When it’s time to choose a college major, several thoughts cross your mind. You may want to select an in-demand skill, pursue your academic strengths, or simply follow your gut.
Choosing a college major may be stressful because it can shape your future. But it need not be a make-or-break decision. Whether you’ve decided on your major or not, this guide can help you fortify your choice.
There are many ways to decide on the right college major, and we will go through each option, starting with the ABCs.
What is a college major? Is a minor mandatory?
A major is the area of focus in your college that will provide you with the bulk of your learning. It's the expertise you'd like to take into the real world. Almost every college requires you to choose a major, and each major has several required courses to complete to earn a degree.
Popular majors include Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, etc. The major you choose defines your primary specialization. Some colleges give you the choice of one major and a couple of minors. Minors are optional programs of supporting courses. For instance, you could major in Business and minor in Psychology.
What are the timelines for choosing a college major?
Getting a degree is a 3—to 4-year journey to achieving specialization. Ideally, your first two years allow you to explore a few courses in your majors, and these credits count toward your degree. So, if you switch to another major later, your degree program won't extend beyond the regular timeline. At the end of your second year of college, you should have decided on your major. So, use the initial college years to affirm which major is right for you.
The Ultimate Approach To Choose The Right College Major
- Self-Assessment
Some students are inclined towards their area of interest with exploration from a young age. Indulging in your academic interests early on eases the pressure when choosing a college major.
If you are lucky enough to have an academic passion, start your major research there. Even if you don't, you must pick a major that interests you. Remember, you'll study this subject for the next four years and likely apply the subject at work for the next few decades. Pick something you care about.
Need help getting off the start line? You can begin by reviewing your interests, understanding what tickles your imagination, the topics that make you want to explore deeper, or incidents that draw you in for closer study.
A self-assessment gives you a rough draft of how to narrow down your major. You can shortlist the majors in your zone by noting your strengths and inspirations.
Tip:
Choose a major that has resembled your steady interests for a long time rather than a current or popular trend in which you must invest more interest and time.
- Goal Alignment
What have you always dreamed of doing when you were in high school? You might have seen someone close achieve something that makes you desire to do the same. Your major could be one of your passions, one that thrills you, or a debate in which you can contribute significant insights based on what you've read before.
Pick a major that will fuel your ambition to fulfill your long-desired goals. With introspection, the blurry vision of your goals can become clearer, leaving you with fewer and more concrete major choices.
It may not be possible to objectively match your goals to an appropriate corresponding major, but you can eliminate your majors that don't align with your long-term goals.
Take an iterative approach to finding a major that fits your goals. Once you've narrowed down the majors that align closely with your career aspirations, it's beneficial to revisit them after a few months. As you progress through your first-year courses, you'll naturally gain more insight and clarity regarding your chosen major.
- Academic Aptitude
Your academic interests can tell a lot about your career path. Discover your love for specific subjects or topics that you may have followed closely for a long time. It could be a debate that you’ve excelled at, a research project that stood out over the years, or something that brought recognition to your research.
You’re likely to succeed in a degree that reflects your academic prowess. If you’ve distinctively scored high grades in math, a major in math is a natural choice. But do a reality check today to see how your interests weigh today compared to the last time you performed well. Taking an aptitude test to determine your academic interests can be a good indicator of the range of majors you may want to pursue.
- Skill Development
Students exploring various courses during their early college years can make significant strides toward finding a major that truly resonates with them. Many colleges offer the flexibility for students to sample different courses, which can then count towards their eventual degree.
Engaging in coursework can not only cultivate the necessary skills for a specific career path but also provide clarity when deciding on a major.
For those aiming for industries with a focus on hard skills, it's advisable to enroll in courses that directly align with those skill sets. For instance, if pursuing computer science, consider taking a course that introduces fundamental programming languages. Through such courses, students not only acquire practical skills but also gain insights into the current demand and trends within their chosen field. These hands-on experiences serve as valuable trials, aiding students in making informed decisions about their major.
- Consider Adding a Minor
With the options available in most colleges and universities, you can combine a minor with your major to save time and enter the open world with more than just a degree. Minors are supplementary programs that help you add another related or unrelated yet valuable skill to your major.
The advantage of planning for a minor is that it helps you broaden your horizons and get an edge in your career. Choosing a minor gives you a strategic advantage as you are not required to commit to double the time in pursuing double majors.
You can access more valuable resources and networks if you can accommodate a minor and a major.
- Seek Guidance from Counselors and Professors
The dilemma of choosing a major from your shortlisted ones can make it tough to arrive at a final decision. That’s when you must seek feedback from different sources. Consult college professors or contact senior peers who might have had the same dilemma as you.
Speaking to them can dispel your fears and clear your confusion.
High school or college professors and counselors are also great resources for planning your majors.
You may ask questions to clarify the foggy future before choosing your major, minor, or both. If you plan to apply for a different college for your major, trusted platforms like Admyssion offer to connect you directly with an active and experienced professor.
For the counseling, you can prepare to ask probing questions to make an informed decision. This way, you can instantly resolve your queries and even understand the job opportunities awaiting you after you take up that major of choice.
- Career Exploration
An essential step in deciding a major is to gauge the job opportunities. Consider the companies hiring for the skills you will be ready with at the end of college. Check the stipends or salaries offered for the graduates aspiring from your college of choice.
Research potential job roles and the industries that require the most in-demand skills. As part of your decision, you must evaluate the skills and knowledge you will develop after graduating from a major.
Attending seminars or webinars by companies boosts your real-world perspectives, leading to greater preparedness to finalize your major. Look for events highlighting in-demand opportunities and the matching skills that can help you grab those growth opportunities.
- Talk to Professionals
At times, a peek at the real-world utilization of the skills acquired from pursuing your college degree can fortify your decision from your shortlisted majors. Use social media or active online forums to connect with professionals in your field of interest to understand what secondary skills would benefit the roles. Stay informed about the industry's realities and prospects that you can leverage as you advance through the course.
Build a trajectory for how you want to shape yourself during the three to four years of a college degree and set goals. By tracking and measuring your goals, you will be better equipped to achieve success at the end of college.
- Seek Advice from Trusted Mentors
You may want more than your uncle’s “trust your gut” advice for one of the most essential career-defining decisions. After all, with so many choices, you can’t spend additional months or college fees by going too far with a major that doesn’t feel right till very late.
Take the time to assess your options by conducting thorough research and creating a shortlist of potential choices. Seek guidance from an expert to help you make the final decision. Reflect on your high school or early college experience to identify a trusted mentor who has played a significant role in guiding your academic choices.
Share what your heart and mind say and what’s stopping you from moving forward. Being as clear as possible at this stage would help you get the best guidance from a mentor.
- Internship Opportunities
Have you researched the companies that recruit from the Ivy League colleges you aspire to attend? You can reach out to college professors from these prestigious institutes and Ivy League Colleges for consultation or alumni to learn about recent company engagements with your institution.
Internship opportunities offered by reputable companies in your desired field can significantly influence your choice of college and major. Acquiring practical experience early on is crucial for gaining a competitive edge as you transition into a full-time career.
- Get Insights by Networking
Even after all your research and gathering information about majors, colleges, faculties, and reviews, you may still have unanswered questions, and again, most students go through this phase.
In your quest to get admitted to the top colleges, networking with key individuals can bring you closer to your ideal major according to your academic strengths, interests, and planned goals.
Reach out to college alums who have majored in your targeted major. Try for in-person meetings for more insights.
Ask deeper questions about the courses they found useful, the time or credits required, or which minor would benefit you per their experience. Open up on whatever is holding you back from making the final commitment of declaring the major.
Takeaways for Choosing a College Major
Based on a deep self-assessment, you should be able to discover your calling for specialization in college.
Identify traits that will complement your choice of major and help you move past the decision-making line with conviction.
Consider specific skills gained by choosing a minor that can enhance your career. Reach out to senior peers to know their approach to a similar dilemma.
Although not an immediate decision, selecting a college major must be viewed from several perspectives over some time.
In any case, seek help from professionals or experts in college admission queries to find the best major for you.
