How To Choose Your College Major
It’s totally fine to enter college as an undeclared major!
Remember, there are certain cases where you can’t change your major!
Plan for your future career!
Why you should gain experience in the field.
Deciding on a College Major
You’ve put in four years of hard work just to get to this point. You studied, got the grades, and finally been accepted into your perfect college. You’ve made it this far- but what happens next? What are you really looking to learn about in college?
The Undeclared Major
Choosing your major can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be an impossible task. One of the aspects of college that makes it so incredible is the opportunity to explore a diverse variety of paths. You have the freedom to choose who you want to become, and what you want to accomplish.
It’s important to note that, while you might feel pressure to have everything all figured out before you arrive on campus, there is no shame in entering college as an undeclared major. You certainly won’t be alone in your indecision, either. For every classmate that’s known they want to be a doctor since kindergarten, there will be at least one that has absolutely no clue what they want to major in. And that’s okay! College is an environment designed for you to learn, grow, and ultimately discover who you are and who you want to be.
You may even end up switching majors during your time at school as you explore your options. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of college students change their major at least once, with about 10 percent changing it twice or more. Before you commit to a college, consider the variety of majors that they offer.
As an undecided student, it may benefit you to attend a larger university with more major options rather than a smaller school that specializes in a few select majors. Even if you’re decided, in the event that you do switch majors, it will benefit you to be at a school with more rather than fewer options. Start your college search by exploring the best large colleges, colleges that offer the most majors, and colleges that offer individualized majors. There’s no reason to limit yourself to an exact major-- considering the different majors a school offers can help you build the skills that you need.
When You Shouldn't Change Your Major
As common as it is to change your major, you should be aware of certain situations that won’t allow it. For students who intend to enter a pre-professional track such as pre-med or pre-vet, the required courses in order to get into post-baccalaureate schools will be a lot more specific and will have less wiggle room for switching majors. For international students, some colleges in the UK and Canada will require you to apply with an already intended major and don’t allow changing.
However, there are benefits to entering college with your major decision already in mind. Students with declared majors gain access to major-specific scholarships and organisations. They also get a jump-start on completing the required classes for their degree. Most importantly, major-committed students will be able to begin exploring their chosen fields. They may start work on internships, projects, and related extracurriculars. Being part of a major also means being part of a smaller community, which will make it easier for you to make connections and find your place at your new school.
So, what’s a freshman to do?
Plan For a Career
Many degrees can be applied towards several different career paths, but go into your major with an idea of what your outcome will be. Without a goal or desired outcome, you won’t know what to focus your sights on while in school. With a specific career path in mind, you’ll gain the drive and motivation that will lead you to excel!
If you aren’t sure what options might be available to you with your intended degree, there are resources online that can provide you with some possibilities. CollegeBoard’s BigFuture website and CollegeGrad’s Career Profiles website allow you to browse career options by major or general field of study. The U.S. Department of Labor also has an Occupational Outlook Handbook that details the daily tasks, median salary, and projected growth rate of thousands of different careers.
Another great resource at your disposal for exploring careers is the college community around you. Speak with your professors about different positions within their fields, or consult your college’s career center. Use Handshake or LinkedIn to see where alumni have worked after graduation. Don’t be shy to reach out to them with questions you might have. Many of them have been in your shoes, and are happy to help out a new member of your college’s community.
Assess Your Goals
There are many reasons why students choose to pursue their chosen fields. Some students choose lucrative fields for the allure of a high-paying job after graduation, some are purely following their passions, and some fall somewhere in between. Think about what’s important to you and what you want to gain from your degree. Money? Fulfillment? Opportunities for advancement?
If you’re looking for job security or financial opportunity, you’ll want to consider the most in-demand and highest-paying majors. Going into a field with a high rate of job growth, such as statistics or information security, may make finding a job easier after you graduate. In terms of potential earnings, U.S. News and World Report has reports detailing the highest paying jobs and highest paying college majors, which include engineering and computer science.
Money isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to deciding on a major. Fulfillment and purpose are also essential components of a happy career. If you’re searching for a meaningful profession, consider one that allows you to give back to others, such as nursing, teaching, healthcare, or counseling. If you’re seeking a sense of purpose in what you do, consider pursuing a career with a high rate of job satisfaction, such as a physician assistant, therapist, or architect, according to a study at the University of Chicago. If your passion lies elsewhere, you may decide that following your dreams is more important than earning a large amount of money-- and there’s no reason to feel ashamed of that decision. However, it’s important to have a plan and aspiration for your future endeavors, while maintaining realistic expectations.
If you truly don’t know where to start, your college’s career center will be your most valuable resource in your search for a major. Career counselors will assess you on your personality, interests, skills, and aptitudes to create a personalized list of possible career and major options. They can also help you get the most out of your time in college by guiding you to choose the right classes, get internships and jobs, and stay on track until graduation.
Assess Your Strengths
In order to decide what you want to do, you’ll need to do a bit of self-reflection first. You may have set your sights on becoming an engineer, but you may want to rethink that choice if you’ve flunked out of all your math classes since middle school. What are your best qualities?
Think back on your time in high school classes or in extracurricular activities. What subjects or types of assignments did you excel at? This could be as broad as math or science, but the more you narrow it down, the better. Maybe you always performed well in oral presentations, excelled in group discussions, or stood out in thorough research papers.
Once you’ve assessed these more specific strengths of yours, you’ll be able to begin your search for careers that utilize them in everyday life. Search job descriptions on a career board site like Indeed and see how they match up to your skills. Online assessments such as these skills and abilities quizzes can provide ideas for jobs that match up with your personal strengths.
Apply Yourself
Once you’ve narrowed down your possible majors to one or two choices, gain some experience within the field and see how it feels for you. Join a related club or on-campus organization. Donate your time and log a few community service hours by volunteering. Try your hand at an internship after school or during summer break.
Field experience is valuable, but so is your time spent in the classroom. Before you register for your first semester classes, be sure to check out your college’s list of general education requirements. Many colleges require at least one class for every general subject: English, math, natural sciences, social sciences, etc. If it’s possible, fit an introductory class for the major you’re considering into one of your general education categories. That way, you’ll get to try the major on for size, and if all else fails, you’ll still be on track to graduate on time.
You have a big decision ahead of you, but make sure to stay calm and open-minded. You’re only now embarking on a college journey that will be full of surprises, failures, and successes-- each one a valuable learning experience. When you head off to campus in the fall, try your best and stick to your plan. You’ll be on your way to finding your perfect major in no time!
For more tips and tricks, check out our articles on developing a college wishlist and how to prepare for college during your summer break!
