Did you Change your Major for Better Stability??

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Hi Ladies (and Gentleman )

So here is a question that I have been working through for seriously 2 years. Do I get a major in what I love or what I know will be able to support us better?

I'm a costume designer. I LOVE the theatre and all it brings with it. I've been a part of several shows and it has NEVER seemed like work to me! However, as with a lot of the arts, money is not exactly abundant until you 'make' it. Moving would be quite often and although I am quite confident in my abilities as a designer I don't know if I (or my family) could stand the unstability of the $$ flow.

The other major I'm seriously looking into is a Biological Science degree with an emphasis on Botany. I like plants and have used them to cure illness in our household since my husband and I married 10 years ago. I took a class this last semester in Ethnobotany and LOVED it and am semi-interested in finding out the mechanics of plants and how we can benefit from them and learn from them. I know this degree will pay more and offer more stability HOWEVER I also know that it will be A LOT more work for me b/c this stuff does not come naturally to me like costume design/fashion design does.

So what are your thoughts?

[moonyoungi]

Are you interested in becoming a herbalist??
Is it possible for you to get the degree in botany or nutrition, but work the costume designing as a side job? Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. I would do what makes money, if I was the sole bread winner. But if you have spouse that can support the family, then I would go for something more adventurous.

[laurabfig]

Originally Posted by moonyoungi

Are you interested in becoming a herbalist??
Is it possible for you to get the degree in botany or nutrition, but work the costume designing as a side job? Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. I would do what makes money, if I was the sole bread winner. But if you have spouse that can support the family, then I would go for something more adventurous.

Yeah, that would be my opinion too.

It would be great to try to make money doing what doesn't seem like work to you, but really all careers have SOME aspect that you won't like. Stability, for me at least, is a really important factor- if your family is relying upon the income.

I majored in occupational therapy, not really thinking about it being a great job for being a mother and working part-time, but am now really thankful that I can get a stable job almost anywhere (even in a recession) and that it is a flexible career where I can make choices to flex my schedule to the needs of my family. I can't say I majored in it b/c I was passionate about health care but someone once gave me advice before college to get a degree in something that would qualify me to do a specific job ("teacher", "engineer", "occupational therapist" etc.) rather than majoring in "communications" like I had originally declared...really having no clue what I wanted to do with that degree. Now, 10 years later, I'm thankful for that advice. I do enjoy my work for the most part and am thankful for the career I've had in my field.

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Thanks guys!

Yeah, my husband at the moment is the breadwinner per say, but he has recently become permanently disabled and I can see myself easily being in charge of bringing in the $ here in the near future, thus my hesitancy on continuing in a Theatre major.

I was wondering about that as well, my ability to get a job with the degree. I've looked around and it seems like the start off pay is a bit higher than most so that is good as well.

I'm thinking I'll stick with the Botany and see how it goes. I can go ahead and get a second degree in Theatre in the future if I want too

[lolar2]

No, but sometimes I wish I had.

[MamaChicken]

I chose mine because it is a stable field that I have interest and aptitude in. I can choose a cool hobby with a stable job.

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by MamaChicken

I chose mine because it is a stable field that I have interest and aptitude in. I can choose a cool hobby with a stable job.

Yeah, I'm starting to lean towards that as well. I want to make sure my family is provided for, but don't want to kill my creative spirit at the same time if ya know what I mean

[K1329]

someone once gave me advice before college to get a degree in something that would qualify me to do a specific job ("teacher", "engineer", "occupational therapist" etc.) rather than majoring in "communications" like I had originally declared...

I wish someone had given me that advice! I got a general degree, like communications, and bounced around for 7 years before finding my niche in the professional world. If you're going to school expecting a stable job as the outcome, I'd definitely pick the most marketable major!

[Happiestever]

I am looking into the more stable route too. Having a passion is great, but being able to pay the bills can be even better. I would design costmes on the side if I were you.