[Maven]

I REALIZED AFTER POSTING THIS, THAT IT SHOULD PROBABLY GO UNDER "SCHOOL AND STUDY ISSUES", OR WHATEVER THE FORUM IS CALLED. I APOLOGIZE FOR POSTING IN THE WRONG FORUM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MOVE IT TO THE APPROPRIATE FORUM. THANK YOU.

I have a lot going on in my mind regarding college. I guess it's the OCD, but I tend to be very indecisive. I can feel really strongly about something, and then the next minute, not be sure or feel completely the opposite. I hope, over the next few days, this thread will help me come to a real decision regarding college. That means I need others to help me decide, please.

Currently, I'm going for a degree in the Liberal Arts/Humanities. For me, it's a good fit, because I can take courses of many subjects and kind of explore what I want to do. However, I just heard on TV a couple days ago, that Humanities and Social Services were two of the worst degrees you could take to get a job after college. I have already signed up for classes, including the Acting I class I so desperately want, but I'm wondering if I should go for a different degree. They just started a degree program that I'd like to take, even though it would probably take me longer, since I am very rusty when it comes to math skills. At my current college, I don't have to take any math classes, because I took them there way back when I was in my 20's. The new degree is Game Design & Development, and you have to take College Algebra (1st semester), Trigonometry (2nd semester) and Physics I (3rd semester) to get the degree. I'm nowhere near that smart in math right now. Well, Physics is science, I guess, but I'm not smart with that, either. I do have a Basic Math and Pre-Algebra set of books (from the "For Dummies" series) that I'm hoping I can study over the next few months and maybe be able to handle College Algebra by the fall, but I don't know. I have a hard time sticking to things.

I can't go online and change my classes at will, because I dropped out of all but one of my classes (but I missed the last day--had a reason, but can't remember why--and the teacher wrote me as a drop-out) last fall, and I have to pay money back to the college. I already paid $290, and will pay at least $100 each month until fully paid off, but it's a pain not being able to go onto the website and change classes around as I need to. If I go for the Game Design & Development degree, it's taken at my current college, and another college (or I can take all four semesters at the other college) about 40 miles away.

I want the Acting class. I want to take filmmaking classes later. I want to be good at art. I want to get a degree that will help me get a job. I ultimately want to move to New York and work in acting, no matter what kind of degree I get. I want a job that pays well. Acting is not such a job, but I want to do it while I'm working at another job (game design, working for a talent agent maybe, etc.), in the hopes I'll be able to make acting my main job. I know the odds of "making it" in acting, and I'm not deluded that I'm going to be a big-name star, especially being an older woman, but I want to do what I love, and acting is what I love.

I don't even know what I'm asking. I can't ask you what degree I should take, because only I know what will make me happy. Except I don't. I want it all. Can someone at least give me some comments, or advice? Maybe a suggestion as to how to decide? Currently, I'm signed up to take a couple of classes that not only fit my Humanities degree, but will also work for the Game Design degree, if I decide to change to that. (Those classes are Art Appreciation, which I'd hoped I wouldn't have to take, but since it's part of the Game Design degree, I figured I'd take it, and Introduction to Microcomputers.) Thanks for putting up with my scrambled brains!

[hahalebou]

Honestly, the only careers that are really worth anything nowadays are based in the STEM majors, although there are a few business/healthcare degrees that are doing well. Have you looked into becoming a dental hygienist? You only really need an AA and a license to practice in your state. I'm not sure how easy it would be to procure, but it does pay well if you're looking for something potentially simple and definitely lucrative. And plus, you'll have enough money left over to study acting!

I was interested in acting for awhile, and if I may be so bold, I want to say that I believe acting classes at colleges are a waste of money. What branch of acting do you plan on entering? Theatre, or film and tv? An acting degree is worth it if you're going to one of the top Performing/Fine Arts colleges and you want to enter theatre, but otherwise it's not going to do you any good. You're better off taking independent classes at reputable private acting studios. This website might help you make this decision: Backstage | Acting Auditions, Casting Calls, Advice, Casting Directors And if that link helps, I have a few more links that might help as well.

As for Film, I'm a lot less knowledgeable on that. :P But I have a feeling the same principle applies. You're probably better off taking film classes independently, but I may be wrong about that one!

[H3rmit]

Just my opinion - based on my own experience and still not being happy with my past work and current nonwork:

Whatever you ultimately want to do, being able to concentrate and finish things will serve you well. Math can be improved on; I did it. Math skills will serve you very well in undergrad physics, and you will struggle without them. Without strong algebra, fail physics. How does math apply to game design? Graphics. But you must know that. What part of game design are you interested in? Of course the IT side of it makes money - if you are really good at it. So many people want to get into game production that it starts to be a bit like any other arts - character design, animation, that kind of thing. Creative arts are about being able to do something; a degree doesn't matter except help you get technical skills sometimes.

Even in STEM, which I am in, nowadays, a degree doesn't guarantee anything. I would suggest you look at the precise path you hope to take and learn everything you can about it. Reddit is actually a good source for any technical fields - like IT and games. (Of course you have to get a membership and pick subreddits or you will just see garbage.) Sign up to Indeed.com and get job descriptions sent to you every day. Learn about whatever industry you are truly interested in, be it artistic or otherwise. Start getting work experience in it.

I think having 2 categories - done for love or done for money would be a good list to make out. Acting is for love, unless you have something people want to pay for already. Something you don't mind for good money and love on the side can be good. Can. But you have to know yourself and the world by researching precise fields and paths through them. Oh, and if you are studying in order to get a job, look at the school's placement information. Just for comparison, if you look at BCIT here in BC, which has lots of fields of study including probably game development, you can find info that shows why they are known as being a good way to get jobs:

BCIT : : British Columbia Institute of Technology

I don't work for BCIT and I chose not to go there because I didn't want to narrow down that much. Sometimes I regret it. Sometimes I don't. I chose love, more than money, in a STEM field. My young husband's career looks promising and we should be okay, but sometimes I feel bad I didn't choose money again like I did in the first career.

Edit: and just rereading your post - you want to do acting in NYC no matter what. So you need something low pressure that pays good enough to support that. And be happy living in a tiny room, I think. So figure out what a practical for you and adequately paying job is so you can go.

I have been very indecisive. Revising written goals at the end of every month or school term was helpful for me.

[Travelinglady]

This issue is a tough one. Some folks still say people ought to major in what they enjoy instead of trying to force themselves into a major (and later perhaps a job) that they hate.

My younger son calls frequently from college to talk about his future plans. I tell him to do the best he can and to try to find something he likes doing.

I guess the ideal would be to try to find a major that you can live with that's probably going to be marketable. But with today's economy it's hard to say what that will be. For one thing, lots of students head into degrees they think will get them a job, so then the competition gets really keen.

[Tiger_Lily]

I would major in a course that will get you a job, as much as you can know will get you a job, and minor in what interests me. At the end of the day, you need to make a living, but you can't always sacrifice what interests you either.

[Maven]

I used to always say, study what you love, seek to work in what you love. I still mostly believe that, but having struggled financially, I see temptation to work in what will make money.

hahalebalou, funny you should mention dental hygienist as a line of work. That's what my sister did for most of her life. (When the dentist retired, she went to work in a doctor's office instead.) I don't see myself doing that, though. And nobody would want someone with my mouth working on theirs. (Not that they'd likely notice much, because my front teeth and crowns hide some of the truth.)

I'm actually pretty familiar with the acting world. I want to do film acting, maybe some TV. I'm not really into theater, although that's not to say I wouldn't work in the theater if it came as an option. I've read a lot of books on acting, but it's been a while. I need to read the latest info before I put myself out there. I know there's a lot of rejection and work is hard to get, but it's what I want.

I'm kind of interested in the game design and development because I enjoy the art and story arcs of games. I need to improve my drawing and art skills, though, to get into that part of it. However, I might be able to pick up code ok, so that's why I'm considering it. Even though I have the Basic Math and Pre-Algebra for Dummies books, I'm wondering if I should just sign up for them as classes. That's if I could take them over...at my current college, I already took them twenty years ago. I agree math is good exercise for the brain. I don't enjoy it, but I can re-learn it.

Thanks for your input, guys. I really appreciate your suggestions and help.

[Moodswing]

I have been to college for 3 different degrees and only managed an associates from a community college. I can never finish what I start. my husband says i have a fear of sucess and whenever i come close to looking like i might be good at something and excell in i fall to pieces.I am 46 and struggle,to this day,trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. You see I never thought I was going to live to this age. Life never had a meaning and now I am in therapy because I had planned on being dead by this past new year. So the question was put to me. "What would you go back to school for or what is it you really want to do?" I just have no sense of self and what it is I trully like. I struggle with thinking of a career that makes money or something I have a passion for. Still no clue. That is why I feel intrinsically broken and worthless.