Dear Each And Every College Student,
As I'm sitting here writing this article, I currently have over 10 different tabs open. Although Facebook is always sitting there, it's usually overflowing with webpages for different graduate schools, career paths, jobs, etc. I've felt as if half of my college career has consisted of researching exactly what I want to do after the short four years of college conclude. Through the countless hours of research and asking for advice, I've realized something very important: No one knows exactly what they want to do!
To make you all feel better, I have changed my major approximately four times. From psychology to education, to business, to communications and film studies. I've been incredibly indecisive about what I want to do. Make sure that when you are in college, you are taking a diverse course load. I wouldn't know that I didn't like my previous majors, had I not taken all of the classes that I did. The easiest way to dictate the types of things you like or dislike, is by taking classes that are different from each other. I know that next semester my courses range from music classes to a religion course, to a psychology in the law course. It doesn't get more diverse than that!
Another thing that's always been in my head is that I need a career that makes tons of money. Although money is always good, that should not be the most important part of your career decision. Don't sit through classes that you despise just because you want to make a lot of money. It's not worth your time. You are going to make money no matter what, wouldn't you rather be happy?
Lastly, before you can have an idea of what you want to do, make sure you know yourself. It's so important to become familiar with who you are as a person before you can know what you want in life. It's never a good idea to have your career path chosen for you. Who cares if both of your siblings are getting their PhDs, that doesn't mean that you have to become a doctor too! If you want to be an actor, be an actor. If you want to be a professional pencil sharpener, you go sharpen those pencils!
The point is, it's OK that you don't know exactly what you want to do. I'm going to be entering my senior year, I'm still indecisive about the types of careers I'm interested in. Although stressful now, I know everything will work out. It's the same for all of you. Try new things, find yourself, and you will land that job of your dreams someday!
Sincerely,
The guy who changed his major four times
