Choosing the Right College Major

Choosing a college major can be the most important choice you can make in regards to your education and future career. It may even be more important than where you attend college. What you study in school often dictates what opportunities you will have when you graduate. It can influence career title, salary, or even the geographic region in which one can work.

There are a number of steps you can take before making a final decision. Begin by making a list of your personal interests and careers which correspond with them. If you enjoys marine life, for instance, you might investigate a marine biology major. If you love star-gazing, consider becoming an astronomer.

Next, consider the academic subjects in which you excel. If you're not strong in math you might choose not to study engineering. If you do well with in English you might choose to become an author or journalist. Compare the list of your interests with the list of your talents and see which fields overlap.

Once you've established a list of potential career fields, research them further to determine which college majors are most appropriate. If you research each field you can get an idea for what courses you'll need to take, how many and where they are offered.

While these steps may seem simple, most people have difficulty deciding what they would like to do with their lives or determining the subjects in which they truly excel. If you struggle with these questions, consider enlisting outside help. Your guidance counselor is there to help with just this sort of dilemma. Career aptitude tests allow you to answer questions that help reveal your skills and interests. They often provide you with a list of potential careers which has been closely tailored by your responses.

Choosing a college major you will enjoy is important. You might find college life to be less stressful if you enjoy your classes. You might also avoid the hassles that come with changing your major. Perhaps most importantly, choosing the correct major may improve your overall professional happiness and quality of life.