Kristina
I am at the end of my junior year in high school right now. When do I need to know what I want to major in?
I currently am #undecided for my major but am leaning in some division of education - unsure of which part as of now. #college #college-major #college-bound #major
4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Just wondering, have you given any thought to what you might want to major in? It's totally okay if you're not sure yet, a lot of high school students feel the same way. Generally, though, it's a good idea to start considering your options and making a decision around the end of junior year. Why, you ask? Well, there are three main reasons:
1. College application deadlines: Most colleges and universities set their application deadlines during your senior year, usually between October and February. So, to give yourself plenty of time to research and apply to your top choices, it's good to have a rough idea of your preferred major by the start of senior year.
2. Course selection: After you've chosen your major, you'll need to pick a course of study that matches your interests and goals. If you wait too long to decide, you might miss out on important prerequisites or electives that could help you get ready for your future career.
3. Future career planning: Knowing your major can guide you in making decisions about your future career. Some jobs require specific degrees or majors, so having a clear idea of your major can help you plan your career path and make informed decisions about your future.
If you're still not sure about your major, don't sweat it! It's totally normal to explore your options and change your mind. Here are three great resources that could help you make an informed decision:
1. "The College Majors Handbook" by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): This guide gives you detailed information on over 100 college majors, including job prospects, salary ranges, and required courses.
2. "Choosing a Major: A Guide for Students" by the National Center for Education Statistics: This guide offers practical advice and resources for choosing a major, including tips for exploring career options, evaluating your interests and skills, and finding the right fit.
3. "The Majors and Careers Handbook" by the American Council on Education (ACE)": This handbook gives detailed information on over 150 college majors, including career prospects, salary ranges, and required courses. It also includes advice for exploring your options and finding the right major for your goals.
Remember, choosing a major is a big decision, but it's not set in stone. You can always change your mind and explore new options as you move through college. The most important thing is to take your time, research your options, and choose a major that fits your interests, skills, and career goals.
May you be blessed with abundance!
James.
Arthur Chang
Arthur’s Answer
Hi Kristina,
I assume you're asking about majoring in college! If that's the case, don't worry about it quite yet, unless you are planning on attending a college outside of the United States. Barring that, the standard for most colleges is you declare at the end of your sophomore year, allowing you nearly four full semesters to explore your interests before settling on a choice. Of course, it's a bit more nuanced than that. Sometimes, by choosing a college, you have already "declared" an area of study, even if you have not necessarily declared a specific major. For example, if you go to a tech or engineering school, more likely than not you will major in a tech-related field. That being said, with some exceptions, generally you can still major in non-technical fields even if you go to a tech college, and the general rule of formally declaring at the end of your sophomore year still applies. Sorry for the longish response to your answer. I hope it helped and best of luck!
Yvonne Ruffner
Yvonne’s Answer
Hi Kristina,
It looks like you've already gotten some great advice from Arthur. From my experience, I'd say it's important to use the first year or so of college to explore what you'd like to major in. If you select electives that will count toward graduation requirements, you'll be able to use these classes to find out your strengths and interests, while not putting yourself at risk of delaying your graduation date. I also found it really helpful to join different volunteer organizations or student groups that aligned with career areas I was interested.
Plus! Don't forget to take advantage of career services your future college will offer! Many colleges will have guest speakers, mentor programs, and information sessions that will help you narrow down what you'd like to do. I'd also recommend meeting regularly with a guidance/student counselor. They are there to help make sure you are on track to graduate and can recommend courses for you to take to help you reach your goals.
If you're interested in majoring in education, you have a great pool of experts to talk to now - your teachers! You can talk to them about how they chose their specialty and they may have great advice for how you can determine yours.
Good luck! You're off to a great start with starting now to find out the best career fit for you!
