I want to go back to college and be able to live a comfortable life. What should I major in?After I graduated from High School I decided that I wanted to be an artist. I enjoyed art during that period of my life and I had won a few paltry awards. I didn't have a concrete vision of adulthood or my future career in my mind at that point. I had no clue that a bachelors degree or higher was needed to earn a decent living. My mother passed away when I was young and my father is in jail/psych. ward;therefore, I never received praise for my future or financial assistance.I attended the Art Institute and obtained my Associates Degree in Graphic Design.Fast Forward to now, I've worked every crappy service job there is:Retail, Secretarial, Telemarketing, Data Entry, Child Care, Food Prep. Factory work, and Waitressing. I am frustrated with my lack of money and education. I feel hopeless about my future! I intend to go back to school to obtain my Bachelor's degree, yet I don't want to waste any more money or time (I'm twenty-six years old)
I am interested in English, Creative Writing, Natural Health, Women's Studies, Philosophy, Animals, Farming, Music, Psychology, and Nutrition.
Everyone says to "Follow your passion and Money will follow." Unfortunately, I don't have a strong passion. My interests are always changing! I don't feel a fire burning in my heart !
I realize that none of these interests are going to bring in enough money to live a comfortable life. I don't expect to live in a mansion, wear designer clothing and drive fancy cars. I want to be able to get buy without living paycheck to paycheck, own a house, own a car and think about having a child and retiring some day.
Jane F- Thank you for the good advice. Unfortunately, I'm miserable in my current job position (receptionist/data entry). I don't think money equals happiness. However, I know I feel much happier when I can afford to buy groceries and my bank account balance isn't zero.
Dreams that other people have such as marriage and family are out of reach to me in my current situation.
I'd be willing to sacrifice some of my creativity for an income that allows me to actually live.
I'm definitely going to go back to school and I'm thinking about English, Nursing or Dental Hygiene.
Lots of great advice! Your input is appreciated!
I have my associates in Graphic Design. However, when I made that choice I was only eighteen. I was more interested in having eccentric style and living a bohemian lifestyle.
I've been out of school for four years and I have no experience in the Graphic Design field.
I know I don't want a career that involves sitting at a desk, answering phones, or repetitive typing.
I don't want to be an office drone. I want to be able to have a career that changes. I'd love to travel and interact with interesting people.
I don't know if what I want is realistic.
Posted by Writer Gurl
I want to go to Harvard and Major in either Civil Engineering or Civil Law & Attorney. Just pick something tha interests you. And I'm glad you want to go back! It will change your life totally.
Posted by jerseygal79
Why not pursue a career in graphic arts? You already have the Associates Degree, you could probably get a good job with it now, without a Bachelor's Degree, but a Bachelor's Degree will give you even more of an edge in that field.
Posted by Jane F
Talk to a counselor at your local college and let them show you what is available. They could probably show you a few course studies that would help you attain a degree in something that would be very special to you. I must tell you this, though: Don't try to major in some field just because it looks like it will make you "big money". I have worked in the medical field for most of my life and I can't tell you how many miserable nurses and doctors that I have met that went into their field just because they thought it would make them rich. Money isn't everything when you have to force yourself to get up and go to work everyday and come home afterwards tired and depressed because you don't really like what you're doing. Like I said, check out your local college or maybe check out some businesses that take on apprentices (and will pay you while you're learning your trade). Good luck to you! It takes great courage to change your life but I know you can do it!!
Posted by crazycatlady
If you are still interested in art why not get your degree in Art Edcuation. If you went into teaching and taught for 4 years (or something close to that) then any loans you took out would be forgiven (you wouldn't have to pay the loans back).
If you don't want to teach or think that you might want to do something other than graphic design you can always go to school as an undeclared major. You can take a courses in the things that you mentioned (creative writing, womens study, health, biology, etc.). By taking a few courses during the first semester or two will help. Talk to professors in the various departments about possible majors. If you need to, take a class or two at a time for a couple of semesters. For example, in the fall consider taking an introductory biology course, psychology, creative writing (or some other English course) or some other course that could be applied to the general education courses. Continue talking with professors about majors.
If you don't want to waste time or money I would recommend that you have a pretty good idea of what you want to get your degree in (the stronger the idea the better). If you want to stay in your current location, look into the local community college as well as the local 4 year colleges and universities. See if any of the 4 year colleges/universities offer programs of interest. Talk with admissions counselors and professors in your program of interest about attending the school. See what kinds of scholarships and grants you could receive. Also consider taking out a loan. See what courses you can transfer in from your Associates Degree (general education courses that you took). You could also consider taking courses during the summer. It's ok to start college and not know what you want to major in. You can always start colllege and take a couple of semesters to take courses that would fill in for the general education courses. That way you would be able to take courses from various areas and see if you could see yourself pursuing one of the majors. Honestly, if you don't want to waste anymore time or money then I would only take a semester or two as an undeclared major. The longer you go undeclared the longer you will be in school.
Good luck.
Posted by Wizard Of OS
Consider getting an English writing degree with an IT minor.
There is a great need for Technical Writers and your art background will help there. Many companies are looking for Tech Writers to do documentation and training videos, as well as sales brochures, etc..... The IT background will give you the computer skills to create good presentations and documentation on DVD and CD's which is how most of fhe new technical documention is being distrubuted.
Do a google search for tech writing jobs and see what is out there. I know of many that freelance or work from home as well so you will not be tied to a certain town, location or industry. You might also consider checking Dice.com for technical writers or talking to a local head hunter for opportunities.
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