6 answers
faith
Student
Skokie, Illinois
2
Questions
Updated
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How did you know that your majir was the right one for you?
I feel like everyone either chooses a major based on thier skills or their passion in that field. However as someone who hasnt really figured out what they want to do in life how did you guys know what you wanted to do with your degree and still be happy?
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6 answers
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2397
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you need to find out what careers you have interest. The relevant subject is the major you can explore more.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music producer, music composer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major you can do more research.
5. Explore the entry criteria of these subject in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music producer, music composer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major you can do more research.
5. Explore the entry criteria of these subject in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
75
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
People will tell you that "choosing a college Major is a very important decision and that it can determine your future, yadda yadda....". This is total BS. Don't be stressed about it. You can always shift gears later. Most peolpe would advise to just choose something that seems somewhat interesting to you. It's not unusual for people to end up doing something completely different than what they majored in during college. It's the overall college experience is what you'll take away most from your time there. No matter what your major is, there is an overlap of courses you have to take anyway to would round you out. The worst thing to do is to pick a major in a topic you don't enjoy just because of the pressure from other people. That's a bad mistake and certainly one you'd live to regret. Just go with what you're into now, and as your interests change or gets directly elsewhere then not only will you be able to change your path, but the unique experience you had while on a different path would become invaluable later because it's what all the other people in your new interest didn't get exposed to. Creativity and real break-thrus in any discipline comes from combining your interests and experience from different areas. So, push that current weight off your shoulders about the future and just be who you are now. So what if your career path and interest take you in a snakey, curvy path rather than a straight line. You're a unique individual and are entitled to change your mind and interest, so don't restrict yourself to a narrow future. You can only be somewhat certain about the now, so go with that, for now.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Faith !
For me, it was definitely the passion factor and at a young age. I was greatly inspired to become an actress during one of my outings with an Aunt who used to take me to the movies - not children's films either - very frequently. It was during the film, "A Patch of Blue", a kind of adult themed film, but very powerful. When I watched Elizabeth Hartman portray a blind girl and then Shelly Winters being so arrogant, I thought, at 6 years old, wow, that's what you do when you grow up ! I was inspired.
Not being from a show business family and living in a small town, I didn't really get exposed to the industry. Although not far from New York City, my parents were committed to their jobs all day and there was no chance for my mother to oversee, manage, accompany and transport me all the time to New York City. I let the "bug" lay dormant for many years, but once in college, that's when I was free to pursue the training at age 18. From there, with many, many contacts and top notch professors, I was certain that I knew how to do the career. Finally.
I may have been fortunate to know what career I wanted at age 6, but that is not the usual. All people discover their calling at different times, so if you haven't as yet, your, well, normal. I didn't know I had the skill or if I ever would, but sometimes a passion for something develops the skill. This just may be the time for you to increase your socialization, do volunteer work to experience different work environments and see what ones you like. Sometimes, it's just plain old life experience that is the catalyst for a dream career.
Give it some time and do not feel bad about it. If you are in High School, join a variety of clubs or extracurriculars that you can experience. Try not to dwell on it - you will always be able to get some sort of work in the meantime, we all do. When you get to college, if you're still not sure about a career and the degree that aligns with it, take all of the Required General Education classes first and if you need to take a gap year to further explore careers, do so. But remember, your degree will need to align with a career in order for you to qualify for it. General Studies or Liberal Arts are not helpful degrees as they do not target a specific career. Also, never compare yourself to anyone else - you do you just fine !
I hope this is something to think about and I wish you all the best in your discoveries !
For me, it was definitely the passion factor and at a young age. I was greatly inspired to become an actress during one of my outings with an Aunt who used to take me to the movies - not children's films either - very frequently. It was during the film, "A Patch of Blue", a kind of adult themed film, but very powerful. When I watched Elizabeth Hartman portray a blind girl and then Shelly Winters being so arrogant, I thought, at 6 years old, wow, that's what you do when you grow up ! I was inspired.
Not being from a show business family and living in a small town, I didn't really get exposed to the industry. Although not far from New York City, my parents were committed to their jobs all day and there was no chance for my mother to oversee, manage, accompany and transport me all the time to New York City. I let the "bug" lay dormant for many years, but once in college, that's when I was free to pursue the training at age 18. From there, with many, many contacts and top notch professors, I was certain that I knew how to do the career. Finally.
I may have been fortunate to know what career I wanted at age 6, but that is not the usual. All people discover their calling at different times, so if you haven't as yet, your, well, normal. I didn't know I had the skill or if I ever would, but sometimes a passion for something develops the skill. This just may be the time for you to increase your socialization, do volunteer work to experience different work environments and see what ones you like. Sometimes, it's just plain old life experience that is the catalyst for a dream career.
Give it some time and do not feel bad about it. If you are in High School, join a variety of clubs or extracurriculars that you can experience. Try not to dwell on it - you will always be able to get some sort of work in the meantime, we all do. When you get to college, if you're still not sure about a career and the degree that aligns with it, take all of the Required General Education classes first and if you need to take a gap year to further explore careers, do so. But remember, your degree will need to align with a career in order for you to qualify for it. General Studies or Liberal Arts are not helpful degrees as they do not target a specific career. Also, never compare yourself to anyone else - you do you just fine !
I hope this is something to think about and I wish you all the best in your discoveries !
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Faith. Choosing the right major is not usually a sudden moment of clarity. For most people, it happens slowly through trying new things, learning about themselves, and being open to change.
Sometimes the major that ends up being right for you isn't the one you expected, it's the one you discover after taking a few introductory classes, talking to people in that field, or trying out related projects. Another important thing to remember is that passion is not always something you start with, it's something that builds as you get better at something and start seeing how it connects to real opportunities. Skills, on the other hand, can be developed over time, so you don't need to be an expert from the beginning.
It also helps to think about the kind of life you want rather than only the job title you imagine. Do you enjoy problem-solving, creativity, helping people, analyzing data, or building things? Do you prefer structured environments or flexible, dynamic ones? Reflecting on these questions can guide you toward a major that fits your personality as much as your career goals.
Many people also find clarity by seeking experiences outside the classroom, through internships, volunteering, talking with professionals, or even shadowing someone for a day. These experiences give you a realistic sense of what working in a certain field actually feels like.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Sometimes the major that ends up being right for you isn't the one you expected, it's the one you discover after taking a few introductory classes, talking to people in that field, or trying out related projects. Another important thing to remember is that passion is not always something you start with, it's something that builds as you get better at something and start seeing how it connects to real opportunities. Skills, on the other hand, can be developed over time, so you don't need to be an expert from the beginning.
It also helps to think about the kind of life you want rather than only the job title you imagine. Do you enjoy problem-solving, creativity, helping people, analyzing data, or building things? Do you prefer structured environments or flexible, dynamic ones? Reflecting on these questions can guide you toward a major that fits your personality as much as your career goals.
Many people also find clarity by seeking experiences outside the classroom, through internships, volunteering, talking with professionals, or even shadowing someone for a day. These experiences give you a realistic sense of what working in a certain field actually feels like.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
There are many ways to explore your interests and discover what excites you. Personality and career assessments like Myers-Briggs, CliftonStrengths, Holland Code, 16Personalities, and the Enneagram test can help you understand your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and behavior, as well as what you like or dislike, your biggest fears, and what you want to achieve. These tools not only help you know yourself better, but also uncover your passions. You can also reflect on your high school experiences, what subjects or activities interested you, where your strengths lay, and whether you enjoyed areas like math, physics, or other STEM fields. Online platforms such as Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and Udemy allow you to explore a wide variety of courses, while hands-on experiences like internships, volunteering, and research projects provide practical insight. Keeping a curiosity journal and engaging with mentors, communities, or professional networks can reveal patterns in your interests over time.
Taking introductory courses, joining clubs, or completing small projects helps you explore different fields, and building a portfolio demonstrates your skills while clarifying what you enjoy creating. Setting short-term goals, such as trying a new course or internship, can provide clarity without requiring a long-term plan. Focus on skill-building and experiences, balance practicality with personal interest, and seek guidance from advisors. Most importantly, give yourself permission to change paths, as many students switch majors or careers multiple times. By combining personality insights, hands-on experience, self-reflection, and community engagement, you can gain a clearer sense of your strengths, interests, and potential directions while keeping your options open.
Taking introductory courses, joining clubs, or completing small projects helps you explore different fields, and building a portfolio demonstrates your skills while clarifying what you enjoy creating. Setting short-term goals, such as trying a new course or internship, can provide clarity without requiring a long-term plan. Focus on skill-building and experiences, balance practicality with personal interest, and seek guidance from advisors. Most importantly, give yourself permission to change paths, as many students switch majors or careers multiple times. By combining personality insights, hands-on experience, self-reflection, and community engagement, you can gain a clearer sense of your strengths, interests, and potential directions while keeping your options open.
jameelah davis
customer service
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
jameelah’s Answer
Hi Faith, I get that you're worried about picking a major. If you're unsure, try starting at a 2-year community college. Take the basic courses there, and they can transfer when you decide on a major. This way, you'll gain experience in different subjects, which might help you choose a major.
Good luck with everything ahead!
Good luck with everything ahead!