How To Choose A College Major And Develop A Career Plan?

According to MyMajors.com, colleges and universities worldwide offer over 1,800 educational majors. From broader fields of study to various specialized majors and all options in the middle, you have a wide selection to choose from. If there is one specific area where you excel or have a strong passion, selecting a College Major should be straightforward for you. Some find it more complex.  

Maybe you are uncertain about your interests or caught between two appealing majors. What is the way to limit your options? Consider these five factors carefully as you decide on your major. 

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College Major – A Brief Introduction of Your Educational Future 

Each college student must choose a specific field of study. Some individuals may opt to pursue multiple majors and may also choose to add minors to their academic pursuits. A major in college is the specific subject you concentrate on during your studies. 

You should anticipate enrolling in classes from various fields of study.  

Still, most of your academic focus will usually be on your primary area of study. This could be related to engineering, biology, or communications. 

If you’re struggling to decide between two comparable majors. If so, you may want to think about completing a double major, even though you will still only receive one degree despite completing two majors. An alternative is to seek a double degree.  

In this program, you can obtain a bachelor’s degree in science along with a master’s degree in business or specialize in one field for your major and select another for your minor. 

Being under the legal age does not grant an extra qualification.  

Nevertheless, it can supplement your main area of focus.  

For example, if your aim is to become a teacher by obtaining an education degree, you may want to think about adding a minor in Spanish to improve your ability to relate to students who do not speak English as their first language. 

How to Choose a Major to Further Your Career? 

“I’m unsure about what to study as my major in college!”  

Is this statement commonly made by students applicable to you?  

Having difficulty selecting a major or having queries regarding it, like what exactly is a college major and if changing majors is possible, is common. In this section, we’ll address these inquiries and offer five practical suggestions for selecting a college major. 

1. Understand What Actually Drives You 

As you enter the workforce, there’ll be days when you would rather stay in bed than tackle your obligations. Your daily routine becomes significantly duller without any passion present. 

Consider which career path ignites your passion and motivation.  

In simpler terms, what activities do you like to do?  

Although not every workday will be as relaxing as a vacation, having a job you’re passionate about can greatly enhance your overall enjoyment of life. 

The innate drive you experience will encourage you to start each day with your utmost effort. When faced with challenges, which are common in every role, you can bounce back, brush off, and remember tomorrow offers a new opportunity to showcase your skills. 

2. Consider Your Values and Interests 

Another choice for choosing your college major is to consider your passions and beliefs. What sorts of leisure activities do you engage in during your free time?  

Can any of the skills you have developed be further studied and transformed into a future career option? If that is the case, this could be the direction you wish to take. 

Your hobbies, like your fervors, have the potential to lead you to a job that brings you genuine pleasure. You’ll no longer dread weekdays and love only weekends but instead cherish each day. 

Your present beliefs can lead you.  

However, you should not feel obligated to keep them if you realize they no longer fit your needs. When you start college, take the opportunity to discover and understand your own identity.  

Without the support of your family and friends, you can discover what genuinely brings you pleasure by yourself. If these new values ignite your passion, then take the time to consider how they can be integrated into your future profession.  

After that, select your area of study from that list. 

3. Predict Your Career’s Viability 

In addition to your interest level, you also need to consider the employability and sustainability of the career you are considering pursuing. 

How much time will it take, for example, to become a professional chef?  

What is the level of difficulty in obtaining that position? Will you dedicate years working hard at small restaurants, waiting and wishing for a promotion that might never come? 

A lot of positions require difficult entry requirements. Although some may view it as an obstacle, if these achieve their overall goal of preventing unenthusiastic, unqualified individuals, including yourself, you may want to consider pursuing a more realistic job. 

4. Always Think Long-Term 

Whether you lean towards being practical or a dream-chaser, be sure to carefully choose your college major. Putting in extensive time and effort studying a subject for four years or more, only to discover upon starting a career in that field, that you’re either burnt out or disinterested would be disappointing. 

If your interest or passion is not well-established, it may not be suitable as the basis of your career. Although plenty of individuals despise their jobs, you don’t have to be part of that group. Choosing not to follow that route requires increased awareness and carefulness at this moment. 

5. Think How Many Days You Want to Spend in a School 

If you’re aiming for a job in fields like medicine or law, obtaining a degree beyond four years can be necessary. Some careers may necessitate over ten years of education, specific GPA standards, extra qualifications, specialized practical experiences, and other criteria. 

However, there are some degrees for which obtaining a master’s degree or higher may not be advantageous for your career.  

Are you interested in immediately starting a career after graduation, or are you more inclined to pursue advanced education and become an expert in your chosen field? Both factors are crucial in determining the most suitable major for you.

The Final Say – Always Have a Back-Up Plan 

Some individuals follow all the necessary steps when choosing a college major, but still have doubts about their decision, and that is perfectly fine.  

A lot of people start college thinking they know themselves but end up discovering unexpected interests. It’s not uncommon for students to switch their major during the first year or two of college, so don’t worry if you decide to do the same. 

Prior to selecting your major, compile a list of all potential options offered at the college(s) you are considering. Maintain the list, even after selecting a major. So, if you feel like you may want to select a new major, your list of choices has already been initiated.