<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>This is rather long. It's difficult to summarize everything into a short paragraph, though.</p>
<p>For a while now, I have been heavily leaning towards a major in social work, with a graduate degree in the field as well (to become an LCSW; I would like to be a counselor/therapist in the long term probably). The graduate school of social work doesn't have any particular degree requirements, but experience (volunteer or paid) is necessary. I have also considered a career as a teacher, elementary education in particular. From my understanding, a job as an elementary teacher doesn't require an undergrad in anything specific, but one needs a liberal arts degree, experience, and some kind of certification (not sure if this entails grad school; it's new to me, so I haven't looked in depth).</p>
<p>Back to social work though: even though the graduate school of social work doesn't require an undergrad degree in the same field, I was planning on getting my undergrad in it anyway since it's a good program, so I could potentially be in the advanced program (getting the masters in a year), and so I could be employable if I decided to take a break between degrees.</p>
<p>However, I am reconsidering a degree in art and philosophy (possible double major, possibly a major and minor). I know, the two don't seem as directly related to the two fields I'm interested in as some degrees, but this is my thought process: If I'm going to be a therapist or a teacher, I need an undergrad degree in <em>something</em>, and that something can be almost anything I want. Even though art and philosophy aren't considered practical, they would still be useful in this situation and honestly I would enjoy it more than an undergrad in child/family studies or social work (if money/career opportunities weren't an issue at all, art and philosophy or religious studies would also be my first choice). </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I have taken/plan to take courses related to sociology/social issues and human/child health and development, but art and philosophy classes are more of a treat to me and something I feel passionate about (I have also considered a photography business, but long term I think this is more realistically a side gig for me). I also think that focusing on these things in school would be of benefit to me in other ways; I think it will be a nice compliment and balance to the emotionally straining work I will probably be doing. Also, I was planning on doing social work mostly as a means to become a therapist....so just having an undergrad in it won't necessarily benefit me except to make me employable.</p>
<p>Of course, if I do major in art/philosophy, I plan on continuing to volunteer with various groups of people (I currently volunteer in a conversation program, and plan on volunteering with an elementary school next term). </p>
<p>The downside of this is that if I want to make real use of my degree, I will pretty much be committing myself to graduate school since a art/philo degree isn't practical by itself, it might just look nice on paper. I'm okay with this since I plan on going to grad school anyway, but maybe I'll feel differently a few years from now?</p>
<p>By the way, I'm in my second year of community college; I plan on transferring to a university in 2013.</p>
<p>If you've read this far, thank you. I would just like some second opinions and insights on all of this. Given my situation, I still wonder if majoring in art/philosophy is an irresponsible decision. I feel like the general consensus from others is "yes", but I also think this is a unique situation.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>*(Also just a side note - do you think it will be much more difficult to get scholarships if I am majoring in art and philosophy - would it look bad even if I'm volunteering and I have a 4.0? Thanks)</p>