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How do I choose what major I want to choose If I don't know what to choose?

I feel like I am never sure about what I want to do after high school and the collages require you to craft a story of you in your college apps of what you did in high school.

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Mike’s Answer

Resolve this from a place of what you want to experience and NOT what will look good to get you a job. When I applied to college I was leaving an entry-level government position with great benefits. The job was terrible and I could only move up with an a college degree. The first thing I asked my advisor was what major would never get me a job. He said "Art History. " I made that my minor and loved it! For my major I chose English because although I enjoyed discussing ideas in great books, I had not actually read many. These choices led to many great classes in Anthropology, Arthurian Legend, Astronomy (Never realized I had an "A" theme going on the whole time) It actually doesn't matter as long as you are going in with a positive attitude towards DISCOVERY and EXPERIENCE. Then you will be helping the next person that asks how did you did it and made it look so easy!
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Jen’s Answer

It's important to be honest about who you are and not try to answer the question in the way you think the college wants you to. It's ok to tell them that you're looking forward to taking time in college to take classes in different fields. I'd also suggest you take some career inventory tests (you can find lots of them for free online or ask your school counselor) to help you narrow down some areas that you should research more. Then finding a job, internship, and/or volunteer opportunity within those fields will help you (and looks good to colleges).
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Jen for the advice. Chika
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Mary’s Answer

I would suggest sticking with something you enjoy doing. From my experience that is usually something that comes natural to you. It could be science, art, history etc. Personally, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do right out of highschool but I had an idea that I wanted to be involved in the medical community. Whatever intuition or gut feeling you have about where you want the direction of your life to go is usually a good indication you're headed in the right direction.
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Donna’s Answer

Start by evaluating your interests. Do you enjoy science, writing, math,art...
What are your strengths? College or technical schools are a time of exploration. Sometimes you bump into fields of study that you never before thought about.

Donna recommends the following next steps:

Dive into a course
Shadow professionals
Ask friends, relatives, teachers for guidance
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Gabriel’s Answer

Greetings, Chika! Full disclosure, I work at a university in the financial aid department. So I am not trained or skilled in giving academic or career advice. My esteemed colleagues have given some great advice. Please forgive my two cents…and take with a grain of salt.

First off, I applaud you asking questions. That shows curiosity. I hope you have a decent family support system. I know that times have changed since I originally went to college but I hope you take something away from this.

I took a “semester off” after three semesters of university because I “didn’t know what I wanted to do.”. I fell in to a trap that wasn’t revealed until AFTER I left college. An advisor told me…”you don’t go to college to learn a trade (and here’s my caveat I offer all…if it’s medical, legal, trade-based…the rules are a bit different)…you go to college to learn how to learn.”

Whatever you do…if you start college, just please promise you’ll finish. Me taking a ten-year semester off is the biggest regret I have in my life. What you choose to major in does not define the rest of your life. I have a sibling who has a very-specific Masters Degree…but it’s not her day-to-day job. And the part I really want you to take away...that’s her choice. But the degree definitely helped get her the job. If unsure I would suggest something general like business or English, versus “undecided”. But others can chime in. You may also want to take a step back and think about what drives you. My parents learned years ago that I love to cook. They started pushing me to go to culinary school. I didn’t go because I thought if my passion became my job I would hate it. (And as someone who has worked in the service industry…I prefer cooking for my girls at home.)

This last bit I say as the father of beautiful daughter. (Who, fortunately, gets her looks from her mum.) She has told me at least thirty “jobs/careers” she would love to pursue. She’s in Grade 4. And just like I encourage her, I offer the same encouragement to you. Just don’t give up! And get your degree!

Your major does not define you…YOU do.

You got this!
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Gabriel Chika
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Chirayu’s Answer

Choosing a college major can be a daunting task, but it's important to remember that you don't have to have everything figured out before you start college. Many students enter college as undecided majors and explore different fields before making a final decision. Here are a few tips to help you choose a major - Many colleges and universities offer resources such as career counseling, aptitude tests, and job shadowing opportunities. These resources can help you identify your interests, skills, and values and explore potential career paths. Think about the activities or subjects that you enjoy and consider how they might translate into a potential major or career. Consider taking classes in areas that interest you to see if they might be a good fit. It's important to consider the job outlook and earning potential for the major you choose. Research potential career paths related to the major to ensure that there are job opportunities and a solid earning potential. It's common for students to switch majors at least once during their college career. If you find that the major you initially chose isn't a good fit, don't be afraid to explore other options. In terms of crafting a story for your college applications, focus on highlighting your strengths, experiences, and interests rather than trying to fit into a specific narrative. Colleges are looking for well-rounded individuals who are curious, passionate, and have a desire to learn and grow.
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