[ina91]

At present I'm taking a semester off of college to deal with my as-yet unnamed autoimmune disease. I've already completed 2 1/2 years as a Music major, because all my life until now I wanted to be an orchestral musician. However, I am having doubts about that choice now, and I know that even if I stick with that major it is unlikely that I can find success, especially with the economy the way it is.

My other interests are computers, writing, art, poetry, nature, and cooking.

Can any of my interests be translated into good degrees/jobs?

[googley]

I would go for the computers if you want a job that is going to be in demand. It seems like computer work is needed everywhere. Every company (at least big companies) need computer support. Of that list, that is where I would follow-up. Good luck.

[Fresia]

I would also talk to career counselor to help with narrowing down your interests, market trends and the industries, and education options.
However, coming from the computer field, there are a lot of options and areas to go into from support, programming, teaching, managing, etc. across many industries that it can be applied.
It can be helpful to look into the professional organizations for each of these fields which are on top of the industry needs and where they are going to help you better curtail your studies to fit the market place, whichever field you choose or to help choose a field.
Many states also post studies on where they expect jobs to be in the next 5-10 years based on the population trends, needs, markets, etc. Look on the state government website for employment outlooks, which might help as well.
Once you decide 'profitability' and interest, before jumping full in, take a class or two in some of the things you might be interested in to see if it sparks your interest more or you may find the contrary. Job shadowing or informational interviewing is a valuable tool as well to know if you are interested and suited to a particular field.
I learned the hard way, just because there are jobs in something/very profitable and can do the the job, does not = happiness. Ideally find a combination of the two with interest and/or passion.
Good luck and so hope you are feeling better, take good care!

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by ina91

At present I'm taking a semester off of college to deal with my as-yet unnamed autoimmune disease. I've already completed 2 1/2 years as a Music major, because all my life until now I wanted to be an orchestral musician. However, I am having doubts about that choice now, and I know that even if I stick with that major it is unlikely that I can find success, especially with the economy the way it is.

My other interests are computers, writing, art, poetry, nature, and cooking.

Can any of my interests be translated into good degrees/jobs?

Hey, you can still be involved in music, but moreso in areas where you're supporting the industry and not actually doing music yourself.

Computers are good - they're changing a lot.

Writing, you can do technical writing, script writing, it just depends how good you are at it. Don't do an English degree though, unless you want to be a professor.

Art, depends what you're good at.

Poetry, unless you're really good at it, won't necessarily get you a good job.

Nature, you could do conservation, management, forestry... there is a lot of stuff out there. But we're destroying nature at an alarming rate.

Cooking, unless you plan on becoming a chef or opening up a restaurant, there's not too many job prospects.

Definitely talk to a career counsellor!

[salukigirl]

If you are going to make such a drastic change it will take a few more years to finish. We are starting an upward turn where hundreds of thousands of jobs were created just last month. Take into account that the baby boomers will be retiring over the next 5 years or so (most likely) and so jobs will start opening up in the coming years.

All I can say is don't choose a major based on pay - its better making less and really loving what you're doing. I get paid 15,000 a year - basically poverty level but I laugh basically the whole day and I LOVE what I do. Find something you're passionate in and it will work for you.

[Perna]

I don't know what other courses you have taken, rather than just interests. What's your minor? I know cyber security and environmental management are big at the moment. We're not getting any fewer criminals or much less trash/pollution (I live on the Chesapeake Bay so all of my "local" universities are big on cleaning it up and helping the natural wildlife, water quality, etc.).

[ina91]

Thanks for all of the input so far! It's very helpful. I guess what is hard for me is doing something non-artistic as a career, because for so long I have defined myself as a musician/artist/poet. I was leaning toward computer-related work, but what sort of degree would be necessary for that? Computer Science? Or would I do better getting some other kinds of non-degree certifications or training?

[salukigirl]

If you are thinking of computer stuff, the certification, I think, is the main thing. My step-dad started his own business after retirement by getting himself certified c++ or whatever without getting a BA or anything. He's pretty successful too. Now a days, a BA or BS isn't worth much more than a high school diploma bc jobs are so scarce. Several years ago....a comp sci degree would be worth a lot. But now it's like if you go to college you better go all the way. My bf has a MS in forestry and just now got a job doing any science related work (since May 2010). It's kind of an all or nothing thing when you get into the sciences.

Also, you don't have to blatantly stop being a poet or musician or artist. I am a total literature and english nerd. I went to school for english and lit education and it was just too easy and not challenging enough. So now I am an entomologist but I still read and write all the time. You are still allowed to have a hobby

[Crew]

I know that nano-tech jobs are in high demand and you get paid well for it....