So, you decided to go to college, GREAT! You made one big choice, and now it’s time to make another… what are you going to major in? Here are some tips to help you decide what to study:
Look at what majors are offered at the school(s) you’re interested in
Sometimes, you just need a starting place. Look at the majors that schools you are interested in offer and see if any of them stand out to you. In addition, you can also look at the degree plans for majors. A degree plan gives an overview of what classes you will need to take in order to graduate. This will allow you to see if the courses required are ones that you find interesting. Degree plans are usually posted on the university’s website under the major.
What are you good at or passionate about?
Think about the subject or class you have done the best in… Is this a potential area you would want to continue studying? For some people, math just makes sense and so going into a major that includes a lot of math classes seems ideal. However, for someone who has struggled with math, a major that does not require as many math classes might be a better option. Also think about if there is an area or subject you are passionate about. Do you see yourself in 10 years excited to go to work? If you are stuck, you can take a few online career aptitude tests to give you a starting point. A good one to start with would be Career test – Free online aptitude test – 123test.com, it will lead you through some questions, then tell you what careers fit your personality the best.
What jobs are offered within this field?
Colleges offer a lot of different degrees. Some are very specific, and others can be very broad. Look into what types of jobs you can get with certain degrees. Are these jobs that you could see yourself doing in the future?
Decide how much time you want to spend in school
Some careers only require you to have a bachelor’s degree, while others require you to go further in higher education. When choosing a major, make sure you understand how much time you will need to be in school to have a successful career.
Estimate Future Earnings and Job Outlook
While the amount of money you will make shouldn’t be the only reason you strive for a certain career, it should definitely be a factor you are considering. This website from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great resource to find this information: Home : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov). This website also provides a lot more information li ke if a certain field is growing or shrinking, the minimum degree required, and the number of positions there are.
Job Shadow
If you have a career path in mind, see if it is an option to shadow someone working in this field. This will allow you to see what the day-to-day job is like and what types of skills/knowledge you will need. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask questions about this field from someone who has experience.
Here are three things to keep in mind as you start your journey to choosing a major…
1. It’s okay to apply and enter college as an undecided major!! College is meant to expose you to new ideas and paths. If you are unsure, go into college as an undecided major, take some classes and explore your interests, then choose.
2. You can change your major!! Over 33% of students change their major at least once while they are in college. If you realize down the road that the major you chose as a high school senior is not what you want to do, it is okay to change what you are studying.
3. Schools have resources to help you with this! Most universities have an office called Career Services (or something similar) that will assist you in exploring career paths, majors, etc.! If you are stuck, reach out to this office and ask for help!
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