5 answers
6
Updated 375 views

How do I know whether or not I am in the correct major? What do I do if things change??

I am attending Texas A&M University in Fall 2026. I plan on entering general engineering and pursuing a major in mechanical engineering.

careerexploration careerpath engineeringstudent highereducation studytips collegeplanning engineeringgoals engineeringpath mechanicalengineering collegedecisions engineeringmajor academicgrowth first-year findyourpassion majorchoice
Answer This
6

5 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

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.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Jesica’s Answer

I am currently parenting a college student who has changed his major twice, so I have very recent experience with this! When he first started, he decided to major in what he'd always thought he wanted to major in. When he got to the end of his first year, he realized that this topic no longer interested him, and that he was struggling in the classes because of it. He had lost his passion in this. So he decided to switch majors for Sophomore year to something that he was really passionate in, and was in a completely opposite direction. Luckily, every class he had taken followed him, even though some of them will follow him as electives instead of as classes dedicated to the major. This means he will have less electives later to take as fun classes, but ultimately he can still graduate on time. He's doing much better in his classes now that he has found a passion for a major again.

Once we finished Freshmen year and stepped back to adjust, I advised him that he needed to find his passion, and by continuing to take classes in something that he didn't think he wanted to do as a career or as an adult, he was going to keep suffering in these classes, and ultimately run the risk of leaving college. I've found as an adult that many people that I work with have a degree in something different than their current career, which indicates to me that having a degree, any degree, is a better option than forcing yourself into a degree that doesn't interest you or serve you any longer, which will risk you not finishing your degree at all out of frustration, boredom, or feeling overwhelmed.

Go with the flow - step back and assess after every semester and see if your major and degree path are still serving you. If they are not, work with your guidance counselor at your college to figure out which degree path you can move into that a) you will enjoy more and b) will result in the least amount of "lost" classes and credits that you'd already earned (very important!) For instance, the second time we changed my son's major, he side-stepped into one very similar that still met his goals, but resulted in 2 fewer lost credits. Be flexible, and just know that many of us out here are in careers very different from what our degree is in (mine is in Journalism - I work in software engineering today.)
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Jerome’s Answer

I think the wonderful thing about college is that you don’t have to have things figured out right away. You have the opportunity to take a couple classes and see how you feel about things. I’d recommend taking a couple of classes for your major and a couple classes of general Ed to see how you feel. You can also talk with teachers and alumni from that school to see what their experiences are. Numerous people switched their major and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I hope you are in one that you find enjoyment through.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Choosing the right major starts with understanding what you love and where your talents lie. Think about the subjects and activities that make you excited, where you excel, and the problems you enjoy solving. If you love physics, math, and working with machines, and are interested in fields like aerospace, robotics, or the automotive industry, mechanical engineering might be perfect for you. Skills in CAD software can also be very helpful. Robotics or mechatronics engineering are also excellent choices. If you like challenges, mathematical modeling, and working with circuits or communication technologies, consider electrical engineering. This field is great for industries like telecommunications, renewable energy, or electronics, and tools like Arduino and MATLAB can be useful.

If you're unsure, learn about different engineering fields and talk to teachers or senior students. Early experiences, internships, and joining groups like ASME or IEEE can help you explore and find what suits you best.

At Texas A&M, the general engineering path allows you to switch majors easily in the first year. Fields like electrical, industrial, or biomedical engineering are options. Meet with your college advisor early, take exploratory courses, and keep track of prerequisites to plan a smooth change.

Prepare by joining engineering clubs or summer programs and work on your problem-solving skills. By building a strong foundation, you’ll be ready to choose a major that matches your passions and career goals.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I am glad to know that you have interest in engineering.
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many disciplines in engineering, eg electrical & electronic engineering, biochemistry engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, etc. Each has its own domain of knowledge. You can find out more in colleges syllabus lwa.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Seek guidance from the professors . Speak to alumni working in different discipline
4. Shortlist the careers you would like to pursue
5. Select the relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
0