Nahir
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?
3 answers
Xin Xie
Xin’s Answer
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.
Afrad Mahamed
Afrad’s Answer
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!
Monica S.
Monica’s Answer
Thanks for sharing your current disposition with us. I know how it is to be indecisive about your path. I think your choice boils down to what you want to do after college. I would stick with finance because it seems like you really like it. Also, in my experience as someone who majored in Business and had a career in finance...it seems like company's tend to specify on their job listings that they prefer candidates with *specifically* accounting and finance degrees. Meaning, I usually have to work harder to prove that I have more finance experience than it seems. So go for finance, your future self will thank you. I hope this helps!