How do you decide on your major?

Question

I have so many things that sound interesting to me, but I am having such a hard time deciding! How do you decide what you want to do? I mean, choosing your career is a huge decision. I am starting my Freshman year of college this year, and it really bugs me that I don't have everything all planned out! (I am one of those people who has to know everything!) Does anyone have any advice?

Answer 1

Ok .. so you just have to trust me on this one haha. I just graduated from college this May and I had the same problem when I was in school. I am the type of person that hates uncertainty and it drove me crazy not knowing what to major in. I think that you are right in that it is a huge decision and it is incredibly hard to know now for sure what you want to do with the rest of your life. I found a bunch of different majors interesting and I really felt like I would be successful in any of them. It took some time and a few major changes but I decided to major in Marketing. In the end I decided to pick the major that I enjoyed the most and that I felt offered the most opportunities after graduation. My advice to you is to work on your core curriculum some before deciding on a major. While you are taking the core classes (ones that will be required regardless of the major) I suggest taking a class or two in the different majors that you find interesting to get a better perspective. Also, it wouldn't hurt to do some research on the career options for each of the majors. This is a great sight to check out: http://online.onetcenter.org/ .. I wish you luck in your decision. I also have to say, really take the time to enjoy college. It is a lot of fun. Take your classes seriously, but have a good time.

Answer 2

I spent ten years at university because of that exact problem! It was very expensive.

Here is what I wished I had done.
Think about waht careers you would like to have. For each of these go to visit someone who does it and ask for pros and cons. Then check exactly what degree/extras are necessary for that career.

Put all of these out together on a table, and eliminate ones that you decide you are no longer interested in.

Now look through what is left, and decide which ones seem possible based on the necessary courses and the amount of time it takes to complete compared with your resources.

If there is one that stands out, choose that.

Remember that you can always change your mind later if you hate that set of courses, so even if you make a mistake it is not the end of the world.

Good luck.

Answer 3

All I can say is, "good luck!" I'm 42 and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. On the other hand, I've had so many great experiences that I would never have had if I had settled into one thing early on. Life is such an awesome adventure. Don't tie yourself to one thing. Get a degree in whatever sounds interesting. Then use that a stepping stone to do all kinds of things. :)

Answer 4

Eventually you will mingle your way into a career that fits you...

I started out with a Computer Information Systems major when i first went into college... By the time i will graduate it will change into in a double major of business finance and public law (far from where i first started)... I will go to law school in a year.

You dont need to worry as much as you think... what they dont tell you is that most college students switch their majors more then once in their college career.... Start up in a university curriculim, take some classes in specific areas (GEN EDS) and eventually you will fall into something you love...

Also your masters doesnt have to be at all related to your bachelors degree... so even if you make the wrong decision about bachelors it isnt the end of the world...

Hope this helps!

Take care, enjoy college... study hard!

Answer 5

I have been working on this one myself... I just wish I was young like you and not in my 30s.
Here are some things I have been doing:
1. Do a search on the internet for 'career personality tests' - many will come up and some of them are free.
I also went to the library and checked out career personality tests.
2. If you have had a few jobs already, think about each one very carefully and try to pinpoint what you liked about each one - if anything.
3. Also, take college courses that appeal to you...you're not locked into anything, but you can see if it is what you want to persue deeper or not.

That's all I got so far, still doing my own research...

Answer 6

As a professor, I am always asking my advisees to explore their first year in college, and even the second year if they're not sure. There are a lot more things available in college than in high school, and some things are really different in depth than at the intro level. So, sampling is good. Try out your top four or five choices, ones that make you feel like they may match the Coptic saying someone gave you already: ask what inside of you responds to these fields, and if there is a potentially strong response, then take a class in that area. My daughter fell in love with opera and out of love with archeology and with astronomy, and with biology by just taking a lot of different classes.

Answer 7

I started school for nursing and found I like chemistry better, now I work in management at a food company. So a major is never set in stone.

My suggestion start with the broadest thing that you like, that will pay something when you get out. Keep your ear to the ground for who sector is retiring most in the next 20 years. Between the two you can find something you like to do plus earn some bank baby. When you can quit worrying about the money you can help the world :D

Answer 8

Don't declare a major your first year. Just take the core courses...as you finish those you'll be able to decide easier. For one you'll be older and will have more insight as to what you want to do.
Oh and they have career advising centers on most campuses. They give you surveys and help you to decide what's best for you.

Answer 9

A good start would be to analyze where your interest lies. Do you love working with children and find that you have the heart and patience? Take up an education major, with majors like English.

Answer 10

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