Introduction
Choosing a major determines the future trajectory of your academic and professional life. Oftentimes, students experience so-called buyer’s remorse after choosing a major. While you can change your major at most colleges, it’s best to avoid the extra steps and find the field you love early. So, instead of making a decision in haste, college or high school students should take their time to review all factors and then opt for a major that suits their needs and interests.
What Should I Major In? Set Your Starting Point
When it comes to choosing a major, start by taking into account standard academic disciplines like humanities, business, or natural science. Your objective should be to identify overarching areas where you can develop and master skills over time. It makes logical sense to follow a major path that will make the most of your strengths. For instance, it would make sense for students with an extroverted personality with excellent social skills to apply for the business major.
On the other hand, critical thinkers with proficiency in science and mathematics should consider STEM majors. The key is to narrow down the majors by bringing your personal interests into the fold. Similarly, a business student with a keen interest in human behavior can opt for sales and marketing majors.
Learn to Select the Major Suitable to YOUR Needs
If you’re the student that consistently wonders “what major is right for me?,” then pay close attention to the following considerations:
Consider Your Knowledge and Skills
One of the best considerations for students is to choose a major that aligns with their interests and strengths. If you’re struggling to identify your strengths, you should also ask your family members and friends about what they believe would be a suitable major for you. Opt for suggestions from third-party that are unbiased about your skills and talents.
Research about Different Careers
Once you establish your passions and interests, research jobs that tie together with your passions. For instance, if you have a genuine interest in filmmaking, you can choose a film major to study production. But don’t stop at making a specific list of interesting careers – take one more step and find out the different types of jobs, roles, and responsibilities attached to each area of interest.
For instance, there is a long list of professions under the umbrella of marketing or finance. So, make sure to be specific about the role you want to choose in a specific major. For the sake of research, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the most growth-centric careers with the most rewarding jobs. You can also use the site to calculate the potential future earnings of a specific career path.
Consider Timeframe
One of the most important considerations to choose a college or high school major is to establish a realistic timeframe. So, make sure to figure out the total time you can give to school or college right from the start. Remember not all majors are equal and different programs such as pre-med come with more added work and responsibilities.
In short, consider the fact that different types of college degrees require different timeframes. You should also consider whether or not you will have the time to train and commit to a career for a long time. So, if you want to pursue a master’s or bachelor’s degree, make sure you will have enough time to reach your desired career goals.
Key Study Areas
Students can focus on the list of majors in college that includes art and design, computers and technology, business and management, education and teaching, criminal justice, humanities and liberal arts. Finding a college major that you’re passionate about is the ultimate goal. Think of choosing a major as an exciting time that is bound to have an impact on your life. So, lean towards a major that sparks most interest and has the potential to build a meaningful and professional career.
Final Thoughts
Experts concur that students choose their major based on their current abilities and values. When the time comes to choose a major, it is crucial to set your priorities straight. It means you have to be self-aware about how you want to move forward for years to come.
Of course, money matters, but don’t choose a major solely on the basis of fields that pay the most. Instead, balance out your skills, interest level, and economic advantage to choose the most suitable major with great future potential.
If you need college admission counseling, seek out an academic partnership and consult with Empowerly. You can take Empowerly Quiz and use the Score to centralize and compare your academic options and strategies.
