Help me pick my major - what do you do for a living?

I am a senior in high school, and will be headed off to a university within a semester. I need to declare my major first year for the ones i am accepted to, so i was wondering what do you guys do, and if you could do it over again - what would you choose?

I am pretty undecided. I don't want to do web design or anything, the pay seems too low (although, to tell you the truth, i'm not sure what the numbers really are). Yes, i would enjoy it, but i am sure i would enjoy other things equally as well that pay a bit higher.

Majoring in computer science seems really cool. I could go into programming, networking (working on my CCNA right now, actually - i'll have the license by next year), with a little web design on the side. The only thing that gets me shaky is the 27 math credits required. I suck at math, and i don't know if i could take on a mathematics degree (which is what computer science is listed under).

My dad really thinks i should just go for web design. Major in journalism with an emphasis on public relations, and minor in computer science. He mentioned how every company needs a website, with up-to-date content - notably, sites like foxnews.com and cnn.com. It's hard to imagine myself as an online journalist/webmaster, and i am really worried about the pay.

Help! I love computers and writing, but i'm not sure what to choose!

Nos.

If you're already working on your CCNA, I would definitely recommend going with Computer Science/Information Technology. Networking and programming is a trade that can be used almost everywhere. To round it out, you could think about minoring or even a double major in Graphic Design or similar depending on the school you're going to.

I'm a graphic designer. I work at a magazine and for a multimedia company. My dream job is to have my own magazine one day. I've wanted to do this since I was 15 (I'm 23 as we speak).

If I had to choose something else, I thinking teaching History would be great. I also like Political Science, although I'm not sure of the future in that.

I would go for the Computer Science if I were you. You could always to webdesign on the side, and I think you could make it through all that math.

Thanks for the tips stevie - how much does a programmer make starting? I know CCNA starts at about $45,000. Whatever i do, i want to be making a solid $100,000 eventually.

Networking/programming is what i'm really leaning towards, now that i think about it.

And spectra - that seems like alot of fun, how much was starting pay, if you don't mind me asking? (You can PM me about it if you'd like, or just not answer).

EDIT: Chris - yeah, i've never made above a C in a high school math class (lol). I would ascribe that to my lack of homework motivation, though. In college at least it's for a degree.

Nos.

are you getting A+ certification?

I will, after Cisco. I figure by that time most of the stuff in the A+ course/books will be a breeze.

Nos.

If all you are concerned about is money, just find out what the highest paying job is and do that. Networking probably wouldn't be a bad choice... But make sure it's something you can actually enjoy and see yourself going into work to do for the majority of your life. You'll get burned out really quick if you hate your job, no matter how much money you make. I'd much rather make "enough" and love my job than be filthy rich and hate going in to work everyday.

Also consider that the IT job market is absolutely terrible right now, and even highly experienced, insanely qualified network engineers are having a terrible time finding a job, let alone someone fresh out of college. It of course could be better in four years... but it's something to think about.

Same, i would hope for $100,000, but if all i can get is $80,000 than so be it, so long as i love my job.

But i love computers, i love what little programming i have done, and i really enjoy web design/scripting.

Nos.

Nos, don't expect $80k-$100k out of college. It takes years of experience and networking to land a networking/programming job that pays that much. The average starting salary for college grads will be around $35k-$40k. After that, as long as you continue to prove yourself and learn new things, you can expect a 5%-10% raise each year. Although, you can probably speed that along by transitioning to business management and/or administration.