4 answers
Po
Student
Portland, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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What if I have two majors in mind for college and decide to switch later on?
Say I have two career choices and I go with the first one but don't enjoy it, how would I change to my second major and what if it's not offer at my current university?
#majors #change #classes #careers
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4 answers
Meghan Thrasher
Real Estate Agent
32
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Meghan’s Answer
You can definitely switch. The first year is mostly basics that you need to take for any degree. From that point on it gets more specific. You could add a few classes in that first year that are specific that way if you need to switch you don't lose a whole lot of time and can do it smoothly.
You could also just do a double major. That is very common and if your majors compliment one another it can be extremely attractive to potential future employers. If the majors do not compliment one another you can still double major. I knew people in college that double majored in biology and art. It can be done. I wouldn't worry too much about it but I would try to be strategic.
By planning out your schedule with a few major specific classes in that first year you could be very strategic in testing out your major before it feels too late to switch. I would also urge you to keep in mind what type of career each major will lead to. Maybe do some research on the careers for each major, the day to day work responsibilities. That may help you to make a decision.
I majored in psychology and wound up doing sales. Sometimes what you plan does not turn out to be reality but it is hard to know what you will want to do for the rest of your life at only 18. Give yourself time, give yourself some strategic wiggle room, and do your research so that you can make the best decision possible.
Hope this helps!
You could also just do a double major. That is very common and if your majors compliment one another it can be extremely attractive to potential future employers. If the majors do not compliment one another you can still double major. I knew people in college that double majored in biology and art. It can be done. I wouldn't worry too much about it but I would try to be strategic.
By planning out your schedule with a few major specific classes in that first year you could be very strategic in testing out your major before it feels too late to switch. I would also urge you to keep in mind what type of career each major will lead to. Maybe do some research on the careers for each major, the day to day work responsibilities. That may help you to make a decision.
I majored in psychology and wound up doing sales. Sometimes what you plan does not turn out to be reality but it is hard to know what you will want to do for the rest of your life at only 18. Give yourself time, give yourself some strategic wiggle room, and do your research so that you can make the best decision possible.
Hope this helps!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1662
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Po!
People change their majors all the time, it's not a big deal. You just follow whatever process the school has in place for doing that. Hopefully you will do this no later than 1.5 yrs - 2 yrs into your studies, otherwise you will find that some of your classes may not count towards the other major.
If your school does not offer the other major, you can try to find something related that it does offer, or go to a different school. So, if you already know that you might want to switch to something else, and, what that something else is, how about trying to go to a school that offers both majors? And, you can consider getting a major in one field, and a minor in the other, right?
It will all work out --- trust me!!
Kim
People change their majors all the time, it's not a big deal. You just follow whatever process the school has in place for doing that. Hopefully you will do this no later than 1.5 yrs - 2 yrs into your studies, otherwise you will find that some of your classes may not count towards the other major.
If your school does not offer the other major, you can try to find something related that it does offer, or go to a different school. So, if you already know that you might want to switch to something else, and, what that something else is, how about trying to go to a school that offers both majors? And, you can consider getting a major in one field, and a minor in the other, right?
It will all work out --- trust me!!
Kim
Madiha Sultan
Dentist
49
Answers
Harrison, New Jersey
Updated
Madiha’s Answer
Of course you can switch
John Gauthier
Director
9
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
John’s Answer
As others have said, switching is not a problem. The challenge will be losing as little time, money, and effort as possible when you do switch.
Switching within the same university will be the easiest situation, if your school offers both programs. Be sure to initially mostly take classes which apply to both majors, and include a few classes in your first choice. If you find you do not enjoy the first program, then shift to taking classes from the second major; I'd recommend you check on the requirements for your first choice as a minor, which would cause you to lose as few credits as possible.
If your university does not provide both programs, and you do need to switch, you will likely find that your second university will not accept 100% of your previous coursework. I'd recommend checking with your first university on the requirements to graduate with an Associates Degree based on the credits you've already earned because holding a degree is firstly a great accomplishment but is also helpful in the admissions process for your second university.
Take as many classes as possible that apply to both majors.
If you decide to change majors, investigate making a minor out of your original choice so the credit hours are not wasted.
If you must change universities to change majors, investigate graduating with an Associates Degree first based on the credits you've already earned.
Switching within the same university will be the easiest situation, if your school offers both programs. Be sure to initially mostly take classes which apply to both majors, and include a few classes in your first choice. If you find you do not enjoy the first program, then shift to taking classes from the second major; I'd recommend you check on the requirements for your first choice as a minor, which would cause you to lose as few credits as possible.
If your university does not provide both programs, and you do need to switch, you will likely find that your second university will not accept 100% of your previous coursework. I'd recommend checking with your first university on the requirements to graduate with an Associates Degree based on the credits you've already earned because holding a degree is firstly a great accomplishment but is also helpful in the admissions process for your second university.
John recommends the following next steps: