Guidelines On Choosing A Major

By Jocelyn Davidson


Going to college is a great achievement for anyone. However, it is also a difficult yet critical time since you are choosing a major. Majors are important as they shape the path that your career will take. For other students, they pick an area to specialize in because it is what they are interested in and would like to learn more about the subject.

For instance, students specializing in history are more interested in the subject not the career. They will acquire skills and can work in other careers that are not being an historian. Majors which are focused on specific careers include business, education, medicine and engineering. These prepare the student for that specific career. There are several factors to consider when picking an area of specialization.

Several things have to be considered in order to pick the right area to specialize in. The interest of the student is the first factor. The student needs to be passionate about what they want to specialize in. Sometimes, this is identified by people around them. For example, a student who loves to help others with class work may opt to specialize in education.

Secondly, talk to advisers, friends and upper classmen. Your friends know things about you that you do not. They may not necessarily tell you what to major in but they will give general pointers. Advisers and career experts advise on the requirements for particular disciplines. Using your strengths and weaknesses, they may also be able to point you to the courses you will find interesting.

Seniors or upper classmen are ahead of you and have made the major decision already. There is a lot one can learn from their mistakes, success stories and experiences. Your story does not have to be like theirs but learning from their mistakes is great. Professionals in the area of specialization to pursue provide insight into the real aspect of the career.

Another place to seek counsel is in the syllabus of subjects. Going through different assignments, books and lecture material may be a real eye opener. It is possible to easily tell what may be fun for you and what is not. If interesting enough then you may consider pursuing it otherwise it is just not for you. Where the college offering the subject is located also matters as relocating is expensive.

It is easy to disregard job and salary potential when making this important decision. However, it is important that you major in something where you can easily get a job employed or self employed. However, do not go for the top paying college subjects which do not match your passion, interest, hobbies or skill. Affordability and means of financing are also important aspects to consider.

In conclusion, selecting a major should not be a matter of life and death. Just choose a discipline you are interested in and which has some resemblance to what you would like to do after college. Consider skills, passion and ability. If it does not work, you can always change the career or get back to school.




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