5 answers
Madden
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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How to choose a major if you are undecided?
When should you know what you want to major in?
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5 answers
Kellee Scott
Director, MBA Admissions at USC Marshall School of Business
23
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Kellee’s Answer
Hi Madden, What a great question, which is common for folks early in their college career.
You don't need to know what to major in right away. Take the 1st year or 2 exploring subjects that interest you, and you'll be drawn to areas that you'd want to learn in-depth. Once you start a path, you can change at some point before you graduate. I changed from psychology to business, and had to take some summer classes to catch up, but it was worth it to me.
Be sure to stay connected with your academic advisor and career counselors, as they may have insights about you that you don't recognize in yourself. In addition, there are plenty of free assessments your can find online to help you understand career paths for you. Career Builder is a good one, but google "free career assessment tests" and you'll find several.
In my experience, companies hire based on potential, intelligence, and cultural fit, and may not always be degree specific. I can give you stories about the art major who ended up working in a bank their first job out.
Overall, take your time choosing a major if it is required at your school. There is no "wrong" major. The doors to a career path will not be closed, no matter what major you chose.
All the best to you!
You don't need to know what to major in right away. Take the 1st year or 2 exploring subjects that interest you, and you'll be drawn to areas that you'd want to learn in-depth. Once you start a path, you can change at some point before you graduate. I changed from psychology to business, and had to take some summer classes to catch up, but it was worth it to me.
Be sure to stay connected with your academic advisor and career counselors, as they may have insights about you that you don't recognize in yourself. In addition, there are plenty of free assessments your can find online to help you understand career paths for you. Career Builder is a good one, but google "free career assessment tests" and you'll find several.
In my experience, companies hire based on potential, intelligence, and cultural fit, and may not always be degree specific. I can give you stories about the art major who ended up working in a bank their first job out.
Overall, take your time choosing a major if it is required at your school. There is no "wrong" major. The doors to a career path will not be closed, no matter what major you chose.
All the best to you!
Noah Borstad
1
Answer
Updated
Noah’s Answer
Be patient in deciding your major if you are not sure where your interest lie. Explore different topics/classes to get a feel for the areas that you are interested in and where you may want to build your career.
ANTONIO GARCIA PLASCENCIA
Manager
11
Answers
Spring, Texas
Updated
ANTONIO’s Answer
Always not matter what, choose something that you love and you are passionate about it, don't worry about money , if you have a passion you will be successful at any field, focus on what makes you happy
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1510
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is very common question many students have. The most important is to find out the career you have interest.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about you hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
Eg if you are interested in Maths, would you like to be accountant, a banker, financial analyst, engineer, maths teacher, etc
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, composer, musician, music producer, music teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine the careers 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 your would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects if the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about you hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
Eg if you are interested in Maths, would you like to be accountant, a banker, financial analyst, engineer, maths teacher, etc
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, composer, musician, music producer, music teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine the careers 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 your would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects if the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
marie marek
Mortgage Specialist
9
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
marie’s Answer
Hi Madden!
Just remember everyone takes their own path and has their own timeline, so it is ok to feel undecided. I have been reading through some of the questions on this platform and searching different tags, and I noticed that there are not any hashtags for the mortgage industry (yet).
Of course, you will want to look into career paths that interest you, but sometimes not all of the options come up in discussion. I just thought I'd share with you that I unexpectedly found a passion in an industry that I had no information on when I was thinking about career pathways.
Some things I enjoy about my work:
1. Helping people purchase their first home
2. Being involved in the community / volunteering with the support of my employer
3. Speaking with clients from all over the country and all walks of life
There are a lot of good responses here already, just thought I'd add something different to remind you that there may be jobs out there that you have not even thought of or heard of!
See the link below for some more inspiration.
Best of luck!
https://work.chron.com/list-unusual-careers-11649.html
Just remember everyone takes their own path and has their own timeline, so it is ok to feel undecided. I have been reading through some of the questions on this platform and searching different tags, and I noticed that there are not any hashtags for the mortgage industry (yet).
Of course, you will want to look into career paths that interest you, but sometimes not all of the options come up in discussion. I just thought I'd share with you that I unexpectedly found a passion in an industry that I had no information on when I was thinking about career pathways.
Some things I enjoy about my work:
1. Helping people purchase their first home
2. Being involved in the community / volunteering with the support of my employer
3. Speaking with clients from all over the country and all walks of life
There are a lot of good responses here already, just thought I'd add something different to remind you that there may be jobs out there that you have not even thought of or heard of!
See the link below for some more inspiration.
Best of luck!
marie recommends the following next steps: