<p>Hello everyone, I am new to this site and I’m not even sure if this is the right category for this question. I figured that I would get good feedback here. My concern is…</p>
<p>I don’t want a STEM degree. Does that mean I’ll be jobless? Everything I want to major in is considered useless. I want to major in 3d animation. Its the only thing I want to do. I’m passionate about it and I know that the job outlook isn’t too good. I’m about to be a senior in high school so I’m kind of scared about paying thousands for something I can’t get a job in. I know that I have to work on my own animation projects outside of college classes to improve my skills. I know that college won’t hold my hand. The point is that I have no interest in engineering, computer science, accounting, business, etc. I don’t see the point of taking it if I have no interest. I’m so confused on everything. I also thought about majoring in a foreign language but I don’t want to make a career out of that. That’s something I would do on my free time when I’m bored.</p>
<p>I know it’ll sound ridiculous everyone, but I literally cried multiple times because I’m scared of not being able to pursue my dream. I feel like I’m the stupid one for not getting a useful degree. I took a class called game art and basically I just created objects and characters. It could be anything I want. That was sophomore year and ever since then, I really made my decision on becoming a 3D animator. I’ve always been fascinated with the art of video games but the thought of working in the industry didn’t cross my mind until that year. Ever since then, I’ve been creating more 3D models and animating them. I have a deep desire in doing this. I can’t imagine myself not doing it as a career. </p>
<p>To clarify, it’s not that I’m avoiding STEM because of math and science. It’s just that I really have no interest in any of those fields. Trust me, I looked at so many career options. </p>
<p>Hmm, it doesn’t sound like a question but I just want feedback and opinions. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this since it’s so long! </p>
<p>Getting a job is about putting yourself out there and doing internships to prepare yourself. I know any number of people not working in the area they studied, by design or hapenstance. </p>
<p>In college you take about 1/3rd to half in your major. The other classes are distribution requirements and electives. The point to take a variety of classes is to become an educated person and to have some depth of knowledge that will inform your perspective. This is especially important for someone with artistic inclinations. Technical knowledge will also be important for you. Get a degree in anything, whatever you like. Just make sure that you go to a school where you won’t have debt to service and you can pursue any career you like, take low paying jobs to get in the door, etc. Do things that enhance your interests in class and on the side to prepare a portfolio. No point sniveling about anything. Just enjoy college and learn more about fields you are interested in as you go.</p>
<p>Of course not. There are hundreds of thousands of gainfully employed people who did not major in a STEM field in college. In fact, most STEM fields have unemployment rates that are roughly similar to the rates in the humanities and social sciences. It’s not that they necessarily have an easier time finding a job (perhaps with the exception of engineering); it’s just that a sector of their jobs tends to pay higher salaries.</p>
<p>You should be aware, though, that 3D animation IS a technology field (the T in STEM) and most jobs in the field will require an understanding of science and math. It’s not just about the art. Most of the people I know of who work in game design have both artistic and mathematical/scientific skills - and more on the mathematical/scientific side. You should also know that it’s a really competitive field, especially if you want to work for a top/well-known game publisher. If you want to be an animator I sure hope you have an interest in computer science, because CS is what video game designers use to design their games. And if you want to be competitive for those jobs, you need at least a basic grasp of the field.</p>
<p>My neighbor just graduated in this. He’s currently jobless. He’s not giving up though and is actively following leads. I think he’ll get something eventually. </p>
I also thought about majoring in a foreign language but I don’t want to make a career out of that. That’s something I would do on my free time when I’m bored.</p>