4 answers
Olivia
Student
Mill Valley, California
1
Question
Updated
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How did you decide what to major in, and do you ever wish you had chosen differently ?
If you could give one piece of advice to a high school student choosing a college major, what would it be?
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4 answers
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Olivia,
It is great to hear that you are considering what major would be best for you. Sometimes it can seem like a large gamble, but know that once you take one step, it leads you closer to were you are meant to be in the long run. For me, choosing my major for industrial design felt like a bit of a gamble at the time. I knew I would be able to make things, but I was not fully aware of what it was. Quickly, it became my passion and I even gained a teacher's assist position. That is something high school me would not see coming at all.
It is important to choose something that excites you, but some times it is difficult to see what may or may not excite you. You can try getting insights on the colleges and programs you are considering. Make a list of the ones that might excite you, even if you are not sure, and try to get in contact with the school. Search for emails of the staff like professors and adjuncts, as well as the email and phone number of administration. See if you can find the contact to any current students that can give you an insight. Have prepared some questions or simply ask them how they are enjoying their experience. It would be best to talk to someone in the program you are considering. At the end of the day, go with your gut!
Best of luck on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are considering what major would be best for you. Sometimes it can seem like a large gamble, but know that once you take one step, it leads you closer to were you are meant to be in the long run. For me, choosing my major for industrial design felt like a bit of a gamble at the time. I knew I would be able to make things, but I was not fully aware of what it was. Quickly, it became my passion and I even gained a teacher's assist position. That is something high school me would not see coming at all.
It is important to choose something that excites you, but some times it is difficult to see what may or may not excite you. You can try getting insights on the colleges and programs you are considering. Make a list of the ones that might excite you, even if you are not sure, and try to get in contact with the school. Search for emails of the staff like professors and adjuncts, as well as the email and phone number of administration. See if you can find the contact to any current students that can give you an insight. Have prepared some questions or simply ask them how they are enjoying their experience. It would be best to talk to someone in the program you are considering. At the end of the day, go with your gut!
Best of luck on your journey!
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
When deciding what to major in, I carefully gathered information about the department I was interested in, potential career opportunities, industry trends, and how they aligned with my personal goals. I chose my major based not only on my passions, but also on my strengths and my ability to achieve my career aspirations. While I sought advice from many people, I realized the final decision had to come from within, and I needed to trust my intuition and listen to my own voice. Being confident in my choice and trusting the process has helped me stay motivated, and I continue to learn and advance my skills even after choosing my major. I have never regretted my decision, as it reflects who I am and what I hope to become.
If I could give one piece of advice to a high school student choosing a college major, it would be this: take time to explore, learn, and reflect. Don’t be afraid to follow unique ideas or a different vision for your future, as they might become the key to your success. Ask yourself, What kind of person do I want to become, and what do I hope to achieve in my lifetime? When you reflect on these questions and trust yourself, you will find the answer within.
If I could give one piece of advice to a high school student choosing a college major, it would be this: take time to explore, learn, and reflect. Don’t be afraid to follow unique ideas or a different vision for your future, as they might become the key to your success. Ask yourself, What kind of person do I want to become, and what do I hope to achieve in my lifetime? When you reflect on these questions and trust yourself, you will find the answer within.
ISHITA CHOWDHURY
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
ISHITA’s Answer
Start by figuring out what you enjoy and what you're good at, both in subjects and activities. Do you prefer science or arts? Do you like solving problems or being creative? Write down your strengths and hobbies. Choose a career that makes you happy and excited to learn new things every day.
Explore careers related to different fields and see which ones match your interests and skills. Research what each field involves and try free courses to see what you like. Consider your future goals, like job opportunities and lifestyle. Look at jobs linked to different fields, such as Software Engineer for Computer Science or Counselor for Psychology. Check if these careers are in demand, like those in AI, healthcare, or sustainability. If you enjoy numbers, consider Data Science or Finance. If you like working with people, think about Marketing or HR. For creativity, explore Design or Media.
Talk to people in these fields, make a list of 2–3 options, compare them, and choose the one that feels right. You can always take free online courses or watch videos about your interests. Remember, you can learn new skills later if you want to change paths.
For example, I started with an MA in History, aiming to be a teacher. But after a year, I realized teaching didn't excite me, and I wasn't eager to grow in that field. So, I pursued an MBA to explore business roles. Now, I work in Finance at Dell Technologies, where I love analyzing data and solving problems. This journey shows that it's okay to change paths to find what truly engages you. Interests can change, and it's fine to switch when something doesn't feel right.
Explore careers related to different fields and see which ones match your interests and skills. Research what each field involves and try free courses to see what you like. Consider your future goals, like job opportunities and lifestyle. Look at jobs linked to different fields, such as Software Engineer for Computer Science or Counselor for Psychology. Check if these careers are in demand, like those in AI, healthcare, or sustainability. If you enjoy numbers, consider Data Science or Finance. If you like working with people, think about Marketing or HR. For creativity, explore Design or Media.
Talk to people in these fields, make a list of 2–3 options, compare them, and choose the one that feels right. You can always take free online courses or watch videos about your interests. Remember, you can learn new skills later if you want to change paths.
For example, I started with an MA in History, aiming to be a teacher. But after a year, I realized teaching didn't excite me, and I wasn't eager to grow in that field. So, I pursued an MBA to explore business roles. Now, I work in Finance at Dell Technologies, where I love analyzing data and solving problems. This journey shows that it's okay to change paths to find what truly engages you. Interests can change, and it's fine to switch when something doesn't feel right.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
When you think about what to major in, you need to ask yourself what subjects you enjoy most, or what topics keep you interested and make you want to learn more. Maybe you're curious about how people think, how technology works, or how businesses grow. Those interests are important because you'll be spending a lot of time studying them. But it's also smart to think about what kinds of jobs or careers your major can lead to. Try to find a mix between something you're passionate about and something that offers real opportunities after graduation.
Even after choosing a major, it's normal to sometimes wonder if you made the right choice. You might think about how things could have turned out differently if you had chosen another subject, maybe one that seems more practical or in-demand. But it's important to remember that your major doesn't completely decide your future. What really matters is the skills you gain, like problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking, and how you use them later on. Many people end up working in fields that aren't directly related to their college major.
My advice is: pick curiosity over pressure. Don't choose a major just because it sounds impressive, your friends are doing it, or someone else expects you to. Choose something that truly interests you, or something that makes you want to keep learning. But also take time to research what kind of careers are available in that field and what skills you'll need to succeed. Think about what kind of life you want and how your major might help you get there.
Even after choosing a major, it's normal to sometimes wonder if you made the right choice. You might think about how things could have turned out differently if you had chosen another subject, maybe one that seems more practical or in-demand. But it's important to remember that your major doesn't completely decide your future. What really matters is the skills you gain, like problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking, and how you use them later on. Many people end up working in fields that aren't directly related to their college major.
My advice is: pick curiosity over pressure. Don't choose a major just because it sounds impressive, your friends are doing it, or someone else expects you to. Choose something that truly interests you, or something that makes you want to keep learning. But also take time to research what kind of careers are available in that field and what skills you'll need to succeed. Think about what kind of life you want and how your major might help you get there.