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What advice would you give someone who doesn't know what they want to do yet/major in ?
I'm currently a junior in high school, and I have no idea what I want to do in the future. I haven't found anything that I am particularly passionate about yet, and I don't want to spend my college years studying a major I dislike and going on to pursue a job in the same field that I don't care about. I also don't know my options about going into college undecided. What if I can't change my major even if I find a passion for something?
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Yiting’s Answer
Hi
I'd like to give you some suggestions.
1) Find Your Interests:
Explore different subjects in school, join clubs, or volunteer. Pay attention to what excites you and what you enjoy doing in your free time. This can help you identify potential majors.
2) Understanding Different Degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): Focuses on humanities, social sciences, and the arts. It's figuring out and discovering what is happening in the society, such as social media, emerging technology's impact on users, etc..
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Emphasizes scientific and technical disciplines. If you enjoy math and science, this might be a good fit. It's developing new thing rather than discovering.
- Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS): These degrees are more hands-on and focused on applying knowledge in practical settings.
- Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.): Ideal for those interested in design, architecture, and urban planning.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): A good choice if you’re interested in business, management, leadership or entrepreneurship.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): For those passionate about creative fields like visual arts, theater, museum, performance, movie or music.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A crucial degree for entering the healthcare field, the society is facing nursing shortage. So you may find jobs more easily. But it can be demanding both emotionally and physically.
3) after considering the second step, Research Courses:
After narrowing down your interests and potential majors, visit university websites to explore specific courses.
Look for syllabi, faculty profiles, and student reviews to gauge if the curriculum resonates with you.
This can also give you insight into what a future career might look like.
Suggest you to stay open-minded and explore different paths.
It's perfectly normal not to have everything figured out right away!
I'd like to give you some suggestions.
1) Find Your Interests:
Explore different subjects in school, join clubs, or volunteer. Pay attention to what excites you and what you enjoy doing in your free time. This can help you identify potential majors.
2) Understanding Different Degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): Focuses on humanities, social sciences, and the arts. It's figuring out and discovering what is happening in the society, such as social media, emerging technology's impact on users, etc..
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Emphasizes scientific and technical disciplines. If you enjoy math and science, this might be a good fit. It's developing new thing rather than discovering.
- Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS): These degrees are more hands-on and focused on applying knowledge in practical settings.
- Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.): Ideal for those interested in design, architecture, and urban planning.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): A good choice if you’re interested in business, management, leadership or entrepreneurship.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): For those passionate about creative fields like visual arts, theater, museum, performance, movie or music.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A crucial degree for entering the healthcare field, the society is facing nursing shortage. So you may find jobs more easily. But it can be demanding both emotionally and physically.
3) after considering the second step, Research Courses:
After narrowing down your interests and potential majors, visit university websites to explore specific courses.
Look for syllabi, faculty profiles, and student reviews to gauge if the curriculum resonates with you.
This can also give you insight into what a future career might look like.
Suggest you to stay open-minded and explore different paths.
It's perfectly normal not to have everything figured out right away!
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Emily,
Great question. I have been in HR for 10 years and I never, ever thought I would be.
But, here is what I did. I asked myself: “what brings me joy? What fuels my flame?” And my answer to that was that I wanted to work with and help people. I majored in Theology because initially I wanted to be a pastor, which I was for a couple years. But, I changed careers and I now have the opportunity to use HR to help others.
So, start with your passion. Then, choose a career where that passion can come alive.
Also, don’t worry about changing majors in colleges. It happens a lot. I recommend taking General Education classes your first year to get them out of the way and dedicate time to talking with professionals, teachers, peers, and putting yourself in situations where you an experience different things.
You will do great :)
Great question. I have been in HR for 10 years and I never, ever thought I would be.
But, here is what I did. I asked myself: “what brings me joy? What fuels my flame?” And my answer to that was that I wanted to work with and help people. I majored in Theology because initially I wanted to be a pastor, which I was for a couple years. But, I changed careers and I now have the opportunity to use HR to help others.
So, start with your passion. Then, choose a career where that passion can come alive.
Also, don’t worry about changing majors in colleges. It happens a lot. I recommend taking General Education classes your first year to get them out of the way and dedicate time to talking with professionals, teachers, peers, and putting yourself in situations where you an experience different things.
You will do great :)
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. The most important is to find out what careers you have interest.
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
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Avery’s Answer
Hi Emily! I am a junior in college and first I want to reassure you that this is TOTALLY normal! Many people have no clue what they want to do when they grow up or change their major during college (about 1 in 3 college students change their major at least once). It is usually not a big hassle, I have had many friends do it. Occasionally, it may add an extra semester or two to your journey depending on how related your majors are, but it is super common and it is unlikely you would not be able to change your major.
If it is available in your area, many high schools have partnerships with local colleges where you can try one or two college classes even during high school. I was lucky enough to do that because there are so many more options at the college level than there are in high school. If you can do that I highly recommend it. But don't worry if you can't!
If you would like to go to college and have the ability to financially, I recommend going to a community or technical college to try a variety of classes for cheaper than a state or private school. This allows you to experience a variety of options before you commit to a university that is far away or costly. Once you find something you like, students often transition to a different school but you do not have to. Some colleges have great undecided programs. My school, Mount Mary University, has a Compass program that is built for those who don't know what they want to do and offers extra support and staff members whose job is to help you find your passion! I am sure you could research other schools near you that offer a similar program.
Lastly, you could just wait before you start college. If you already have a job then you can try working your way up in the company. Often established companies have specific programs and offer lots of on-the-job training (I know Menards and many other stores have manager training programs). If there is a position you aspire to that requires college training or courses, often companies will pay for it. I live near the Medical College of Wisconsin and they have a program that pays for their employee's schooling if it is in the medical field.
Overall, remember that while the college and career journey is often presented to you as a straight line, it very rarely happens in that way. You can go to school and change your mind. You can go back to school later in life. Regardless of what path you take, you will get to where you are meant to be! You got this!
If it is available in your area, many high schools have partnerships with local colleges where you can try one or two college classes even during high school. I was lucky enough to do that because there are so many more options at the college level than there are in high school. If you can do that I highly recommend it. But don't worry if you can't!
If you would like to go to college and have the ability to financially, I recommend going to a community or technical college to try a variety of classes for cheaper than a state or private school. This allows you to experience a variety of options before you commit to a university that is far away or costly. Once you find something you like, students often transition to a different school but you do not have to. Some colleges have great undecided programs. My school, Mount Mary University, has a Compass program that is built for those who don't know what they want to do and offers extra support and staff members whose job is to help you find your passion! I am sure you could research other schools near you that offer a similar program.
Lastly, you could just wait before you start college. If you already have a job then you can try working your way up in the company. Often established companies have specific programs and offer lots of on-the-job training (I know Menards and many other stores have manager training programs). If there is a position you aspire to that requires college training or courses, often companies will pay for it. I live near the Medical College of Wisconsin and they have a program that pays for their employee's schooling if it is in the medical field.
Overall, remember that while the college and career journey is often presented to you as a straight line, it very rarely happens in that way. You can go to school and change your mind. You can go back to school later in life. Regardless of what path you take, you will get to where you are meant to be! You got this!
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
119
Answers
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Relax. Not everyone knows what they want to do with their careers right away. I mean even people who KNOW EXACTLY what they want to do change their routes at least a little bit. For example, I wanted to be a music producer when I was your age. Now I want to build up my own music business for producers and artists. The world is yours to conquer and it doesn't matter what you decide to do or even if you decide to change what you want to do. The only bad thing is if you find what you want to do and don't act on it.
Updated
Nino’s Answer
Dear Emily
It is too normal and familiar question because when I was your age I was always thinking what I wanted in my life. During these years I changed my mind maybe 50 times. It is normal because some adult people still don’t know what is their desirable career but what u can do is to try more things that u can because more u try u will find your suitable one.
Try yourself in everything and in which u will be more exited more impressed remember that’s the one.
I hope I helped u little bit.
Wish u the best
It is too normal and familiar question because when I was your age I was always thinking what I wanted in my life. During these years I changed my mind maybe 50 times. It is normal because some adult people still don’t know what is their desirable career but what u can do is to try more things that u can because more u try u will find your suitable one.
Try yourself in everything and in which u will be more exited more impressed remember that’s the one.
I hope I helped u little bit.
Wish u the best
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
I don't understand why we insist on making people "decide" what they want to do at age 18. As other posters have said, yes, it's important to find your interests and the things you're good at, balanced with a level of practicality (ie, can I make a living at this, what's the hirability for a role like this, etc). But also remember that nothing is set in stone, and that you can change your mind. I think the most important thing I would say is to just BE OPEN. Don't shut out any possibilities based on any preconceived notions you have, or pressure from family. I had this idea that I wanted to be a poetry professor. It took me three years (two of which I lived in Europe, teaching ESL) to realize I actually did not want to do that. So then I started reexamining what I really wanted, and ended up in a career in content marketing and communications. Definitely related to creative writing, but it's a completely different industry. Even now, after building a successful career in this space, my career goals and my needs are evolving and I'm not sure that I want the same things I did previously.
My point is this: Keep an open mind, and remember that you are human and can change it. Give yourself some grace. College is a time of exploration and learning, so focus on that and it will come to you.
My point is this: Keep an open mind, and remember that you are human and can change it. Give yourself some grace. College is a time of exploration and learning, so focus on that and it will come to you.