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What should I major in for college?
I am a Senior in High School and I am still unsure on what I should major in.
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11 answers
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Patrick,
It's always a good idea to choose something you enjoy, and don't be afraid of trade school if you prefer a career outside of the scope of college.
One of the best pieces of advice I can offer for exploration is to start a your Gen Eds at an accredited community college. It's cheaper to explore courses at a small, local, 2 year institution AND become acclimated to the college pace. Fill electives with courses that sound interesting to you, eventually one will really pique your interest -- that's the field you should explore.
When you finish up your Gen Eds or 2 year curriculum there, it's easy to transfer your credits to a 4-year college. That's where you can get "show-offy" with school names, if that's something that appeals to you. You graduate with that school's name on your diploma, and save a few thousand dollars in the long run.
Work closely with your college advisor, or mentor to build an efficient schedule.
Good luck with everything!!
Apply to schools
Meet your advisor
Ask lots of questions
Look through the course catalog for classes that seem interesting.
It's always a good idea to choose something you enjoy, and don't be afraid of trade school if you prefer a career outside of the scope of college.
One of the best pieces of advice I can offer for exploration is to start a your Gen Eds at an accredited community college. It's cheaper to explore courses at a small, local, 2 year institution AND become acclimated to the college pace. Fill electives with courses that sound interesting to you, eventually one will really pique your interest -- that's the field you should explore.
When you finish up your Gen Eds or 2 year curriculum there, it's easy to transfer your credits to a 4-year college. That's where you can get "show-offy" with school names, if that's something that appeals to you. You graduate with that school's name on your diploma, and save a few thousand dollars in the long run.
Work closely with your college advisor, or mentor to build an efficient schedule.
Good luck with everything!!
Jennifer recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice.
Patrick
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi, Patrick!
When looking for a major, it's important to know what you value and what your priorities for happiness are. What do you find genuinely interesting? This doesn't have to be a subject like Biology or English. It could be a value you have. Do you like helping people? Do you like working with your hands? Do you like reading? Do you like exercise? Take that interest and extrapolate that to a field you can study. For example, if you enjoy helping people, maybe you could take a few psychology courses. If you enjoy exercising, maybe take some anatomy courses.
Once you've thought more about what kind and structure of work you would enjoy, then you can start researching what majors suit your own needs for financial, physical, and mental wellness. I would suggest taking a career aptitude test for some guidance on what fields would suit your values and interests.
And remember- most colleges don't hold you to a major when you first start as a freshman. You typically don't have to officially declare a major until after sophomore year (2nd year). And even then, you are able to appeal to change your declared major as long as you have the credits. So just pursue what is both interesting and fiscally reasonable for you.
When looking for a major, it's important to know what you value and what your priorities for happiness are. What do you find genuinely interesting? This doesn't have to be a subject like Biology or English. It could be a value you have. Do you like helping people? Do you like working with your hands? Do you like reading? Do you like exercise? Take that interest and extrapolate that to a field you can study. For example, if you enjoy helping people, maybe you could take a few psychology courses. If you enjoy exercising, maybe take some anatomy courses.
Once you've thought more about what kind and structure of work you would enjoy, then you can start researching what majors suit your own needs for financial, physical, and mental wellness. I would suggest taking a career aptitude test for some guidance on what fields would suit your values and interests.
And remember- most colleges don't hold you to a major when you first start as a freshman. You typically don't have to officially declare a major until after sophomore year (2nd year). And even then, you are able to appeal to change your declared major as long as you have the credits. So just pursue what is both interesting and fiscally reasonable for you.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Patrick
Updated
Bhavna’s Answer
Hello Patrick,
It is important to weigh your options thoroughly. One way to decide is to assess your interests and which areas you excel in. Consider talking to your school counselors or look into exploring internships and shadow opportunities in different fields. You may also find it helpful to research potential majors and speak to professors in those departments to get a better idea of the curriculum and potential job opportunities. Taking the time to explore and narrow down your options is key to finding a major that fits you best.
I hope this helps.Good luck.
It is important to weigh your options thoroughly. One way to decide is to assess your interests and which areas you excel in. Consider talking to your school counselors or look into exploring internships and shadow opportunities in different fields. You may also find it helpful to research potential majors and speak to professors in those departments to get a better idea of the curriculum and potential job opportunities. Taking the time to explore and narrow down your options is key to finding a major that fits you best.
I hope this helps.Good luck.
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hi Patrick,
It's ok to not know what you want to major in at this stage in life, not everyone does. If you are unsure, a good option is to start at a community college and take a wide variety of courses to see what interests you, and what you excel at. It's important to look at both components because while you may be really good at something (math for example) if you hate doing it, that's probably not the right direction for you to go with your studies and career.
It's ok to not know what you want to major in at this stage in life, not everyone does. If you are unsure, a good option is to start at a community college and take a wide variety of courses to see what interests you, and what you excel at. It's important to look at both components because while you may be really good at something (math for example) if you hate doing it, that's probably not the right direction for you to go with your studies and career.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you may need to find out what you would like to do in the future, i.e. what career you have interest
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about your hobbies, interest subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, financial analyst, engineer, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interest in music, would you like to be a musician, music composer, singer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify what career 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 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about your hobbies, interest subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, financial analyst, engineer, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interest in music, would you like to be a musician, music composer, singer, music producer, music teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify what career 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 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Frances’s Answer
Figure out what you are currently passionate about and sign up for a job shadow in that same field of interest. That way, you can observe professionals at their workplace and help you determine if you want to do the same thing for the rest of your life.
Updated
Nandini’s Answer
Hello Patrick.
Hope you are doing well!
Hope this helps you identify where your interests lie in your future education:
1. What are you fields of interests? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be stuck studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
Lastly, talk to some of your teachers and guidance counselors. Sometimes, they see things that we don't and might have more options for you.
Best of luck!
Hope you are doing well!
Hope this helps you identify where your interests lie in your future education:
1. What are you fields of interests? I would go back to a year or two and think about what still interests you. Whatever you choose for your college, you will be stuck studying that subject for a couple years - so I would pick something that you are genuinely interested in
2. Do you envision a future in that field - Take a reality check. Do you see yourself getting a job in your field of interest and supporting yourself and your family with that income?
3. Affordability - Are there good colleges that can offer your field of study with affordable tuition?
Lastly, talk to some of your teachers and guidance counselors. Sometimes, they see things that we don't and might have more options for you.
Best of luck!
Just to add to Nandini's answer - Is there a particular subject that interests you in school? Is there anything even outside of school that interests you?
Meghna Goswami
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
Choosing a major can be a difficult and overwhelming decision, but it's important to remember that your major is just one aspect of your college experience, and it doesn't have to define your future career. Here are some steps you can follow to help you make this decision- Think about what you're passionate about and what comes naturally to you. Do you enjoy solving problems, creating, or working with people? Do you excel in science, math, or writing? This information can help you identify potential majors that align with your strengths and interests. Look into what different majors entail, what courses you'll take, and what types of careers are associated with each major. Consider reaching out to alumni, professionals, or professors in the field to learn more about their experiences. What is important to you in your personal and professional life? What do you want to accomplish in your career? Some majors may align better with your values and career aspirations than others. Most colleges have career centers or academic advising offices that can provide guidance and resources to help you choose a major. You can also talk to your professors and academic advisors, who can offer advice based on their expertise and experience. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a major that you're excited about and will allow you to pursue your interests and passions. It's okay if your major changes over time or if you switch to a different major later on. College is a time for exploration and discovery, and your major is just one part of that journey.
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Great question Patrick!
First things first - if you don't know where you want to go to college that's ok! Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. My suggestion is to go to a community college to obtain your basics. This will help you have time to try some different jobs in completely different fields. Also, by going to a community college you will be saving money and giving yourself more time to decide on a career/job while making progress on your degree. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life. I had a teacher in high school tell me that I would be a failure if I did not know what degree/career I wanted by the time I graduated high school. Well, I did not by graduation but decided a year later on what I wanted to do and absolutely love it (fraud & operations)
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
Lastly, I know it may be easy to get discouraged but just know your not the only person that feels this way. Many other people are going through the same process. You are not alone!
First things first - if you don't know where you want to go to college that's ok! Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. My suggestion is to go to a community college to obtain your basics. This will help you have time to try some different jobs in completely different fields. Also, by going to a community college you will be saving money and giving yourself more time to decide on a career/job while making progress on your degree. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life. I had a teacher in high school tell me that I would be a failure if I did not know what degree/career I wanted by the time I graduated high school. Well, I did not by graduation but decided a year later on what I wanted to do and absolutely love it (fraud & operations)
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
Lastly, I know it may be easy to get discouraged but just know your not the only person that feels this way. Many other people are going through the same process. You are not alone!
Updated
Kessler’s Answer
Let me preface my response by saying that I am only partially answering your question. You should read the good advice provided by others and come to your own conclusion. I would like to remind you that it is always ok to switch later. Take your time to learn about what interests you and just pick the major for what career seems best for you at the moment.
My background experience is in engineering education. I would imagine that most students don't end up taking too many specific classes in their first semester of college (this was the case at my engineering-focused uni). I ended up switching majors two years in and did not have too much trouble with changing my course load because my major change was not drastic. Other friends I knew changed their majors and were able to manage it as well. In summary, if you don't know 100% by the end of high school don't worry. Sometimes there isn't enough time yet for you to know if you like something because you may not have had the opportunity to do an internship or really explore how a career in a certain field could affect your life.
If you are considering engineering, look up some open course info and see if the material excites you.
Ask others in the field about their careers. I had a program in my uni that put me in a one-on-one meeting with someone from IBM who really helped me gain insight into the jobs that utilize my major and how they are in the real world.
Don't necessarily pursue a certain major for money. Salaries claims are sometimes misleading as to what you can expect.
My background experience is in engineering education. I would imagine that most students don't end up taking too many specific classes in their first semester of college (this was the case at my engineering-focused uni). I ended up switching majors two years in and did not have too much trouble with changing my course load because my major change was not drastic. Other friends I knew changed their majors and were able to manage it as well. In summary, if you don't know 100% by the end of high school don't worry. Sometimes there isn't enough time yet for you to know if you like something because you may not have had the opportunity to do an internship or really explore how a career in a certain field could affect your life.
Kessler recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Shaye’s Answer
Hi Patrick,
It's totally understandable that you don't know what to major in, I was on the same boat when I was a senior in high school. In addition to the answers of focusing on yourself and your interests, I found what helped me the most was asking my peers including my parents, teachers, coaches of what they feel is the right fit for me. The benefit of doing that is they can see us in a "360 degree view" instead of the limited view we have on ourselves. For example I was going to pick Accounting since I knew that was going to be a stable job at that time, but my teacher who knew me well said those doesn't fit for who I am since I like challenges and I'm good in a variety of science subjects, not just math. She recommended Engineering and that was what I went with for my career. And she was right, I loved it and it opened so much more opportunities for me. So make sure you are asking your mentors, teachers, parents of what your personality is, as well as lining up to what you're good at. It doesn't hurt to get more opinions on a big decision especially at end of the day the decision is yours to make.
Good luck!
It's totally understandable that you don't know what to major in, I was on the same boat when I was a senior in high school. In addition to the answers of focusing on yourself and your interests, I found what helped me the most was asking my peers including my parents, teachers, coaches of what they feel is the right fit for me. The benefit of doing that is they can see us in a "360 degree view" instead of the limited view we have on ourselves. For example I was going to pick Accounting since I knew that was going to be a stable job at that time, but my teacher who knew me well said those doesn't fit for who I am since I like challenges and I'm good in a variety of science subjects, not just math. She recommended Engineering and that was what I went with for my career. And she was right, I loved it and it opened so much more opportunities for me. So make sure you are asking your mentors, teachers, parents of what your personality is, as well as lining up to what you're good at. It doesn't hurt to get more opinions on a big decision especially at end of the day the decision is yours to make.
Good luck!