Rachel
What majors/careers include both mathematics and visual arts?
I love math, it's my favorite subject in school and I definitely would like to continue with it in the future. However, I don't want to lose the visual design aspect which I also love. I was considering a double major in mathematics and digital communications/multi media (it basically involves things like web design, video production, and stuff like that). Although I couldn't find a digital communications major at the colleges that I'm looking at. I was wondering if anyone knew of similar majors? Also any careers that would use those majors? I have also considered becoming a math teacher because I could still make worksheets, videos, and websites for my classroom but I would like to know what other options I have. Thank you so much!
P.S. I was also considering a minor in computer science to tie the two majors together. Please let me know what you think! #computer-science #marketing #mathematics #graphic-design #web-design #video-production #social-media-marketing #multimedia
6 answers
Lindsey Manning-Djabbari
Lindsey’s Answer
I recommend working backwards. Before spending too much time on figuring out where to go to college and what major(s) to pursue, figure out what job and career path are most exciting to you. Once you have a better understanding of what your dream job is, then speak with people doing that job(s) and ask them how they got to where they are. What college(s) did they go to? What was their major? What work experience did they have on their resume prior to getting their first job out of college? etc.
So.. it begs the question "how DO I figure out what my dream job is?" which is easier to ask than it is to answer:)
One way of doing it is by reading job descriptions of roles within the departments that align with your love of math and art (engineering/product design, for example), and find ones that excite you. Set yourself aside for a few minutes, and pick 10 companies you LOVE, whether it be because it's a brand of clothing you wear all the time, or a car company you think is awesome, or a nonprofit you admire, or even a movie production company you love. You'd be surprised how many jobs these companies need people to do to stay afloat and be successful! Once you have your list visit their website, find the "careers" section, and start reading job descriptions until one makes you think "that sounds cool, I'd be good at that!".
Once you have the careers/job titles that excited you, come back here and ask questions about how people who do those jobs or ones similar got to where they are.
Work backwards and you may find it much easier to get the insight and information you need to make decisions about making the most out of your time in college! life-advice
Good luck Rachel!!
I'd second everything she said!
Sierra Jenkins
Great advice! Agree on all of the above.
Stephanie Slatt
Georganne Shibata
Georganne’s Answer
Two areas of studies for you may be in game art/design; computer science: programming, or media technology
depending on your college choice. At Woodbury Media Technology is computer science for the creative Media Industries and prepares students for technical careers in film, animation, game art & design, fashion design, and graphic design). Traditional colleges usually will offer degrees in computer science and or engineering with a more in depth math and science for these similar majors. You may also want to consider various types of design schools as well. I think finding a few schools after your visits where you feel you will be comfortable with the student body culture and the learning environment will then often determine which path of studies to pursue.
Hope P.
Hope’s Answer
Hi Rachel,
With your love of both math and visual design you may want to consider engineering, specifically mechanical engineering.
Mechanical engineers design products and parts of products that move: think of all the pieces under the hood of a car that work together to make the car run smoothly. As a mechanical engineer, you could design and develop anything from smart energy systems to prosthetics to robots using technology. You will need a strong math and science base plus the ability to think visually so that you can transfer concepts into reality.
Good luck!
Natalie Fein, MSeD, NCC, DCC
Natalie’s Answer
Hi Rachel, The first major that came to mind for me with your question is architecture. According to BigFutures.com, "While architecture is grounded in science, its heart is in the arts. Well-designed buildings not only serve the people who use them. They are also works of art that help define the town or city in which they stand." You have be skilled in math and the arts to be able to design structurally sound and aesthetically sound buildings.
Good Luck! Natalie
Adam Brittain
Adam’s Answer
Analytics/ data science/ data visualization. Look up applications like "R", Tableau, Microstrategy, Qlik, BIRT, etc.
Architecture (autoCAD).
Various types of engineering require visualizing or modeling designs, also see architecture above.
Programming/ app development.
Diane O'Connell
Diane’s Answer
Data scientist/data visualization specialist
I'd agree with this. The internet is richly visual so there is a lot of need for people who can connect data, programming and visualization. The big data that organizations have also requires much better visualization to facilitate analysis. Data analyst is most on the math side vs. data scientist gets increasingly technical. Further on the visual side is UX, web design, designing infographics (check out some cool data projects by media outlets or "data journalist"). I'd recommend you play around with Tableau and tap into their huge, active user community which spans a lot of different fields.
Sierra Jenkins