Students, as you embark on your college journey keep in mind that college is filled with opportunities, knowledge, and information that you should utilize to advance yourself in order to prepare for your future endeavors. Much excitement and fun can be had, but hopefully not at the expense of productivity and determination. Your motivation to succeed should drive you towards your passions and strengths, thus, when you choose a college major choose wisely.

However, do not be discouraged if you are indecisive or are doubting the major you have already chosen. Your college career path is not a straight one; there will be many moments of self-doubt and contemplation, and perhaps even a change of interests but that is to be expected. A survey conducted by Course Hero found that only 16 percent of college graduates would choose their major again, which goes to show how important it is to research your major well enough to know if it is something you truly want to pursue. Then make or even change your first decision. It helps if you do this in the early stages of your college years rather than later because adding and changing courses can be costly and time-consuming.

Something to consider is whether you will find employment as soon as you graduate with the major you have chosen. The same Course Hero survey found that many grads majoring in STEM related fields had a higher chance of being employed after graduation than grads majoring in other departments. Although this may be the case, not everyone has an interest in STEM. Therefore, always keep in mind that the course load you take on should fall somewhere in line with your actual passions but that there is a risk in not finding work after graduating.

There are numerous other things to think about when it comes to choosing a major but all in all, research as much as you can about the different majors offered by your college, learn about their economic success and satisfaction rates, understand what courses you will be required to take, and meet with people who can offer insight about their own academic and professional career paths. Also, regardless of when you do this, join organizations, locate internships, and meet with advisors to discover more about careers that you may not have considered at first because you never know what might end up capturing your attention.

Your college major may have some indication of how your life will be the first few years following the day you graduate, but if you make an effort to really get to know yourself and your strengths during college, you will find a way to employ your skills into a career. Just step out of your comfort zone, meet with others who can provide you with knowledge about certain career fields, and research, and you will find yourself a step closer towards a successful life.