Flickr user Crispin Blackall
While you do have the option of changing your major midway through your program, doing so will cost you in terms of time and money. Ideally, you should spend some time zeroing in on potential college majors before you start sending out your applications. Some students start off with a pretty good idea of their choice of career, and their major field of study. If you are still to make your choice, here are some ideas to help you brainstorm a list of potential college majors.
What’s Your Passion?
Do you love music, biology, math, or philosophy? Or, do you see yourself working outdoors or indoors? Maybe you thrive on adrenaline and a challenge of some sort. Or, do you prefer a quieter career path?
Brainstorm what you’re passionate about. Even the most unique hobbies can translate into a college major. This even means that you can major in a field that some people may not even consider, or know is available as a college major. Write down what you love to do and then consider how many different facets of that topic are out there.
Ask Your Counselors
Your counselors are the people who want you to succeed and are happy to advise students about college and college majors. Trust their expertise and ask good, detailed questions about what you could potentially major in. Counselors have heard it all. They know how to go about helping you achieve that goal, whether you want to be a rock star or a geologist.
Do Some Research
A basic Google search may be one of the best places to start. You may also want to look into specialized forum message boards, talk to local college students who are majoring in this field, or find experts in various fields of study you may be interested in Everyone is interested in something, and chances are good if you’ve heard of it, you can study it in college, no matter how niche or strange some people may think it is.
Seek Out Job Shadowing and Internship Opportunities
Many fields of study will allow potential majors and employees to observe a professional in the field you may be interested in. Sometimes a shadowing or internship can be a starting point for a passion you may not have known you had, and that can lead to myriad opportunities for scholarships, in-depth study, and even future careers.
Ask people you know who work in the field you are interested in, and see if they would be willing to work with you or be your mentor. Working closely with a mentor will help you grasp all the nuances of a career path and help you make an informed decision about which major may be best for you.
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