Choosing to go to college is a big decision. Choosing what you want to do with the rest of your life is an even bigger decision. Today, there are so many different types of jobs, and so few job opportunities, that it can be incredibly difficult for a young person to pick through all the options. One’s future is strongly centered on what major he or she chooses to study in college. So, how do you decide what you want to do with your life? The answer is a lot simpler than you might think.
To start off with, you need to decide what path you want to take in life. Do you want to study a subject that you are interested in and will do well in, or do you have a specific job in mind and want to study something to help your chances of acquiring that job? This is possibly the most important question you will have to ask yourself before actually choosing your major.
There is no right or wrong answer. If you have specific skills or interests, it might better to choose a major that will help you shape and fine-tune those skills. However, if you really want to work for a specific company or do a certain job, consider getting a degree in something that will make you stand out from the other applicants of that job.
The most important thing you should remember when choosing a college major is what you will do with it. Even if you are choosing a major that interests you, make sure that you have a specific career path planned for it. It can be really hard to realize that you spent four or more years getting a degree and all the jobs available are horrible. Make sure that you don’t put yourself in such a position.
Once you figure out why you want to go to school, the process of choosing the major is pretty easy. First, write down everything you have a real passion or interest for. Don’t be afraid to jot down things that aren’t a huge priority right now. You might find that these things because key parts of your life years from.
After you know what you are interested in, write down what you are good at. Try to keep these separate from your interests. For example, if you like music, but aren’t good at playing an instrument or singing, don’t write down music. You want to find matches for between your interests and your skill sets. If you have never tried something, but you find it interesting, go ahead and write it down. It never hurts to take a few classes in that subject area and get a feel for it.
Next, write down what you want in a career. If you want to make $100,000 a year, then write that down. If you want flexible hours, be sure to list that. Even if you want a free lunch every day, write it down. All of these factors can help you decide your future.
Lastly, consider things you want to avoid. Do you absolutely suck at math? Do you hate staying in hotels? Are you afraid of heights? Put all of these on a list and put those to the side. These should only be used in the final phase of your decision-making process. You’d be surprised how easily you can overcome some fears and insecurities if you really want something.
Once you have your lists created, start making matches. If you are interested in art, and you are good at drawing, put those together. Do this for all of your lists and find correlations between them. Once you think you have them all paired, start doing some web searches for jobs that match those qualifications. Look closely at job descriptions and if they match up with your list of career demands. For example, if you really want flexible hours, a doctor might not be the best job for you. Try to narrow your results down to a few.
Take a few days, or even a few weeks, to sit on your findings. Actually try to visualize yourself in those career paths. If you really think you would be happy with one of these jobs, look at the major that would help you acquire this job. Look at the content that a particular major offers. Can you handle the course work?
It is all about deciding for yourself whether or not you like a job and a major. Some people want jobs that will pay a lot, and they will work really hard to get through a major that isn’t very interesting so that they can get that high paying job. Other people don’t care about how much money they make so long as they are happy. You have to figure out what kind of person you are. Take the time to consider your options and your own abilities. You might take the first year of college and experiment with different courses.
Whatever your chosen path, take the time to consider your own personal happiness. College is a huge step and it can be tough for some people to get through it. So, take the time to make sure that this is really want you want and need. If you understand yourself, you will be able to find the perfect major.
