How Do I Choose A College Major?
Among my high school student clients, choosing a college major is considered a serious milestone. This single decision will determine many of their plans for the next several years, and it may have a profound impact on the rest of their lives. This is not to say that declaring a major is the most important decision a teenager makes, but it is one of significant weight and should be regarded as such.
Because of its centrality to college planning, students tend to have a lot of stress over picking their major. One of the greatest sources of stress is simply not knowing how to assess their options. The evaluation process will look a little different for everyone, but there are several general factors I review with most students before we get into their specific priorities.
Align Your College Major with Your Interests and Skills
For some people, it’s a no-brainer to only look at programs that are in alignment with a student’s natural abilities and particular interests. But this doesn’t always happen. Some students are so focused on following a career path because of external factors like money, job placement rates, or prestige that they don’t stop to think about their internal motivations.
While there are many high paying fields in the world, pursuing one that is completely out of a teen’s wheelhouse could be setting them up for misery. Of course, some people do choose a major based solely on career prospects, and they end up doing well, but that is not always the case.
Rather than struggle through an ill-suited academic program, students should consider the options within their natural inclinations. What are their best classes, both academically and those that hold their interest? What do they enjoy in their spare time, or what have they discovered they enjoy at their part-time job? What kind of tasks can they complete most naturally, and what comes easily? The answers to these questions will give the student a broad idea of which departments to explore on university websites.
Research Career Prospects within Your Desired Field
Once the student has an idea of what kind of academic program will contribute to their success, they should do some career exploration to narrow down the list of majors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has an online Occupational Outlook Handbook that is very useful for exploring job titles, summaries, median pay, and forecasted industry growth. This resource will help students determine if the cost of tuition for a particular career path will reap a good return on investment through salary and sustainability. The handbook helps students explore many fields that they never heard about before. It may also offer a helpful reality check that some interests should be pursued as hobbies rather than careers.
Indeed also offers a salary browser that helps job searchers evaluate average salaries, common skills, and current openings within different industries. Teens should even check out company reviews within their field of interest to see if any pros or cons are consistent among various employers.
Additionally, students should explore their own network to learn more about different professional fields. Family members, friends, and other social contacts may offer insight or invite students on a job shadow to learn more about their career. If the student is having trouble connecting with anyone in their own network, they can meet with their guidance counselor, or even check out the alumni directory of the colleges they are exploring.
After Declaring Your Major, Stay Flexible
No matter how much research students do, and how certain they are about a particular career path, sometimes life takes them a different direction after all. This does not mean students need to change their major, although some will. And it does not mean that they were totally unrealistic in their planning. It simply means that no matter how much we plan and consider every possibility, life is still unpredictable. Students who approach life changes with flexibility will have an easier time taking things in stride and adapting.
One easy way to stay flexible is to not dive too deep into major-focused classes during freshman year. With a general education schedule and just a few department classes, students will get a good feel if their major is the right one without wasting too many credits before switching. It should also be comforting to know that many of the skills learned in college are transferable to various professions irrespective of college major. Of course, there are specialized fields, but there are also thousands of successful professionals whose current career has nothing to do with their college major.
Though declaring a major is serious business, high school students should also have some fun with it. This is a time to dream and learn about a big future with endless possibilities. If you’re in the thick of career and major exploration, contact me for a free strategy session. I can help you streamline your search, calm your nerves, or clarify your strengths. You’ll zero in on your college major with more efficiency and confidence after our initial call.