How to pick a college major
A lot of students worry that once they choose a major, that’s it — that’s what they’re going to do for the rest of their life. Makes choosing a major a little daunting, right?
The reality is, almost a third of students change their major at least once before they graduate. Is it because they lack direction? Couldn’t hack it in their original program? Wanted something easier?
Unlikely.
University life gives you opportunities to learn about yourself, discover new interests and meet mentors who will shape how you think about your chosen profession. As a result, your goals may shift. That’s why most colleges allow you the flexibility to change majors: if you find a program isn’t the right fit, you have the freedom to explore other options.
So while it’s nice to know you can switch majors if you need to, it’s ideal if you don’t have to. That’s why we put together some information and tips on how you can find the perfect major for you.
What exactly is a major?
Your major is the area of study you’ll specialize in. Between one-third and one-half of your college courses will be related to that subject.
What’s a minor?
A minor requires fewer courses but still adds a specialization to your degree. A minor isn’t required of all majors but is a really good way for you to explore interests outside of your major. And having a minor looks great on a resume.
What’s a double major?
If you can’t decide between two majors, consider declaring a double major, which could be a bit more work but would enable you to develop expertise — and get degrees — in multiple areas. If you’re interested in a double major, talk with an advisor, and be aware that a double major could cost more, though it’s likely to pay off in the long run.
List what you love
You’ll do best if you choose an area of study that really interests you. Sure, you have to get through required courses and you probably won’t love them all, but eventually, you’ll become an expert in your field. So one of the best ways to begin thinking about what to major in is to simply make a list of the things you love and can see yourself doing.
Like to draw? Play video games? Hike? Travel? Write? Build? Investigate? Analyze? All of those interests can fit with at least one major, and probably many more.
Try a career quiz
Me3®, The Princeton Review Career Quiz and Career Finder are starting points that can help you hone in on your interests and personality type enough to think broadly about the kinds of careers you’d be most interested in. Most of these tools will offer suggestions for possible careers, then give you an opportunity to dive deeper into information like salary, employment rates and the type of education necessary for each job.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
If you're a natural extrovert and love being around people, you might not thrive working solo doing research in a lab or as a computer programmer. If you’re great at math and don’t enjoy reading, you’d want to steer clear of an English degree. This strategy may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how quickly you can narrow your focus once you exclude the things you neither enjoy nor excel in.
Consider your long term career goals
As you think about possible careers, ask yourself:
- How much time am I willing to spend in school?
- What kind of hours am I willing to work?
- Would I be open to relocating for a job?
- How easy will it be for me to find a job in my field?
By thinking through the day-to-day realities of professional life, and which career fields you realistically can and want to work in, you’ll more easily be able to decide on a major.
Finally, it’s good to remind yourself that the skills you acquire in college will always serve you, whether you find your dream job right after graduation or end up trying multiple careers. The important thing is for you to know how to customize an academic experience that enriches your life and enables you to contribute in ways that are meaningful to you.