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How do you pick a major?

I have a lot of interests and it’s difficult to figure out what to choose as my major. A lot of people are asking me what I’m thinking of and I’m unsure. I’d like to get some advice on how to find what you’re passionate about. Thanks! #majors #college #help

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Steve’s Answer

It is important to sit down and make a list of what interests you have and what career opportunities are available within those interests. Make a second list for yourself with pros and cons for each one. I think the biggest part of making that decision is trying to gather as much information about each and pick a starting point. Always remember you have the option of changing. Most people change majors multiple times, as well even beyond college many people also change careers multiple times throughout their lives. Don't be afraid to keep your options open.
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Priya’s Answer

Hi Audrey,
Here are some options:
1. Try making a list of things that interest you and see if there is a common theme. Are they creative interests? Are they related to science? Math? Problem-solving? And then take out a catalog of the school(s) you want to go to and look if there are any similar majors to that theme.
2. Or, you can browse classes for different majors online on the school's website and see which one you would really like to take.
3. You do not necessarily have to major in a similar field to what you want to work as, but sometimes it can help as well to look at what are the typical majors for those working in that field.
The first two years of undergrad will largely be basics classes, unless you have taken dual classes before, so you have time to decide and also change your major while in school too =). Good luck! It's exciting to have so many interests! I hope it leads you to where you would like to be =)!
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Ken’s Answer

Congratulations on being interested in finding the right career to follow.. It takes a special person to enter into a specific career field and meet the demands which that career area presents. The first step is to get to know yourself to see if you share the personality traits which make one successful in that area. The next step is doing networking to meet and talk to and possibly shadow people doing what you might think that you want to do to see if this is something that you really want to do, as a career area could look much different on the inside than it looks from the outside.  When I was doing college recruiting, I encountered too many students, who skipped these important steps, and ended up in a career/job for which they were ill suited.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
• It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Emily’s Answer

There’s no right answer to choosing a major. For us, it took trial and error to find the right major. It’s always ok to make a switch! Sometimes it takes trying to know if it’s the right fit.

A way to help shorten the process is to learn the different curriculums to see what major piques your interests most. Another piece of advice for those undecided students would be to focus on a major that focuses on soft skills that don’t limit future career opportunities.

For example, if you aren’t positive you want to be a doctor, it’s probably best not to get a degree in medicine. But if you’re interested in a variety of industries, but know you have a knack for writing, maybe Journalism, English, or Communications could be a good fit. All of these majors could lead to a wide array of careers where writing is important, rather than something specific.

If you have something you’re super passionate about but maybe aren’t sure that could lead to a career, think about a minor!

This answer combines input from a group of marketers with more than 50 years’ experience - all currently working at a global tech company. We hope you find it helpful and wish you the best in all of your endeavors.
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