<p>Is it better to major in something you're passionate about (with a "meh" job market) or something with a better job market? (assuming it will still be a fairly good job market when I graduate)</p>
<p>My college allows double-majors, is that something to consider?</p>
<p>It depends. If you still like the major with the better job market, and the “passion” one has an awful job market that never gets good even in good economic times, then the major with the better job market may be a better choice. However, if you despise the major with the better job market, then you are less likely to do well enough in it to be well qualified for career track jobs in it, so it would be a poor choice.</p>
<p>What majors and how much do you like each of them?</p>
<p>I think that’s a judgment call you’ll have to make yourself. Does the better job market major mean you’ll be unhappy in the classes? In the job field? Can you imagine yourself doing something like that for – very possibly – the rest of your life? Would you hate yourself for putting yourself through it?</p>
<p>I also would only consider double majoring if it won’t prolong your stay at school more than 1-2 years. Otherwise, I’d consider taking the major with a minor.</p>
<p>I would pick something that I do not hate with a good job market, rather than a major I loved and then having a very difficult time getting a job.</p>
<p>I say go with the most marketable of your interests. That said, as others said don’t major in something you hate just for the job market; at least have some interest in whatever you pick. If you can’t feasibly get a double major done within 5-6 (preferably 5) years of college, I would just minor in your passion.</p>
<p>As others have said. Do NOT major in something just because it has a good job market… if you have the major/job you won’t do well and won’t move up the job ladder anyway.</p>
<p>At the same time don’t just major in something because you think you’re “passionate” about it. Unless you are so passionate and talented that people think you’re slightly obsessive and you shun romantic interests, hobbies, and life in general to pursue that passion (in which case you probbaly wouldn’t be posting here). Interests change and even if they don’t…you can always learn about/pursue your “passion” outside of work as a hobby and take classes with your electives at college. If you can’t get a job in what you’re passionate about… you’ll have to settle for it as a hobby in any case.</p>
<p>Pick something you have a decent interest in and don’t hate and also has reasonable job prospects. While you pursue that career, take electives in what you love and have the best of both worlds!</p>
<p>Gonnabeafreshman, I read a similar topic on a different forum that spawned a lot of good responses. I’ll PM you the link.</p>
<p>My general observation is that one’s passions are usually (but not always) something common, like music or art. Picking a major in your passion may lead to a competitive field/ industry because so many people share that same passion. Of course, if you’re really passionate about something, you’ll work harder and have a better chance of a steady income.</p>
<p>It’s hard to say, really, especially considering that I am an incoming college freshman. :P</p>
<p>Can you talk to a career counselor? They’re in a better position to help, I think.</p>
<p>I’ll major in something I love with a crap job market now. No one can say what the economy will look like tomorrow, much less four years down the line. I’m sure geography was a “useless major” at one point… Then Google Earth came out.</p>
<p>Double major, either in something you love and something more marketable that you don’t hate, or two things you love - to increase your potential future opportunities. The last thing you want is to lock yourself not only into 4 years of misery but a lifetime of misery in a job you don’t like after graduation. 40 hours a week is aBIG portion of your life.</p>
<p>There is no such thing as a useless major only useless programs and ignorant students.</p>
<p>Find a field that you are passionate about, research job titles that are within that field and that interest you, find out what skills and experience is needed to do that job, enroll in courses that teach those skills, and do a research project for a company/agency/field in that path that you are on. It can take the form of a University credit or internship. </p>
<p>If you are having to sacrifice doing what you love or worrying about money, something is wrong.</p>
<p>Find a compromise. My ideal major would be music - I would love to spend all day playing music, performing, teaching, writing. On the other hand, being a band director doesn’t pay well at all, and it makes absolutely no sense to spend 4 years majoring in something I love just to struggle finding a job afterwards. As much as I want to be a music major, it makes more sense to find something else I enjoy (even if it’s not as much as music) and earn a living through that. I can always play music if I don’t major, but providing for myself is more important.</p>
<p>You can’t predict the job market - all those pre-law kids in 2006 probably didn’t realize that by 2011 the law market would be in the tank. Finance and real estate were two other things that were thought to be rock-solid in 2006 and then 5 years later, they weren’t. Also, no one could’ve foresaw the explosion of social media in the 2000s (or the tech explosion in general in the 1990s - Sheryl Sandberg writes that most of her mentors advised her not to go to Google when she was offered a job there).</p>
<p>So trying to predict where the market will be 4 or 5 years ago is rather pointless, and so I think students should major in what they like and then try to develop skills that will always be in demand (communicating, speaking, writing, presentation skills, programming, math, a foreign language, etc.) regardless of your career. You can learn how to program without majoring in CS, and you can learn to speak Spanish or Japanese fluently without majoring in it.</p>
<p>The other thing is that most jobs are not major specific and there are usually more jobs with a specific major than college students think. I’ve frequently heard it said that psychology is an awful major and that you can never get a job in it. Pish. Management, marketing and advertising are based upon psychology, so psychology majors can work in those fields. A psychology major with programming and/or statistical skills would be in high demand at educational and testing companies, too, like ETS or College Board. Human resources and communications can also demand psychology majors.</p>
<p>So major in something you like, but be creative and get internships and part-time jobs to develop skills and experience.</p>