Rising highschool senior here. I’m having a hard time getting an idea of what I’d like to do when I grow up. If I had an idea, I would be able to pick a major, and thus a college, as college applications are about to open soon. But I have no idea, unfortunately. I don’t really have anything I’m so passionate about that I’d actually spend years of my life at school for, so it makes choosing a major pretty hard.
I am able to rule out anything related to health/medical/science and anything business/economic/etc. What I’m left with is a number of humanities-related things. Here are my possible majors with what I personally find to be good and bad things.
English or Journalism?
- Pros: Something I have the skillset to actually do. It might be interesting/fun, especially environment-wise. I can branch into other potential jobs in fields like politics or entertainment if need be. I’ve also been in the Creative Writing club at my highschool, and I plan on joining the newspaper staff senior year, so, yea, I do have some genuine interest in it.
- Cons: I don’t think I’d like writing huge analytical essays, mainly because I’m a slow and not very creative writer. Ugh, AP Lang. I’m more of a casual/hobbyist writer than anything, really. As well, these are majors that don’t make too much money, as I’ve heard, and I’m not the best writer around when it comes to fighting over higher-paid positions.
Political Science or International Relations?
- Pros: I already have some interest in history, politics, and social justice. It’d be cool to get an important government job one day, with its benefits and potential to actually influence/help others, or maybe even a job on the campaign trail or something akin to the United Nations. I’d probably be most well-off and secure if I choose this area to go into.
- Cons: I hear that you can’t be successful with a degree in these majors unless you go to law school, and I do NOT have the desire to spend more effort, money, and years in school for something that, if things go wrong, I might not end up even liking when I’m older. I’m also an English speaker with only high school-level Spanish fluency, and my family doesn’t have any money for me to go traveling if my job/internship requires it. As well, I’m not the best conversationalist ever, which is pretty much a requirement if you want to make connections and all.
Film or TV?
- Pros: I looooove watching movies and shows. Being somehow involved in a popular show/movie would be a dream, lifelong job if I ever somehow got the opportunity to get into it.
- Cons: How do you even get into it, though? Again, I’m not the best at making connections. Also, I’m not what you’d call a film/tv buff, lmao. I don’t know names and other nerdy stuff. No experience in writing or producing plays, shorts, anything. The closest to experience I’ve had is just a year of normal Drawing/Painting. Anyone who even thinks of getting a major in film seems to have a portfolio and actual passion and dedication, whereas I’m just really interested in movies/tv as a pastime.
Tbh, I’m not looking for a major that will land me a job that will make me lots of dough. I’d be down to major (double major? minor?) in any of these things as long as I end up happy and comfortable. I’m not planning on having a huge house, a fancy car, and children with college tuition to pay for. I just want a major that’ll lead me to a job that I will enjoy and make enough money to live comfortably, and “comfortable” to me is a nice apartment in a nice neighborhood.
Also, I plan on going to a UC (University of California). However, if there’s some good (non-Ivy) private university or out of state university that I should definitely apply to for any of these majors, I’m open to suggestions.
An answer is not needed, advice would be nice, too. Thank you! 