Changing majors

[creonihil]

Yeah, I'm 10 classes away from a degree, but what am I going to do with an art degree that I can't/don't already do? And what I do now doesn't pay the bills, because 1- I'm not motivated enough to do/seek out more work, and 2- people don't pay what it's worth

Comments

[arneb]

Ok... so a career in the arts is rough.

That applies to any arts. You're going to have just as much getting paid "what it's worth" writing as you are painting, ect... I will say that I think writing has a broader consumer base. You'll be able to choose the people you think you can appeal to and do you best. Where with painting... well, there's only a few demographics for that profession. And most of the time you're not getting paid to paint hopw you want to paint anyway.

Things with an art degree:

Graphic Designers are making some damn good money these days. Of course this requires you to have a nice understanding of type. (Well - to do it well.)

There's always my personal love - teaching. Not top money making - but an art career that's reliable. Something that's hard to come by in that field.

Photojournalism... is my <3 ideal wonderful job. Working for a national geographic magazine of sorts... I'd focus on people. <3 *sigh* maybe one day I'll seek this out

[creonihil]

Yeah I agree with your first and second paragraphs. Totally. That's why I know the change may not be worth it, but I do feel like there's more steady work with the Journalism degree, and like you said, I can pick more of what I want to do as with painting- you do what people want you to do. Graphic Designers are making really good money if you're really good at it. I'm decent for the low paying one-time gigs, but not enough to get a steady living from it. And I couldn't teach, which is the go-to job in the arts, but hard to come by. Photojournalism would be kickass. We should be a team

[latalissa]

Degree in communications is not going to be much easier to find a job in. Its hard to say because although you want to do something you love, you do not want to make a hobby you enjoy your job because you might not love it anymore. I majored in english, I wanted to do journalism and all of that but as I browsed online I realized that the job spectrum is not that great. I am just giving you a heads up that being a journalist is just as hard as doing something with a degree in art, and generally journalist do not get paid any extra

[latalissa]

ps.

hahhaahah you should just try out for a show on bravo and get a jump start in art...like top design or project runway lol.

[gladitoripereda]

Aww, you sound just like me. Except I did this multiple times. Seven years later I had a degree, but I would rather be in school right now rather than trying to get a job in the "real world". I mean, I have an HR degree and can't find one - and every company has an HR department. It is just a tight time in the market because people who are just graduating are competing with people in their field for jobs since there are not many right now.
So, you are right - your choices with an Art degree are limited. But, you could always finish it and double major? It may look better on a resume anyways to have an art degree and a communications degree - especially for photo journalism.
Also, just keep in mind that the journalism/writing field is highly competitive and without a Master's you chance of making more than 25K a year is slightly higher than me becoming president.
Call Anthony Bourdain, maybe he will hire you...