Choosing a major. This is an important decision for students who are in or going to college. There may even be anxiety which accompanies this decision. But what if we start to look at it a different way?
I was talking with a student and and they were telling me which majors they were considering and something just didn't feel right. When I asked them why they were interested in a specific major, they started to give me a spoon fed answer. Again warning bells were going off. I stopped the student and said "ok, what if all of the majors you're considering all paid the same, would you still consider them?" The student answered, "No, I'd actually consider something completely different." I started to dig a little deeper: what do you like doing? What are you good at? What do others say you're good at? At the end of the conversation, the student ended up considering two new majors that seemed like a better fit. The purpose of sharing this story is to highlight the way in which most students view a major: as a paycheck. And while earning potential is important, there are other things that should be taken into account. For example, if you're looking into going into engineering and hate math and the sciences, it's probably not a good choice. You'll more than likely not recieve the grades you want and it may take you longer to finish school, which might mean more money. Also, with majors, it is important to realize that once you've selected a major, it isn't your only option. You can switch at any point, although I would recommend you be strategic about the process. If you're unsure of which path to take, start with asking yourself this question: What subject am do I excel in or do I enjoy in high school? This question is important to ask, because it'll give you a better sense of where to start if you're stuck and guide you in the right direction. Of couse there are other questions to consider as well such as: Do people with my major go on to graduate school? This might mean going to school after you graduate college. What careers are typically associated with my major? What is the rate of students (with my major) who find a job in their field after graduation? On average, what is the salary for people in my major? And yes, asking about potential income earnings is also important, I just wanted to stress that it's not the only thing you should consider. At the end of the day, choosing a major is deciding what's best for you, what makes you happy.
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March 2022
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