How to Choose A Career Path While In College

You are entering college for the first, second, or fifth time. Your father says, "Get a business degree. You can get a job anywhere." Your uncle says, "Don't sell out. Go for a creative career." You respect them both but who do you listen to?

Everyone you know will freely give you advice, whether or not you ask for it. How do you know who to listen to? Here are some things to consider while making your decision.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Facts
• A variety of options
• A way to narrow your options
• Trustworthy advice givers
• A mind of your own to select what is best for you.

1. Listen - When someone or several people give you advice, listen. Most of them are well intentioned, even if they aren't experts on the subject. Make a list of what each person told you and consider it in comparison to your own goals.

2. Get specific -
   Don't ask yourself, "What will I do with my life?"
   Ask, "What college major best fits my goals and talents?"

3. Seek a professional - Choosing a college major is a hard decision. An advisor in your college's career office can offer suggestions, resources on how to do research on your choices, how to narrow down your choices, and even offer career and personality tests to see where your true talent lies.

4. Know yourself - Flipflopping on your decision is very easy to do if you lack confidence in yourself and your decision making skills. Stick to your guns and don't waver.

5. Narrow it down - Make a top 5 list of your majors of choice. Rate them from most appealing to least applealing. Consider factors like: How long will it take me to graduate? What are the job prospects? Does the degree offer me flexibility in my career choices? Is is something I want to do or is it something I am settling for? The last question may be the most important one for you to consider.

6. Make a list - List your goals. Ask yourself what you want in a career and compare that list to your list of choices. Which ones are the best fit?

7. Do your homework - use sites like salary.com and the occupational outlook handbook to find out more about each choice on your list. Links are provided below.

8. Professional organizations - Think you want to be a physical therapist? Contact the American Physical Therapy Association and go to their website for more information. Wanna be a lawyer? Find out more at the American Bar Association.

9. Talk to professionals - If you want to be a pharmacist, chat with your local pharmacist about his job. Does he enjoy it? How much school was involved? What makes a good pharmacist? What is the most important part of the job?

10. Changing majors - If you change majors, that's ok. Many students change their major atleast once. Some change it five times. Don't change it because you feel pressured to do so. Change it after you are sure you want to persue another career path after you have done your research.

11. Move forward - Make your decision. Know that making a wrong decision is better than not making a decision at all. Uncertainty about your decision is a natural thing to feel. Remember that you can change direction if what you chose doesn't feel right. But give it a fair chance before you do. You will avoid having to hear further advice on your decision and avoid driving yourself crazy with uncertainty.

Tips & Warnings

• Utilize your college's career center resources. They can help with choosing a career, resume and cover letter help, and information on majors.

Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Salary Research
• American Physical Therapy Association
• American Bar Association