<p>The hardest part of your journey is that the latter (computers and gaming) are specialized and it will be hard to find a school that allows you to explore both at the same time. So look for colleges where all freshman take core courses to explore and then branch out if you’re not sure. For instance, MIT, which I know best - admits students to the entire Institute and they can figure out what their degree program will be once there. Others require you to apply to the “School of Engineering, or the School of …” and switching isn’t as easy.</p>

<p>And remember, not every person in the industry went through a specialized program. So my daughter is applying to several liberal arts colleges where she won’t immerse into her field until late sophomore or early junior year. And several where she’s applying to the department which will start her off on day one in her field. </p>

<p>And if you change your mind - most people specialize in grad school. So give yourself maximum options until one choice emerges as the primary one!</p>

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<p>Actually I wont be studying in the US because I can’t afford it, since I’m an international student but thanks so much for the suggestion and for the whole reply :D.</p>

<p>Here in my country we have no such specialized degrees (gaming etc. etc.), just the basic ones such as electrical engineering, etc. and thus many of these degrees are overlooked. I am hoping it wont sound strange to me when I tell myself that I’m following such courses, based on what my experiences here are.
Anyways as I said I know what my passion is but I have completely NO idea what courses I should choose, but I think I will go for computer science? I don’t think it has a lot to do with game designing but most people were suggesting it and what put me down the most is that many say that you can’t choose this as a career, but as a hobby/part time job only instead :(…</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply again, it’s great to see there are parents like you, many teens struggle with such cases today and their parents’ support is very important.</p>

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<p>Let me say that many students enter a college “undesignated” and that can be a good thing because it allows you a year or two to “explore” different fields while taking core courses. In my case I couldn’t decide and MIT let me double major. </p>

<p>Also, many people enter a college with one field in mind and then transfer later when it becomes clear the original plan isn’t a fit.</p>

<p>School/College is about education - not necessarily a vocation. Many of the skills (writing, math, problem solving, higher order thinking) are applicable across the board. So go for the education, if still not sure, use graduate school to hone in on your future career/specialization. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I interned at a media production place where 2D and 3D animation was the main focus.</p>

<p>Science and math knowledge helps in understanding commonly-used post-production programs like Maya and AfterEffects.</p>

<p>It is, however, nominal to learn how to use game design software. It’s definitely something you can do on your own, albeit with much effort. If you feel like you have unexplored potential in other fields that you want to explore, focus on that in college and it will inform your work as a game designer.</p>

<p>Computer Science is probably not the major for you. if you’re passionate about math, be a Mathematics major and take plenty of writing and communication courses.</p>