Tips on Choosing a College Major

One of the important challenges young adults face when attending college is choosing a major area of study. A lot of time and money is invested in a college education, and the field of study chosen is usually indicative of the career path these graduates will take.

Some students know exactly what they want to major in when they start college. Others may have an idea of a career they want to pursue but are unsure which majors are the right ones to get them there. It is also not uncommon for students to switch majors after entering college.

If a college freshman is not sure of a major, they should not feel overly pressured to choose one right away. Choosing the wrong major can be worse than choosing none at all. Many times simply talking to your college advisor is a solution as they can guide you and help you determine a field of study suited to you specifically.

Choosing a career is a very important life decision, and being passionate about your profession makes for a satisfying and rewarding life. Rather than rushing into a college major choice, it is better to give this decision plenty of thought and research. Talking to others in the same or similar field also helps in the decision making process.

Some degrees are much broader than others as far as career choices go. For instance, someone who pursues a nursing degree will be learning a specific trade and will most likely seek a position in the field of medicine. Someone who pursues a degree in computer science or business administration will have a wider range of career choices based on what is available.

For 4-year degrees, students typically have until the end of their 2nd year to select a major. For associate 2-year degrees, it is best to choose a field of study sometime during the first semester since the education duration is shorter.

The important thing is to take the time to research and explore the choices available. There are many different types of majors, and you may not even be aware of many of them until you begin to explore the choices at individual colleges. Take advantage of available resources including other students, people in specific professions, and of course your college advisor when choosing a college major. It will make your decision much easier.