My mom still tells the story, a few decades later of how I came home from high school in
a panic and I ran into the house shrieking,” I need to know what to want to be for the
rest of my life by Tuesday!” It was true…kind of. In your senior year neighbors, family
members, teachers, and colleges are constantly asking, “What do you want to major
in?” The what do you want to be when you grow up question, now has a deadline, and
it’s on your college application!
Some of you have known forever what you want to major in and have a clear career
path ahead, but for the majority of students applying to college the decision of what to
major in is a windy and confusing road. 20-50 percent of students entering college
chose undeclared as their major. Undeclared is an option, but with a little work,
research, and soul searching you can save both time and money by having a strong
inclination of the majors that interest you.
You need to know that while the decision isn’t life or death and 50-75 percent of college
students change their major at least once having a major give you some advantages.
- You will get guidance and a timeline as to which first two years courses will help you determine if the major is a good fit.
- Your college advisor may have expertise in your major
- You can pick a school with strong programs in your areas of interest.
- Some majors have a specific regimented order of classes.
- Changing majors can take extra semesters to complete and add expense.
- Internships, clubs, and activities to add to your resume focus on your major.
- If your major is a high interest one entrance may be limited.
- A major may lead you to another major or a minor of interest.
- You can always change your major but a starting point helps with planning
So now that you know the advantages let’s talk about how to choose a major that fits
you perfectly. You will want to spend some time thinking about your interests, abilities,
values, and passions. Consider if the career has longevity. Will you want to do it for
years? Is it fun for you? Are there jobs in the market for that major? Will they last? Will it
pay enough for a comfortable lifestyle? Try some career choosing tests at
thebalancedcareers.com or take the “What should I major in quiz by Loyola or the
“college major personality test” from ThoughtCo. Several books such as The Complete
Idiots Guide to Choosing a College Major and the College Majors Handbook can help
you research the future of potential majors. Ultimately taking the time to dive into your
interests will help you achieve your long-term goals.
To sum up, here are some things to consider when choosing a major:
- Identify your interests
- Consider your values, passions, and abilities.
- Think toward the future.
- Choose the right school for you and your major.
- Take the time you need.
- Be sure to look at the disadvantages of the major and the job market.
- Feel free to change your mind as you get more information.
- Keep in touch with your interests and abilities and do a reality check.
- Get help, experts can save you time and ultimately money.
Choosing a major and ultimately a career can seem overwhelming and everyone
including the little old lady down the street has advice, but the most important thing is to
listen to yourself and your gut. YOU know yourself best and you can use that
information to help you find your path to success. Ultimately you will have a successful
career because it makes you happy. Remember if you do something you love you’ll
never work a day in your life.