How to Pick the Right Major

For some, picking a major is easy. You may already know what you want to do. For others, picking a major can be confusing and frustrating. It can be difficult trying to figure out what you might want to do. Here are some pointers to helping you pick a major.

Write down what interests you.

This means absolutely anything and everything. Do you enjoy watching the weather? Consider meteorology. Robotics? Maybe you’d like mechanical engineering. You never know what sort of things you may want to pursue until you write down your interests.

Narrow down your list.

What do you enjoy more? Weigh your options. Or, if you don’t want to choose, find a way to merge your interests. Maybe you like computers and biology. Consider a career in biological modelling. The world isn’t black and white.

Multiple interests? Consider a double major or a minor.

If you have the means to do so, a double major or a minor can really help expand your career fields. For instance, if you wanted a career in biological modelling, you could double major in computer science and biology. Or major in biology and minor in computer sciences or vice versa. And depending on what you choose, the major/minor may not require very many additional classes. They may fit in very closely together, such as an environmental science major with a minor in sustainability.

Research your field.

Research is very important. Make sure this is something you are genuinely interested in. See which pathways will get you into the types of jobs you’d be interested in.

Check out the curriculum at the schools you’re interested in.

Most schools will list off the courses a major requires. Read through the titles. If they seem ambiguous, the descriptions of the courses can be found in the school catalogs.

Consider your strengths and weaknesses.

If you really hate or struggle with math, you may not want to pursue an engineering degree. On the other hand, if you love working with animals and have a knack for remembering lots of information, biology may be a good fit for you. Your abilities can assist with helping you think of where you should be.

Don’t be afraid to change your mind.

You will undoubtedly change your mind about your career path at least once. Don’t fight it. Explore your new interest and consider your options. If it’s something you think may better suit your interests, you should go for it. If it’s a change in thought that requires a change in major, it’s better to do that earlier rather than later in your college career.

Remember that it’s just a degree.

Your bachelor’s degree isn’t going to define your life. While it should be in something you’re interested in, if it doesn’t line up exactly with what you want to do, that’s okay. Bachelor’s degrees cover a wide array of possible careers, so don’t fret. There’s more than one pathway to your future career.

Hopefully these tips have helped to clarify some things. Good luck with your journey into college and good luck picking a major!