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What are some things to consider when choosing a major?

Hi,
I have been struggling with choosing a major and the time is getting closer to when I have to decide as I am in university. I decided against taking BA Psychology as I struggle with writing essays. I really love learning about psychology though (not so much the research part but the counseling part). I've been asking around about different majors and so far, my criteria has been that I'm interested in it and there are jobs related to that degree. Is there anything else I should be considering when deciding?

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Chirayu’s Answer

Choosing a major can be a difficult decision, but here are some additional things to consider - Think about what you're good at and what comes naturally to you. Consider majors that align with your strengths and skills. Consider your personal values and what is important to you in a career. For example, if helping others is important to you, majors in healthcare or social work may be a good fit. While it's important to choose a major that you're interested in, it's also important to consider the job market and the demand for jobs in your chosen field. Consider the earning potential for jobs in your chosen field. Look up the average salary for entry-level jobs in your field to make sure it aligns with your financial goals. Consider what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. For example, some jobs may require long hours or travel, while others may offer more flexibility. Consider the opportunities for growth and advancement in your chosen field. Will there be opportunities for professional development and career advancement? Look at the required coursework for each major you're considering. Make sure the coursework aligns with your interests and strengths, and that you're willing to put in the work to succeed.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Shamma
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Michel’s Answer

Social work is always important and you can look into things like childrens education that may be up your alley. Choosing can be a difficult task and making that decision and having to stick with it is extremely scary because we always feel like we are moving backwards if we change plans and that is understandable to feel this way. If you are passionate about the material that you are learning the parts like writing will not seem so bad. I really dislike writing for school like despise it is how much I dislike it. But one nice thing about my major is when I do need to write a lot of the writing is geared towards the strengths of my major. We write concise in Biology and that is something that I appreciate, but thought I would dread about my major. That all being said get an idea of the things that you like and compare the requirements for each of those majors and choose classes that align so if you do change your mind in the future six months or year you are not going to have to back track. If you are interested in certain jobs ask people in the community that have the job and listen to them about their experiences in school and get an idea if that is something that would interest you when you are finishing school.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Shamma
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david’s Answer

Hello, Shamma,
I think you're on the right track: a major in a topic of interest, but ALSO one that has career opportunities. A BA in psychology is interesting, but may not be one with many career opportunities (although it can be an excellent foundation if you plan to pursue an advanced degree to become a psychologist). I suggest you speak with a guidance counselor to examine your accumulated credits to assess opportunities without losing any credits. All the best in your pursuits.
Thank you comment icon Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action! Shamma
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elliott’s Answer

Major in something that will show that you learned critical and objective thinking. That will be the best transferable skill you can sell to future employers. Also, Look at the government database O*Net for detailed career info.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, elliott for the advice. Shamma
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Regina (R.Y.)’s Answer

Some questions to ask:
1. Do you love it? If you don’t love it, but might could, don’t choose it. Life is too short. *

2. Are you good at it?

3. Will this major (or associated classes or tasks) help you to get good at doing what you love?

4.. Will this major (or the required associated classes or tasks) help you to eventually get to *do* what you love?

5. Do you want this major (or career path) badly enough in your future to do something that don’t enjoy in your present.

If you got more nos than yeses, consider another major for which you get more yeses than nos.

*It absolutely okay to change your mind later, and change your choice of a major. Make sure that the choice is yours, and not someone else’s.
Thank you comment icon I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question. Shamma
Thank you comment icon You are welcome. I hope it is helpful, and I pray success for you in whatever major you choose to pursue. 😊 Regina (R.Y.) Swint
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Sadi’s Answer

Hello! I am in college and one thing I always suggest to people who are unsure about what to do is to start as a communication major. Although you might have people of other majors who will say that’s a super easy major, don’t listen to them because communication majors are given the most job diversity. You could be a communication major and apply to all sorts of jobs because employers want someone who can communicate with customers and are coachable. Another thing you should try doing is just looking on indeed and looking at jobs interest you and seeing what their requirements are. Also if you are in your first semester, don’t be shy to take classes that are out of your comfort zone because I have seen people who were set on becoming doctors and then they took an art class and learned that they could spend hours working on a painting which turned into their passion and then into their career. Also do a bunch of research because if you are good at math and not English and the arts, you could do really well in healthcare or in technology or if you are good at English and have more of a creative mind, you can go into things like design.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Shamma
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Megan’s Answer

I believe it has been answered with this before, but social work is a great way to go! I was a psychology major until I learned I couldn't practice without a master's degree in psych. Social work allows you to practice as an lsw right after your bachelor's degree (after passing your license exam). As an LSW I was able to do alot, including doing counseling activities with foster children. It is a great degree, and marketable accross the board. I hope this helps. :)
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Shamma
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Sophia’s Answer

I totally understand this struggle because it happened to me i ended up getting a degree in something i wasn't patinate about to when choosing g a major I would suggest really sitting with yourself and figuring out exactly what makes you happy for Example does being a doctor or the thought of it make you happy, if the answer is yes then ask yourself what are you doing it for why ? if the answer that you come up with has to do with your passion for helping other or because it intrigues you its probably a good choice if the answer is money or i don't know it probably isn't a good fit. Its a really scary choice but honestly i would also say this, Do not be scared to change your major you will be stuck with it for the rest of your life and trust me it will suck to be in debt with a degree you are never going to use. Learned that first hand. So choose something that you love todo that you see yourself doing for a long time that you enjoy doing and if you do then you wont work a day in your life because you wont consider it work instead your passion
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Shamma
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tyrone’s Answer

I started my college experience In Psychology and I wasn't ready for the all papers you have to write like 25 pages and 30 page papers . I wasn't the best at writing papers so I had to go another route but that was my experience . You can always give it a try and see where it takes you and if you don't like it you can always change majors
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Shamma
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Roberto’s Answer

If I understand correctly what you might be really asking yourself, it is a great question that is not only limited to college or the choice of a major. Life itself is about that question. Time and again you will be presented with choices on which door to take without the benefit of too much foresight. My experience is that a choice by itself won't be the limiting factor as long as you stay, both committed to your chosen path and open to other choices.

I myself have stuck to my major, you could say but the filed on which I work has changed so much that even though it is the same, it might look very different now. Even others with the same mayor have gone many different paths. I majored in Telecommunications and Electronics, two fields that have branched and evolved so much that now many of us look more like IT professionals. Also I work alongside other great professionals that majored in Law, Psychology or even culinary arts ! My buddy is a great security engineer yet still can grill and smoke like a pro.

My point is do something you think you like, something with a high probability of success and commit to it without closing other doors. Like my dad used to say: "It is not the door we take what counts, but the ones we do not close behind"

I wish you good luck !!!
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