Tips for Choosing a College Major

If you’re going to college, choosing a major feels like a big deal, and it definitely is! Some would argue that what you get your degree in doesn’t have an impact on your future career – and in some cases, it’s definitely true – but some entry-level jobs have requirements and preferences for degrees in specific fields.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want a little advice, here are a few tips to help you find the right major for you.

Dig Deep and Spend Some Time Reflecting

Before you even consider what kinds of career fields you might want to enter, think about how you like to spend your time. What are you personally interested in? Think about your values, strengths, and passions.

If you’re interested in making a career out of any of those things, it might be good to look into majors and career fields that align with the things you’re interested in.

Find Jobs that Align with Your Interests

Once you know what you’re passionate about, do a little research to see what job prospects are like for the field you’re interested in. Take a look at what entry-level jobs require, and what a possible career path and growth might look like.

It’s helpful to think of your long-term goals, too. It might be hard to tell what you want out of your life just as you’re coming out of high school – there’s so much you might not know about yet!

But thinking about things like the type of work-life balance you want, whether you want to make a lot of money, want to prioritize travel, etc. can help you sift through the majors that might help you get there.

Ask Advisors and Mentors for Advice

It never hurts to get an outside opinion, especially from people who can speak to your strengths and weaknesses with a different perspective than yours.

Advisors, mentors, and professionals who might be working in the field you’re interested in can also offer additional guidance around what classes you should take, skills they wished they developed sooner, and other things that can help you navigate post-high school life.

Explore What Majors Are Offered

Once you’ve got an idea of what you’re interested in, it doesn’t hurt to see what majors the school(s) you’re considering offer to their undergraduate students.

Sometimes, you might find a related major that goes into more depth on topics that you’re interested in, or you could be inspired to explore something totally new.

If you’re interested in multiple subjects or potential career paths, you could also consider taking on a double major or a minor. This could help expose you to additional classes and subjects that could help you specialize in your career further down the line.

Don’t forget to consider the additional course requirements and time commitment that come with a double major or a minor.

Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself

It’s perfectly normal to not know what you want to do yet. Students often start their college careers without a clear idea of their major. They might even start off in one major and switch to a more specific major or something else entirely partway through.

Be open to exploring different fields and classes that speak to your interest. Barring courses with pre-requisites or upper-division courses limited to people in specific majors, college is the perfect opportunity to dive into subjects you might not have previously thought about.

And even if you decide that college isn’t right for you, don’t sweat it. You’ve got the rest of your life to find a career path and pursue what feels right to you!