How important is choosing the “right” major? This question has plagued the young and old for many generations. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of different types of majors as well as if your major really indicates your future career path.
Some majors have a very clear trajectory, such as education, engineering, and nursing. However, many majors have a lot more wiggle room in what the career path could be after college. Some of those majors include psychology, math, and English. So, which is better? There is no right or wrong answer! It’s up to you to figure out your future career path but the good news is that there are tools to help you no matter what major you choose. However, it is helpful to have an idea of your future career while you are choosing your major. It’s like choosing your destination, and then using the tools you collect along the way to help you get to that destination.
You can also be strategic in choosing your electives, and even a minor, if you are so inclined. For example, you may love English and know that it is a natural strength of yours, but you also want to make yourself more marketable, so you could choose some marketing courses to make yourself more well-rounded and prepared for that type of job. Then when you are in an interview, or even sending in a resume, you can highlight that you know the basics of this subject, which many other English majors may not be as well-versed in.
Another thing to remember is that your major does not define your future career forever. Many people have successful careers with majors unrelated to their career. For example, in higher education many people have bachelor’s degrees in a variety of subjects. In our office alone we have communications majors, music majors, business majors, theater majors, and even general studies! That’s a lot of variation for one field. That can be a hopeful thought if you are nearing the end of your college career and don’t want to prolong your stay by changing majors.
However, when you do choose one of the more transparent paths it can help you in applying for jobs. The reason is, if you look at job postings often, they will have a qualification tied to education and will list majors. Often, they will tack on “or related degree” which means that if you have something close it could also count for that qualification. As someone with a general studies degree, it is hard to call my major “related” to anything because it is just that, general. So, choosing something specific could be better than just choosing to keep your major general, if you think of it from that angle.
Choosing a major with a more transparent career path may lend itself to an easier job-hunting journey, however, what if you decide that career isn’t for you? That can happen! It’s not the end of the world, but it does mean that you might have to be more creative with your job search. You will have to be clear about your transferable skills. A top-notch cover letter can also help you explain how your previous experiences have prepared you for the job you are applying for.
If you are struggling with choosing a major, you are not alone! Visit Handshake to make an appointment where we can teach you about the tools to help you choose the best major for you. (Spoiler alert there isn’t one right answer, but you can make a choice that is good for you).
For information on upcoming Events and Webinars, click here. Head over to our YouTube channel to find previous workshops and employer information sessions.