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Hi! I'm a college freshman right now. I go to MSU and my major is Media and Information. It includes film, game design, and interactive media design/graphics and animation (which is my focus). My first semester, I only took college requirements like math and bio, so I didn't get to explore the major yet, but I can next semester!

I'm stuck between keeping this major or switching to computer science because of money and job opportunities. I mean I do love math and computers. But I also like my current major because it seems super interesting and fun (especially from the events I've went to- love the people!)

My ideas are that I should either:
Try taking a c.s. course
Do c.s. as a minor (but I heard minors don't matter...)
Save money and try attending the c.s. club to get a feel for what it's like

Maybe I should just wait until I actually take classes from my major to decide. Not sure. I definitely do want to minor in a language (german or french)

[Travelinglady]

I suggest trying a course in computers and taking a course in your possible major and then deciding.

[spondiferous]

I agree with Trav. Also...minors do really matter. I know lots of people who end up going to grad school and focusing on their minor subject, and also, with something like CS, it's about your skills and what you can do. At my university, you can essentially take anything you want in a minor, as long as you have the right prerequisites. Also, regardless of whether you take a major/honours or minor, the same amount of math is required. So if I took a CS minor, I would still be able to take more or less whatever upper level courses I wanted because the first two years would be the same as if I'd taken the major.

The other thing to consider is, if you love the major you have now, it might just be woorth sticking to that anyway. With your CS minor, not only could you focus on subjects that could get you a job in CS, but the exposure to computer systems and programming would also be a huge asset in media/information/communications.

Another thing is that the majority of people take one thing in university/college and end up doing something completely unrelated as a job. So it's not like if you do that major, and can't find a job in it, you could never do something else. Also, most jobs are much more interdisciplinary now. People are required to be creative, think on their feet, and have way more transferrable skills. So a lot of people think education in media and arts aren't important, but they're hugely important. I know people who graduate with a fine arts or media degree and end up working in business, with a full salary and benefits, etc. So while that doesn't appeal to a lot of people who might normally take a BFA or BMA (or similar), it's a relief to others. And animation is a huge industry. You didn't mention if you're into animation and game design, but that industry is always expanding. You have to be driven, and push for opportunities, but a lot of places have internships while you're still a student so you could graduate with experience.

Anyways...just some thoughts there. Best of luck!

[Miswimmy1]

I'm a junior in college and I can say that honestly, there is no need to know what you're going to major in that early. I know people who switch their majors as late as the end of junior year. I suggest using your first year to take some classes that sound interesting to you (whether they be in computer science or something else). Get a feel for what you enjoy. I went into college very enthusiastic for biology and after taking the general bio series, decided that it wasn't for me. You never know.

Just a tip - I found talking to upper classmen who are taking classes in the major/minor that you are interested in way more helpful and informative than talking to the advisors at the university. If you have friends or know people who have taken coursework that you are considering, I highly suggest asking them about it - what they liked, what they didn't like, if a specific professor is better than others, etc.

Oh and also - clubs are not always super reflective of what the major/coursework will be like. Joining the CS club sounds like it might be a good extracurricular but I wouldn't use it to base your decision to major/minor off of.

[Talthybius]

I would do the CS one. There is no reason why you cannot apply for a more arty job that you'd love more with a CS degree. For a media design/graphics job you need a portfolio and maybe a degree (any degree). For a CS job you need a degree, preferably a CS degree, and the ability to actually code.

I would always recommend doing the degree/coursework where you learn the more defined harder fundamental and broadly applying skillsets. Math and programming do fit that bill. If you follow them, take charge of your learning experience, you will come out knowing a lot about them. If you take a graphic design course, that won't magically turn you into a better graphics designer. You need talent and passion for that. And that cannot be taught in a course.

As for being a game designer, I would be cautious about that and learn a bit more about what that means. Most people that work on computer games grind away for low pay at small technical elements of the game. Deciding what gameplay a game has, no one really does that as a job anymore.