Unsure About Your Major? Strategies to Clarify Your Career Path.
Choosing a major can be one of the most exciting yet daunting decisions in your college journey. But what happens when the initial excitement wears off, and doubt starts to creep in? If you’re finding yourself unsure about the major you picked, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many students experience uncertainty and reconsider their choices. This blog post will guide you through strategies to clarify your career path and make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and passions.
How many times did that happen to me? Oh, man…
WAAAAAAY too many, if I’m honest. When I first entered college, I was absolutely certain I that picking my major didn’t matter as much as getting good grades. I decided to narrow down the long list of things I loved by throwing out any classes that I wasn’t interested in. It limited me a fair amount, looking back, but I still had some good options. However, after my first year of major courses (and some course-hopping), I started to doubt my choice. For a couple of times, the passion I once felt began to wane, replaced by a nagging uncertainty. Another time, I was afraid that choosing meant I’d never be able to choose any other thing I loved to learn about. I remember thinking, “Did I make the right choice?” It wasn’t an easy journey, but reassessing my path led me to a major I genuinely loved and a career that excited me.
What we’ll talk about:
Reflect on Your Interests and Strengths (Strategies)
Explore Different Majors and Careers (Example Table)
Seek Guidance and Advice (Helpful Tips)
Consider a Double Major or Minor (Pros and Cons)
Take Advantage of Electives and Internships (More Strategies)
Assess the Practical Aspects
Make an Informed Decision
"Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart." – Roy T. Bennett
Reflect on your interests and strengths:
One of the first steps in addressing uncertainty about your major is to reflect on your interests and strengths. Ask yourself what subjects or activities you enjoy the most. Are there particular classes that excite you? What are your natural talents and skills? When I say “the most,” I mean what both lights you on fire and scares you a little? What makes you smile when you talk about what you’ve learned and what are you willing to talk about for hours on end?
Actionable Steps:
Write down your top interests and strengths.
Compare these with your current major to see if they align. Do they also compare with the kinds of jobs this major will lead to? Super important, didn’t learn that for a while personally but it helped immensely when I did.
Consider taking a career assessment test to identify potential fields that suit your personality and skills.
Explore different majors and careers:
If you’re unsure about your current major, it’s beneficial to explore other majors and careers. Research various fields, attend department open houses, and talk to professors and students in other majors.
Actionable Steps:
List majors that interest you and research their career prospects.
Attend workshops or career fairs to gather more information.
Schedule informational interviews with professionals in fields you’re curious about.
Also, try out this free majors-to-careers snippet from our My Pathfinder Course:
(It looks A LOT better online than on your phone, unfortnately. Sorry, we’re working on that!)
Seek guidance and advice:
Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from advisors, professors, and career counselors. I avoided it for years because it scared me a bit, I felt like it was something I could figure out on my own, etc. It wasn’t until I spoke with one in passing that I learned how excited they are to help students. That when students don’t come in, they’re mostly doing paperwork and not the thing they wanted to do when they worked to be able to do this job. So go to them! They can provide valuable insights and help you navigate your uncertainty. Sometimes, an outside perspective can make a significant difference.
Actionable Steps:
Schedule meetings with academic advisors and career counselors.
Join student organizations related to your areas of interest.
Network with alumni and professionals in potential fields.
Consider a double major or minor:
If you have multiple interests and can’t decide on just one, consider a double major or minor. This allows you to explore different fields without completely abandoning your initial choice. I definitely ended up doing this, and it was hard but also looks pretty good on a resume!
Actionable Steps:
Research the requirements for double majors or minors at your institution. This is important! Some will allow it, and others will make you jump through many, many hoops first.
Discuss the feasibility and workload with your academic advisor.
Plan your course schedule to accommodate both areas of study.
"Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it." – Katharine Whitehorn
Take advantage of electives and internships:
I go into it in detail in my courses as to how to find them, but electives and internships are excellent ways to test out different fields and gain practical experience. They can provide a clearer picture of what a career in a particular field might look like. You also cannot get a job in many fields without any prior experience. Which I learned the hard way! Don’t be past-me!
Actionable Steps:
Choose electives that interest you and complement your major.
Apply for internships in various industries to gain hands-on experience.
Reflect on your experiences to see which fields resonate with you.
Assess the practical aspects:
While passion is essential, practical aspects like job prospects, salary, and work-life balance should also be considered. Research the job market for your current and potential majors to make an informed decision.
Actionable Steps:
Look up employment rates and salary data for various fields.
Consider the long-term career growth and stability in different industries.
Evaluate how different careers align with your desired lifestyle.
Because of what I went through, I literally made a table similar to the one above with over 200 jobs on it assessing all of these:
Ranking of Openings/Competition (1-5)
Entry-level, Mid-level, and Senior-level salaries
Work/Life Balance Score (1-5)
Work Setting (Mixed, Online/Remote, In-Person, or Flexible)
Pros of the job
Cons of the job
Growth/Outlook based on MANY factors (1-5)
If they have part-time options often available
Etc.
Access the mini-course that has them here, and use a discount code ACHIEVEMORE if you’re in this situation and need help!
"The best way to predict your future is to create it." – Abraham Lincoln
Make an Informed Decision:
After reflecting, exploring, seeking guidance, and assessing practical aspects, it’s time to make an informed decision. Trust your instincts and choose a path that feels right for you, even if it means changing your major.
Actionable Steps:
Summarize your findings and weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Discuss your decision with trusted mentors or advisors.
Take the leap and make the change if it feels right for you.
Concluding Recap:
Doubting your major can be stressful, but it's also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By reflecting on your interests, exploring other fields, seeking guidance, considering practical aspects, and making an informed decision, you can find a major that truly aligns with your passions and goals.
Ready to take the next step? Use discount code ACHIEVEMORE for exclusive access to our full range of career planning resources. Discover your true path today!
