This article originally appeared in the Orientation print issue, in stands May 2025. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
Incoming students to the University of Utah are faced with over 80 undergraduate majors to choose from, which can be overwhelming. Students choose their major considering many factors such as personal skills, passions and transferability into the job market. While deciding on a major, considering passions in creative fields is important to your ultimate decision.
Alex Redd, a U student, dreamed of moving to Montreal to study studio art and pursue painting in high school. However, this dream eventually faded away as time went on.
“In high school, I was told painting isn’t a good idea, and I got scared. I was really discouraged by a lot of that,” Redd said.
After deciding to pursue a college degree, he chose psychology as his major because it was “open-minded.” Two and a half semesters of being a psychology major were enough for Redd.
“I went to therapy meetings, and the therapist didn’t see any scenery besides their office. They didn’t move, and it just wasn’t sitting right with my brain,” he said.
Once Redd knew psychology wasn’t the route he was going to take, he went back to the drawing board and landed on a film major.
A common obstacle college students face is security in the job market, and that can steer them away from pursuing a creative passion. This was true for Redd.
“[In] psychology, you can get a good job and pay is okay,” he said. “That was a huge roadblock for me, though, having the courage to pursue something creative, but I got over the fear of maybe not having the best job security, but being happy ultimately,” Redd said
Redd is an example of a college student who switched their major and found more freedom pursuing something they enjoy. Within the first three years as a college student, 30% of undergraduates switch their major at least once, so it’s safe to say that he is not alone.
Not only does Redd seek creativity in his college education, he is also a member of an alternative rock band. With both film and music, he found a way to intersect these important parts of his life. Redd is interested in overseeing creative projects such as music videos and has even directed a music video for his own band.
“Do everything you can to align your major with your interests, because this project is for film, but it’s also a project for me and my band. If you can find something to do that you can use personal interests as academic work, I think that would be great,” Redd said.
Following your passion, whether that is chemistry or poetry, is all possible within a college education and will help you in your learning.
If pursuing an artistic major is something that isn’t in the cards for you as a student, the U also offers other options to still maintain that creative fire in your personal life. The university library offers music spaces, podcast studios and video studios for reservation.
Another great option to consider is a certificate in something creative, such as book arts, music for film and games or music technology. Similarly, minors offered are programs such as English-creative writing, art history or ceramics.
Redd had an encouraging message for incoming students. “It’s so cheesy, but literally just do whatever you’re interested in, because if you get wrapped up in job security and things like that, you’re not going to be happy. You’re young, so set yourself up for the life that you really want,” Redd said.
