except one important detail... an BACHELOR'S degree in a social science actually gives you much more choice than one might think. You're not locked into teaching at all. Maybe advanced degrees tend to narrow your focus and specialize but you don't have to go that route (graduate school for anthro or primatology) either.

Go see a career counselor and do some self assessments. Could be really helpful. Talk with someone who can help you explore potential careers, not just the major. You might be surprised....

I agree with RobertW and Mel completely. Get something practical. You may "love" writing, but in most cases you don't need a degree to write. You usually need an "in", or a connection, or it's just something you do on the side with no paycheck.

I don't mean to disagree with the above post either, but I wouldn't suggest a social science degree. I graduated about a year ago with a degree in political science/international relations. Unfortunately for many social science degrees, no one wants to pay you for them. I would have had to start entry-level somewhere and work my way up, and that is where I am anyways (an administrative assistant because that was the relevant experience I had in college). I am going back now for a 2nd bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. Don't make my mistake and "waste" 3 years of your life (and much of your $$) getting a degree that is "flexible."

If you want to be a writer, what would you write about? If you want to work with animals, maybe biology is a closer approximation? I'd suggest getting a B.S. if at all possible with what you are interested in, and find something that has a clear cut job you'd like to do and know you can get a position in. I guess I wasn't ready to travel halfway across the country to D.C. to find a minimum wage paying job in politics and you will have to take that into consideration whatever your major is. I wouldn't trust career counselor's either, they are probably all social science majors who got stuck in college administration :D (no offense). Just think if teaching, law school, or grad school are the biggest follow-up options for a major it shouldn't be considered. Business is a nice one, but you shouldn't take a major "just because" either. What really interests you? Biology? Computers? Economics? Just make sure you have at least 2-3 obvious career paths for whatever your major is because if the job is hazy when you are working on the major it isn't going to get any clearer when you graduate.

Good luck, just wanted to offer my advice as someone who wasted 3 years on a degree that may not be useful to me for another 20 years or so, if then.

My suggestion is that you should go for something practical. You can always take classes in a field you are interested in later on. I know there are alot of different fields you could study, but the whole point is to do something that is going to be economically valuable to you, right? Not to burst anyone's bubble, but no matter what field you go into employers are going to be looking for someone with a combination of education AND experience. A degree does not guarantee that you are going to start out at top level pay. You will almost certainly start at entry level unless you also have a considerable amount of previous experience in the field. Another thing to keep in mind is that what you think you are worth and the value prospective employers put on the position are usually two entirely different things.

I would talk to a career counselor and check out the US Dept of Labor website to see what fields are going to benefit you the most. As nice as it is to think that we can all do what we love, it usually just isn't economically practical. I'd like to be a designer, but that market is so saturated that I opted to stick with the high tech field in which I have 10 years of experience and supplement that with a MBA.

Hi! Did you realize that people change career paths on the average of 5 times during their lives? FIVE TIMES!!! Study has no age limit. Right now, it sounds to me like you are coordinating your career with what your husband does, as it is a priority for you. Sounds fair to me! I spent alot of years apart from my husband due to employment, and I have decided to give all that up to be with him. Career change! How exciting! Just prioritize what you want, and do it! BUT, a big priority should be becoming financially independent -- studying for something that is highly specialized and therefore difficult to employ may not be a great choice right now. But it MAY be in 10 or 15 years, when you have $$$ in the bank and know what direction your personal life is going. During my curent switch in careers, I was interested in Art Restoration, and there is a university program here in town. BUT the odds of employment are really, really low here, and we would have to relocate for me to work. I like my life in my hometown, so I will find a creative outlet elsewheres, (but I digress!!!)...
Prioritize, be practical, keep your dreams and work towards them, and study hard! You can do it!