Which College Major?

The number of universities out there pales in comparison the number of college degrees one can pursue. A major is something that every college student must settle on and then devote their entire undergraduate career, and sometimes graduate career, toward obtaining. For new college students and some experienced students, the idea of zeroing in on one major seems overwhelming, but there is really no reason to let this life decision stress you out.

A college major isn’t like sticking a pushpin in a map but rather it’s like throwing a paintball. Granted some majors are very specific and there is little wiggle room; for instance if you seek to major in dentistry or gynecology you pretty much know what you’ll be doing. However, most college majors can lead to a variety of places, and since the average person changes careers up to four or five times in their lifetime don’t think of your major as walking into one prison cell, having the door shut behind you, and the key melted down. There is always wiggle room in your career as it relates to your college major, but don’t think that just anything will do. Take time to consider what YOU want and then research…a lot. Talk to people with the college degree you are thinking of pursuing and people with the job you may want and ask about their educational experience and what, if anything, would they have done differently.

Also, think about your abilities. If you hate math in all its forms perhaps engineering isn’t the way to go. If you love to learn and share knowledge (and you like kids or young adults) then teach. You have to examine where you want to be in ten or twenty years, generally speaking of course. Think about your interests, hobbies, and wants then blend that with what you’re good at and you’ll be closer to a college major. From there you just have to narrow down your options and see which shoe fits.

Again, picking a college major is very important but it’s not a gun-to-the-head situation. What it comes down to is what you like and want along with what you can do. Some people seek to make millions in a fast paced career, while others seek the stability of a routine lifestyle. Personally, no matter what path you choose, I feel that peace of mind outweighs any amount of pay or position that the job world can give, but in the end the choice is yours.