7 answers
Gloria
Student
Katy, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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how do i decide what i want to major in?
how do i decide what i want to major in?
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7 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
This is a good question, Gloria, and you have received valuable advice already. I just want to reinforce/add a couple of points:
- Once you are in college, there should be academic and career counselors available to you. The academic advisor should be able to help you think through how to correlate your strengths and interests to a major. The career counselor should be able to help you correlate majors to careers.
- Often, you do not have to declare a major until second semester, sophomore year. I recommend trying out courses in potential majors before that to help test whether you like the content and the type of study they require, e.g., lots of reading or a little, lots of problem sets or a little, group work or more individual, etc.
- Also, look at the requirements to graduate in that major. Does it require a project, internship, or thesis? If so, how do you feel about that? If you want to study abroad, will you be able to do so and still graduate with your class?
Choosing a major is important, but it doesn't have to be a lifetime commitment if you don't want it to be. My major was a combination of history and politics, and I did start out in government work. My career has evolved into technology training, but I still use the analytical and communication skills that I developed in my major. And the content is still helpful to me as a person in our society. In another example, some friends interested in medicine took the required pre-med courses but majored in humanities as a balance.
I hope that this helped and good luck!
- Once you are in college, there should be academic and career counselors available to you. The academic advisor should be able to help you think through how to correlate your strengths and interests to a major. The career counselor should be able to help you correlate majors to careers.
- Often, you do not have to declare a major until second semester, sophomore year. I recommend trying out courses in potential majors before that to help test whether you like the content and the type of study they require, e.g., lots of reading or a little, lots of problem sets or a little, group work or more individual, etc.
- Also, look at the requirements to graduate in that major. Does it require a project, internship, or thesis? If so, how do you feel about that? If you want to study abroad, will you be able to do so and still graduate with your class?
Choosing a major is important, but it doesn't have to be a lifetime commitment if you don't want it to be. My major was a combination of history and politics, and I did start out in government work. My career has evolved into technology training, but I still use the analytical and communication skills that I developed in my major. And the content is still helpful to me as a person in our society. In another example, some friends interested in medicine took the required pre-med courses but majored in humanities as a balance.
I hope that this helped and good luck!
Roxanne Ong
Strategy Digital Transformation
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Roxanne’s Answer
Where are you in your life at the moment in terms of school year? It will help with answering the question.
A major is helpful to give you depth in where you think your post-college vocation might be - so it is important to choose wisely.
A first good step is to envision where you think you might be after graduation. You can think along the lines of:
1) INDUSTRY - the areas you might be interested in working in... beauty, health, industrials, software, animals, etc
2) PROFESSION - what you may be good at or happy to do for the rest of your life - every industry for most parts will have similar professions, be it sales, HR (working with people), marketing, finance, etc etc . This is where your SKILLS are developed - which is transferable across industries.
From there - you can then think about the major that may possibly lead up to (1) and (2) - and the classes (esp electives!) you would take. It also tells a good story for when you are interviewing, as to why you chose to study what you studied.
If you have no real idea for (1) and (2) - consider your strengths and what you like to do/what gets you excited. A good starting point for everyone is to read "What color is your parachute?" Most libraries will carry several copies. That can help suggest the direction you might want to go based on your strengths.
Final advice - no matter what major you do, you should consider taking some key classes to develop:
a) critical thinking: English, Politics, History... humanities and social sciences subjects
b) digital literacy: consider basic coding and tech classes - understanding how the digital and tech world works will set you up to be more employable in the future of work
c) data literacy: the world will run on data and knowing how to read, interpret and even tell a story with data is very important
GOOD LUCK!
Write up a list of industries you will be interested in working at. Identify the top 3-5 companies in this industry.
Check out the companies' careers websites to see what kind of jobs they provide.
Think about the job description and consider which one moves you the most (i.e. That looks interesting!)
Write down what job functions you may want to pursue.
Read "WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE?"
A major is helpful to give you depth in where you think your post-college vocation might be - so it is important to choose wisely.
A first good step is to envision where you think you might be after graduation. You can think along the lines of:
1) INDUSTRY - the areas you might be interested in working in... beauty, health, industrials, software, animals, etc
2) PROFESSION - what you may be good at or happy to do for the rest of your life - every industry for most parts will have similar professions, be it sales, HR (working with people), marketing, finance, etc etc . This is where your SKILLS are developed - which is transferable across industries.
From there - you can then think about the major that may possibly lead up to (1) and (2) - and the classes (esp electives!) you would take. It also tells a good story for when you are interviewing, as to why you chose to study what you studied.
If you have no real idea for (1) and (2) - consider your strengths and what you like to do/what gets you excited. A good starting point for everyone is to read "What color is your parachute?" Most libraries will carry several copies. That can help suggest the direction you might want to go based on your strengths.
Final advice - no matter what major you do, you should consider taking some key classes to develop:
a) critical thinking: English, Politics, History... humanities and social sciences subjects
b) digital literacy: consider basic coding and tech classes - understanding how the digital and tech world works will set you up to be more employable in the future of work
c) data literacy: the world will run on data and knowing how to read, interpret and even tell a story with data is very important
GOOD LUCK!
Roxanne recommends the following next steps:
Edward Takahashi
Consulting Forensic Architect
6
Answers
Monterey Park, California
Updated
Edward’s Answer
What do you like to do or what your good at. Expand on your experience to find associated field for what you favor, in terms of working the rest of your life. In the future, you might branch out to similar work, from your present trade.
Doctorate Student -
Psychology/Forensic Science
59
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Doctorate Student’s Answer
Taking a bold step towards discovering your passion is truly a commendable move! Immerse yourself in what you adore, and everything else will effortlessly align. To maximize your resources, consider launching your educational voyage with General Education classes at a Community College. These classes are typically free, providing a fantastic chance for you to explore subjects that truly spark your interest. Bear in mind, college or career counselors are always ready to assist you. Their guidance could be the key to uncovering your untapped abilities. So, here's to your radiant and thriving future! May your thrilling journey be laden with limitless success and happiness!
Charles R Smith
Developer
13
Answers
Cumming, Georgia
Updated
Charles R’s Answer
Whatever you have a passion for and what you seem to do best with minimal effort.
Challa Lewis
executive assistant
9
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Challa’s Answer
The book "What Color is Your Parachute" is a fantastic read! Remember to consider your interests, passions, and priorities. Why not jot down a list? It's also a good idea to network and chat with various professionals who can provide advice. What's significant to you? Is it earning a high salary, or perhaps finding joy in what you do? Keep in mind, it's never too late to change your career path. The important thing is to take that first step!
Monique Dunbar
Career Coaching and Daycare Owner
3
Answers
Pleasantville, New Jersey
Updated
Monique’s Answer
Consider these things as your first steps:
- Think about a major that is closely aligned with your strengths and interests, it’s the best predictor of college success.
- Think about any Future Plans and Goals.
- Consider Potential Financial Outcomes.
If you major in what you enjoy, you are more likely to be satisfied and succeed. Take one step at a time so that you make logical choices. Take the time to analyze what you are truly passionate about in life. Then, look at the majors that are offered and how they align with your passion. That will help you choose a major.
- Think about a major that is closely aligned with your strengths and interests, it’s the best predictor of college success.
- Think about any Future Plans and Goals.
- Consider Potential Financial Outcomes.
If you major in what you enjoy, you are more likely to be satisfied and succeed. Take one step at a time so that you make logical choices. Take the time to analyze what you are truly passionate about in life. Then, look at the majors that are offered and how they align with your passion. That will help you choose a major.