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How do i figure out what major I should do?
How do I figure put what to do with my life
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8 answers
Updated
Roderick’s Answer
Hey Iyonna! It's fantastic to see you exploring and asking these questions about your future. Remember, your passions, strengths, and happiness are key ingredients to finding a fulfilling career. Don't forget to consider what kind of lifestyle you want and how your chosen career will support that.
A great way to start is by volunteering in areas that interest you. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights and help you decide if a particular field is right for you. Plus, schools usually allow you to enroll as an undecided major. This is an excellent opportunity to take general studies, research different majors and career paths, and engage with various subjects. Ultimately, you'll find a major that feels just right for you. Trust yourself, and embrace this exciting journey of self-discovery!
A great way to start is by volunteering in areas that interest you. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights and help you decide if a particular field is right for you. Plus, schools usually allow you to enroll as an undecided major. This is an excellent opportunity to take general studies, research different majors and career paths, and engage with various subjects. Ultimately, you'll find a major that feels just right for you. Trust yourself, and embrace this exciting journey of self-discovery!
Updated
Damian’s Answer
I am currently a rising senior in college. The way I found my major was by focusing on what I liked to do in high school. My favorite and best subject in high school was math. I looked up careers that are math-based and found actuarial science. I saw that the career had high job satisfaction and good compensation.
The moral of the story is that the things you like in high school can be translated to college and ultimately to your career! Use your favorite subjects now to determine what you want to do later.
The moral of the story is that the things you like in high school can be translated to college and ultimately to your career! Use your favorite subjects now to determine what you want to do later.
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hi Iyonna!
First things first - that's ok that you don't know what to do. Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. My suggestion is to go to a community college to obtain your basics. This will help you have time to try some different jobs in completely different fields. Also, by going to a community college you will be saving money and giving yourself more time to decide on a career/job while making progress on your degree. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life. I had a teacher in high school tell me that I would be a failure if I did not know what degree/career I wanted by the time I graduated high school. Well, I did not by graduation but decided a year later on what I wanted to do and absolutely love it (operations)
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
Good luck on the journey and know that you are not alone!
First things first - that's ok that you don't know what to do. Most people do not know what they want to do the rest of their lives and it can be stressful to think about. I felt the same way a couple of years ago right before I graduated high school. My suggestion is to go to a community college to obtain your basics. This will help you have time to try some different jobs in completely different fields. Also, by going to a community college you will be saving money and giving yourself more time to decide on a career/job while making progress on your degree. Don't let people put pressure on you that you have to decide now on the rest of your work life. I had a teacher in high school tell me that I would be a failure if I did not know what degree/career I wanted by the time I graduated high school. Well, I did not by graduation but decided a year later on what I wanted to do and absolutely love it (operations)
I really think business is a great field to go into since it keeps your options wide open. That way you are not committing to one specific field and find out later that you hate it. Some fields in business include:
1. Operations
2. Finance
3. Sales
4. Marketing
5. Human Resources
I decided to go into Business Operations since operations touches almost every facet of the organization. I enjoy the different challenges and operations also gives me the flexibility to try new things. Another great aspect about operations is they usually support the other divisions of an organization. Since, there are many divisions of an company if you do not enjoy one area its not a big deal since you can support other areas of the business.
Many larger companies will start you in a rotational analyst program. By doing this you will get to see usually 2-4 different sections of the business. Companies offer this to not only help you hone in on your career path but many companies have realized that if there employees actually enjoy their job they will get better overall performance.
Good luck on the journey and know that you are not alone!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Firstly, you may have to find out what you have interest.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about your interest/hobbies, your favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E,g, If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, musician, music composer, music teacher, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about your interest/hobbies, your favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E,g, If you are interested in Maths, would you like to be an accountant, banker, engineer, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in Music, would you like to be a singer, musician, music composer, music teacher, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
Ariana’s Answer
Hi Iyonna! I think it's great that you are thinking critically about your major wholistically as it relates to your future life and career. I would recommend that you be as open-minded as possible, and use the below framework to analyze your options:
1. Make a list of the specific activities that give you energy/make you happy (e.g., being outside, solving puzzles, organizing, listening, talking, etc.)
2. Ask your friends and family if they use any of these activities within their jobs; this will help you get a better sense of what roles might use some of your favorite activities. (e.g., if you like organizing, project management might be a good fit)
3. Then think about field/industry (social support, nonprofit, government, finance, healthcare, etc.). Some activities can be found across many industries, and others are not. Within possible fields that offer jobs that include the activities you like, think about where your passion lies.
4. Finally, think about your desired lifestyle. If you want to live in a rural area, you may want to pursue remote opportunities, which are not available in some fields, such as front-line healthcare.
All of these factors will help you narrow down your possible majors. My recommendation would be to pursue the major that you think would provide the greatest range of opportunities/applicable skills in the roles and fields that you are interested in. Best of luck, Iyonna!
1. Make a list of the specific activities that give you energy/make you happy (e.g., being outside, solving puzzles, organizing, listening, talking, etc.)
2. Ask your friends and family if they use any of these activities within their jobs; this will help you get a better sense of what roles might use some of your favorite activities. (e.g., if you like organizing, project management might be a good fit)
3. Then think about field/industry (social support, nonprofit, government, finance, healthcare, etc.). Some activities can be found across many industries, and others are not. Within possible fields that offer jobs that include the activities you like, think about where your passion lies.
4. Finally, think about your desired lifestyle. If you want to live in a rural area, you may want to pursue remote opportunities, which are not available in some fields, such as front-line healthcare.
All of these factors will help you narrow down your possible majors. My recommendation would be to pursue the major that you think would provide the greatest range of opportunities/applicable skills in the roles and fields that you are interested in. Best of luck, Iyonna!
Updated
Christian’s Answer
Hi Lyonna!
I belive that you should try out many different careers to try and figure out any smallest things that you may want to pursue. You have a lot of time an always remember to do what YOU want to do.
-Christian
I belive that you should try out many different careers to try and figure out any smallest things that you may want to pursue. You have a lot of time an always remember to do what YOU want to do.
-Christian
Updated
Agustin A.’s Answer
My best advice would be to make a list of all the things you like, include hobbies, favorite things to do, etc and try to out them together.
For example, if I really enjoy sports, tech, social media, and talking to people. I would try to find opportunities for tech implementation in sports or marketing manager in sports. After finding that opportunity do some research on it and see if that is your true passion. You can use LinkedIn or twitter to find more info about the role and career path.
Hopefully that helps. Good luck!
For example, if I really enjoy sports, tech, social media, and talking to people. I would try to find opportunities for tech implementation in sports or marketing manager in sports. After finding that opportunity do some research on it and see if that is your true passion. You can use LinkedIn or twitter to find more info about the role and career path.
Hopefully that helps. Good luck!
Updated
Steven R.’s Answer
Peak career satisfaction lies at the intersection of (a) what you are good at, (b) what gives you energy, and (c) what people will pay you to do. Figure that out first (to the extent possible, just having a hunch is fine, don't have to know 100% for certain), and choose a major that supports your chosen field. Also consider whether the career salaries will support your desired lifestyle. Seek out others who have experienced success in that chosen field and ask yourself, "would I want their life?" Also look at the path they took to get where they are.