Hello. 22M here. Majoring in Physics, 1st year. Looking for decent earning options, almost as a whole career, but I have no idea which way to go.
Let me tell you a bit about myself. I have a strong fictional imagination, basically a writer's mind. English is not my native language. But I've practiced one or two short stories in my own language.
I have created multiple plots for multiple stories. I've intentions to start writing soon on them.
Anyway, I have close to zero bit of knowledge about coding. I only know html.
I had the time to pursue further into other languages like python, C, C++, but I'm very weak in mathematics. So I didn't learn further coding. I also didn't learn much mathematics, which has put me in an almost degraded institution for honours.
My current mental state cannot focus on one thing to pursue, I don't know why. Sometimes it gets all motivated to write the story, and other times, it gets depressed thinking about how AI is taking all the jobs and I have to learn to code to battle against AI with my own AI.
So this is the overall depiction of my shattered mind and life. I also come from a lower-middle class family. So money is scarce.
I don't want to argue about my moral ethics that if I want to earn money quickly, I can do this or that over my innate talent etc.
What I want to know is, which way will first build a strong foundation of knowledge within me and will keep me going for the long run along with the money.
Because, if I have to learn to code, I also have to study mathematics, if I want to write, I also need to research for a long time before I can even layer the elements inside the story.
My laptop broke 2 years ago and I've been on my android since then. I'm going to buy either a laptop or a tablet soon.
And a tablet adds another way which is digital arts. I don't know how to draw at all. But, as I said, whichever way I choose, I'll have to spend a bit long amount of time to actually train myself to be sufficient on that path. So I have no problem getting introduced to such new ideas and paths and spending time to get along with them.
I also got stuck between the device choice. If I buy a laptop, I'll be able to learn to code and to write my stories. And if I buy a tablet, I'll be able to learn to be a digital artist and can also write my stories but no coding.
So, the way the world's economy is going, which way and which device should I go after?
A friend and I graduated the same year, and both had potential as a coder or graphic designer.
I chose to focus on coding, he chose to focus on graphic design.
I have had higher income and stronger job stability across my career, so far.
AI has affected both professions, but AI is still shit at doing either job correctly. It seems immediately obvious when companies shovel out AI slop images. It is less obvious when back end web server code is a vulnerable pile of shit. There's a lot of "fuck around and find out" happening in AI over-adoption, right now.
The market for programming is at an all time low, with like 93% employment, last time I checked. - Which is still pretty nice.
The US gov predicts further recision of programming jobs next year. Recruiters reaching out make it seem - to me - like the demand is heating back up, again. But I'm some random person, and they're scientists. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ If I were you I would trust them more than me.
References:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm
Edit: Auto mechanics, plumbers and HVAC technicians I have known have enjoyed at least as much job stability as I have. The pay ceiling is lower, as an employee, but a few of the ones that start their own businesses are pulling more income than I am.