So I’m getting to the point in college where I (almost) need to decide on a major. The thing is, it’s been painful and hard for me to pick a major, considering I have a bunch of different interests, but I’d still like to have a major that could possibly make me some money and isn’t entirely useless.
I should probably mention that I am an INTP, introverted type, and enjoy and value time alone, and prefer to work alone. I’m also very cerebral and in my own head most of the time. I feel like all this affects what major I decide on.
My interests are music (performance), songwriting, digital art, photography, writing, and philosophy.
Everyone tells me that I should be a writer (meaning freelance). I’d honestly love to be a writer but it’s a difficult path.
I was thinking about possible majors: philosophy, English, digital design, art history. I can’t see any of these majors being worth it in the end–which is why I’m stuck. I figure if i’m gonna be a writer I don’t really wanna major in English so I’m leaning more towards the other majors I mentioned. And music is my primary hobby and interest, but something I really do not want to major in.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Even other possible majors? Because I’m stuck. My parents support my decision, whatever I choose, but don’t want a major that does nothing for me in the end.
Your personality type doesn’t have a bearing on the major you pick. Introverts and extraverts can both enjoy the same major - they may just take different roles with that major post-college.
Your major doesn’t necessarily have to play to all of your interests, and you might develop new ones. If you’re already in college, why don’t you take a couple of classes in the areas you’re interested in (English, philosophy, and art history are typically offered majors) and see if you really like any of them enough to major in it.
None of the areas you mention are, these days, without a lot of competition for employment in the US. (The labor market has become decidedly more competitive that when today’s mid-career people started their careers.)
Strongest for jobs during 2014-2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS,) are nursing, many other health occupations, computer science, certain business things (financial analysis and advising, operations research, and marketing), certain engineering fields, psychology and counselors/therapists. (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_102.htm, looking at both expected growth and total expected openings 2014-2024. My list excludes occupations where college degrees are definitely not expected.)
An occupation I see there that has strong prospects, would engage your creative side (as it entails graphic design as well as programming) and fit your preference to work alone is web development. I looked at four job openings that came up when I searched “web developer entry level” on Indeed.com. One of them required a BS in computer science. Two required a bachelor’s degree (without specifying the field of it) plus knowledge of certain software, that they listed. One was willing to take experience without formal education. It occurs to be that most university CS programs would burden one with much more complex material to learn than is needed for web development, but there are some bachelor’s programs that are on point for web development (e.g. http://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/bachelors/it/web-development?tcpa=true&siteid=tcpadesktop). Also, it looks like you can just take (and excel in) web development courses for a career in it, while officially majoring in something else.
One of the options available to you - or anyone else in college - and one that I recommend is, while studying and choosing courses, keeping abreast of, and somewhat in line with, what exactly is in demand in the job market (for instance by regularly checking prospective employers’ job descriptions).