[Confused213]

Yes, I did just use a quote/character from Catch-22 (has anybody read that?) to get your attention. But, I really do need help picking a major.

Well, here are my top choices.
English
Psychology
Anthropology
Art History.

I'll be going to a public institution (even though U of Puget Sound was my first choice and my scholarship didn't cover living expenses :/ so, I didn't have enough $$$)

The careers I most want to pursue are as follows:
Professor (English, psychology, anthropology, or art history)
Museum curator (history or art)
Research Anthropologist (sociology focus)
Research Psychologist (cognitive)
Or, I'd also like to be a free lance writer, photographer, and artist, but I need a degree for none of those.

Based on today's employment model, which do you think would be the wisest for me to pursue?
I know all of the fields that I'm looking into are highly competitive, but which would offer the least competition and be most rewarding?
Thanks

[RomanSunburn]

So, first, I don't think you need to rush yourself to pick a major. Generally the first two years at any school are spent taking mostly gen. ed. requirements, and you'll get a taste for all of those things in gen. ed. courses. You can start your college career undecided, or you can pick any of the four and change it later on.

Second, I think it's more important to do something you love than focus on money because if you only focus on which job will make the most money, you can end up very miserable, which will lead to poor job performance, which will lead to less money. You also have to keep in mind some jobs, like professor, have varying pay scales depending on where you work. Someone that works at a top notch private university is going to make a lot more than the community college professor.

And third, while I'm not the best example because school has taken me FOREVER, but I am an art history and English double major (or will be when I transfer into a university from CC). Also, the things that you're interested in go very nicely overlapping each other.

I think you should just take some time and enjoy learning without focusing too much on what to do right after college. When I started as a freshman I had very different views of what I would enjoy doing than the views I have now. I also think the best way to get a competitive edge in any field is through internships, and those will help you figure out what you really want to do also. I think most people do summer internships, or semester internships starting with they're juniors. Just have fun exploring without putting too much pressure.

So, probably not the advice you wanted to hear! But good luck all the same

[Confused213]

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

So, first, I don't think you need to rush yourself to pick a major. Generally the first two years at any school are spent taking mostly gen. ed. requirements, and you'll get a taste for all of those things in gen. ed. courses. You can start your college career undecided, or you can pick any of the four and change it later on.

Second, I think it's more important to do something you love than focus on money because if you only focus on which job will make the most money, you can end up very miserable, which will lead to poor job performance, which will lead to less money. You also have to keep in mind some jobs, like professor, have varying pay scales depending on where you work. Someone that works at a top notch private university is going to make a lot more than the community college professor.

And third, while I'm not the best example because school has taken me FOREVER, but I am an art history and English double major (or will be when I transfer into a university from CC). Also, the things that you're interested in go very nicely overlapping each other.

I think you should just take some time and enjoy learning without focusing too much on what to do right after college. When I started as a freshman I had very different views of what I would enjoy doing than the views I have now. I also think the best way to get a competitive edge in any field is through internships, and those will help you figure out what you really want to do also. I think most people do summer internships, or semester internships starting with they're juniors. Just have fun exploring without putting too much pressure.

So, probably not the advice you wanted to hear! But good luck all the same

Thanks! No, you have great advice!
The only issue is that I'll be going in as a sophomore because I have many AP credit hours and Dual Credit classes so my time to decide is cut in half :/

But really, great advice! Thanks!

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by Confused213

Yes, I did just use a quote/character from Catch-22 (has anybody read that?) to get your attention. But, I really do need help picking a major.

Well, here are my top choices.
English
Psychology
Anthropology
Art History.

I'll be going to a public institution (even though U of Puget Sound was my first choice and my scholarship didn't cover living expenses :/ so, I didn't have enough $$$)

The careers I most want to pursue are as follows:
Professor (English, psychology, anthropology, or art history)
Museum curator (history or art)
Research Anthropologist (sociology focus)
Research Psychologist (cognitive)
Or, I'd also like to be a free lance writer, photographer, and artist, but I need a degree for none of those.

Based on today's employment model, which do you think would be the wisest for me to pursue?
I know all of the fields that I'm looking into are highly competitive, but which would offer the least competition and be most rewarding?
Thanks

Forget professor. It is extremely competitive, even moreso in arts than sciences. Remember that for curator you need a master's. Competitive. Anything with research is extremely competitive as well. None of these are suitable for someone without a lot of drive and tolerance/love of competition.

So find what you love, and do freelance work on the side while you are a student if you hope for it to turn into more, because it takes time.

[Fresia]

There is some good advice above. Also, as a sophomore, there are still a lot of core classes that need to be taken and if you can fit in one or two of ones you are interested in to help narrow down your decision, this can help. It can also help to do some informational interviewing of those in each of the fields to learn more about what they actually do and is required of each field, which can help narrow down your decision with what matches your interests, strengths, and attributes. If your campus has a career center, a visit with them can help as well and with the various departments to help learn more. Best of wishes with your decision as you move forward. The nice thing is is that nothing is set in stone so that if you find you are not liking something, you can always change to what does interest you more. Good luck!

[Perna]

I would go for research psychologist as it has more math/science and would be easier to adjust to something else if necessary. "Everyone" wants to be a college professor/curator and there aren't that many jobs. Have you thought of anything sort of out of the box like architect (sort of art and you could specialize in designing museums :-)

But go each of your choice's professional organizations: Careers in Anthropology and see what they say?

[Mylastserenade]

Keep in mind that most of the careers you listed require advanced degrees. Try to work within your chosen field at a lower level to increase your chances of getting grad school funding.

[downtoearthgirl]

I'm a psychology major and the courses are so interesting. Look more into going for psychology.