How to Choose a College Major
At some point in the process of choosing a college, you may have to choose a college
major, or at the very least begin to narrow your options. While being undecided
for awhile is fine, you probably want to have some idea of what you want to do when
you start the college application process. You want to make sure you make the right
college choice, and there’s nothing worse than finding your dream school only to
realize it doesn’t offer the major you’ve ultimately chosen. Even though you know
you can’t put it off forever, choosing your major can be tough.
When it’s time to starting making solid decisions about enrolling in college, many
people have questions about how to choose a college major. Selecting a college major
is a personal decision that involves you to spend time reflecting on your goals,
likes, dislikes, skills, and aptitudes.You have to not only look at your interests,
abilities, and goals, but also what you’ll need to be happy in the future. While
it would be nice to have an interest in one of the highest paying college majors,
it’s also important to choose a college major that will ultimately lead to a career
you want in a place you want to live.
Ask Questions
The best advice we’ve found for how to choose a college major is just to ask questions.
Talk to your high school guidance counselor, or if you’re already in college, consult
your academic advisor or a career center counselor. Ask friends and family members
about how they chose a college major or career. Finally, engage in some serious
self-reflection and ask yourself questions about your past, present, and future.
Some factors to consider when selecting a college major include:
- What type of career can you see yourself in?
- What type of work do you enjoy?
- What are your interests?
- Which subjects did you enjoy studying the most in high school?
- If you completed a career assessment in high school, what did the results indicate?
(If you have never taken such an assessment, consider taking a college major test
before selecting a program of study.)
- What type of skills do you have?
- Do you have any hobbies that you would like to pursue as a career?
- What did you learn about what you like and dislike from your past work experience?
- Are there in-demand career fields in the geographic areas where you would like to
live following graduation?
Think about Careers
The answers to these questions can help guide your selection of a college major.
For example, if you held part time positions in retail while in high school and
you absolutely hated the work, you can immediately scratch retail management off
your list. However, if you enjoyed the part of the job that involved setting up
product displays, you might seriously want to consider a major in visual merchandising.
The college major that you select impacts the types of jobs you will be qualified
for upon graduation. USA Jobs (http://www.usajobs.gov/EI23.asp), the official job
website of the United States Federal Government, publishes a guide to college majors
that details hiring qualifications, by major, for different types of federal jobs.
This site publishes popular jobs with an appropriate college major list beneath
each type of job.
Don’t Panic
Selecting a college major is an important decision, and it is not one that should
be made lightly. It is important to remember, however, that declaring a major is
not an irreversible decision. It is not uncommon for college students to change
majors one or more times after they enroll in college. Sometimes, you need time,
research, and reflection before you can choose a college major. Setting college
goals can help you, as can understanding different college majors and how they can
move you closer to your goals. Do your research, keep an open mind, and be honest
with yourself, and you can choose a college major that will steer you down the path
to success.