While many aspects of the college experience are unique to each individual, one thing about college remains consistent: everyone, at some point, has to choose a major. For some, this is an easy task; for others, however, it’s a decision that’s daunting and overwhelming. Perhaps you’re a high school student who’s been told you need to decide your life’s track as soon as possible; or maybe you’ve already been in college for a while and, despite taking a variety of classes on subjects you enjoy, you just can’t seem to find the one thing that “fits”.
During my own experience of picking a major, I was certainly in the indecisive camp. I explored a bunch of different subjects during my freshman year, searching for “the one” class that would grab me by the shoulders and dramatically unveil every step of my future… but before I knew it, it was the end of my freshman year, and the pressure to choose a field of study was starting to build up. I kept putting off the decision for as long as I could, and my indecisiveness nearly got in the way of accomplishing my original goal: to graduate a year early.
In the end, I finally came to a decision – but that decision certainly didn't involve the magical "do this!" moment that I was expecting. Ultimately, the most valuable lesson I learned from this decision-making process is that there might not be a “right” major for you after all. Instead of striving to find that perfect match, I eventually went with the major that was the best fit for the many competing wants and needs that existed in my life. While my major might not be "the one" after all, it's certainly a choice that I'm happy with, and I hope that the advice I've outlined below can help you come to a similar decision. Without further ado, here are seven vital questions to ask yourself when choosing a major:
1. What are you interested in?
This may seem like an obvious one, but when it comes to big decisions like choosing your major, it’s important to consider what you actually want. Often, it’s easy to let other people construct our identities for us, especially when it comes to our interests. Maybe you were known as a “math kid” growing up, or maybe your parents pushed you to become a lawyer. Take a moment to release these expectations that others have placed upon you, and simply consider: what excites you? What challenges do you find yourself dreaming of facing? What can you picture yourself doing ten years from now? These are all questions to sit with on your own, away from the influence of other people’s opinions.
2. What majors are marketable?
When considering interests, it’s also important to think about the other side of the coin: what majors will land you a job after you’ve tossed your cap into the air? As hard as it might be to hear, the unfortunate truth is that some majors are more in demand than others. According to the University of the People's list of the 10 Most In-Demand Degrees in 2021, the current most-wanted majors fall under the STEM umbrella, including subjects such as pharmacology, computer science, and health science. If you’re lucky, your interests align well with these job market openings. If, however, you’re determined to pursue a passion that's not included on this list, be aware that you might face some hardships when trying to land a real gig.
3. How much does money matter to you?
Similarly, it’s important to consider the fund factor: some majors have been shown to set you up for higher salaries than others. Georgetown University’s analysis on the Economic Value of College Majors indicates that STEM, health, and business majors have the highest-paying average salaries over the course of recipients’ careers, whereas social science majors such as education, human services, and theater arts tend to bring in significantly less cash. Based on this data, it’s worth asking yourself which is more important: pursuing your interests or pursuing wealth? If you’re lucky, you can do both at the same time; if you’re not a big STEM fan, however, you might have to start weighing your options.
4. What are your other educational goals?
Keep in mind that your major isn’t the only thing that will shape your educational experience. There are lots of other opportunities that you might choose to pursue, either in addition to or in combination with your major. For example, you might want to graduate early, study abroad, or gain valuable work experience through a job or internship. Personally, I was initially interested in pursuing an English major, but I chose not to do so after realizing my college's English program would require me to stay in school for an extra year. When making your final decision, it is worth considering how your specific major program will impact your ability to accomplish your other goals.
5. How flexible is your major program?
If you are like me and have way too many interests in way too many fields, consider choosing a flexible program that will allow you to take a wide variety of classes and potentially lump additional areas of study onto your degree. At my school, for example, I was easily able to tack an English minor onto my History major due to its flexibility. My friends who are Education majors, by contrast, are locked into a much more intense program that has little room for added extracurriculars. When considering your major, take a deep dive into the requirements for each program that catches your eye. How easily can you combine your many areas of interest into a degree that leaves your options wide open?
6. How difficult is the major program?
We’ve already established that not all majors are equal, and another thing that throws the scales is the difficulty of earning the major itself. According to a 2010 study from Wake Forest University, STEM majors tend to have lower overall GPAs than humanities majors, indicating that these programs are generally more difficult to complete. If you’re thinking of going for a STEM major, consider whether you’re prepared for the heavy workload it demands: will you be able to balance challenging assignments with the other commitments in your life? Additionally, consider the increased potential for burnout: can you still picture yourself enjoying difficult science classes several years down the road?
7. What is the quality of your major program?
Last but not least, it's vital to consider the quality of the major programs offered at your college. Often, this quality factor depends not only on the structure of the program itself, but also on the professors involved in it. For example, a big reason why I decided to be a History major was that I loved all the professors in my school's program; they offered interesting classes and they presented subjects in a way that I found highly engaging. Before you choose your major, I strongly recommend taking a variety of classes to not only see how you gel with different subjects, but also to see whether you enjoy the professors that teach them.
Have you chosen your major yet? If so, what was the biggest factor in your final decision? If not, how do you think the tips in this article will be useful to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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