How to Choose a College Major - JD Hoopes
While some students may have known what they wanted to major in since they were 12 years old, some are still trying to figure out where they belong and what they want to do. Whether you are one or the other or somewhere in between, choosing a major in college is an important step in life.
This decision can seem daunting, but choosing a college major can be concluded by asking a few questions. Ask yourself which high school subjects you enjoyed the most. Ask yourself what types of assignments interested you. Ask yourself what your particular talents are. Discovering your talents can be as easy as figuring out what things come easily for you, but are difficult for others.
Once you have answered these questions, visit a career counselor at your college of interest or even at the high school. Every college has a career center specifically intended to help people just like you narrow their search for the perfect major and define their career path. In addition to the questions you have asked yourself, career counselors have multiple self-assessment tools, books, and loads of advice. They can also get you in touch with professors or students from majors that you are interested in. This will allow you to ask questions about requirements for that major, which professors students prefer, which classes are the most important in that major, and what kind of jobs students get that have majored in that particular subject. Sometimes you can even get in touch with alumni who have gone into your targeted career field and participate in a mentoring program.
Before choosing a major, try it out. Some colleges allow students to sit in on a few classes of interest to get a feel for what they'll be learning. Also, through some social networking, a career counselor, or a generous mentor, work in your career field for a few days as a "behind the scenes look." If you're interested in a career in catering then see if there is a caterer that will let you help out for a few days to see what it's like or to just pick their brain. There are many employers and business man who are willing to mentor or talk to students. You just have to ask.
If you remain undecided, keep your options open. If you still feel like you need to do some further exploring in different subjects to find your niche, then make sure you enroll in a college with a large variety of programs. Small, private colleges often do not have the variety that a large state university may offer. Also, if you end up changing majors, you will not have to change colleges and lose time
There are so many paths to most careers. There is usually no "one way" a particular career is achieved. These days, most employers are more concerned with your capabilities and skills than the label on your college degree. Employers will expect a college or graduate degree, but will most likely pay you based on your skills and experience. However, choosing a major that's the right fit for you earlier rather than later can help launch you into a career.
This decision can seem daunting, but choosing a college major can be concluded by asking a few questions. Ask yourself which high school subjects you enjoyed the most. Ask yourself what types of assignments interested you. Ask yourself what your particular talents are. Discovering your talents can be as easy as figuring out what things come easily for you, but are difficult for others.
Once you have answered these questions, visit a career counselor at your college of interest or even at the high school. Every college has a career center specifically intended to help people just like you narrow their search for the perfect major and define their career path. In addition to the questions you have asked yourself, career counselors have multiple self-assessment tools, books, and loads of advice. They can also get you in touch with professors or students from majors that you are interested in. This will allow you to ask questions about requirements for that major, which professors students prefer, which classes are the most important in that major, and what kind of jobs students get that have majored in that particular subject. Sometimes you can even get in touch with alumni who have gone into your targeted career field and participate in a mentoring program.
Before choosing a major, try it out. Some colleges allow students to sit in on a few classes of interest to get a feel for what they'll be learning. Also, through some social networking, a career counselor, or a generous mentor, work in your career field for a few days as a "behind the scenes look." If you're interested in a career in catering then see if there is a caterer that will let you help out for a few days to see what it's like or to just pick their brain. There are many employers and business man who are willing to mentor or talk to students. You just have to ask.
If you remain undecided, keep your options open. If you still feel like you need to do some further exploring in different subjects to find your niche, then make sure you enroll in a college with a large variety of programs. Small, private colleges often do not have the variety that a large state university may offer. Also, if you end up changing majors, you will not have to change colleges and lose time
There are so many paths to most careers. There is usually no "one way" a particular career is achieved. These days, most employers are more concerned with your capabilities and skills than the label on your college degree. Employers will expect a college or graduate degree, but will most likely pay you based on your skills and experience. However, choosing a major that's the right fit for you earlier rather than later can help launch you into a career.
Source...