Not everyone knows they want to major in from the get-go. Only a lucky few have that privilege. The others have to spend some time researching, exploring, and doing some soul-searching to find a major that is the best fit for them.
If you are having a tough time finding a suitable college major, using these few exploratory strategies may help.
Consider Your Dream Career When You Explore College Majors
You may have not yet zeroed in on a major yet, but you might have an idea of what you want to do. Use that dream and work backward. Do some research into what majors are common for that career.
Job Shadowing and Internships
Reading about a career can be radically different from the real thing. Even the most glamorous jobs can involve a lot of hard work and stress behind the scenes.
Before you finalize your choice of major, it is a good idea to get some practical, first-hand experience. One way to do this is by shadowing an experienced professional. Job shadowing involves following and observing a professional as they go about their daily work. This will give you a better idea of working in that field really is like.
If you want to take this one step further, apply for a kind of internship position in your desired field. Even if you take up an unpaid internship, it is worth it just for the experience you will get and the opportunity to get an insider look at the job. Nothing beats actually getting your hands dirty to realize whether or not you are suited to that particular career.
Take A Closer Look At The Coursework
Some majors may require you to take classes that you find downright boring or challenging. Before choosing a major, go through the course description carefully and see what classes you need to take to meet the graduation requirements. Remember, your end goal is to perform well and get high grades in your courses, and that is difficult to do if the classes are too boring or too challenging. Also, the more you find yourself struggling, the higher chances you may drop out of the program completely. Be realistic and choose a major that you know you can handle.
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