6 answers
Nahir
Student
Melbourne, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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When thinking about changing to a different (but related) major in college, which factor or factors are most important to consider?
I have found myself stuck in a situation where I'm not sure how to weight the pros and cons of switching to another major. I'm currently a Finance major, which is a hard major, and professors say that if you struggle with it from the beginning, it's possible Finance is not for you. I did struggle at the beginning but it was because I made the mistake of spreading myself too thin on so many activities going on with my life (and I struggle with focusing and time management too). But I like the Finance subject and I am determined to do much better. However, my advisor has advised me to switch to Integrated Business (IB) which is much easier, much more general business, and would take me less time to graduate. But to me it feels like stepping down a level or two and like I'm not challenging myself, like I'm giving up (absolutely no offense to IB majors, this is only my personal view). I know I'm a smart person, and my mom told me she knows I can do Finance because I am smart, but there's lots of thoughts consuming me and trying to pull me to both sides of this situation. Switch. Don't switch.
What should I be considering when thinking about whether I should switch majors from Finance to IB or not?
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6 answers
Afrad Mahamed
Operations & Project Management
128
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Afrad’s Answer
Hi Nahir -
Here are some factors that would be important to consider, and hopefully aid in your decision.
1. Passion and Interest: While you may find finance challenging, you also mention liking the subject. Genuine interest can be a powerful motivator, especially in a demanding field.
2. Academic Performance vs. Potential: Honestly assess if your struggles in finance were due to time management or a fundamental mismatch with the material. Could you dedicate more focused time to your studies now?
3. Career Goals: Research careers typical for both Finance and Integrated Business majors. Do any specifically appeal to you more than others?
Long-Term Impact: Will a slightly faster graduation with an IB degree outweigh the potential benefits (and challenges) of a Finance degree in your desired career path?
4. Talk to Professionals: Network with people working in both finance and general business fields. Ask about their educational paths and if they see your perceived “step down” as significant in the long run.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Gather information, reflect on your goals, and choose the path that feels most aligned with your aspirations and abilities.
Best of luck!
Here are some factors that would be important to consider, and hopefully aid in your decision.
1. Passion and Interest: While you may find finance challenging, you also mention liking the subject. Genuine interest can be a powerful motivator, especially in a demanding field.
2. Academic Performance vs. Potential: Honestly assess if your struggles in finance were due to time management or a fundamental mismatch with the material. Could you dedicate more focused time to your studies now?
3. Career Goals: Research careers typical for both Finance and Integrated Business majors. Do any specifically appeal to you more than others?
Long-Term Impact: Will a slightly faster graduation with an IB degree outweigh the potential benefits (and challenges) of a Finance degree in your desired career path?
4. Talk to Professionals: Network with people working in both finance and general business fields. Ask about their educational paths and if they see your perceived “step down” as significant in the long run.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Gather information, reflect on your goals, and choose the path that feels most aligned with your aspirations and abilities.
Best of luck!
Xin Xie
23
Answers
Updated
Xin’s Answer
Hi Nahir,
Good Day!
If Finance truly excites you and your struggles were situational (not inherent to the subject), stay and fight for it. But if the difficulty overshadows your passion, IB isn’t "giving up", it’s pivoting to a path that might suit you better. Either way, this decision isn’t irreversible; many careers are built on skills, not just degrees.
Wishing you all the best.
Good Day!
If Finance truly excites you and your struggles were situational (not inherent to the subject), stay and fight for it. But if the difficulty overshadows your passion, IB isn’t "giving up", it’s pivoting to a path that might suit you better. Either way, this decision isn’t irreversible; many careers are built on skills, not just degrees.
Wishing you all the best.
Lucia Martin
Strategy Consulting
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Lucia’s Answer
Hi Nahir,
Totally get where you’re coming from—this is a tough spot to be in. When you're thinking about switching majors, I'd definitely consider what kind of career you see yourself having after college. Finance tends to open doors to more specialized roles like banking, financial analysis, or investment-related jobs. It's a bit more intense, but if those kinds of jobs excite you, it might be worth pushing through. On the other hand, Integrated Business is broader and can still get you into the business world, but the roles might be more general. Neither path is wrong—it’s more about what kind of work you want to do down the line.
Also, it sounds like you actually like Finance, which is huge. Struggling at first doesn’t necessarily mean you're in the wrong place, especially if you were dealing with a lot outside of school. If you're motivated and interested in the subject, that’s something to hold onto—it means you're not just chasing a major for the title, but because it genuinely matters to you.
Totally get where you’re coming from—this is a tough spot to be in. When you're thinking about switching majors, I'd definitely consider what kind of career you see yourself having after college. Finance tends to open doors to more specialized roles like banking, financial analysis, or investment-related jobs. It's a bit more intense, but if those kinds of jobs excite you, it might be worth pushing through. On the other hand, Integrated Business is broader and can still get you into the business world, but the roles might be more general. Neither path is wrong—it’s more about what kind of work you want to do down the line.
Also, it sounds like you actually like Finance, which is huge. Struggling at first doesn’t necessarily mean you're in the wrong place, especially if you were dealing with a lot outside of school. If you're motivated and interested in the subject, that’s something to hold onto—it means you're not just chasing a major for the title, but because it genuinely matters to you.
Diana Bowen
4
Answers
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Nahir,
Choosing a major can feel overwhelming, but don't worry! It's important to take a step back and explore all your options. Think about where you see yourself in the future and what kind of work you would enjoy. Every major has its challenges, but don't let that discourage you. Talking to a college counselor or career coach might be helpful. Also, try to learn more about each major by joining clubs or attending events.
For example, I started as a finance major because I love numbers, but I wanted to be creative too. So, I added digital marketing as another major. If you can, consider adding a second major or a minor that interests you. It might be more work, but it could help you find the right path.
Good luck with everything!
Choosing a major can feel overwhelming, but don't worry! It's important to take a step back and explore all your options. Think about where you see yourself in the future and what kind of work you would enjoy. Every major has its challenges, but don't let that discourage you. Talking to a college counselor or career coach might be helpful. Also, try to learn more about each major by joining clubs or attending events.
For example, I started as a finance major because I love numbers, but I wanted to be creative too. So, I added digital marketing as another major. If you can, consider adding a second major or a minor that interests you. It might be more work, but it could help you find the right path.
Good luck with everything!
Laura Lowry
3
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Laura’s Answer
This is a very personal decision to make. I would consider the career options with both of these majors. If there is a career you are excited about, but you need to have a Finance degree to get hired in that role, I would stick with Finance. If you are unsure what you want to do after your graduate, I would look further into what I could do with either of the degrees and find something I was passionate about – and pick my major from there!
Andrew Radka
Project Management
3
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hi Nahir!
I had a similar experience while I was at UCF, and can definitely understand the feeling of the Finance major being a hard subject. When I look back, I think that sticking with it opened a lot of doors professionally for me. Just because you get an IB or a Finance major doesn't necessarily mean that you have to find a job only doing that either!
I would suggest to maybe try joining a club or school activity related to the Business or Finance area where you can meet and talk with peers that are in your area as well. A lot of people have the same feeling at different times in their path and advice from someone that you interact with at that level may help you come to terms with what you want or where you could see yourself in the future.
I had a similar experience while I was at UCF, and can definitely understand the feeling of the Finance major being a hard subject. When I look back, I think that sticking with it opened a lot of doors professionally for me. Just because you get an IB or a Finance major doesn't necessarily mean that you have to find a job only doing that either!
I would suggest to maybe try joining a club or school activity related to the Business or Finance area where you can meet and talk with peers that are in your area as well. A lot of people have the same feeling at different times in their path and advice from someone that you interact with at that level may help you come to terms with what you want or where you could see yourself in the future.