Declaring a major can be scary. What you study can determine, come graduation, how eligible you will be for some jobs. And the keyword here is “some.” It’s not true, for instance, that majoring in Government or Political Science is the only way to obtain a career in Washington, D.C. Nor is it true that studying Art and Philosophy with a minor in Classics will put you on the fast track to unemployment.
The "Practical" Major versus the "Useless" Major
The terms “practical” major (typically considered to be anything finance-related) and “useless” major (typically considered to be anything artsy) are relative. Why would somebody who doesn’t like painting, drawing, or sculpting want to be an art major? By the same token, why would someone who never wants to look at a math book again want to be an economics major? Declare a major in something you actually like without worrying too much about job prospects. It will save you a whole lot of grief throughout college.
Job Possibilities for Your Chosen Field of Study
There are plenty of lucrative careers in fields considered by some to be "useless." There’s a song from the Broadway musical Avenue Q that asks, “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” The answer is: the sky’s the limit. Journalism is a popular field for English majors, as is publishing. Some Philosophy majors go on to law school, and a B.A. in Art can lead to a very promising career as an independent artist, an art dealer, or some kind of designer, to name just a few options. The Princeton Review's website has a list of career ideas for just about every major.
Getting Useful Experience in Your Subject
While it is important to be realistic, there are ways to become well-qualified without majoring in something “safe.” An internship in your chosen field can go a long way when it comes time to find a job. Your previous experience at a publishing house, an art gallery, or a science lab will give you an extra edge against other competitive candidates for a position. Making contacts in one or more of your possible career fields can also help (“Dear Mr. Executive, remember me?”) when looking at employment prospects.
Majoring in something typically considered less “practical” can also make you stand out once it’s time to get a job. If your major in History with a minor in Music can give you the skills you think a prospective employer is looking for, tell them that! Demonstrating that you can do the job well is more important than simply bragging that you have a B.A. in (insert name of snooty-sounding major here).
To sum it all up? Study something you love, and the chances of finding a job you love are infinitely higher.
