I'd like some input because I'm mentally exhausted from thinking about this stuff!
For my AA I ended up majoring in Business Administration. That's what I started out in (basically because I didn't know what to do and my husband has a really good job with a business degree) and I took all the business classes first. So even though I really didn't like it, I figured I'd go ahead and get the degree. While at school I discovered I LOVED anthropology, especially primatology. However, it just doesn't seem practical. I'd end up teaching (which isn't something I want to do) or as a zookeeper which is too constricting as far as where we could live. So while I'd love to do it...it will probably stay a hobby.
So here's what I've been thinking. I'm actually very good at writing, even though you probably wouldn't guess it from my posts. I also loooove doing creative artsy type things. So I'm thinking of majoring in "Literature and Writing Studies" with an emphasis on writing and minoring in "Arts and Technology." I think this may be a good combination enabling to do things like website design, copywriting, advertisements, and such.
The other thought I had would be a major in marketing with the same minor, but at this particular school it would just be a bachelor's in business admin using marketing classes as electives.
While at school I discovered I LOVED anthropology, especially primatology. However, it just doesn't seem practical. I'd end up teaching (which isn't something I want to do) or as a zookeeper which is too constricting as far as where we could live. So while I'd love to do it...it will probably stay a hobby.
Never discount something you "LOVED" so quickly. Remember, your decision is going to be for life. And what better way to spend a life than in doing something you love. Check this out: http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/Manthropology.html
I agree with almostheaven, don't give up something you loved just yet. Many employers look to hire individuals with a bachelors degree, but don't necessarily care what the degree is. The degree just demonstrates that you have the ability to learn! Perhaps get the major in the field you really enjoy, while taking some "practical" skills or technical classes to make you a bit more marketable. Good luck!
I agree, don't give up on a dream just because it seem impratical. You never know what could come of it. A friend of mine is doing anthro, he loves it. His mom is one too and she gets to travel to egypt and far off places like that (she has 4 kids too!!) so you never know. YOu may still be able to live where you are but travel where your work takes you???
also remember that anthro can take you into such places as what that girl on that show "Bones" does..you may beable to work with the police--or heck since you are a writer you can wrie about it!!!! I see some fiction novel coming out of it! you just never know!!!
Maybe head to your local library and do some research...email universities/colleges and ask some questions!
Don't give up!
Perhaps you could use anthropology/primatology as a minor, and something more "practical" as a major? Or even doing a double major?
I'd say stick with what you truly love and work in some practical skills. The practical skills will help with immediate employment, but having that degree in what you love will make it easy and fun to do long-term planning (advanced degrees, taking jobs if you move, etc.). It's all about what you love and setting yourself up with as many options as possible. Good luck! Career planning is an exciting venture.
Degrees that seem "impractical" aren't necessarily so!!!!
Having a degree gets you half way there regardless of what it is. There are some majors that are clearly geared towards something specific, but any kind of liberal arts / humanities degree leaves LOTS of options open. Your degree in anthro could lead you to ....
teaching, writing, research, reporting, journalism, public administration, medicine, animal behaviorist, oh my gosh.... so many possibilites!
Consider this....
MYTH: "If I choose a major or a career, I’ll be stuck with it forever."
FACT: Most majors prepare you for a variety of careers. When you combine the skills you’ll learn in your major with others you'll gain from full-time work, internships, or other activities, you'll have the ability to move in a variety of directions. Over 80% of workers in the United States are currently in a career field that is not directly related to their college major.
Once you choose a career, it will most likely be the first of many. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people born from 1957-64 held an average of 10.2 jobs from ages 18-38! Decisions can be changed.
MTYH: "I won’t be qualified to do anything with a liberal arts degree!"
FACT: You will be more qualified than most! The skills you develop in a liberal arts curriculum are often those most desired by employers – communication skills, interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and the ability to adapt to change.
If youhave something you love --- GO FOR IT! It could lead to so many things -- especially if you love it becasue then you will be motivated and you will do well. What employer wouldn't love to see that in an employee??
I work with people in Career Services and hear this ALL THE TIME... you will have options, trust me!
"For hundreds of different types of jobs—such as teacher, lawyer, and nurse—the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you:
the training and education needed
earnings
expected job prospects
what workers do on the job
working conditions
In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more."
My wife said you are on the right track with the major in LWS and the minor in A&T ~ she also said "smart" move not wanting to teach ...she is out of gas after over 20 years. Now my son, being a first year teacher, would disagree
I say keep going forward and see what falls on your plate. Did you get your AA here, as at PC or MC? If you did go to PC you may have run into my neice Summer, in the primatology class, she took a class on it there.
If you are interested and would like more info on teaching anthropology, you can PM me and I can give you a number of a very good friend of my son's who teaches it at C-Bad highschool ~~ a super young man that I know would be glad to answer any questions you may have.
I know I should be doing something I really care about, but there's just sooo many negatives against primatology. And a BIG one is I would have to go to a different school to study it. It would cost a fortune and I'd probably end up teaching anyway! But I definitely have plans of being involved in it. My primatology professor does summer field courses (in amazing places like Nicaragua and Costa Rica) where I could be a student aid. Also, lots of researchers do work at the San Diego zoo and they always need assistants. I just don't think it would work out as a profession.
The good thing though, with my husband working at the school I'll be attending I get to take two classes per semester for free. I'm going to go part time there and part time to my junior college for awhile which means CHEAP. so if I ever decide to go back to anthro, not much harm done
Thank you for the sites! They are very helpful!
Gary,
Tell your wife I said thanks for the input! CSUSM doesn't have that many majors so that was about the closest I could find. I was looking at the classes though required for LWS and it seems like a lot more literature than writing. Oh well, all that matters is the degree right?
I go to MC, so no run-in for me. How does your niece like Palomar? I absolutely love MC, I've had *almost* all positive experiences there. The only thing that's lacking is the job center. I've tried so many times to get an on-campus job but the workers are complete flakes.
Thanks for the offer, but I really have no intention of teaching. I couldn't put up with a bunch of people like me all day!
Girl, you can do whatever you wish with a degree in liberal arts or ANYTHING YOU CHOOSE. I think the degree is irrelevant (unless its the sciences, which is extremely important for graduate schools) and things with marketing and business are more EXPERIENCE required. I think you should build a good resume and just go from there.
I hate it when people make statements like "Oh that degree is worthless!" NO DEGREE IS WORTHLESS because you learn.
Hey, Robert and I agree 100%. That's probably a first!
Quote:
Your college major should be a practical decision, where you achieve some balance between your love of learning and future economic benefits.
I have a degree in anthropology, and two graduate degrees in forensic archaeology. They are from prestigeous universities. The costs of my nearly useless formal education were staggering. You can only teach if you have a Ph. D, and even then jobs in the social sciences are rarer than a perfectly clear natural emerald. When I finished my degree, the only choices open to me were 3-6 month positions scattered across the country filling in for tenured professors who were on sabbatical. I would have had to do that for many years before finding a permanent job. The courses which eventually led to employment were the ones that I hated the most at the time: statistics and the inevitable having to learn to use and (in the good ole days) actually write my own computer programs to run my research.
Good luck- I'd go with something practical and portable!
College Majors
I also loooove doing creative artsy type things. So I'm thinking of majoring in "Literature and Writing Studies" with an emphasis on writing and minoring in "Arts and Technology." I think this may be a good combination enabling to do things like website design, copywriting, advertisements, and such. 
