Why can't I pick a major & stick with it?

Question

OK, so I am 26, and have now been going to college off & on for 8 yrs. The problem is I just can't seem to find a field that I want to commit the next 40 years of my life to. I can't even commit to something a week from now. Does anyone else feel this way? All of my friends are either graduated, or have no intention of going back to school. Some one told me its my generation...we're all a bunch of ADD ridden commitment phobes, but that seems like a really lame cop out to me. What do u think?

Answer 1

I changed my major about 8 times in college, eventually settling on accounting as well. You aren't alone, but I think what I had to do is get to the point where you have to realize - if you aren't necessarily PASSIONATE about anything (I'm defintely not passionate about accounting), that's okay! Pick a career that you don't mind, that can eventually give you a reasonable work-life balance, and has a promising future . .or atleast can provide you with the type of future you want.

I've found other things to do to fill the "passion gap" in my career, like volunteering for an organization I feel strongly about, spending lots of time with my significant other, friends and family, and entertaining myself with books and movies that I find moving.

At the end of the day - its a job. If it was something fun - they probably wouldn't pay you to do it. Even my friends who went to school for something they were "passionate" about .. geology or education or somethign random - still whine about going to work everyday. Don't pick something you hate, but realistically, no one loves their job. I don't LOVE my job, I tolerate it. . .but I'm at the point now where I'm very happy with life in general.

Hope this helped a little. Feel better!

:-)

Answer 2

I felt the same way. When I was in high school I wanted to be an architect but my guidance counselor said I couldn't handle it. So I went into nutrition and I really didn't like it. It took me 6 years to get a 2 year degree in that field because I partied too much or waivered from my supposed plan. My father foot the bill the first 3 years of my college and I felt really guilty about that so out of pride I got my degree in nutrition and worked in the field for 12 years. I absolutely hated it. Was it worth it? Not at all. I then decided what do I need to do to get into a position where I will be happy with what I do. I tried several different jobs in fields that I thought I might be interested in and nothing. I job shadowed other fields and still didn't know what I wanted to do. Now I'm 34 and my husband and I have just bought 3 years prior a convenience store. I hated that too. I started really thinking, what is it that I want. I really wanted to not have to work, or if I did work, something that I could maybe do part time and still make good money. Alright, now I had a goal. So then I looked into different fields that I could be my own boss and make good money. I discovered massage therapy and after a year I graduated and started my own business. I am able to make my own hours and charge whatever it is that I want. So now it's been 4 years and I do enjoy what I do, finally, but because of my massage I've come in tune with an inner peace and an inner creativity that I didn't realize I had. I continue to give massage but now I'm doing what truely makes me happy, I'm a fiction fantasy writer looking to get my first novel published. Follow your dream, but first take some quite time to figure what that is. There is no set time that says you have to know by the age of 26. And there is no set rule that says that if you get a degree in something that you have to stay in it for 40 years. You're puttling huge contraints on yourself and causing undo stress, no wonder you can't think clearly. It's a known fact that people change careers several times in their lifetime. Good luck.

Answer 3

I have the same problem, and I'm your age as well. I've changed four majors so far, and the last one 've been doing for 2 yrs now... I can't even imagine what would happen if I mentioned another tranfer. Ok..maybe nothing would happen....but i guess my parents would pay much more money on my educational endavours.. :) and that would make me feel pretty much guilty since most of my friends are already woking or about to graduate. And I AM actually thinking about chaning my major again. I guess I'll do this major till the end, and then do the phd on something that in it (my major at the moment and the major I'm thinking about transferring to) and in the meantime work on my hobby...

What major re you taking now?

Whatever you choose good luck!

And another thing....with me it seems that my very first major was mostly prospective as in terms of career and good incoms after graduation, and the one I'm thinking about is he closest to what I really like doing and not so secure future with it but I'm sticking to it, so I guess going for what you enjoy and are a fond of would be a good advice.

Answer 4

You have to reevaluate what you want out of school. Do you want it to lead to a career? Do you naturally have an interest in a certain subject and want to explore it further? IT seems like you are looking for a career, in which case I would either sit down and decide what area of concentration is for you (by means of researching online and asking professors and advisers at any university) or just accept an area of concentration and stick to it, regardless of whether its your top interest. Trust me, I've changed my major about three-four times, and as soon as I realized I was wasting time and money, I stuck to one and I'm happy with it. Not everyone is going to like what they do ALL the time, but if you find something that work well for you at least half the time, I say go for it. Also, college isn't for everyone. I know of several people who have realized this way to late and they have huge sums of debt because of it. Ask yourself, is this what I should be doing? Good luck from a fellow student!!

Answer 5

I think you may be somewhat afraid of entering the "real world". I don't mean that as a bad thing, but it probably does scare you to know that once you pick a major, it is something you have to do for the rest of your life. But actually that is not true at all, you can always change careers, and goals, and go back to school and finish off another major while you are working. you can change careers at any time, just like you have with your majors.

Answer 6

I had this same problem. I wasted 6 years of my life, unable to decide what to do. Eventually, I chose accounting. Do some research, take some aptitude tests, pick a major, and just go for it. Don't second guess yourself. You're going to have doubts and be uncomfortable about what you choose no matter what. Just go for it, and don't stop until you're done. Whatever you do, don't give up or settle for less.

Answer 7

Your indecisive!