One of the first major life decisions a person will make is which major to choose in college. There is a lot of pressure weighing on this decision (at least that's how it seems). Young students think that this decision will determine their entire life's path. College is a huge investment and no one wants to waste it doing the wrong thing. While these concerns are partly legitimate, students need to remember that choosing a college major will not set in stone the direction your future will take. With that burden removed, approaching the decision making process should become a lot easier. Here are a few helpful suggestions as to how to pick the right major for you.
Explore
Not only are internships great ways to gain experience, they are also an excellent networking tool. Many students end up being hired full-time by the companies who they interned with or receive glowing references or letters of recommendation from their internship supervisors. During an internship, a student may meet many influential leaders in their field or community and from there jumpstart their career.
But try not to drag out the process. Remember that while you do have some time for exploration, that time is limited. Do your best to research as many fields of study that seem interesting to you even before you register for an introductory class. Look at the lists of required classes for certain majors and see if the topics seem interesting to you. Talk to upperclassmen friends and ask them what they like about their chosen fields of study.
Seek Help
All colleges and universities offer counseling to help students plan out their education and are happy to help students find the right major in a timely manner. Many schools even offer classes geared towards picking a major. They often offer personality tests, aptitude tests, and overviews of different fields of study. Professors are also very willing to answer questions and guide students to the right major. Don't ever be afraid to ask for help.
Make sure you are comfortable with your choice There may be a lot of outside pressures to choose one major over another. The economy, job market, parental expectations, societal prejudices, etc., may pressure you to pick a certain major over another. But remember. This is your choice and you should choose something you enjoy doing/learning about. Any satisfaction you receive from fulfilling outside expectations will not fill the hole of disappointment left by giving up what you really want to do. Your daily happiness is more important than anything. So make sure you pick something you enjoy, no matter what the rest of the world says.
So if you want a Graphic Arts degree rather than a medical degree go for it. If you want a geography degree rather than a Web Design and Development Degree, go for it. Enjoy your life!
Explore
Not only are internships great ways to gain experience, they are also an excellent networking tool. Many students end up being hired full-time by the companies who they interned with or receive glowing references or letters of recommendation from their internship supervisors. During an internship, a student may meet many influential leaders in their field or community and from there jumpstart their career.
But try not to drag out the process. Remember that while you do have some time for exploration, that time is limited. Do your best to research as many fields of study that seem interesting to you even before you register for an introductory class. Look at the lists of required classes for certain majors and see if the topics seem interesting to you. Talk to upperclassmen friends and ask them what they like about their chosen fields of study.
Seek Help
All colleges and universities offer counseling to help students plan out their education and are happy to help students find the right major in a timely manner. Many schools even offer classes geared towards picking a major. They often offer personality tests, aptitude tests, and overviews of different fields of study. Professors are also very willing to answer questions and guide students to the right major. Don't ever be afraid to ask for help.
Make sure you are comfortable with your choice There may be a lot of outside pressures to choose one major over another. The economy, job market, parental expectations, societal prejudices, etc., may pressure you to pick a certain major over another. But remember. This is your choice and you should choose something you enjoy doing/learning about. Any satisfaction you receive from fulfilling outside expectations will not fill the hole of disappointment left by giving up what you really want to do. Your daily happiness is more important than anything. So make sure you pick something you enjoy, no matter what the rest of the world says.
So if you want a Graphic Arts degree rather than a medical degree go for it. If you want a geography degree rather than a Web Design and Development Degree, go for it. Enjoy your life!
About the Author:
At College America, our college programs are designed to provide the real-world knowledge and skills necessary to start or advance a career in today's marketplace with one of many college degree's including a Networking Degree, accounting degree, marketing education degree and much more.
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