How To Pick Your College Major

If you have made the monumental decision to pursue higher education by going to college, then you have a lot to consider. One of the most important decisions you are going to be making soon is what you want to major in. You have probably already declared what major you want to start in, but that can, and likely will change later. Here are five tips for deciding what your college major should be.

Play To Your Strengths

Hopefully, you have spent the last few years testing out different subjects to see which ones you enjoy and which ones you have a knack for. Choosing to major in a subject you have a particular talent for can give you a distinct advantage when dealing with admissions offices and while in class. For example, if you have a proficiency in English class, you could consider majoring in English or something similar, like Communication. On the other hand, if you have a proficiency in Math or Science class, you might want to consider majoring in a STEM field.

Know What You Enjoy

Of course, having a talent for something means nothing if you do not enjoy yourself while doing it. For example, if you have a talent for typing proficiently, you might want to look into court reporting agencies for jobs. However, if you find the idea of sitting and typing all day boring, you might want to look for something else. If you do not enjoy the subjects you happen to be the best at, that is perfectly acceptable, but be prepared to work a little harder than everyone else to achieve your goals.

Have Wide Appeal

Some universities have hundreds of majors to choose from, ranging from broad subjects, like Business, to incredibly specific, like Bowling Industry Management and Technology. While specific and focused majors have their place if you have a plan and know what you are doing, but if you do not know exactly where you want your career to go, you might want to consider a more versatile major. For example, a general Communication degree can get you a job in advertising, public relations, broadcasting, or anything in between. Having a broad appeal in the job market is one of the best things you can do for your future.

Choose Your Type of School

College is not for everyone. College degrees have their place in the job market, but without people trained in other types of jobs, society would cease to function. If you feel like college is not the right choice for you, there are trade schools all over the country that can teach you skills in welding, cosmetics, and auctioneering to name a few. There are specialty schools for jobs most people would never expect. Research jobs and trade schools that correlate with your interests and talents to see if there is a trade school that is right for you.

Remember You Have Time

You do not need to have a definite major selected on your first day of college. Many people enter college with an undeclared major because they are still deciding. Use your time as an undeclared student to take classes in as many areas as possible to get a good handle on what you could see yourself doing in the future. Most people take general education classes through their sophomore year, and they use that time to decide whether or not to change what they are majoring in. Do not be afraid to change your major as many times as you need to in the first few years.

Your college major has the potential to be the most important decision you ever make. There are so many variables to consider when deciding, but luckily, you have a solid two years to experiment before officially deciding. Whether you are just out of high school or you are coming back to school years later, your college experience can be successful and be a good choice for your future.