Tubbs, Chardai. (2009). Selecting a Major

Deciding on a major is a necessary step for a college student. With so many things to take into consideration, it can be a bit intimidating. As students prepare to go to college, the question of what major to choose arises. Students could debate back and as to which major would work best for them, but 80% of college students will change their major at least once before they graduate. In reality, deciding on a major is not as hard as people make it seem.

First and foremost, a college major must coincide with the interests of the student. Statistics show that people who love their job are more likely to produce a higher quality of work. Whether in a negative or positive way, a college major can affect one’s entire life. A college major determines the job that a person will do. In an ideal world, everyone would have a job they love. The only way students can move toward ideal is picking the correct major that complies with their interests. Only then can they have a better chance of having a career that fits them perfectly.

Interests are one factor that must be considered when choosing a major, but money must also be kept in mind. It is a sad fact that today money is very important. One must have money in order to survive. The cost of living in today’s world has skyrocketed. What people choose to do with their lives must support their lifestyle. For example, students cannot expect to live lives of luxury if they choose to be an elementary school teacher. because They will not get rich. Research about salary must be done when deciding on a major and ultimately, a career. A major or career, however, must not be chosen solely based on salary. Salary must only be a “topic for thought” in the debate between the majors.

According to Susan Albertine, at some universities, students are encouraged to design their own majors. This is an appealing idea because not only can students be assured that what they are doing is something they will love, but they get to be involved. Students get the chance to take classes together, give their new major and name, and get it approved. Once a students’ majors are approved, they begin coursework, and at graduation, they are given a “Special Major” degree. Students can combine their interests and passions along with how much they want to make and create their own perfect career. More schools should offer programs such as these. These types of innovations could relieve the stress of having to pick a “cookie-cutter” major. Oftentimes, one does not completely fall in love with everything about a particular major. This unique process of creating a one-of-a-kind major can help students to love every aspect of what they are doing. These curricular innovations begin with an interest in one’s field of study. By designing their own major, students are more likely to excel.

Picking a major has been the source of stress and strife for many college students. A major typically and directly impacts what career one will have. When deciding on a major, students should relax. They should keep in mind their own interests, the type of lifestyle they desire, and they should see if their school offers a “design your own major” program. Picking a major should not be a negative thing. If students can alter their way of thinking about a major, they can reduce the amount of stress that picking a major involves.