Going to college is a great achievement for anyone. However, it is also a difficult yet critical time since you are choosing a major. Majors are important as they shape the path that your career will take. For other students, they pick an area to specialize in because it is what they are interested in and would like to learn more about the subject.
For example, a student who wants to specialize in history does so out of the desire to learn more history not necessarily to pursue a career as an historian. After college they will have acquired skills that will enable them get to any other related career. Specific career majors include medicine, nursing, engineering and business. The aim of such areas is solely to prepare the student for a career in the field.
The first step is research about what it is that you want to do. Consider what you feel passionate about or a skill that you or others around you think you have. For instance, if you have always been the one helping friends with homework after school and they love coming to you because you are good at it then you may want to specialize in education.
Holding conversations with seniors, career counselors and friends is also a great way to identify the area of specialization. Friends matter because they are able to pinpoint facts about us that we are not aware of. Even if they cannot bluntly give the major to be pursued, general guidelines are welcome. Career counselors know the structure of the job market and most careers. Talking to them about your interests and strengths they may be able to match you up with a suitable area of specialization.
Seniors who have already declared their majors are also important channels for counsel. Having passed this stage, they are more knowledgeable than anyone else about how to choose an area of specialization. Professionals in the subject of interest are already practicing and therefore would be able to provide great insight of what to expect after college.
Another place to seek counsel is in the syllabus of subjects. Going through different assignments, books and lecture material may be a real eye opener. It is possible to easily tell what may be fun for you and what is not. If interesting enough then you may consider pursuing it otherwise it is just not for you. Where the college offering the subject is located also matters as relocating is expensive.
It is easy to disregard job and salary potential when making this important decision. However, it is important that you major in something where you can easily get a job employed or self employed. However, do not go for the top paying college subjects which do not match your passion, interest, hobbies or skill. Affordability and means of financing are also important aspects to consider.
Lastly, selecting a major is not a life or death matter. It is possible to change careers and also go back to school even after college. The most important thing is choosing a subject which you love and is close to what you envisioned to do after college. It should also match your skills and ability.
For example, a student who wants to specialize in history does so out of the desire to learn more history not necessarily to pursue a career as an historian. After college they will have acquired skills that will enable them get to any other related career. Specific career majors include medicine, nursing, engineering and business. The aim of such areas is solely to prepare the student for a career in the field.
The first step is research about what it is that you want to do. Consider what you feel passionate about or a skill that you or others around you think you have. For instance, if you have always been the one helping friends with homework after school and they love coming to you because you are good at it then you may want to specialize in education.
Holding conversations with seniors, career counselors and friends is also a great way to identify the area of specialization. Friends matter because they are able to pinpoint facts about us that we are not aware of. Even if they cannot bluntly give the major to be pursued, general guidelines are welcome. Career counselors know the structure of the job market and most careers. Talking to them about your interests and strengths they may be able to match you up with a suitable area of specialization.
Seniors who have already declared their majors are also important channels for counsel. Having passed this stage, they are more knowledgeable than anyone else about how to choose an area of specialization. Professionals in the subject of interest are already practicing and therefore would be able to provide great insight of what to expect after college.
Another place to seek counsel is in the syllabus of subjects. Going through different assignments, books and lecture material may be a real eye opener. It is possible to easily tell what may be fun for you and what is not. If interesting enough then you may consider pursuing it otherwise it is just not for you. Where the college offering the subject is located also matters as relocating is expensive.
It is easy to disregard job and salary potential when making this important decision. However, it is important that you major in something where you can easily get a job employed or self employed. However, do not go for the top paying college subjects which do not match your passion, interest, hobbies or skill. Affordability and means of financing are also important aspects to consider.
Lastly, selecting a major is not a life or death matter. It is possible to change careers and also go back to school even after college. The most important thing is choosing a subject which you love and is close to what you envisioned to do after college. It should also match your skills and ability.
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