What should I major in? Music, Theater, Environmental Studies?

Question

I've been going a little crazy lately trying to decide what my college major should be. My passion is theater. If there was a good enough job market out there for theater people, that's where I'd be. But my whole life, I've heard "Don't major in theater! You'll be dirt poor!" So I figured that there is a larger job market for Music, which is my other passion. I honestly do love music a lot. But NOW I'm getting all sorts of flack from EVERYONE! They're saying "You may be doing what you love, but you're going to be a bum, living off of gigs." When in reality, I would LOVE to be a great conductor, or a music professor at a college.

Also, I've been looking into Environmental Studies. I just did a summer program for engineering (environmental engineering was involved), and i HATED it. I don't like engineering at all. But I LOVE the earth! It is my home, your home, and all sorts of animals' homes! It is yet another one of my passions. So, perhaps there is an Environmental major out there that suits me? There's a better job market out there for Environmental things.

All in all, what should I major in? Minor? Double Major?

Answer 1

When you think about your major, you need to think about where you want to be living and doing in 10 years from now. Then choose a major that will help you get there.  I have friends that majored in things like art and theater that are now ten years later working for minimum wage because where they are living doesn't have a job market.  Also keep in mind that the first year of college is a rough time.  You are leaving home for the unknown and for most people, it is the first time that they have had to be responsible for themselves.  My advice is get through the first year, then if you want to go double major do it.  I double majored in math and chemistry and it was rough.  Just keep in mind, that you don't have to be finished in 4 years.  If you need to take a little longer to get finished, then do it.  A longer time frame looks a lot better on job resumes than poor grades because of being stretched too thin.  You can always change your major or even wait to decide later and get your basic requirements out of the way first.  College is stressful enough, don't add to the stress.  Whatever you decide, good luck.