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What happens if I want to change my career choice in the middle of college?
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Doc’s Answer
Jessica changing majors is one of the things students often consider and do after enrollment. Many of us change majors and end up taking longer to complete college, and many end up paying for it long after graduating. Some give up college with all the added frustration – not seeing how it relates to present circumstances, only to be caught short a few years later.
BE SMART ABOUT CHOOSING OR CHANGING MAJORS
One of the key things you should consider is when to change your major. If you are within your first 60 credits, you have a better chance of moving your credits and course work around to other majors or programs of study than if you are already taking major or upper level courses you no longer have interest in nor may the credits be applicable when you change your major. You have to consider a major similar to a road trip between two cities. Changing the destination may mean you will take different roads altogether - and even back track on different roads to get to your new destination. Like the analogy, the new destination and road trip may end up costing you more in time and money. There is a solution or near solution to the dilemma - that is the possibility of being guided by transfer articulation agreements - which allow blocks of credits to transfer from one school and program to another.
The pros and cons of changing your major when you pass the 60 credit threshold (about two years of coursework) may be fraught with issues. Thus, If you think you will be changing your major in the near future, research the implications at your college, community college or university before you get too far in your coursework. In other words, plan you transfer proactively.
Make sure you request an assessment of your prior coursework and training, often called a degree audit. Depending upon the school's selectivity and capability, you may have to wait to get an assessment of your prior learning (courses, tests, training, life experiences, etc.). Make sure you are prepared and work with the Department of your major, and not just the administrative offices of the school who may discount your coursework. Defend your coursework and how you have leveraged what you learned, not just the specifics of the course description. Use syllabi and course materials to demonstrate you have already mastered the subjects and wish to focus on other subjects more in line with your interests.
BE SMART ABOUT CHOOSING OR CHANGING MAJORS
One of the key things you should consider is when to change your major. If you are within your first 60 credits, you have a better chance of moving your credits and course work around to other majors or programs of study than if you are already taking major or upper level courses you no longer have interest in nor may the credits be applicable when you change your major. You have to consider a major similar to a road trip between two cities. Changing the destination may mean you will take different roads altogether - and even back track on different roads to get to your new destination. Like the analogy, the new destination and road trip may end up costing you more in time and money. There is a solution or near solution to the dilemma - that is the possibility of being guided by transfer articulation agreements - which allow blocks of credits to transfer from one school and program to another.
The pros and cons of changing your major when you pass the 60 credit threshold (about two years of coursework) may be fraught with issues. Thus, If you think you will be changing your major in the near future, research the implications at your college, community college or university before you get too far in your coursework. In other words, plan you transfer proactively.
Make sure you request an assessment of your prior coursework and training, often called a degree audit. Depending upon the school's selectivity and capability, you may have to wait to get an assessment of your prior learning (courses, tests, training, life experiences, etc.). Make sure you are prepared and work with the Department of your major, and not just the administrative offices of the school who may discount your coursework. Defend your coursework and how you have leveraged what you learned, not just the specifics of the course description. Use syllabi and course materials to demonstrate you have already mastered the subjects and wish to focus on other subjects more in line with your interests.
very good summary
Wojciech Babij
Thank You Wojciech. “Our generation has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.” — Natalie Portman
Doc Frick
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Thank You Alison. “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Doc Frick
Thank You Helen. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank
Doc Frick
Updated
venkataramana’s Answer
Its ok to change your career choice in the middle of college.
I know many of my friends who joined first year engineering and left the college to pursue medicine.
One of them left Engineering to pursue a career in aviation to become a pilot.
Its always good to make well thought career choices even if its in the middle of your college.
Finally you may lose 2-3 years of your Career but atleast you will not repent for the rest of your life.
I know many of my friends who joined first year engineering and left the college to pursue medicine.
One of them left Engineering to pursue a career in aviation to become a pilot.
Its always good to make well thought career choices even if its in the middle of your college.
Finally you may lose 2-3 years of your Career but atleast you will not repent for the rest of your life.
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Darin’s Answer
Hello Jessica, there's absolutely nothing wrong with changing your career or major in the middle of school. I'm a college student myself and when I decided to return to school the major I'm studying now isn't the same major I entered with. It happens. Sometimes while your studying a certain major you just find out that it's just not for you after all. Or maybe that it just wasn't what you expected when you decided to pursue it as a study. Set up an appointment with your academic counselor to discuss your options and your concerns. They are there to help you as a student.
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Helen’s Answer
Jessica, nothing bad will happen, that's for sure. Only thing is that you need to be sure what will be your next step. This is a very important decision, so take time to ask yourself and your parents about it. Choose whatever is best for you and what makes you happy.
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Helen’s Answer
There's nothing wrong with changing your major! Ultimately, I see it as a trial and error process to figure out what you like and what you don't like to help you decide what interests you the most. I, myself, along with many others that I know, actually work in a profession that does not relate to my major at all. I rather took the non-traditional approach and tried to get as much hands on experience as possible to build up to where I am: internships (paid or unpaid), information mentors, community events related to the field I am interested in to build network (building your network is SUPER important, I cannot stress it enough), books, online courses, etc). The options are endless but it can be done! Like others have said, it's all about figuring out your next steps. You may never know you like something until you try it.
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Keith’s Answer
Often times, when you change your major in college, it will extend the # of classes to graduate and could result in additional expense. That should not be a deterrent because ultimately, you want to obtain a degree in the field of study that you will eventually work in. Just prepare yourself to have to take some classes you passed over, some classes won't transfer between programs and may require classes outside of your typical schedule. All things that can be an inconvenience, but worthy of it to be in a field you enjoy.
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Asha’s Answer
It's definitely possible to a certain point! I'd say your first two years are meant for exploration and really nailing down your passions and career interests. I transferred into our business school after my freshman year, which is a huge change in career plan for me.
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Thalia’s Answer
It is normal to change your career choice in the middle of college. Often times when you are in college some people may appear that they understand what they want to do in the future, and who they want to be, but the truth is they don't and are trying to figure it out just like you. You are not defined by the degree you get, you are defined by the transferable skills you obtain in college to get to the career you want to achieve.
While you are in college meet with different people in the industries you are thinking about whether it be Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods, Technology, Medicine. It is important to know the different opportunities available and narrow down your ideas as to what you want to pursue. LinkedIn is a great resource to learn from an employee at a company you may want to work at.
While you are in college meet with different people in the industries you are thinking about whether it be Finance, Consumer Packaged Goods, Technology, Medicine. It is important to know the different opportunities available and narrow down your ideas as to what you want to pursue. LinkedIn is a great resource to learn from an employee at a company you may want to work at.
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Kristin’s Answer
It's really easy to change your major in the middle of college! In fact, I think that most people often do change their mind. Speaking with you advisor in college is the best way to go about this. They can help you take the next steps and show you your new degree requirements for your new major/area of interest. Good luck!
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Helen’s Answer
Hello! We are dealing with unprecedented times. So, take time to reflect on what you like the most and focus on it!
Hi Helen, I agree that you should take time to reflect on what you want but can you speak a little more to what would happen if you made that change? What are the pros and cons of changing your major? It would help answer the student's question more directly
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
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Wojciech’s Answer
When you do it think if any of the courses you took already will apply towards your new major. It is something new or related to your old one.
Yes a lot of students are doing it after finding that the one they had is to difficult for them or they lost interest in it. Good luck to you and always choose something that you would like to do for the rest of your life
Yes a lot of students are doing it after finding that the one they had is to difficult for them or they lost interest in it. Good luck to you and always choose something that you would like to do for the rest of your life
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Blake’s Answer
Hey Jessica,
Don't stress, that happens to many college students. It will add on to your time in college if you switch to a major that doesn't have similar pre-requisite classes. Either way, do what makes you happy. Don't settle because you started getting a degree in something if you change your mind.
Blake
Don't stress, that happens to many college students. It will add on to your time in college if you switch to a major that doesn't have similar pre-requisite classes. Either way, do what makes you happy. Don't settle because you started getting a degree in something if you change your mind.
Blake
Updated
Kat’s Answer
You can change your major, or if you feel like you're too far into your major you can do internships in the field you're interested in, join clubs/groups on campus or do a minor in that field. There are plenty of options. Good luck!
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Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Jessica! It is normal to change you major or career; one of my classmates did, she went from a chemistry major to Economics. It really depends on what you love and you shouldn't settle for the fields you want to work in but there is one thing to consider. By your junior year you must decide on a definite major, for the first two years you can be undecided and then choose a major or change your major. You may be able to change your major after your junior year but college may be extended, I would recommend to check with your adviser. In addition you can also pick minors as well, for example I loved my psychology major but I minored in chemistry as well which will help me in my aspirations to be a physician. Be sure to do research and explore to really make sure you pick the best option!
Best of luck!
Best of luck!