Stress-Free Tips to Choosing Your Major
It鈥檚 a myth that you have to choose a major before you go to college. Many colleges offer programs to help freshmen figure out what to study, and, nationwide, roughly half of students change majors at least once.
But knowing a little about what you want to study can help focus your college search. Here are a few suggestions to help give you an idea of what you might want to study.
Identify What You鈥檙e Good At 鈥 and What You Love
Your talents and interests are clues about which majors you should consider. If you鈥檙e passionate about conservation and the natural world, a major like Environmental Science might be the best fit. If you dream of starting a business 鈥 or you already have 鈥 Entrepreneurship or Management might be the answer. It鈥檚 a no-brainer that most people perform better on projects they enjoy, and if you study a subject you鈥檙e passionate and curious about, you鈥檙e likely to make higher grades and get more involved.
Do Some Exploring
College websites have information about the majors offered at each school, which often include descriptions of the classes required for the degree and jobs held by graduates from each department. Which classes sound most interesting? Which jobs sound appealing?
Talk to Adults in the Careers You鈥檙e Considering
What did they major in, and how did their major lead them to where they are today? Think about scheduling 鈥渋nformational interviews鈥: sit-down conversations with people working in the field that interests you. Your parents, teachers or school counselor can help you connect with adults who are happy to spend 20 minutes speaking with a polite student who arrives prepared with questions (鈥淗ow did you choose your major?鈥 is a good one). Remember to send thank-you notes.
If you鈥檙e intrigued by a major but not sure what job you鈥檇 get with that degree, keep in mind that internships will help you build a bridge between the classroom and the world of work. An internship 鈥 either part-time or full-time 鈥 will let you sample a career related to your major and gain professional skills.
