3 things to consider before choosing your major

Congratulations on entering a new stage in your life: your career education! Have you decided on a major yet? There are thousands to choose from, and each college or university program will have a different offer. This decision will determine what classes you take, who you take them with and what jobs you will be qualified for once you graduate.

This can get quite overwhelming, but the good news is that it’s a process and not a single event. You’ll talk to your parents, academic advisors, graduates and attend events where you can speak with representatives from various universities. While declaring a major is important, what matters most is that you make an informed decision that will give you the best chances at academic success.

What Are You Passionate About?

This question is often ignored as you have family and friends trying to convince you that you’d make a great doctor or lawyer. They insist on these careers because of the way they’re regarded by society and their strong earning potential. But you don’t want to work at a job you hate until retirement. If you choose something you’re genuinely passionate about, you’ll have much better chances of excelling at it in a competitive job market.

You should consider your strengths and weaknesses. What subjects were you good at in high school? Talk to your academic advisor and listen to their recommendations. In your first two years of college, depending on the program you choose, you’ll be able to take a lot of introductory courses. Take note of which ones you’re most enthusiastic about what that you’re best at.

What Schools Offer This Major and Where Are They Located?

You also want to be pragmatic and consider the availability of your preferred major in your geographical area. You can, of course, relocate but then you have to consider the expenses involved. If you want to study abroad, most countries have institutions like 美国留学中介 that can help you with the application process, financing options and other information you will need.  

Another aspect you should keep in mind is that if you pursue a career that requires an extensive amount of education like medicine or law, it will require a greater personal and financial commitment. It will take you longer to start working, and you’ll have less time even for student jobs.

What Are Your Plans After Graduation?

You should be passionate about your major, but it should also have a purpose. Do you want to go to graduate school, or do you want to be able to start working right away? What career options will your diploma give you? How competitive is this field? How much can you expect to earn?

All these questions relate to how you envision your life after graduation. Imagine what would make you feel fulfilled. Do you want to hold a position in a niche field that requires you to work in a specific geographical area? Do you want more flexibility and the chance to travel for your job? You can look online for job placement statistics, average income and level of job satisfaction. You’ll also find lots of “reviews” where people describe what their jobs are like and their work-life balance.