I Changed My Major!!!

If you know me at all, this title probably shocked you! I myself can't believe it! Going into college, people always told me how common it is for students to change their majors. While I believed them I didn't truly understand HOW common it is, let alone I had no idea I would be one of those people!

Around late September 2018 I started thinking about changing my major. I came into college as a fashion design major and had stuck with it for 3 semesters. A few weeks into sophomore year I started getting a better taste of the program. I loved the fast-paced environment and high energy. I was learning so much about sewing, patternmaking, the industry, and all the jobs I could have in the future.

I quickly started to see how the fashion design program at UNT is constructed. All of the classes are production-driven. I learned how to draft patterns, add seam allowance, thread industrial sergers, and all that fun sewing and patternmaking stuff. As fun and exciting as all of this was, I started to realize that these skills weren't skills I would need for the job I wanted in the future.

I've never wanted to be a fashion designer. I never wanted my own line, I never wanted to do sketches and bring them to life for a living. Designing and sewing are a fun hobby I enjoy but not what I want to do for a career. I wanted to do the business side. You're probably asking, "why didn't you do fashion merchandising?"

Fashion merchandising does focus on the business side of the industry, however the classes are very limited. There aren't any studio classes that allow for creativity--it's strictly business. As much as I love lectures, I need a creative outlet. Fashion merchandising also is limited on future job opportunities. Many people end up working retail, and while I love retail and connecting with and serving customers, I don't want to do it for a lifetime.

I had been thinking about changing my major, but the day of my 20th birthday I knew I REALLY wanted to. My patternmaking professor was drawing names to see who got first pick for classes, and as she was talking about the classes, I fought back tears. I knew I didn't want to be a designer, and the classes were strictly design classes. I guess I was afraid what people would think. Would they think I couldn't take the pressure of the classes? Would they think I wasn't passing? I was so caught up in what others would think that I wasn't allowing myself to make this decision for MYSELF.

My amazing professor (God bless her) could tell something was up, so about 15 minutes later when I was making small talk with her at her desk, she suggested we step outside. I finally released everything I'd kept to myself and told her all my thoughts. And she was so, so kind to me. She encouraged me to give it some time but at this point I wanted to change it without a doubt in my mind! She told me about a new major to UNT called design management. I immediately scheduled an appointment with my advisor to change my major! 3 weeks later I got to have a meeting with him, and I made it official!

Design management is the PERFECT fit for me. My future classes are an even mix of business lectures and studio classes, which is exactly what I need! The thing I really love about design management is that it's kind of a "build-your-own-major." Of course I have tons of required classes, but about half of my classes are MY CLASS OF CHOICE! Ummm, how cool is that! That way, I get to decide what I want to study deeper or specialize in (which will be fashion for me).

To be quite honest, I've feared blogging about this and posting it. Everyone that knows me knows I LOVE fashion and sewing. I feared that people would think I was a failure or not as creative as they thought I was. But then I realized how ridiculous that was! This is MY college experience. And my future career is MY future career. Not anyone else's. So yeah, people might think that I failed or I'm not as creative--but I simply do not care! My parents, close friends, and family support me and that's all I need.

I don't know that this post will help anybody in any way, but I at least hope it helps people realize that IT'S OKAY TO CHANGE YOUR MIND, no matter what people think. Leave me a comment below if you've ever changed your major or are planning to!