As graduation grows closer, college becomes a hot topic. Friends, family, teachers, pretty much everyone is talking about who’s going where and asking you about your plans. One question you’ll hear frequently is “Have you picked a college major yet?” For many rising juniors, seniors, and even incoming college freshmen, there isn’t always an easy answer.
In fact, the majority of college students start off with an undeclared major; many students won’t decide until their sophomore year. Even then, over half of students will change their college major once, with many changing three times before graduation. So, what do you do if you’re uncertain?
Below, we offer some helpful advice to guide you through this decision. (As part of the Best of NJ back to school College 101 Guide):
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Keep Your Options Open
There’s a prevailing thought pattern regarding majors and post-college careers. “I want to be x, so I must major in y.” While some careers, such as law or medicine, do follow a linear progression, there is much more flexibility in career options than many students believe. Let’s take law, for example. Popular majors for students taking the LSAT for law school admission include the following: Philosophy, engineering, history, English, economics, international relations and political science.
You will learn the law in law school–admissions committees are looking for strong students with demonstrated critical thinking and communication abilities; which you can develop in a wide range of programs. Pre-law and pre-medicine programs are often highly specialized and can be the right choice for many students. However, if you’re not sure you want to commit, there are many majors you can choose; many of which provide the opportunity to acquire skills applicable in various career paths.
Get First-Hand Knowledge
If you have an idea of which subject you’d like to study, reach out to those with relevant experience to learn from their insights. Professors are passionate about their subjects and the vast majority are eager and willing to speak with high school and undeclared students about their field and why they find it exciting.
Without speaking one-on-one with a mathematics professor, you might never learn that a recent graduate is now employed by a major city government, working on planning the timing of traffic lights. The same holds true with many professions. A friendly email introducing yourself to someone with a job you find interesting is a great way to start a conversation and learn about their experiences. Often, you’ll find that their path is not what you expected.
Use All Available Resources
Though it is ultimately your decision, you do not need to choose a college major on your own. Your guidance counselor can help you identify your favorite classes and subjects to lead you in the right direction, and friends and family (the people who know you best) can share their insight too.
As a college student, you’ll find a built-in support network made up of many campus offices. You will have access to an academic advisor who can help you select your major and most schools provide counselors specifically trained to aid undeclared students. Career Services is another great resource–they offer career counseling, resume workshops, interview practice and more. These counselors are experts at helping you navigate the major selection process and assisting as you transition from school into a career.
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Anthony Muccio is a former college admissions professional and education researcher currently advising students one-on-one with his private practice. After years working at large state and small private schools, he decided to spend time focusing on helping unique learners reach their full potential.
