Geovanni
How does the college experience help you figure out your career choice?
I am very indecisive on what I want to pursue in college as a major and just went #undecided, and I don't have a specific career interest. So I am very confused on what I want to do in and out of college. #engineering #teacher-training #physical-fitness
4 answers
Maria Gascon-Aguilar
Maria’s Answer
Being exposed to the college experience can help you identify what you want to pursue. This includes not only studies, but the social, and economic areas as well. I would start with the general courses and then pick something you love to do on your own time.. Play video games (Look into Gamification), fix cars (Autonomus cars), if you love to cook (Media productions to be a Youtuber). When you pair something you love, with technology, ideas are endless, but it will be a passion, and not "work".
Maria recommends the following next steps:
Elizabeth Witbeck
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Geovanni,
Don't worry about being unsure what you want to major in during college. It's not necessary to know your career path yet.
College is a place that you go to help you find the answers to those questions. It's a place to take a lot of classes, explore, learn, meet new friends, take extracurriculars, do new things you haven't done before, and by the time you graduate, you will have a better understanding of your career path.
But you definitely do not need to know the exact career you want right now.
My advice would be to take a lot of classes in things you have always had an interest in. Look through your course selection book and take things that sound unique and exciting to you. This is the only environment you will be in where you will be encouraged to take whatever random things you want to take. Also, join some clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities. Those will help you get a better sense of your interests and what career paths you might want to pursue.
In support of Elizabeth's answer - sometime college leads you to what you want to do and other times it helps you decide what you don't want to do as well. For awhile I thought I wanted to be an editor until I took a technical writing and communications class. I realized I was much more interested in the creative side of things and was not cut out for a behind the scenes role
Elizabeth Coccia
Elizabeth hit the nail on the head. Don't feel pressure to choose something right away, or feel like you need to have that answer now. I echo what Elizabeth recommended which was to take a few courses that interest you, and see if you like the information, and whether there is a way to build a major or a career around that interest. College is a time for exploration, so do it often, and do it broadly!
Jenny Newman
Kelly McMorrow
Kelly’s Answer
Hi - I agree with the above posts. It's totally fine to not know what you want to major in. I had no clue what to major in and changed multiple times. I also wasn't sure what I wanted to do until my 4th year. College is about more than just your major or your career. The life experience and learning you do outside of any potential career or major are just as important. Most universities have certain pre-requisite classes you have to take to graduate. In my experience, those pre-req classes covered a wide variety of topics so you get a chance to be exposed to all different areas and may find yourself interested in something you never expected. My advice would be to take those classes first, and see what you are interested in. You might also have the time to take one or two classes that just seem interesting that could lead to a major and/or career.
Glenn A
Glenn’s Answer
Some choices to decide later will require that you start over. Technical degrees like engineering needs a 4 year commitment and not easy to change into it later. But you do not have to decide which Engineer discipline until your Sophomore year.
Some degrees align better for a couple of years before committing. Liberal Degrees fit more into a basic 2 year look.
I take the approach that you need to know what you will do with your degree before spending the time and money. But that is why I am an engineer. Others think that college is a time to find yourself and you should explore your options.
The career consoling center at your college or university should be able to help you explore the options and help you find a degree that can set you up for success, however you measure success.
Hey Geovanni,
Colleges today offer a variety of different majors and allows you to make your own schedule after your first semester. You are able to take a business class, social work class, science class all at the same time. Once you find something that interests you, you can pursue it! There are always counselors, teachers, advisers who all help you through the process and helps you make those kinds of decisions as well. Hope that helps!
Brianna Schussler