Most people don’t know what career they’ll end up in when they enter college. That is the reason we have majors such as undecided and exploratory. Even after declaring a major, most people take a variety of classes and are fairly likely to change their minds at least one or two times. If not, they add a host of majors just to further their opportunities for class variety. With all the different topics you’re exposed to in college, how does one decide on the right major and the right career path in just four short years? Here are five steps to get you started.
1. Take the widest variety of classes possible your first year in college.
Your very first year in college will most likely be filled almost entirely with G.E. courses, and if you haven’t predetermined your major, you’re likely to pick another random one or two classes that you find interesting. In my opinion, one of the most important things to do in your first year of college is to take the widest variety of subjects possible. Within the sets of G.E. classes alone, there are so many different types of classes available, and it’s best to explore as much as you can at this point in order to narrow down what you might be interested in and where your talents are. If you find something during your first year that you’re extremely passionate about, you can finish up your G.E. requirements within your first two or three semesters, and then go on to take intro and upper division courses in topics that will be relevant to a type of career that your major may lead to.
2. Keep an open mind.
Though you may already have a set of chosen interests that you’re looking to pursue when choosing a major or courses, make sure you keep an open mind when deciding upon class schedules each semester. Obviously, there will be certain subjects that you know for sure won’t be your thing, but some classes or professors may surprise you. In my second year of college, I chose to take an Asian American Literature course, which is an upper division English requirement, and it ended up shifting my focus within my studies. I added an ethnic studies minor because of it. I was also fortunate enough to take a cultural anthropology course that same semester, and it made me really think about the field I was going into and the type of information I’d want to look into in the future. Though not all classes will add to your list of interests, some will also make you realize that a certain subject or field is not your forte. This can further assist you in narrowing down interests and coming to a decision in regards to your major and career path.
3. Embrace the fact that you’re going to go through rough patches.
College is full of unexpected twists and turns, and even though that might sound cliche, it’s important to understand that you won’t always succeed in your ambitions. The point I’m making with this tip is that you won’t always pass every class with flying colors, and you’ll quickly realize that certain aspects of your chosen field are more difficult for you. However, it’s of the utmost importance that you don’t let a hard class or a difficult professor dissuade you from pursuing the field that you’re passionate about. Take the mistakes you make in classes and in various projects as vital learning experiences for how you should approach things in the future. Additionally, it’s important to remember that not everyone is going to see the value of your field or point of study. If you’re a liberal arts major or are choosing to pursue a path that either your family or friends don’t see as successful, remember that it’s you who is going to have to sit through the hours of classes and homework, and it’s you who will have to find a job within your degree scope. Get a degree in something that is important to you, no matter what the limitations may appear to be.
4. Use every available resource offered to you.
Every college has resources for students to use in order to assist you in determining which classes to take, what you might want your major and career path to be, and in times of struggle throughout your college experience. Don’t be afraid to reach out to various on campus organizations for extra help on specific subjects or learning tactics. It’s not worth it to sit idly by when you know you need help simply out of embarrassment or laziness. Further, if you’re having a hard time and are getting too stressed out, please don’t be afraid to seek help. Whether that be with an adviser, a close friend or faculty member, or within your school’s health center, please consider what will be best for you in the long run. If a resource is there and it could possibly benefit you in any way, there’s no reason not to utilize it. Take the time to help yourself.
5. Take every opportunity for hands-on experience, even if you aren’t sure about it.
There are constant opportunities for hands-on learning on university campuses. Whether it’s volunteering opportunities, an on-campus or off-campus job, a co-op, a summer internship, a study abroad opportunity, or a student aid opportunity, don’t let outside learning opportunities pass you by. I highly recommend involving yourself on campus as much as possible in order to truly find out what you’re passionate about, and what kind of balance you need in terms of academics and social time. Join a club, check out your campus’s Greek life, look into undergraduate research opportunities, do whatever it is you think could enrich your overall college experience and help you in the future. Those four years will go by way faster than you think, and you’ll wish you had used your time in college wiser than you did if you don’t take every opportunity possible.
