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What do I do if I'm undecided on which art related major I want to choose?
I've always been passionate about the arts ever since I was a child. However, now that it's time to apply to colleges I'm stuck on deciding a major. I still think I have a lot to improve on in my artwork which school can help me with. However, I'm not quite sure which major to choose. I love drawing, painting, music, theater, creative writing, photography and film editing.
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Renee’s Answer
Hi Sharon,
Congrats on looking at colleges and choosing your major! It's such a big milestone. Thanks for trusting us with your question too. Like you I found myself feeling a little lost when it came time to make these decisions. CareerVillage is an excellent resource.
It's important to be practical when making these sorts of decisions. Spend some time thinking about the life you want to live in the future, the city you want to live in (major metropolitan area or small town), if there are job opportunities in your field there (NYC, LA and Atlanta have excellent film industry work), how much you want to travel (painters could work from anywhere if there's a demand for their work but film editors are likely based in a major city), the predictability of pay (fine artists are only paid when they work, editors in production houses are salaried positions), the environment you want to work in (an office, a studio, on a film set), benefits that are important to you (healthcare, paid time off) and then compare that list to the careers you could go into with the degree you choose. Maybe spend some time day dreaming about what you want your future life to look like specifically and practically, write down those details and work backwards from there, what career could give you that life and which major do you need to get that career?
From your list of interests I would encourage you to explore film editing and photography specifically. Those fields are rich with both job opportunities and subjects to fuel your art. I really liked the idea of double majoring. You could pair a fine art with a non-arts discipline (history, psychology, philosophy, etc) you're interested in to make your knowledge base more robust.
In college my major was Art History with an emphasis in contemporary art, and my minor was sculpture. Now I work in technology! However, looking back, it makes a ton of sense how I got here: my favorite pieces were always the ones that utilize computers as partners in creation, my favorite exhibits were commentaries on how technology is woven into our daily lives, and so on. While I love art, but my true passion is technology, I just hadn't had the opportunity to engage with technology in a meaningful way at that point to know that was the case. Had someone sat me down and talked me through these ideas I could've jumped started my career much sooner by changing my major or minor to computer science, computer programming, web development, graphic design, etc.. and kept art history as the complementary discipline.
Hoping all of this helps guide you towards the choice that's right for you and your future!
Congrats on looking at colleges and choosing your major! It's such a big milestone. Thanks for trusting us with your question too. Like you I found myself feeling a little lost when it came time to make these decisions. CareerVillage is an excellent resource.
It's important to be practical when making these sorts of decisions. Spend some time thinking about the life you want to live in the future, the city you want to live in (major metropolitan area or small town), if there are job opportunities in your field there (NYC, LA and Atlanta have excellent film industry work), how much you want to travel (painters could work from anywhere if there's a demand for their work but film editors are likely based in a major city), the predictability of pay (fine artists are only paid when they work, editors in production houses are salaried positions), the environment you want to work in (an office, a studio, on a film set), benefits that are important to you (healthcare, paid time off) and then compare that list to the careers you could go into with the degree you choose. Maybe spend some time day dreaming about what you want your future life to look like specifically and practically, write down those details and work backwards from there, what career could give you that life and which major do you need to get that career?
From your list of interests I would encourage you to explore film editing and photography specifically. Those fields are rich with both job opportunities and subjects to fuel your art. I really liked the idea of double majoring. You could pair a fine art with a non-arts discipline (history, psychology, philosophy, etc) you're interested in to make your knowledge base more robust.
In college my major was Art History with an emphasis in contemporary art, and my minor was sculpture. Now I work in technology! However, looking back, it makes a ton of sense how I got here: my favorite pieces were always the ones that utilize computers as partners in creation, my favorite exhibits were commentaries on how technology is woven into our daily lives, and so on. While I love art, but my true passion is technology, I just hadn't had the opportunity to engage with technology in a meaningful way at that point to know that was the case. Had someone sat me down and talked me through these ideas I could've jumped started my career much sooner by changing my major or minor to computer science, computer programming, web development, graphic design, etc.. and kept art history as the complementary discipline.
Hoping all of this helps guide you towards the choice that's right for you and your future!
Updated
Leo’s Answer
You can always start with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). That will give you a more general starting point in the fine arts and allow you to focus on your general education requirements while you figure out your path. Remember, generally the first year or two of college is going to be focused on your general education classes like English, Math, and Science, and you will have additional time to refine and decide on your final path.
Thank you so much, Leo!
Sharon
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Sharon!
So wonderful that you have a passion for all the Arts! The good news is that in most colleges and universities in the US, you don't have to declare a major until the end of your second, that is, your sophmore year, though many students declare their major earlier. Also, some schools allow you to have a double major in more than one subject, so you could major in art and drama, or music and dance and so on. Some schools allow you to major in one subject and minor in another, so you could major in art and minor in music, and so on. When you start looking at colleges and universities, see if any of these options are possible.
So which Arts you choose depends on a lot of factors. Which one are you best at? Which one makes you the happiest? If you were going to be stuck on a desert island, and you were allowed to take just one thing, what would you take.....a sketch pad, or a musical instrument, or a book of plays, or a journal to write about your adventure? What and how do you spend your free time outside of school? During your last school vacation, how did you spend your time: practicing music, drawing and painting, watching movies, writing in your diary, or what?
Since it is good to be practical, which one seems like it could lead to a career that would be satisfying and would pay the bills? You might start by talking to your Arts teachers, and ask them about career opportunities in the various fields in the Arts. Go to your school or local library and ask the librarians about books and websites on different careers.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
So wonderful that you have a passion for all the Arts! The good news is that in most colleges and universities in the US, you don't have to declare a major until the end of your second, that is, your sophmore year, though many students declare their major earlier. Also, some schools allow you to have a double major in more than one subject, so you could major in art and drama, or music and dance and so on. Some schools allow you to major in one subject and minor in another, so you could major in art and minor in music, and so on. When you start looking at colleges and universities, see if any of these options are possible.
So which Arts you choose depends on a lot of factors. Which one are you best at? Which one makes you the happiest? If you were going to be stuck on a desert island, and you were allowed to take just one thing, what would you take.....a sketch pad, or a musical instrument, or a book of plays, or a journal to write about your adventure? What and how do you spend your free time outside of school? During your last school vacation, how did you spend your time: practicing music, drawing and painting, watching movies, writing in your diary, or what?
Since it is good to be practical, which one seems like it could lead to a career that would be satisfying and would pay the bills? You might start by talking to your Arts teachers, and ask them about career opportunities in the various fields in the Arts. Go to your school or local library and ask the librarians about books and websites on different careers.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Sharon
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Just think about your interests and what you would like, then go try them. If you can take the class, take the class at the university that you are attending. If you have to try it outside of class, then try it outside of class: sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, video production, ... Once you get a feel for which 2 that you like focus on one and concentrate on that one and hopefully use your secondary choice as your secondary concentration at the actual university. (this is after your first 2 years)
Anthony, thank you!
Sharon