She Is Changing Major

big rockpile · #1 04/21/11, 07:33 AM

My wife was going for Computer Programing but I think she is changing to Graphic Design.She is wanting to do Web Pages and Advertising and she thinks this will work better.

big rockpile

GardenNut · #2 04/21/11, 10:23 AM

I'd stick with computer programming. Automated advertising is where it's at. Graphic designers are a dime a dozen.

GardenNut · #3 04/21/11, 10:58 AM

I "spoke" a bit hastily. Before changing majors, she should really research job prospects, pay scale, etc. for the area in which you are/will be living. If you're in a small town, graphic design may be the way to go. If you're looking at working in a city, then programming is probably the way to go.

Find someone in the business as a mentor (not a teacher). They can tell you about trends, what companies are looking for, who's hiring, etc. I have a friend that chose the wrong programming language, and was stuck in a dead-end job with no job prospects outside of the company she worked for. My husband has had good mentorship, and has had a radically different experience.

Jokarva · #4 04/21/11, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GardenNut

Graphic designers are a dime a dozen.

Have to agree. My niece has a graphics design degree, for years she's only gotten sporadic jobs and is working towards becoming a teacher instead.

Joshie · #5 04/21/11, 04:58 PM

She needs to make sure she can get a job in that field. When I went back to school for my nursing degree I called a college and they told me they didn't have spots in the program. They told me that they had openings in a different program and it'd be good for me since I already had a BS in another major. When I asked how many in that major were able to find jobs they said, "Well, some." Needless to say I chose a different school.

Google job outlook for major design. The info I found said that the outlook was good but..... many are employed in other area (for their living expenses), many are self-employed, and those with experience are most likely to get jobs. One would think that you'd need to live near a major metropolitan city in order to find graphic design employment.

big rockpile · #6 04/21/11, 09:37 PM

She is going to be working for herself.

big rockpile