College major?

Question

Hi guys. I hate to write this here, but I really need some advice.

I am a fourth-year junior at a University, and I've finished all my general education. I have SO many interests, and really no passions about anything. I have changed majors so many times, I feel ashamed. I have tried so many things, and while I would be happy doing almost anything. I can't seem to find that "calling" or "passion" to major in. Of all the classes I've taken (a huge range, little of everything), I did very well in everything but my first year of physics and psychology, and I attribute that to my first semester and not concentrating enough. I enjoy learning it.

People say go with your passion, I don't really have one. Or be career-oriented... I'd be happy doing many things. I just don't know how to choose, and I'd really like to graduate sometime within the next few years. Its only down to 30 credits of a major, and 18 credits of a minor.

Please, advice, anyone?

Thanks for the generalist advice, but we actually don't have one of those as a major. If we did, I'd go for it! Interdisciplinary minors, only, unless you know for sure how you'd like to tailor an interdisciplinary degree for yourself, as we would have to have a committee formed to work with us...

Answer 1

Does your school offer a liberal studies degree or any interdisciplinary degrees? Instead of worrying about "your passion" right this moment, could you be closer than you think to getting a generalist undergrad degree?

I suggest that because then you could probably finish up fairly quickly, get the degree, and then get out and test out the world a bit, just as you have explored a range of studies in school. At some point you could then go to grad school for a specific area of studies if you wished.

You are approaching college in the way it used to be--as a broadening experience. It's only relatively recently that it has turned into a career-prep focus for most people. Tell yourself it isn't you who is out of step--it is everyone else who is consumed with career track, sometimes to the detriment of actually seeking to know the wide world.

In the meantime, could you make this coming summer a time of investigation? Talk to as many people as you can, in a mix of formal meetings and simply polling virtually everyone you meet about their jobs and their career goals and what their working lives are like. Through your parents and their friends, can you meet a huge variety of people? Talk to a store manager, human resources director, special ed therapist, translater, private investigator, editor and journalist, etc. Seek out different occupations throughout a company at various levels. That could be fun for you anyway since you do have such diverse interests and a respect for learning.

Good luck! Don't be too hard on yourself. In an increasingly specialist world, we need some generalists to connect all the pieces.

Answer 2

Know that your major does not determine your job. I heard a joke once that said that the definition of an undergraduate major is what you realize you don't want to do after your graduate!

Time is money (and more importantly, so is tuition!) I'd go ahead and graduate, even if my degree were in basket weaving. Any BA/BS is a wonderful accomplishment and you will find a job. Then you could figure out some more interests and then go back to grad school to hone in on what you really want to do. If you're undecided and can't settle on your interests, you need to declare a major that best matches your coursework. I wouldn't go interdisciplinary, but I'd go general. English, Psychology, Sociology, History, even a business field.

Just pick something and get the paper. Your passion will come to you later.

Answer 3

I know where you are coming from because I've had the same problem. I am interested in a broad spectrum of fields from aerospace engineering to political science. Let me make a few simple suggestions first.

There's a book called "What Should I Do with My Life?" by Po Bronson, which I found interesting, especially if you are leaning toward high-tech field. Also your career center has a career test such as SII (Strong Interest Inventory). It tells you what type of person you are such as analytical or creative and suggests some fields for you.

However, ultimately you will have to choose your own destiny. For myself, I had to divide the fields between realistic career goals and hobby. For example, I want to be a physicist so I kept Physics and Computer Science as my main interests. As for Philosophy, Political Science, and a few others, they became my hobbies since I can read those kinds of books on my spare time.

Unless you are independently rich, you have to balance your career with your personal interests. If you study something too general, then you may have trouble finding a job. Also some fields almost always require advanced degrees so if you are definite about not going to graduate school, then you can probably eliminate them since you will not be able to find a job related to it. How about if you go visit your career advisor because they’ve always had at least one useful thing to say?

Answer 4

a school substantial is what your substantial learn is in college. if your substantial is coaching, it is ur substantial learn, you're able to have double majors as properly, the place you especially learn in 2 issues.