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What major should I pick in college?

I'm currently a Junior in high school trying to plan what I want to do after I graduate. #college #major #career

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Nadir’s Answer

Picking a major is dependent on what you think you might want to do after college. For example, there are particular paths for people who may be considering medical school. Your undergraduate degree is less important for other graduate degrees. Although it doesn't hurt to have an undergrad degree that compliments your future educational pursuits.

Sometimes we have no idea what we might want to do after college, so then it might be helpful to research companies, industries, and/or roles you find interesting. Often times this research will point you to degrees and skills that will be useful for that job or industry.

You might also consider what salary range would be ideal for you because not all professions pay equally. You can check out sites like Glassdoor to see what salary ranges are for certain jobs or professions. Money isn't necessarily everything, but its important to consider whether you will have student loans after college too. If money isn't a concern, then choose something that will make you happy.

Regardless, of what major you choose, having a well rounded education is the most important variable. Being able to write well, having solid math exposure, honing critical thinking and problem solving skills will serve you well. Most jobs you will apply for out of college, will not have an expectation that you know how to do the job out of college. You will learn on the job. Hiring managers will be looking for candidates who demonstrate ambition and a willingness to learn.

Nadir recommends the following next steps:

Check out Glassdoor
Research companies that interest you. Check out their open positions and see if they recent grad programs.
Determine what skills or degrees are best suited for roles or industries you find interesting.
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Jason’s Answer

I'm a big fan of a liberal arts education. Technology is advancing so quickly that many of the roles people have had in the past will be done with technology. So the world will need critical thinkers who can provide the heart and soul, or the ethics, to what technology produces. Think of it as adding the layer of humanity on top of the output of machines. A liberal arts education will get you started in that direction.
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Simeon’s Answer

I really like Nadir's answer. I'd add that you would be benefited by looking up videos of people in different careers discussing what it's like to be in their jobs and get a feel for if it's a good fit for you. A lot of careers are made to sound really pleasant and exciting when you talk to recruiters for both companies and colleges, but it's important that you get a handle on the hidden costs and downsides of different career paths and if you're willing to put up with those downsides in exchange for the benefits.
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Cherie’s Answer

You already have quite a few answers with good advice. I will just add that when you are looking at an industry, explore all the different types of positions that are needed to support that industry. Law firms need more than just lawyers and hospitals need more than doctors. Explore LinkedIn and other professional sites to see what attracts you.
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