TOP 5 TIPS TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE MAJOR A COMPLETE GUIDE
Choosing a college major is going to be one of the most important decisions of your academic life. This decision sets your career path for the rest of your professional life. This is not an easy decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Of course, you can change careers later in life, but by then, a lot of time and money will be wasted. So, it’s better if you get the decision right early on and have a happy, fulfilling career. To help you make the right call, here’s what you need to know.
A college major is the academic specialisation a student commits to studying for their graduation. During the degree course, you will learn many generalised subjects as well, but the bigger focus will be your major and the subjects related to it.
For example, if you choose to do an MBA, you will also have to choose a major like marketing, finance, HR, or operations management. Further in your education, you will also have smaller areas of focus as well within the major, which are most likely related to the major, called minors. But some colleges do allow minors to be completely different specialisations.
Think of a college major as a dedicated pathway that you’ll be following in your education and career. Of course, you’ll always have the freedom to do whatever you want in your life and career but a major helps you focus on a particular field. When your focus is clear, all your career aspirations and goals become clear.
Now that you know what a college major is and why it is important, here are some tips that will help you zero in your major:
This is the most important thing to do when you start, or rather, before you start with the selection process. In the past decade or so, thanks to advancements in technology and communications, many new subjects have come to the fore. Subjects that were unheard of just a few years ago, but will keep hearing of for many years to come. You need to know about these subjects as they have the potential for great careers.
Start researching these subjects and the professional courses related to them. You won’t need anything more than a computer and an internet connection. Even a smartphone would suffice. Select the subjects that interest you the most and check for the availability of professional courses. Knowledge is the best weapon when it comes to making a decision, so make a habit of researching and making informed, insightful decisions through this exercise.
It is important to like what you are studying. You will pay attention, understand it better, attend lectures, perform well, and end up having a great college experience. Therefore, choose a major that aligns with your interest. Now, you can’t get an education in every subject you love. You have to know which interest of yours has the potential to become a successful career and then proceed accordingly.
Sometimes, you may even need some clarity on your interests. For example, you might like writing, but there are many different types of writing in which you can get an education and make a career. In such a scenario, there are a few online aptitude tests you can take that can guide you. Though not always accurate, these tests will point you in the right direction.
Don’t get confused between your interests and your strengths. They are completely different. You may be interested in learning arts, but you might be great with numbers and calculations. You cannot ignore things you are great at and come naturally to you. The key is to find the middle ground between your interests and strengths. This will help you find the right direction regarding your major.
Another reason to choose your major according to your strengths is that you will be confident about and do well. If you want to have a good start to your career, you need to do well in college, especially in your major. That’s why you have to assess your strengths as well when you are choosing your college major.
Why do you get an education? To have a career, right? Then this should be one of your main parameters while choosing a college major. After taking a few aptitude tests and aligning your interests with them, you will have a strong idea of what careers are suitable for you. There also may be a few careers that you’ve always been interested in. Align all this information and compare it to get a few clear choices for what careers to pursue.
It’s simple from here on. Now that you know what careers are for you, you’ll also know what college major to choose to get to those careers. Weighing your career goals s always one of the best and most accurate ways to know which college majors to choose.
The days of just doing your college degree and starting a career are gone. Just a college education is not enough. Right now, in the job market, people are looking for jobs that they are overqualified for. So, if you think just choosing a good major and graduating is going to be enough, think again.
You have to look for a major that can be supplemented with a few more relevant certifications that will give your degree more teeth. Certifications are a great way to learn more, pick up additional skills and competencies, and add more value to your major. For example, if you are majoring in marketing, additional certifications in digital marketing will add value to your major. Therefore, look for a major that can be supplemented by certifications.
It is important to choose the right major early on as these are your formative years and making the right moves can put you on the fast track to success. So, implement the above-given pointers when you are choosing a major and you will move in the right direction.
