2 answers
2 answers
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
There are a lot of factors that can go in to help somebody find out what kind of major they want to be in. It can take people a while to decide what it is that they want to study and do in life; a process that should not be rushed. If you try to rush out and find an occupation that has a high pay, but you do not like the type of work that is being done in that occupation then doing that job will be difficult. These are the steps I would took when I had to choose a major:
Do NOT rush: Picking a major is something that can be confusing for some people. One moment they think that one major is the perfect one for them, then in the next quarter there is another major that they think is the best for them. Take your time in this process, do not try to rush yourself. It takes people time to find something they want to major in.
Talk to school advisors: Advisors can often help guide the students to potential occupations that they may be suited for or well versed in. With advisors you can go over the different topics that you like and dislike and they can try to help narrow down the occupations to the ones that best fit you.
Be open about what majors that you might want to be in: A lot of the times I find that people that are entering University have a hard time finding out what they want to do. Often they close off many of their options and only want to look at jobs that they like or think are "popular" at the moment. My advice about this would be to keep your options open when searching for a major. There are plenty of different majors that you might not think will be suited for you at first, but as you go further and further in researching the jobs that are with the major, you might like it.
Make a list about majors you might be interested in: Make a list and write down the reasons WHY you like those jobs. Then with that information consult online or with a peer or advisor about the jobs that fit the reasons why you like those jobs in the first place.
Brandon recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Rudy’s Answer
Hi Zoe
I was having this conversation with my daughter a few years ago when she was Sophomore in HS.
My advice then and now comes down to this question: what are you passionate about?
Figure out what are your interests, what gets you excited, where do you find yourself spending time on, what are you good at.
For me it was computes and electronics. I would spend every waking hour reading about it, playing with computers, hanging out with friends who were into computers, etc. So I went to school for Computer Engineering and I love it.
Sometimes this is not easy or clear, in that case many Universities offer exploratory programs that allow you to get a "taste" for different fields and help you narrow down your choices.
Suggested Steps:
Take time to think about your passions, interests, hobbies
Talk to your HS guidance councilors, they tools to help you identify aptitude for certain fields.
I was having this conversation with my daughter a few years ago when she was Sophomore in HS.
My advice then and now comes down to this question: what are you passionate about?
Figure out what are your interests, what gets you excited, where do you find yourself spending time on, what are you good at.
For me it was computes and electronics. I would spend every waking hour reading about it, playing with computers, hanging out with friends who were into computers, etc. So I went to school for Computer Engineering and I love it.
Sometimes this is not easy or clear, in that case many Universities offer exploratory programs that allow you to get a "taste" for different fields and help you narrow down your choices.
Suggested Steps:
Rudy recommends the following next steps: