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How do I know what major is best for me?

Senior in high school struggling with what to major in

college
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Subject: Career question for you
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Hasnain’s Answer

Jana, it's completely normal to feel uncertain about choosing a major, and many students go through this process. Here are some steps to help you figure out what major might be the best fit for you:

𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀:
Consider what subjects or activities genuinely interest you. Think about classes you enjoyed in high school, hobbies, or any topics you find yourself naturally gravitating toward.

𝟮. 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀:
Identify your strengths and skills. What are you good at? What activities or tasks make you feel confident and engaged? Your skills can guide you toward areas where you might excel.

𝟯. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Think about what you are passionate about. What issues or causes do you care deeply about? Exploring your passions can lead you to majors that align with your values.
𝟰. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀:
Reflect on your long-term goals. What kind of career do you envision for yourself? Consider majors that align with your career goals or offer a solid foundation for various career paths.

𝟱. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Explore different majors and the careers they can lead to. Look into the curriculum of various majors, potential job opportunities, and the skills they develop. This research can provide valuable insights.

𝟲. 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀:
Connect with professionals working in fields you find interesting. Conduct informational interviews or job shadowing to gain firsthand insights into different careers. Professionals can provide valuable advice based on their experiences.

𝟳. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
Consider taking career assessments or aptitude tests. These tools can help identify your strengths, interests, and potential career paths. Your school's guidance counselor may offer resources for this.

𝟴. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀:
Talk to teachers, family members, or other mentors about your interests and concerns. They may offer guidance based on their own experiences and knowledge.

𝟵. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Engage in extracurricular activities or volunteer work related to different fields. Hands-on experiences can help you determine if a certain area is genuinely appealing to you.

𝟭𝟬. 𝗕𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
It's okay not to have everything figured out immediately. College often provides opportunities for exploration. Be open to trying out different courses or majors in your first year to see what resonates with you.

𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀:
If you have diverse interests, explore the possibility of dual majors or minors. This allows you to combine different fields of study and create a unique academic path.

𝟭𝟮. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
College career centers often provide resources and guidance on choosing a major. They may offer counseling sessions or workshops to assist you in the decision-making process.

Remember, it's normal for interests and goals to evolve, and your major doesn't necessarily determine your entire career path. Choose a major that aligns with your interests and allows for flexibility. Don't hesitate to seek guidance from those around you, and trust that you have the ability to adapt and thrive in your chosen field.
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Ezra’s Answer

Hello,

Your chosen major should align with your post-college career aspirations. It's strongly advised to select a field of study or career path that brings you joy. Reflect on your favorite hobbies or activities and consider the potential job opportunities they might lead to.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Firstly, you need to find out what you have interest first. The relevant subjects will be your major and minor.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest, eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, 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 counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects will be the major and minor in the college
5. Explore the entry criteria of these subjects in the college
Hope this helps! Hope this helps!
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Alexis’s Answer

Hey Jana,

I totally get it - picking a major can feel like a monumental decision, and it's something a lot of us in college grapple with. We tend to think that our choice of major is a life sentence, that it's something we can't alter down the line. But I'm here to tell you that's not the case. In fact, it's pretty common for people to switch majors a few times, as we discover new passions and interests we didn't know we had.

One great way to explore what truly sparks your interest is by diving into your general education requirements. Once you start college, you'll have a range of gen ed classes to complete before you graduate. These classes span a wide array of subjects - from sociology and psychology to physical sciences, arts, and history. By dipping your toes into these diverse areas, you might just stumble upon something you absolutely love!

So, don't stress about making the perfect choice right off the bat. Feel free to explore, take a few different classes, and see where you feel most at home. Your journey is just beginning, and there's no rush to figure it all out immediately. Take your time and enjoy the ride!
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Alan’s Answer

Jana, believe me, you're not alone. Probably the majority of students entering college are unsure, at least to some extent, about what they want to major in. It's a big decision, and it doesn't have to be made before entering. You can start in Liberal Arts/General Studies (or whatever that's called at the college you choose) and take an elective class in each of your first couple of semesters that you think might lead somewhere. In the meantime, consider your interests, hobbies, skills, experiences and values and what career they might suggest. There are quizzes online and through counselors that can help with that narrowing down process. Also, look at the websites of your potential colleges for what kinds of programs and classes they offer, seeing if anything strikes a chord for you. When college representatives come to your high school, talk with them, and visit the colleges you're interested in and seek out their academic advisors. You have time, don't rush a big decision like this... although there's also nothing wrong with changing direction along the way if your initial choice turns out not to have been the best for you.
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