Tips for Chosing the Right Major in College

Choosing a college major is one of the most important choices that you will make. The major you choose will affect you for the rest of your life. It will determine the type of the work that you do, and which doors will be open to you upon graduation. It is important to carefully make this decision, and to consider both your career outlook as well as your personal interests when you make the decision. Additionally, you may want to consider the type of lifestyle you want to have as an adult; a high powered career will bring you a lot of money, but may also take up a great deal of your time.

Choosing a Major Based on Career Aspects

When you are determining your college major, you should consider the different career options that are available upon graduation. For some majors, the applications are obvious. For example, if you pursue a degree in nursing, you will be a nurse. However, if you major in English or Humanities, your career options will not be as straightforward when you graduate. Many people who choose these majors work as writers, teachers and in various other fields, or they go on to get a secondary degree. According to the College Board, the career fields with the most predicted openings in 2018 are education, medicine and accountants. If you are looking for job stability, these are good options to consider.

• What Can I Do With This Major?: This offers links and suggestions for a variety of majors offered by most colleges.
• Matching a Major to a Career: This guide looks at what careers are available in the different college majors.
• How to Choose a Major: This article talks about choosing your major and takes you through several questions to make sure you are finding the right path.
• Seven Steps to Finding a Major: This guide has seven steps you can complete in order to find the right major.
• Hottest Careers by College Major: The College Board offers predictions for the job market in 2018 after graduation. This can help you choose a career with plenty of openings once you graduate.

Considering Earning Potential

Another important factor to consider is how much earning potential your chosen career and major has. Traditionally, the science professions or engineering professions will earn more than people working in education or humanities. You will need to factor in how much you want to earn, and then consider your major based on finding a career that will give you the earning potential to live comfortably. Many people change jobs and even career fields over time. In addition to considering earning potential, you may want to choose a major that lends itself to several different career options, so you have the opportunity to apply for a wider range of career options.

• Choosing the Right Major: This article from Otterbein University talks about choosing your major and your career together. 
• Explore Majors: This article provides a six-step process to help you choose the right major. It also provides a timeline so that you do not waste time while you are in school.
• Choosing a Major: This article from Berkley outlines a detailed process on choosing the right major for your situation. It provides detail on how to make sure you are making the best decision for your situation.
• Choosing a Major or Minor: This article takes you through the decision process and also addresses the possibility of a double major or minor to increase your marketability once you begin looking for a career.
• Choosing a Major or Career: This article looks at how you choose your major and then how you prepare for your career choice while in college.
• Selecting a Major: This article addresses many common questions that college students may ask as they are choosing a college major.

Finding a Career and Major You Will Enjoy

It is important that you choose a career and major that will interest you. You should choose a major and a field that you will enjoy working in. Ask yourself if you enjoy helping people, or traveling, and then prioritize the things that are most important to you. Additionally, you should look at the hours you will be expected to work and determine if that will work with your lifestyle and family goals. For example, many people choose to become teachers so they can spend the summers with their children. Other people choose to work in sales because they enjoy traveling and meeting new people. Your major and career should be something you will enjoy doing over several years.

• Goal Setting and the Right Major: This article talks about how choosing your career goals can help you determine the correct major.
• Major Decisions: This article debunks five common myths about choosing the right major.
• Find the Right Major for You: This article offers a guide and questionnaires to help you determine a major that will lead to a career you enjoy.
• Choosing a Major Workbook: This workbook provides several worksheets to use as a guide to find the right major. The workbook focuses on a four-step process that should work for most students.
• Tips for Choosing a Major: Mercer College offers several tips to help you choose a major that will best fit your interests and career goals.
• Three Steps to Choosing the Right Major: Washington University offers three simple steps that will help you choose the right major.