Dear Annie: Passion for art but unsure what degree to pursue

Dear Annie: I’m a high school senior worried about my future. I still haven’t found a major I really want to do, and I’m running out of time. Animation/art is my passion, but I don’t want to get my degree in it. I haven’t found anything else I’m interested in pursuing. I want to make money without selling my soul to do something I’d hate. How can I find something useful to get my degree in? -- Stressed

Dear Stressed: As a high school senior, you’re definitely not running out of time. It’s great that you have a passion -- many people have to work for years before finding theirs -- but you probably have a host of other interests that you haven’t even discovered yet.

There is a Japanese concept called “ikigai”: the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs and what you can get paid for. Keep this principle in mind as you continue on in your academic career and, eventually, enter the workforce.

College is a time to experiment; you should take classes you never thought you would in disciplines you didn’t think you’d be “good” at. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

Stories by Annie Lane

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].