Choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions in a college career one is going to make. That’s why it sometimes feels very complicated. No one wants to invest their time and money in something they are not going to use in the future.
But do not get discouraged; with some research and consideration, you can manage it and find the degree you like. And remember that you can always ask for help from professionals the same way you can ask for assistance from a paper writing service when you are stuck with your essays. Here are some crucial steps to take to choose the right major for you.
1. Consider Your Future Career
A lot of students choose their specialty based solely on economical value. Although the college degree is an investment, there are other factors to consider except the highest-paid majors. First of all, start with what you imagine your career to be. If you have a certain idea, like you want to be a doctor or engineer – it is easy. Choose the major that is required to get such a job. But many jobs do not require a particular degree or can be achieved with one of several options.
If you have no idea what your future career will look like, it might be a bit challenging. Start with the basics like “do you like working with people”? Maybe you prefer to work alone. Are you into sciences or more creative fields? Do you want to work for a corporation or start your own business?
Try to close your eyes and imagine a perfect working day. Where are you, what you are doing, what are your responsibilities, are you wearing a uniform, etc. This might not give you all the answers, but it can plant a seed.
2. Research Prospects
If you have several options to choose from, it is a great idea to get into researching. This is a decision not to be made in a rush. Ask your parents and relatives about their jobs and why they’ve chosen them. Talk to teachers and career counselors. And look at the estimated earnings and employment rates.
For example, according to this study, Architecture has the highest unemployment rate among other degrees. The second place goes to Arts and the third to Humanities and Liberal Arts. Of course, if you truly wish to be an Architect, this should not discourage you. But you need to be realistic about your expectations and the fact that some careers are harder than others.
3. Chose What Is Suitable for You
Of course, you do not have enough experience to know for sure what you’d love to do for 40 hours a week. A lot of people say “choose your passion” but it is certainly bad advice. We get more invested in something when we learn it, acquire skills, and get better at it. One can find their passion but not through theoretical thinking, but the real-life experience. But take into consideration these factors:
- Your interests. What subject do you genuinely enjoy? Can you imagine being invested in them for a long time?
- Your abilities. What are you good at? Maybe it is Math, communication, or Biology.
- What excites you? Imagine what you’d love to achieve in the future – solve real-life problems, learn something new, teach others, explore the world, work with animals, etc.
4. Take Your Time
Despite the huge pressure you might feel, do not rush the decision. Preferably, take some time to relax and think about it carefully, like a gap year. You may take online quizzes to learn more about your preferences or aspirations. You can watch movies or documentaries or speak to professionals. And if you have an idea, think critically about it – do you like this field or you are just following an idea from pop culture? Law won’t be as easy as it is portrayed in Legally Blond. And a Computer Science degree won’t make you a hacker from Mr. Robot.
5. Get Experience
In US colleges, it is perfectly possible to enter without declaring a major. Usually, you have to declare by the end of the sophomore year, but the rules are different in various colleges. If you haven’t made a decision yet, try to use this time fully. For instance, take as many various classes as you can handle to get a better idea of what you are good at or what you are interested in.
Obviously, speak to the college career counselor and see what they can offer. There are so many majors now that you might not even know all the options available. And try to get an internship or work experience in the field you are interested in. Because the classes have a little resemblance to what the work actually looks like.
6. It Is Possible to Change One’s Mind
The last important thing to remember is that you can always change the major. Even if the decision seemed like the ideal one a year ago, it might turn out to be something you definitely loathe now. According to this study, 33% of students have changed their major at last once, and 10% did it two or more times. It is a pretty common practice that is not scary at all. Another research has also found that there is little impact on the major change in time of graduation. You can still graduate on time and the rates of graduates are higher among those who changed their major instead of sticking with the first choice. Also, some might consider getting two-major degrees or having a minor.
In Summary
Choosing a speciality is a long process that takes research, communication, and a lot of consideration. Do not base your choice only on the financial benefits as there are other things in life, and at some point, money will stop bringing happiness. Listen to yourself, get advice, and find something you enjoy. And remember that there is always room for a change in the future.
