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How do I choose my major that I will acquire a succesful career in?

I currently can't decide if the major I am choosing will result in a good career or whether I should change my major. #college-major #choosing-a-major

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Subject: Career question for you
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Doug’s Answer

Choose a career you are INTERESTED in, not one just because you think you will be good at it. You can be successful in any career as long as you enjoy it and put the time into it. Some people chase after careers because they think they'll become wealthy, but then they realize that they are miserable and end up regretting their career choice. Be careful of that trap. As far as picking a major, unless you have your heart on a specific career, obtaining a degree no matter the major is the important thing. Many people end up in careers that they didn't major in. I know lawyers who majored in engineering and vice-versa. I majored in Communications, went to law school, and ended up in roles related to project management, finance, and operations. While attending college and picking a major is a big decision, it is not a choice that locks you into a single path. Remember, you always have a chance to make a change and choose different directions, whether you are in college or after college.
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Stephanie’s Answer

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-best-college-majors-for-your-career-2016-2017/index.html
http://www.thinkadvisor.com/2016/05/09/30-best-paying-college-majors-2016
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/the-best-degrees-for-the-jobs-of-the-future


While I always recommend majoring in something you enjoy since you'll be working for a big portion of your life, it's definitely smart to pick a major that gives you the best shot at success with a future career. Some important things to remember are to look for majors that:


1) Are in high demand, and will be for the foreseeable future
2) Allow for various career paths and not just one (or the requirement to go to a specific grad program as the only option)
3) That provide a well-rounded experience and skill set
4) That teach you both hard and soft skills, and that provide real-world learning opportunities throughout the degree program (through internships, co-ops, case studies, learning labs, etc)
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Gene’s Answer

Hi Karla,

This is a great question, and Doug touched on the perspective I have as well, which is most degrees don't translate into a job focusing on your major, particularly if you're targeting a four year degree vs. going on to graduate/post graduate degrees.

STEM degrees have a greater likelihood of leading you to a career rooted in those majors, but outside of those you're less likely to have a job doing what you studied. Not always the case, but a higher likelihood. Focus on what interests you first and on what you're good at second, and hopefully those things align.

By focusing on what interests you you'll have more passion and drive for what you're studying, and at the end of the day employers are looking for people that demonstrate initiative, commitment, intelligence, curiosity, and above all else effective communication. This is true if you're an engineering major looking for an engineering job, or a business major looking for anything.

Best of luck!

Gene
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