How to Choose the Right College Major

Before getting into choosing a college major, understand that college is nothing like high school. What you studied and either hated or loved in high school will be a whole different ball game in college. The environment is vastly changed and the instructors have different methods. They do not need to abide by a government imposed curriculum, they have more freedom in their lessons. Therefore the learning will be quite distinctive, at least compared to high school. Assignments will be more demanding, but you will have far more freedom and resources to draw from. Don't rule out geography just because you hated it in high school.

The first thing to do is speak to an educational advisor. Be honest about your interests, disinterests, academic and personal strengths, talents, and the vision you have for yourself. Don't be embarrassed if you have no clue what you want to study. That is what an advisor is for, to assess your abilities and point you in the right direction. Even if you don't agree with what he or she recommends as a course of study, at least by the end of the process you will have a better idea of your own areas of interest.

Once you have narrowed the list of possible majors down, study the course catalog from the colleges you are targeting. Find out what the courses are, the assignments, the books, and the prerequisites. Research the careers each field of study can get you into. Don't pigeonhole yourself into a single career, look to broad subjects that will give you soft skills and transferable proficiencies. Speak to people already working in the field. Ask their opinion on extra skills or courses that would be useful. What do they think about the future of the profession? Most professionals are more than happy to have their brain picked about their career, so don't be afraid to ask.

Now comes the vital bit. Do a thorough bout of research on the available jobs in your chosen career. Use government studies for your research, including projections and demographics data. Be honest about the findings. If the research shows a declining job market in that area, be steadfast in your ability to cross if off the list. It's all fine and good to have a degree, but not being able to have a career related to the four years of your life you spent studying should be a deal-breaker.

Don't discount the general educational courses included in a program of study. Those are placed in the program for a reason. Not only do they offer the opportunity to learn soft skills needed in every field, but they allow the student to get a taste of another career path. For example, if your chosen major turns out to be the wrong choice but that English course you took in first year was fun, then maybe that is the way to go.

Choosing a major is not an exact science. The economy changes, the student changes and interests certainly change. Those college years are a stepping stone from adolescence to adulthood, so deciding what to study for four years has to be something that will stay constantly stimulating through that time. Students need to be honest with themselves and choose the major they are most likely to enjoy and do well in. Even if it means swaying from a previous decision, or not following the guidance of their advisor or parents. Follow the research, listen to the job market, then choose a major.