I want to change my major, I’m wondering whether to major in English and minor in Psychology or vice versa. Any advice would be most welcome. Which would provide me with more career options?
I’m currently pursuing #college-major #psychology a BS with my major being in biology. I love science or I wouldn’t have chosen it to begin with and I’ve completed two years but I’m an avid reader and I find so much joy in that and the working of the mind. I enjoy having people talk to me and give them advice, I enjoy editing stories and correcting it, I can’t stop reading for fun. So I do want to major in either English or Psychology and have the minor be one of those but which combination will give me the most opportunities for work after graduation?
2 answers
Betsy’s Answer
Hi Azia,
If you have already completed 2 years toward your biology degree, have you thought about keeping biology as your major while adding English or Psych as a 2nd major or a minor? Or even 2 minors? There's certainly no rule saying that you can't enjoy reading or helping people while pursuing your current major.
While it's wonderful that you love English and Psychology, have you explored the kinds of careers that those offer and do those careers interest you? Would a career as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist interest you because you could marry your interests in biology, the workings of the mind and helping others?
A minor is a wonderful way to explore an area that truly interests you, even if you're not sure you'd want a career in that field. I personally was an anthropology minor because I thoroughly enjoyed the study of people and cultures. It wasn't where my career was going, but they were classes that I enjoyed and they helped round out my course of study. Before you change majors, it seems like you might want to consider your career options and what you want to do.
Betsy recommends the following next steps:
Thanks so much for your input and yeah I have been researching what jobs I could get with that double major and it’s occupations that I would truly enjoy whether it’s an advisor, counselor for high school though the goal would be college counselor or anything with talking to people so they can have someone to listen. I’m burned out on my current degree and also I’m dealing with a lot of health issues that is dealing with the beauracracy and I know every day doing the job I was going for, I would be very frustrated and not enjoy it at all.
Azia
Meghan’s Answer
I understand feeling like you should adjust your major due to your interests but keep in mind that being an avid reader and being interested in the way human minds work can apply to so many careers. You use those skills in business, teaching, sales, marketing, counseling, and more.
When you think about your major, think about the type of job you would enjoy doing everyday. No matter what you do, there are always opportunities. If you want to work in a career like the medical field where specific training is required to complete the tasks of the job then your major will need to be more specific like biology or anatomy. However, a career that can be done in a million different ways like marketing or sales gives you the freedom to choose a broader field like English or Psychology.
What it boils down to is what you see yourself doing day in and day out. Are you in an office or outdoors? Are you working on a team or a solo act? Do you create new ideas or do you replicate existing ideas? Do you lead or do you follow?
Each of these questions and more will help you to narrow down what you love doing and that is how you decide on a career. Tailor the degree as needed after you do that.
Keep in mind, people change and what you love doing everyday will most likely change over time. You may find that out as you start working in a certain field or career and the job you thought you would enjoy turns out to be the wrong path for you. Don't be afraid to change course. If you worry your degree does not meet the qualifications of the job you want, apply anyways. Then do more schooling if it comes to that. Either way just keep looking until you find it and don't stress about the degree.