<p>I'm a Sociology major, which initially interested me after I naively transferred into a 4-year-university after having taken one community college class in the subject. Sadly, though the major is still fascinating, the career prospects make me fairly depressed and I'm not interested in any of them. I can't see myself pursuing a lifetime of social work, research or teaching, and those unfortunately seem to be the main fields that Soc majors choose.
My parents are paying for my college education, and have told me that I can't change my major because I'd have to attend classes for at least another year. While I appreciate them paying, it's frustrating that I'm stuck in a field I don't want to be, and I don't quite know what to do anymore.
I wish I had majored in something like English or Communications, so I could pursue a job in the media industry. </p>
<p>Are there any stories of people who completely changed paths after college, and were able to pursue something entirely different? I'd go to Graduate School, but I don't want to take out all the loans etc.
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>It isn’t abnormal to work outside of your field. Most people with degrees in English, art, etc. don’t work in their studied fields. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>^^Agree. Here’s a few ideas…get to your school’s career office as soon as you get back to school and have them help you narrow down your focus. Look for ways to get experience in remainder of summer. Are you already involved in school media. If not, get involved in newspaper, radio, etc to gain some experience and to build a portfolio of writing or video (whatever your interest). How many electives do you have after your major classes senior year? Look to fill any available time with writing or communication classes.</p>
<p>Good luck. Also, take GRE so you’ll have it if you need it since it’s good for a few years. But I wouldn’t look to grad school for media…it’s not a high paying field!</p>
<p>I agree with ImThinking. And I can’t quite figure out what makes you think an undergraduate degree in English is a path to a job in the media industry.</p>
<p>What it may not be to late for is angling for some kind of internship that will equip you better for a job you would like after graduation.</p>
<p>You should talk to a career counselor, pronto. If you’re too far from your university to meet with one during the summer, you may be able to schedule an appointment with a career counselor at your local community college. Where I live, at least, the services of career counselors are open to all residents of the county, whether they’re students at the community college or not.</p>
<p>(X-post with scmom. Obviously, I agree with her, too!)</p>
<p>A soc major is in no way a barrier to working in media. Take a couple of comms courses if you can this year, volunteer at the campus tv/radio/newspaper, try to get an internship. </p>
<p>The American Sociology Association has some good info on jobs for sociology majors: <a href=“http://www.asanet.org/research/BachelorsinSociology.pdf[/url]”>http://www.asanet.org/research/BachelorsinSociology.pdf</a></p>
<p>Add a few communication classes, perhaps starting this summer - check your local community college. Definitively contact a counselor to do an internship this Fall.
English and Communication majors don’t have much better prospects than sociology majors though, depending on what college you’re going to, especially without an internship. Media and communication are among the fields that exploit the most unpaid interns. :s</p>