How to Сhoose a Major

One of the most popular questions asked by students, according to Google Ads, is advice on picking a major. To many, this may seem like an odd question, and it may seem especially bizarre when you consider how popular the query is. It almost suggests that high school graduates are wandering into higher education on a whim. It may be true for some of them, but in most cases, it is because they want some reassurance about the major they are picking. After all, it is a big decision, so why not take up a little advice on choosing a major before you fully commit?

Think in Terms of Industry Rather Than Job

They used to call it a profession, but "profession" puts people in mind of butchers, tailors, and the like, so we say "industry." When you get any sort of higher-education qualification, it opens doors for you. Obviously, some qualifications open more doors than others. If you get a degree in gender studies, it will open far fewer doors than if you take a hard science, math, or humanities qualification.

Do not think in terms of a single job. You may have a single job in mind, and you may have had it in mind for years, but that shouldn't be your focus when you are picking a major. You need to ask how many doors this qualification will open.

Is it Vital to You Getting the Job you Want?

A major is a big decision, and even if you are thinking in terms of a particular industry, ask yourself if it is truly vital to getting the job you want. Take the example of programmers, graphic designers, bookkeepers, and even animators. They are all more likely to get a job in their chosen "industry" if they qualify. But, the qualification is not "vital" to their success.

However, if you are looking to work in the medical industry, perhaps with your sights set on a surgery career, then specific qualifications are vital to your success.

If a qualification is not vital, what alternatives are there, and how may they help your career. For example, if you were a programmer, could you jump straight into a job and skip any further education? If you were looking to get into marketing, would a business-related qualification do you just as much good as a graphic design qualification? Do not forget that you can take a multitude of smaller courses to hone your graphic design skills both now and later.

Throwing Doubt and Questions in Your Way

The point of this article is not to make you question your decision to pursue higher education, nor is this article trying to convince you to take a different (less ideal) major. This article is merely trying to get you to think outside the box and think in a broader and perhaps more critical manner. Many people regret the majors they picked. Not to become one of those people choose your major carefully and apply to several universities at once. And if you have doubts about your application get professional help with your personal statement at essayservice.com.

Just look around at all the people who took one qualification in college and university and ended up going into a completely different line of work. At the very least, you need to be sure about your decision, and you need to have considered all the aspects before you make your final decision.

Do Not Worry Too Much About Employment Rates

Many colleges, Universities, motivational speakers, and career guidance counselors will make a big deal about employment rates for each qualification. Still, you need to take this information with a grain of salt. The figures you are being shown are skewed out of proportion.

For example, many people who take teaching qualifications end up working in the business sector, and many people who take business qualifications end up working in creative fields, social science fields, and even in the health industry.

Besides, the only figures you need to worry about are those that say there are very few jobs out there for you. For example, if you take a "history of TV" course or a ballet qualification, then you need to understand that there are very few jobs out there for you.

Times change, which means that many qualifications fall back into favor. Plus, your qualification may give you the sort of grounding that is needed to work in newer and emerging industries and marketplaces.

Final Thoughts - You Don't Have to Love it

Following a dream is what children do. Clear and critical thinking adults take what life gives them, then make the most of it. Above all, the most successful people recognize opportunities and exploit them to the fullest. In contrast, immature people take a dream and follow it to the exclusion of every other opportunity that comes their way.

With that in mind, you do not have to love your major. You do not have to be in love with the course content. You simply have to be good at it. Many of the world's most successful people are not in love with their work. Remember the movie "Good Will Hunting," where Matt Damon says, "I don't know how I know this, I just do, it comes easy to me, just like when Mozart sat in front of a piano and instantly knew how to play."

Well, there is a guy called Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is the Mozart of Snooker. He is the most gifted player on the planet, and he hates snooker. He hates it, but he succeeds because he is good at it. You do not have to love what you pick; just make sure you are good at it. Then, when you have your career, you will find a way to find happiness in what you do.