How to Pick a Major of Study

Picking a college major is one of the most important things you will do in your college career. It will not only affect your future career, but your choice of college or university and whether or not you are ultimately happy with your job.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Stick to what you’re good at and what you enjoy. It stands to reason if you hate math and are not a very good math student, a math-based major may not be for you. However, just because you might have to take some challenging math classes shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing your major or career. Many majors require some upper level math but the career itself doesn’t depend on the math skills of the student . For example, biomedical sciences requires a good deal of math but the chemistry and biology are more important in the long run.

2. Look at what people who have your degree are doing. Your college advisor should have that info. You can also find guides online.

3. Talk to some people currently in your desired field. Ask what they do on a typical day and where their industry is headed.

4. Shadow or intern. Even if you are not already in college it’s never too soon to start doing some career research. An internship will not only give you a taste of the job you’re interested in, it could very well lead you to a job or at least some contacts.

5. Take into consideration other things that are important to you and how you career choice will affect you life choices. For example, if you never plan on leaving you small town, don’t pick a career where you have to move just to move up.

6. Talk to friends and family. They will not only have insight about the job marketplace, they will have insight into you, your strengths and personality.

7. Take career and personality interest and aptitude tests. Many career interests tests can be found online, at your high school and your college. Use these interests tests and skill tests as a place to start to see what your options might be.