<p>I've known I wanted to major in advertising for about three years now, so the availability of the major weighed heavily into where I applied and my ultimate decision. I'm fascinated by advertising and I think I'd be well suited to the field, so naturally I'm thrilled to be studying it when I enter college this fall. But my dad is convinced that advertising is impractical and that I'll never make any money in it.</p>
<p>So I was wondering if any of you feel/felt that way about your child's chosen major and how you and your child dealt with it.</p>
<p>You want to talk impractical? My D’s majoring in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance. But, hey you only live once and you gotta follow your passion. But, we did have one stipulation - we would not go into debt to finance this dream, or let her go into debt. </p>
<p>Both my husband and I made major career changes in mid-life to follow our passions. My salary was cut 60%, H’s went down about 20% - but we are happy. Isn’t that what life is all about?</p>
<p>I know SO many people (myself included) who aren’t doing anything professionally even closely related to their college major. Don’t let that dismay you (with your advertising dreams), but it works out that way for many people.</p>
<p>My D wants to double-major in Music and ???. Possibly Eng Lit, possibly French, who knows?</p>
<p>I’m not pushing in any particular direction. Yes, I want her to be able to get a decent paying job when all is said and done, but she’s planning on grad school (in something!) so that day is a ways off.</p>
<p>My gut feeling is that if she follows her interests and strengths, and gets a top-notch liberal arts education, she’ll be employable…even if we can’t yet predict the exact type of job.</p>
<p>LivingOxymoron–get a really solid writing background with your advertising and you will have marketable skills. </p>
<p>My daughter is majoring in Japanese and physics. I have to say that I wanted her to do more than just the language major, so she picked physics.</p>
<p>I’ve met a few kids whose parents refused to let them (by which they mean that they wouldn’t have had any financial assistance from their parents) major in anything but engineering. In one case they actually specified an engineering field.</p>
<p>The way the advertising curriculum is set up, once I’ve completed the degree requirements, I’ll also have a minor in business administration. I’ve been considering minoring in something else, but I’m worried about the stress that would be involved with taking 20+ extra hours on top of a pretty rigorous course load.</p>
<p>LivingOxy. – a business major is a dime a dozen; but if you take a solid array of business classes you will find it very employable. Basic accounting classes, econ, statistics combined with the writing can apply to many entry level jobs. And hey, an Advertising Major should learn how to sell oneself! </p>
<p>I don’t think you need to take on another minor. Just plan those open electives with thought of marketability. </p>
<p>I majored in English because I loved to read. My father paid the bills. He wanted me to major in field where I could be employed. Needless to say, I dual majored. My roommate majored in Spanish. Her accountant father forced he to take 2 accounting classes. First job out of college (in Banking) was landed because she was bilingual and has a basic accounting background!</p>
<p>I worry more about a kids focus and realistic expectations then a major. No college student should expect firms to roll out the red carpet and court them just for the major. </p>
<p>I have 2 younger kids who are night and day – one will go into Engineering (as I have been told repeatedly) and the other I expect to change schools/majors/careers more often then she changes her under garments.</p>
<p>“I expect {her} to change schools/majors/careers more often then she changes her under garments.”</p>
<p>Launghaul- I’m not sure if it’s because it’s 4:30am and I’m still up, but that’s the funniest thing I’ve read all day!! I woke up the dog and one of my boys because I was laughing so hard!! :)</p>
<p>Long Haul–my D is like yours…changes her mind often. Although she has said “Biology” for the last few months we have encouraged her to enter this fall as “Undeclared” and she has agreed. Education is exploration. There is so much to discover. This year is about beginning that journey (and making good grades in the process). It’s an exciting time for her, and a time of mixed emotions for her parents.</p>
<p>Living - Money isn’t everything. Once you earn enough to support yourself, that is. It’s far more important to love what you do for many hours each day, IMO. Net worth and self worth are very different things.</p>
<p>My kids went to college this time around…not me. Their majors were their choices, not mine. It’s not all about the money. There has to be some satisfaction in your job and in your studies. </p>
<p>One of my kids has the potential to be a high earner and the other really doesn’t. SO WHAT? They are both happy.</p>
<p>“But my dad is convinced that advertising is impractical and that I’ll never make any money in it.”</p>
<p>Daughter is majoring in advertising (minoring in business);rising junior; she is the ONLY one of her friends this summer who has a PAID internship; there is ALOT one can do with this major especially if you are at a top school (with lots of networking and opportunities)</p>
<p>advertising is no longer just like “Mad Men” on TV; explosion in many different areas and venues…</p>
<p>just our two cents: we would NEVER criticize our kids’ choices (as we would not want them to criticize our life choices)</p>
<p>Don’t worry about what your father is saying. You can definitely make money in advertising. My father has been at the same company for 20 years. Since my brother was born (17 years ago), he has been our sole income. Even at entry level he was supporting his family of 3 (myself and my mother). He now supports his wife, four children, his wife’s aunt, both his parents (one who lives in a different house than us) in the most heavily taxed area in the country. (We get an income tax right off for our property taxes). We’re not upper class, but we all have more than we need and we generally have enough money for things like vacations etc.</p>
<p>If you want to know a more concrete number and position, PM me.</p>
<p>Every year, I’ve got a handful of students who chose a major based on what mom and dad wanted. The one that sticks out most clearly is the pre-med major who really wanted business. Science courses are tough, and at the end of freshman year, there was no way the student was going to pull off the GPA needed for med school. Only at that time was mom willing to talk.</p>
<p>While nobody wants to see his or her child go heavily in debt for something one considers impractical, majoring in something for mom’s and dad’s sake generally doesn’t work out so well. </p>