8 answers
Kaitlyn
Student
Washington Court House, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What to do when questioning your major and career path?
I just finished my first semester of college and I keep having doubts if this is want I want to do. I like what I'm learning but I question what I want. The college I chose to go to doesn't have many choices so it's hard for me to discover and try other paths.
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8 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Kaitlyn college is a transformative experience. While you are changing, so are your aspirations and interests. If you have decided that a major switch is for you, then this decision is not of poor judgment. Switching majors may mean that you have gotten more in touch with who you are and what you like to do.
Speak with your Academic Advisor right away.
Your academic advisors can provide advice and information on any majors you are considering, depending on what you want to do for a living. When speaking with your academic advisor, make sure you find out as much as possible about the major you want to switch to. If you are interested in more than one, your academic advisor can help you choose one. You may also want to audit a course if you're trying to explore a discipline as a possible major, but you don't want to risk earning a low grade in the process.
You can usually switch your college major at any time while you are in college. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, especially if you decide to change majors later on. You might have to spend extra time in college earning your degree after switching your major. This can lead to higher college costs, such as more tuition if you need to take an extra semester or two to earn your degree. Make sure you weigh potential drawbacks before you take steps to switch your college major Kaitlyn.
Best of luck Kaitlyn
Speak with your Academic Advisor right away.
Your academic advisors can provide advice and information on any majors you are considering, depending on what you want to do for a living. When speaking with your academic advisor, make sure you find out as much as possible about the major you want to switch to. If you are interested in more than one, your academic advisor can help you choose one. You may also want to audit a course if you're trying to explore a discipline as a possible major, but you don't want to risk earning a low grade in the process.
You can usually switch your college major at any time while you are in college. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, especially if you decide to change majors later on. You might have to spend extra time in college earning your degree after switching your major. This can lead to higher college costs, such as more tuition if you need to take an extra semester or two to earn your degree. Make sure you weigh potential drawbacks before you take steps to switch your college major Kaitlyn.
Best of luck Kaitlyn
Thank you, Doc!
Kaitlyn
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
561
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Kaitlyn, it's entirely normal to question your major and career path, especially after your first semester of college. During this period of self-discovery, it's important to reassess your goals. Here are some steps to consider:
1. Take time for self-reflection to identify your interests, strengths, and values. Evaluate aspects of your coursework that bring you fulfillment.
2. Utilize the career counseling services offered by your college for professional guidance and assessments to align your interests with potential career paths.
3. Reach out to professionals in fields you're curious about. Conduct informational interviews to gain firsthand insights into different career options.
4. Engage in extracurricular activities or clubs aligned with your interests, offering a broader perspective and connections with like-minded individuals.
5. Explore online courses or workshops to supplement your education and gain exposure to subjects beyond your major, often available on free or affordable platforms.
6. Attend networking events or career fairs organized by your college to meet professionals from diverse fields and broaden your understanding of potential career paths.
Remember, it's never too late to adjust your academic path. College is a transformative journey, and adapting to changing interests is a natural part of the process. Take small steps, explore different avenues, and allow yourself the flexibility to evolve. If you need further support or have specific questions, feel free to reach out. Your willingness to explore and question is a commendable part of your educational journey.
1. Take time for self-reflection to identify your interests, strengths, and values. Evaluate aspects of your coursework that bring you fulfillment.
2. Utilize the career counseling services offered by your college for professional guidance and assessments to align your interests with potential career paths.
3. Reach out to professionals in fields you're curious about. Conduct informational interviews to gain firsthand insights into different career options.
4. Engage in extracurricular activities or clubs aligned with your interests, offering a broader perspective and connections with like-minded individuals.
5. Explore online courses or workshops to supplement your education and gain exposure to subjects beyond your major, often available on free or affordable platforms.
6. Attend networking events or career fairs organized by your college to meet professionals from diverse fields and broaden your understanding of potential career paths.
Remember, it's never too late to adjust your academic path. College is a transformative journey, and adapting to changing interests is a natural part of the process. Take small steps, explore different avenues, and allow yourself the flexibility to evolve. If you need further support or have specific questions, feel free to reach out. Your willingness to explore and question is a commendable part of your educational journey.
Thank you for the advice.
Kaitlyn
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3766
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Kaitlyn!
Unraveling Your Path
Feeling uncertain about your chosen major or career path after your first semester at college? Don't worry, you're not alone! It's pretty common for students to question their decisions at this stage. Here are some helpful steps to navigate through your options and get a clearer picture of your future:
Pause and Reflect: Spend some time reflecting on what truly interests you, what values you hold dear, and what skills you possess. Think about the subjects or activities that make you feel alive and satisfied. Recall any past experiences that ignited your curiosity or passion.
Career Guidance: Make use of the career counseling services at your college. Career guides can offer you useful advice and resources to explore various majors and career paths. They might also have assessments to identify your strengths and interests.
Informational Chats: Get in touch with professionals in the fields you're interested in and ask for informational chats. This can give you a peek into different careers, helping you understand the daily tasks, required skills, and potential career paths in various industries.
Internships or Job Shadowing: If you can, try to get internships or job shadowing opportunities in fields you're curious about. Real-world experience can give you a feel for different career paths and help you figure out if a particular field is a good match for you.
Course Choices: Even if your college doesn't offer a wide range of courses, try to pick ones that align with your areas of interest. This can expose you to different subjects and help you pinpoint what truly captivates you.
Networking: Build connections with alumni, professors, and professionals in various fields through networking events or online platforms like LinkedIn. Having a professional network can offer insights into different career paths and potential opportunities.
Research: Make use of online resources like career exploration websites, industry reports, and professional organizations' websites. Researching different careers can expand your understanding of the options you have.
Transfer Options: If you feel your current college doesn't offer enough choices, consider looking into transfer options to institutions with a wider range of majors. Research other colleges or universities that offer programs in line with your interests.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to trusted mentors, family members, or friends for support. Sharing your concerns with others can offer valuable perspectives and emotional support during this decision-making process.
Remember, it's perfectly okay to feel unsure about your major and career path at this stage. Exploring various options and seeking advice can help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your passions and goals.
Top 3 Authoritative References Used:
The College Board: Provides comprehensive resources for college planning, including advice on choosing majors and exploring career paths.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): Offers valuable insights into career development and exploration for college students.
U.S. Department of Labor - CareerOneStop: Provides extensive information on various careers, including job duties, education requirements, salary data, and more.
These sources were used to ensure the information provided is accurate and reliable.
Do not forget to refer to my BIO to get nutritional information on the foods that increase your intake of the nutrients required for good academic performance!
May blessings abound in your life!
James.
Unraveling Your Path
Feeling uncertain about your chosen major or career path after your first semester at college? Don't worry, you're not alone! It's pretty common for students to question their decisions at this stage. Here are some helpful steps to navigate through your options and get a clearer picture of your future:
Pause and Reflect: Spend some time reflecting on what truly interests you, what values you hold dear, and what skills you possess. Think about the subjects or activities that make you feel alive and satisfied. Recall any past experiences that ignited your curiosity or passion.
Career Guidance: Make use of the career counseling services at your college. Career guides can offer you useful advice and resources to explore various majors and career paths. They might also have assessments to identify your strengths and interests.
Informational Chats: Get in touch with professionals in the fields you're interested in and ask for informational chats. This can give you a peek into different careers, helping you understand the daily tasks, required skills, and potential career paths in various industries.
Internships or Job Shadowing: If you can, try to get internships or job shadowing opportunities in fields you're curious about. Real-world experience can give you a feel for different career paths and help you figure out if a particular field is a good match for you.
Course Choices: Even if your college doesn't offer a wide range of courses, try to pick ones that align with your areas of interest. This can expose you to different subjects and help you pinpoint what truly captivates you.
Networking: Build connections with alumni, professors, and professionals in various fields through networking events or online platforms like LinkedIn. Having a professional network can offer insights into different career paths and potential opportunities.
Research: Make use of online resources like career exploration websites, industry reports, and professional organizations' websites. Researching different careers can expand your understanding of the options you have.
Transfer Options: If you feel your current college doesn't offer enough choices, consider looking into transfer options to institutions with a wider range of majors. Research other colleges or universities that offer programs in line with your interests.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to trusted mentors, family members, or friends for support. Sharing your concerns with others can offer valuable perspectives and emotional support during this decision-making process.
Remember, it's perfectly okay to feel unsure about your major and career path at this stage. Exploring various options and seeking advice can help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your passions and goals.
Top 3 Authoritative References Used:
The College Board: Provides comprehensive resources for college planning, including advice on choosing majors and exploring career paths.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): Offers valuable insights into career development and exploration for college students.
U.S. Department of Labor - CareerOneStop: Provides extensive information on various careers, including job duties, education requirements, salary data, and more.
These sources were used to ensure the information provided is accurate and reliable.
Do not forget to refer to my BIO to get nutritional information on the foods that increase your intake of the nutrients required for good academic performance!
May blessings abound in your life!
James.
Kim Gravell
Retired Principal at Gravell Insights, LLC
145
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn
Doc has given you excellent advice and guidance. Since you are somewhat limited in options for your major, you may want to start by gaining insight into your true strengths and then evaluating which majors (and careers) align well with those strengths. It starts with an online assessment that digs deep into what strengths you naturally possess. The resulting report will provide background on what these strengths mean and how they can be utilized to support your career path. There are a number of strengths-based programs available. My favorite is StrengthsFinder. But, do some research to make certain you find one that best suits your needs.
Best wishes for a fulfilling journey.
Doc has given you excellent advice and guidance. Since you are somewhat limited in options for your major, you may want to start by gaining insight into your true strengths and then evaluating which majors (and careers) align well with those strengths. It starts with an online assessment that digs deep into what strengths you naturally possess. The resulting report will provide background on what these strengths mean and how they can be utilized to support your career path. There are a number of strengths-based programs available. My favorite is StrengthsFinder. But, do some research to make certain you find one that best suits your needs.
Best wishes for a fulfilling journey.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Kaitlyn
ash lakshmanan
17
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
ash’s Answer
Great question! Don't worry if you haven't figured out your career path yet. It's normal to change careers several times in life.
1. Pinpoint your passions - what activities do you enjoy so much that you'd do them even if you weren't paid?
2. Uncover what sparks your curiosity - which subjects naturally pique your interest?
3. Acknowledge your innate abilities - what areas do you find easy to understand?
4. Get to know the job market - what skills are employers looking for right now?
5. Investigate hot jobs - which positions are companies ready to pay big bucks for?
6. Seek the overlap - where do your passions, abilities, and market needs align?
This is an excellent place to start. Once you've spotted a few potential roles, connect with people who already hold those jobs and learn from their experiences. If you can, spend some time shadowing them to get a hands-on feel for the work.
1. Pinpoint your passions - what activities do you enjoy so much that you'd do them even if you weren't paid?
2. Uncover what sparks your curiosity - which subjects naturally pique your interest?
3. Acknowledge your innate abilities - what areas do you find easy to understand?
4. Get to know the job market - what skills are employers looking for right now?
5. Investigate hot jobs - which positions are companies ready to pay big bucks for?
6. Seek the overlap - where do your passions, abilities, and market needs align?
This is an excellent place to start. Once you've spotted a few potential roles, connect with people who already hold those jobs and learn from their experiences. If you can, spend some time shadowing them to get a hands-on feel for the work.
Steve Sterner
IT Management
19
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
First off congratulations for asking this question early and seeing that there may be limits to what you can explore where you are.
Second, take a step back and take a breath. These days college, other's advice and the anxiety that goes with being a young adult in this day and age can be crippling. You don't have to make a choice in the next 5 minutes to map out the rest of your life. You have many many years ahead of you to learn, grow, discover, rediscover and rediscover again who you are and what you want to do professionally.
Third, Remember to be flexible allow yourself room to evolve and change in your professional life many people who feel trapped feel that way because they believe the path they have chosen is the only one. Many times you can stay within an organization and move laterally into another area entirely and bring all of the knowledge that you had in your previous area with you making you more valuable. My first degree is Accounting and Specialized Management and about 9 months into a very promising and profitable career I realized I hated Accounting so I enrolled in Night School for IT and have been with my company for man then 3 decades and after many IT related roles am now Running a large initiative over all of our applications and will in all likelihood retire from there.
Now to your original question:
I would first check with your school on transfer opportunities see if they have any schools that they partner with so that you get the most credit for the work you already put in. Also talk to people in the office career counselors, you advisor, a professor you vibe with and let them know your concerns, your thoughts and see what their opinion is.
Second, If you have ideas what type of areas you think you may want to explore if you can get contact information of anyone in that realm ask them if they will meet with you to give you advice (many will not answer but any that do will be the ones you wanted to talk to anyway because they are interested in sharing what they have with you)
Third, If your school is not the right one for you and your able to financially look around at other options, start shopping like you're a Sr. in High School. Now that you know what you are not getting that you need you know a little more what to ask, if you get something that feels right dig into it a little more see the campus, understand the curriculum, look at the finances and if it looks right, you have your next step.
No matter what you do here remember it is not the last step it is just the next step. There are very few jobs in the current job market that you learn now, and you just do them the same way until retirement. Learning, evolving and growing is not a good to have today it is a must have so allow yourself to build that muscle now when you're young. Get excited about learning and exploring and I wish you luck and good fortune on your journey!
Second, take a step back and take a breath. These days college, other's advice and the anxiety that goes with being a young adult in this day and age can be crippling. You don't have to make a choice in the next 5 minutes to map out the rest of your life. You have many many years ahead of you to learn, grow, discover, rediscover and rediscover again who you are and what you want to do professionally.
Third, Remember to be flexible allow yourself room to evolve and change in your professional life many people who feel trapped feel that way because they believe the path they have chosen is the only one. Many times you can stay within an organization and move laterally into another area entirely and bring all of the knowledge that you had in your previous area with you making you more valuable. My first degree is Accounting and Specialized Management and about 9 months into a very promising and profitable career I realized I hated Accounting so I enrolled in Night School for IT and have been with my company for man then 3 decades and after many IT related roles am now Running a large initiative over all of our applications and will in all likelihood retire from there.
Now to your original question:
I would first check with your school on transfer opportunities see if they have any schools that they partner with so that you get the most credit for the work you already put in. Also talk to people in the office career counselors, you advisor, a professor you vibe with and let them know your concerns, your thoughts and see what their opinion is.
Second, If you have ideas what type of areas you think you may want to explore if you can get contact information of anyone in that realm ask them if they will meet with you to give you advice (many will not answer but any that do will be the ones you wanted to talk to anyway because they are interested in sharing what they have with you)
Third, If your school is not the right one for you and your able to financially look around at other options, start shopping like you're a Sr. in High School. Now that you know what you are not getting that you need you know a little more what to ask, if you get something that feels right dig into it a little more see the campus, understand the curriculum, look at the finances and if it looks right, you have your next step.
No matter what you do here remember it is not the last step it is just the next step. There are very few jobs in the current job market that you learn now, and you just do them the same way until retirement. Learning, evolving and growing is not a good to have today it is a must have so allow yourself to build that muscle now when you're young. Get excited about learning and exploring and I wish you luck and good fortune on your journey!
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
842
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn, I had the same experience you are having. I changed majors five times and went to many different schools in search of the right fit for a major. I didn't know what I wanted to be when I started college, and it took me a long time to figure it out. It was stressful and expensive, so I don't want to send you down that path.
I think right now you may want to consider that you may not have given yourself enough time to get used to school. The first semester is the most stressful time of your college life. (I failed a class that I should have passed because of being so stressed by my new environment and not knowing what support I could get from places like the Student Union.) I am not sure if you moved or if you work or have other demands on your time that make getting schoolwork done challenging. Maybe that could have you questioning your choice? I would also ask you to consider what did you expect and how is it different? Also, I assume that you are taking some core classes rather than working toward your degree, which can be frustrating since they may not apply. Or maybe your degree program is too specific. I do not know what your major is, but some majors allow more flexibility for the jobs that you could have in the future. You can have a major like English or Business that has broad skills.
I am not sure that I helped, but I wanted to give you some things to consider. Best of luck.
Gloria
I think right now you may want to consider that you may not have given yourself enough time to get used to school. The first semester is the most stressful time of your college life. (I failed a class that I should have passed because of being so stressed by my new environment and not knowing what support I could get from places like the Student Union.) I am not sure if you moved or if you work or have other demands on your time that make getting schoolwork done challenging. Maybe that could have you questioning your choice? I would also ask you to consider what did you expect and how is it different? Also, I assume that you are taking some core classes rather than working toward your degree, which can be frustrating since they may not apply. Or maybe your degree program is too specific. I do not know what your major is, but some majors allow more flexibility for the jobs that you could have in the future. You can have a major like English or Business that has broad skills.
I am not sure that I helped, but I wanted to give you some things to consider. Best of luck.
Gloria
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn,
You got some excellent advice already, and I am not going to repeat that. Just a couple of points:
One semester might not be enough time to decide if you want to stick with your major as long as you are passing well and enjoy what you are learning. In my first semester, I wasn't sure if I would pass any of my classes - I did in fact pass all of them with an A. By second semester I had found my footing and having a blast.
If you would want to change to a similar major, e.g. from a science to another science it's going to be an easy change because they would all have some gen ed and some intro to math, intro to physics, intro to chemistry and you'll get credit for those. Now, if you would want to switch from chemistry to philosophy, that would be a huge change and you'd basically start from scratch (still not a huge loss after one semester).
Keep in mind that each major has many sub-disciplines. Again, as long as you are passing well and you find things interesting, you'll probably find the the sub-discipline that is perfect for you. If you are e.g. studying chemistry, you might end up doing organic chemistry, or analytical chemistry, or physical chemistry or nanochemistry or materials chemistry etc. You might be an experimental chemist or a computational chemist. And 20 years down the line, you and your mates will not understand any more what the others are doing because you have developed in different directions.
Keep also in mind that as you move up, you'll specialize and you'll get more freedom of choice too. That might sound like a contradiction, but it's not.
After your bachelors, you apply for a masters or PhD and that will be research-based and highly specialized on a research topic. It doesn't have to be in your school as long as you can convince a supervisor in another department that you'd love to work with them.
There is also lots of interdisciplinary work where different backgrouds are valued. So, someone who had studied finance might end up doing a PhD in Physic. Someone who studied chemistry might end up investigating pharmaceudical compounds. Someone who studied chemical engineering might get a masters or PhD in Chemistry. So, if someone had wanted to do pharmacy but didn't get in, they might be able to specialise in pharmaceutical chemistry and end up being a pharmaceutical researcher anyway.
But do listen to the way your brain is wired. If you are e.g.having a hard time in engineering, try science because I believe those 2 group of people are wired differently.
Good luck!
KP
You got some excellent advice already, and I am not going to repeat that. Just a couple of points:
One semester might not be enough time to decide if you want to stick with your major as long as you are passing well and enjoy what you are learning. In my first semester, I wasn't sure if I would pass any of my classes - I did in fact pass all of them with an A. By second semester I had found my footing and having a blast.
If you would want to change to a similar major, e.g. from a science to another science it's going to be an easy change because they would all have some gen ed and some intro to math, intro to physics, intro to chemistry and you'll get credit for those. Now, if you would want to switch from chemistry to philosophy, that would be a huge change and you'd basically start from scratch (still not a huge loss after one semester).
Keep in mind that each major has many sub-disciplines. Again, as long as you are passing well and you find things interesting, you'll probably find the the sub-discipline that is perfect for you. If you are e.g. studying chemistry, you might end up doing organic chemistry, or analytical chemistry, or physical chemistry or nanochemistry or materials chemistry etc. You might be an experimental chemist or a computational chemist. And 20 years down the line, you and your mates will not understand any more what the others are doing because you have developed in different directions.
Keep also in mind that as you move up, you'll specialize and you'll get more freedom of choice too. That might sound like a contradiction, but it's not.
After your bachelors, you apply for a masters or PhD and that will be research-based and highly specialized on a research topic. It doesn't have to be in your school as long as you can convince a supervisor in another department that you'd love to work with them.
There is also lots of interdisciplinary work where different backgrouds are valued. So, someone who had studied finance might end up doing a PhD in Physic. Someone who studied chemistry might end up investigating pharmaceudical compounds. Someone who studied chemical engineering might get a masters or PhD in Chemistry. So, if someone had wanted to do pharmacy but didn't get in, they might be able to specialise in pharmaceutical chemistry and end up being a pharmaceutical researcher anyway.
But do listen to the way your brain is wired. If you are e.g.having a hard time in engineering, try science because I believe those 2 group of people are wired differently.
Good luck!
KP