How to Choose a Major in College

The major you choose in college doesn't set the course for the rest of your life; it's merely a starting point. What's important is following your interests and discovering what you love to do.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Practical Aspects

1. Consider which courses you've done well in previously and decide which major they have prepared you for.
2. Investigate the quality of the professors and courses. Ask your academic adviser which departments are well-regarded in their fields. Get a list of these departments' courses to see if they interest you. Also ask students who are majoring in these subjects if they are satisfied with their respective programs and professors.
3. Do internships to get a feel for the kinds of jobs you could get with different majors.
4. Consider the requirements for any potential majors. Find out whether they can be completed in four years or if they require graduate studies, and consider whether you would be willing to spend the necessary time and money.
5. Look at the different fields to which your major can be applied. Try to find a major that will offer flexibility when you are looking for a job.
6. Think about the growth of the field that interests you. Is the field expanding? Are graduates with your major being hired right out of college, or do they need additional training?
7. Contemplate the earning potential and base salary of jobs that are related to certain majors. Think of the lifestyle you would like to maintain and how certain salaries may affect it.

Personal Aspects

8. Figure out what it is you love to do. Are there fields of study that spark your interest, or have you taken courses that you particularly enjoyed?
9. Ask yourself whether you have what it takes to succeed in your major.
10. Think about whether you would be happier having a job you love with little pay or having a job you can tolerate with substantial pay. Choose a career course accordingly.
11. Be flexible; you have time to change your major if you are unhappy with it.

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