5 answers
Ethan
Student
Scranton, Pennsylvania
9
Questions
Asked
834 views
How do you narrow down your options for your major in college.
I have some options right now for my major in college. They are engineering, culinary, art, and music. I know all of them except engineering are more looked at as minors, unless you go to an art school or cooking school. I also enjoy the others more than the idea of engineering. I know its nice to have options, but I feel that I may have too many. What I want to know is some tips for narrowing down my options. #college #majors
5 answers
Kevin Finn
Tax Intern
2
Answers
Quincy, Massachusetts
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
The most important advice I can give is to make sure whatever you choose to major in, be sure it is what you want to do. It is very easy to get caught up in what others want you to do whether its family, friends, or society in general. As you said engineering does not interest you as much as the other three, many people might try and push it on you simply because it has the most potential for a high salary out of college. I can also add that many times people who pursue what they might consider their "passions" end up losing their love for them once it becomes their careers. Cooking as a hobby may become very tiresome or unattractive after you have spent all day doing it for other people. It is not to dissuade you or anyone from pursuing that path, but it is something to keep in mind.
A lot will also depend on what you want out of your major. For example if salary and job security is important and the work interests you, engineering is a great choice. Another alternative to this is finding ways to incorporate your interests in your major. I'll use engineering as an example again since it is on your list. There are many different subfields within engineering that could incorporate your interests, like sound engineering. Finally, if you are worried about the viability and career prospects of a certain major, picking it up as a minor instead is a way to go. This way you still get to engage in an activity you enjoy, and there is less pressure about using it to secure your future. Also know that your first year of college is typically very flexible when it comes to changing your major or program, so even if you get to college and are still undecided it is okay. Shadowing or talking with anyone in any of these fields and trying to get a feel for what they do could also help your decision.
A lot will also depend on what you want out of your major. For example if salary and job security is important and the work interests you, engineering is a great choice. Another alternative to this is finding ways to incorporate your interests in your major. I'll use engineering as an example again since it is on your list. There are many different subfields within engineering that could incorporate your interests, like sound engineering. Finally, if you are worried about the viability and career prospects of a certain major, picking it up as a minor instead is a way to go. This way you still get to engage in an activity you enjoy, and there is less pressure about using it to secure your future. Also know that your first year of college is typically very flexible when it comes to changing your major or program, so even if you get to college and are still undecided it is okay. Shadowing or talking with anyone in any of these fields and trying to get a feel for what they do could also help your decision.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1817
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Firstly, have you thought about what career you would like to develop in the future? What is your interest? Art or Music can be your major if you want to become an artist or musician in the future.
I would suggest you could explore more on the industry / career you have interested on / you would like to further develop in the future. Then, you can also speak to someone who are working in the industry or explore any part time opportunities to acquire better understanding.
I believe the above can help you to narrow down your options. Hope this helps! Good Luck!
I would suggest you could explore more on the industry / career you have interested on / you would like to further develop in the future. Then, you can also speak to someone who are working in the industry or explore any part time opportunities to acquire better understanding.
I believe the above can help you to narrow down your options. Hope this helps! Good Luck!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey Ethan!
Choosing a college major can seem like a daunting task, but it's an exciting step towards your future. Here's some friendly advice to help you navigate this important decision:
Get to Know Yourself: Start by taking stock of your interests, talents, and values. Think about what subjects or activities really light your fire and where your talents shine. Picture the kind of work environment and lifestyle you want down the road. This self-check can help you pinpoint which majors best match your personal and career dreams.
Do Your Homework: Spend time digging into each potential major. Check out the course content, job prospects, and potential job opportunities in each field. Chatting with professors, professionals, or alumni can give you a peek into the day-to-day life in those careers.
Try It Out: Look for internships, part-time jobs, or shadowing opportunities in the areas you're interested in. Getting your hands dirty can give you a real feel for whether a major is a good fit for you.
Ask for Advice: Reach out to academic advisors, mentors, or career counselors at your college. They're a gold mine of advice and resources to help you make a smart decision about your major.
Think Ahead: Ponder your long-term career dreams and how each major might fit with those goals. Some majors might be a straight shot to certain careers, while others might give you a wide range of skills you can use in different industries.
Check the Job Market: Look up the latest job market trends and forecasts for each major. Think about things like how much demand there is for professionals in that field, potential earnings, and where the jobs are.
Double Up or Add On: If you're having a hard time picking just one major, think about going for a double major or adding a minor to round out your main focus of study.
Chat with Friends: Talk over your options with friends, family, and peers who know you well. Sometimes a fresh viewpoint can give you new ideas you hadn't thought of.
Follow Your Heart: In the end, pick a major that matches your passions and interests. While it's important to think practically, studying something you truly love can lead to a more satisfying and successful career in the long run.
Don't worry if you're not sure about your major yet. It's normal for students to try out different options before finding the perfect fit. Take your time, weigh your options, and seek advice from people you trust as you make this big decision.
Top 3 Go-To Reference Publications:
The College Board - collegeboard.org
U.S. News & World Report - usnews.com/education
The Princeton Review - princetonreview.com
Remember, it's never too late to pray!
James Constantine Frangos.
Choosing a college major can seem like a daunting task, but it's an exciting step towards your future. Here's some friendly advice to help you navigate this important decision:
Get to Know Yourself: Start by taking stock of your interests, talents, and values. Think about what subjects or activities really light your fire and where your talents shine. Picture the kind of work environment and lifestyle you want down the road. This self-check can help you pinpoint which majors best match your personal and career dreams.
Do Your Homework: Spend time digging into each potential major. Check out the course content, job prospects, and potential job opportunities in each field. Chatting with professors, professionals, or alumni can give you a peek into the day-to-day life in those careers.
Try It Out: Look for internships, part-time jobs, or shadowing opportunities in the areas you're interested in. Getting your hands dirty can give you a real feel for whether a major is a good fit for you.
Ask for Advice: Reach out to academic advisors, mentors, or career counselors at your college. They're a gold mine of advice and resources to help you make a smart decision about your major.
Think Ahead: Ponder your long-term career dreams and how each major might fit with those goals. Some majors might be a straight shot to certain careers, while others might give you a wide range of skills you can use in different industries.
Check the Job Market: Look up the latest job market trends and forecasts for each major. Think about things like how much demand there is for professionals in that field, potential earnings, and where the jobs are.
Double Up or Add On: If you're having a hard time picking just one major, think about going for a double major or adding a minor to round out your main focus of study.
Chat with Friends: Talk over your options with friends, family, and peers who know you well. Sometimes a fresh viewpoint can give you new ideas you hadn't thought of.
Follow Your Heart: In the end, pick a major that matches your passions and interests. While it's important to think practically, studying something you truly love can lead to a more satisfying and successful career in the long run.
Don't worry if you're not sure about your major yet. It's normal for students to try out different options before finding the perfect fit. Take your time, weigh your options, and seek advice from people you trust as you make this big decision.
Top 3 Go-To Reference Publications:
The College Board - collegeboard.org
U.S. News & World Report - usnews.com/education
The Princeton Review - princetonreview.com
Remember, it's never too late to pray!
James Constantine Frangos.
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1790
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
I fully agree that the most important decision is how you feel about engineering. I'd see about talking with seniors in engineering if not people who are already engineers to see what they love and hate about their jobs/degrees. Engineering is kind of an all or nothing decision; you're either spending the next decade following a series of detailed steps, or not. You can still have doors open for you with the other degrees. Of culinary, art, and music, I would say that culinary is probably the most practical. I'd recommend looking at the job boards for your area and see what jobs are being hired for in the fields you're considering and what prerequisites they have. See if any mention the degrees you are considering and that'll give you a better idea of which ones are the more practical choices. Art and music could also work if you want to teach these topics, but you may have to get an education degree as well depending on what is required of teachers in your state.
Keith Massie
Associate Professor
15
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Keith’s Answer
Selecting a major can be quite challenging, so you are not alone. Your choices are diverse and speak to the fact that you are a person of many interests. Deep down, however, you need to determine what is a hobby (and secondary) and what is central. Your choices are too wide ranging to take the commonly applied path. For many students the choice of major can be found through the exploration of a classes at a given university. In fact, the first two years at most universities is dedicated to "General Education" as to expose students to a range of areas and give them a better feel for what they like and are interested in. For example, I started college as a "Pre-med" major because I was a first generation college student and thought that you only went to college to be a doctor or a lawyer. While in college, I realized I had other interests and talents and changed my major to Philosophy and Communication. In short, you don't need to necessarily know where you are going, you need to just start moving and the path with become more and more clear. More importantly, you can't think of your college major as something that locks you into a given area or life. I'm now a college professor who focuses on social media and data analytics. Don't get too caught up in knowing exactly where your are going; have aspirations and dreams but let them change as your experiences and self-knowledge changes. Lastly, try to determine if you can separate out things that are hobbies (that you like to do but might get 'burned out' if you had to do all the time) versus occupational goals (which may not have the same passion but are more enduring).
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