[poppycorn]

My daughter is a senior in high school and wants to go to college and major in art, specifically graphic design. We are struggling financially and plan to apply for financial aid. Recently someone told me that in these tough times, art is the worst major to go into. She said there are no jobs for graphic designers and I should convince my daughter to go into something else. I hate to ruin her dreams but if this is true, I hate to waste money on college if she won't be able to get a job. Does anyone know if this is true? Is graphic design a horrible choice?

[Wondergirl]

My advice is to let her create her dream. There are many opportunities in the art world and even in graphic design. She may have to get her foot in the door by taking other jobs that have little or nothing to do with graphic design, but that's okay.

During her first two years of college, she will be taking core courses. Some other career idea (or two or three) may bubble up as she does her homework and talks with professors and other students.

One of my young coworkers (now age 25) has worked at our public library at the library's front desk, proved himself with various in-house art/graphic design projects, and became our Webmaster, adding wikis and podcasts and ebook downloading and Twitter and other apps onto the site. On his own time with a friend, he has developed and is now watching the meaty sales of a new video game that they had marketed at various "geek" conventions.

My younger son got a degree in English-Creative Writing. His father KNEW the kid would never succeed in life and would end up homeless. That kid is now working for a worldwide company at their corporate headquarters making twice what his father ever made and writing in his spare time.

[poppycorn]

Thank you Wondergirl. Your advice made a lot of sense. I am still worried about her choice but feel a little better after reading your thoughts on the matter.