Choosing a major in college can be quite the challenge. Some people get to college and know exactly what they want to do and have their entire college plan set in stone. Others may linger on what they want to do, or may not know exactly what options they have that would fit best with them.
When choosing a major, you need to keep in mind the classes required, your own skills and abilities, and the job options you have in that particular field. If you do not like blood, chemistry and you have a hard time talking to people, then working in a hospital with patients may not be the job for you. It’s good to try new classes and branch out into different fields to see if one particular one fits with you better than another if you cannot decide what you want to do. It is also a good idea to maybe job shadow in a particular field that sparks your interest, talk to your local school and see if you can help out a teacher for a day if you are interested in education, ask a local physical therapist about their daily routine and see if your lifestyle matches up. It is OK to know what you want to study but not know what to use it for. You can also job shadow or talk to people in different fields of that subject and see what ideas they have for you. It is also a great idea to talk with your professors and see if they have any suggestions for you. They see you in a different light than your friends or parents might. They may see a vital skill in you that will help you in your choice of a career path or field of study. Creating relationships with professors and college faculty could be your saving grace after college. The saying “it’s not what you know but who you know” can help you get your foot in the door when it comes to a job.
Utilizing your college's campus resources can be a huge benefit to you if you actually use them. Go to the career development center, take their career test, talk with them about your thoughts and ideas about what you want for your future. Their entire job is to help you better your future and be a resource for you to use in finding a job or career. Always talk to your advisors about the classes you are taking and if you are struggling, ask for help. Stay after class, ask questions, get a study group together, but don’t wait until it’s too late. Use your school's academic success center to help you get on the right track with your grades, setting goals, getting organized and helping you succeed in your classes.
With the help of your college campus resources, evaluating yourself and making connections while at college, you can not only find a major perfect for you, but also find a way to apply your major in the best way possible.
