How To Choose a Major
Choosing a major can be tough. There are so many options out there, how will you ever decide? Well, first of all, don’t worry about it too much. College is more for you than it is for anyone else; if you feel like you’re learning something and enjoying the experience, then it’s probably worth doing!
Nevertheless, here are some tips that should help point you in the right direction:
1) Research what different majors entail. This goes back to my previous statement–don’t do this research with someone else’s interests in mind; choose subjects that sound interesting to YOU. Personally, I think everyone should try computer science or engineering at least once in their life. It’s going to be hard work, but you will gain valuable skills in the long run.
2) Talk to professionals in your desired area of study. This can be done through an informational interview, which is a wonderful tool that allows you to get insider information from someone who has been working in your chosen field for several years. If you still feel lost afterwards, try asking them if they have any other contacts who may be able to help!
3) Find out about your school’s resources. Is there a specific major center on campus? Do they recommend certain classes or majors over others? What kind of opportunities could this lead to down the road? These questions should all be things that you ask yourself when choosing a major at a college. At the end of the day, your major should be something that you’re passionate about, but it should also provide you with opportunities for advancement.
4) Keep an open mind. Choosing a major can sometimes feel like you have to pick one thing and stick with it for the rest of your life. This is simply not true! Many students change their major at least once during college, so don’t fret if you do too. Take this time to explore new options, meet different professionals in your area of study, and realize what it is that drives your passion behind certain subjects or jobs.
5) Talk to current students. This goes along with #2. Ask questions, find out what their major is about, and try to get an idea of if they truly enjoy it or not. You can also ask them how much time they spend studying certain subjects each week, which will give you an idea of the workload for that major.
6) Visit your college’s career center. The people who work at these offices are trained professionals who truly want to help you succeed throughout your college experience–after all, this is supposed to be fun! They can provide valuable insight into different majors that might be right for you, as well as classes that would enhance your skills in those particular areas of study. Additionally, don’t miss out on mock interviews, resume reviews, and other resources that they may have for you.
7) Be passionate. If nothing else is making sense, this should be the one thing that holds true throughout your college career, regardless of what major you decide on. If you are truly excited about something, then it doesn’t matter how tough the classes are or how much homework is piled up–you’ll find a way to manage. And if you’re not necessarily passionate about your major right now? Well…that’s something to explore during your time at school!
So there are some tips on choosing a major! Hopefully, they can help point you in the right direction as you start off this new stage of your life!