from Career exploration to major choice selection

Higher education requires great investments of time and money. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80% of students change their majors at least once during their college careers, often increasing the cost and time to graduation. But interests often change between high school and sophomore or junior year of college…college of course is a time to explore one’s self deeply, ask important questions and explore the world at large. What factors should a young student consider when asked that important question on a college application: “What is your first choice major?”

Read about Step One in my blog What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?

Step Two: A Deeper Dive Into Major Selection and College Choice

Choosing a major is exciting—but can also be intimidating.  Major choice will dictate what happens during college years and possibly the rest of your life. So, it is important to carefully consider the choice so that it serves you well in the future. Some important things to consider are:

Personal Interests and Values

  • Think about both interest and aptitude for subjects. Do you love helping people? Do you love taking things apart or fixing things? Do you love public speaking? Do you love math and feel confident in your ability to solve complex problems?
  • Take personality and interest assessments if your high school counseling office offers them. Popular personality surveys and interest assessments include:

Extra-curricular Activities and Experiences

  • Dive more deeply into the activities listed in the prior blog, What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?. Experience careers first-hand by working, volunteering or completing internships. Ask questions about working conditions, day-to-day responsibilities of associated careers, job availability…overall and geographically, course requirements and pay levels (differences in salary among majors are stark).
  • Read the news, publications and books about people, places and things that seem interesting. Stay curious and explore!
  • Expand those extra-curricular activities you most enjoy and serve in leadership positions.

Visit College Websites and Devour the Content

  • There is a wealth of information on the individual college websites regarding majors and interdisciplinary majors…many you may not know existed. More universities are offering Business Foundation certificates that may be combined with most majors. For example, a student majoring in Fine Arts may have goal of opening his own art studio (business).
  • Many colleges offer undeclared major programs which are a wonderful way to take a wide variety of courses as you explore. But do consider this route carefully, especially regarding course choices if you are particularly interested in certain competitive majors like engineering, business or natural sciences.
  • Dig into the individual major specialties on the websites. Many include students’ biographies, internship experiences they have had during college and their future career opportunities.
  • In addition to general university tours, visit individual colleges and schedule meetings with advisors at each one you are interested in. You will get a more in-depth look at unique majors than what is offered on the more generic tour.
  • Attend any informational meetings or speaker engagements at individual colleges virtually or in-person as geography/distance allows. These opportunities are often listed on a college’s calendar of events.