How To Choose a College Major

Trying to choose a college major can become$24,000 a year more than you the first year! That's
overwhelming. Here are three simple questions youclose to a full year's starting salary for many new
should be asking yourself.grads. If you can see that bothering you, take a look
If you're having trouble choosing a college major,at the average starting salaries of majors that
take heart. You're not alone. Almost two-thirds ofinterest you. Here are a few examples to give you
U.S. undergrads change majors before graduating,an idea:
according to Ejournal USA. Many switch out up to• Chemical engineering: $54,256
four or five majors before finally picking one. In fact,• Electrical engineering: $52,009
some institutions prefer that students not declare a• Marketing: $37,832
major until after they have their college education• Liberal arts: $30,337
underway. Generally, you can chalk up uncertaintyThose with degrees in the liberal arts seem to fare
about a major to the average college experience. Tobadly when compared with those completing their
graduate, though, you do have to bite the bullet,studies in chemical engineering. If you don't want to
declare a major, and complete the requiredgo to graduate school but want at least average
coursework. Careful evaluation can help you find aearnings, you may need to consider these starting
good match and avoid taking thirty years tosalaries closely.
complete a four year degree!However, if you love the liberal arts you needn't
#1 Who Are You?resign yourself to a below average income. Many
OK, despite the title of this article, you'll need to askliberal arts graduates keep hitting the books in
more than three questions to turn up the right major.graduate school or professional studies. A student
You should start your decision-making process bycompleting a B.A. in psychology, for example, faces a
taking a look at who you are, so actually you'll needvery different earning potential than a Ph.D. grad,
to ask some good questions and perhaps perform awho can practice as a psychologist or teach at a
little research.university. Likewise for someone with a B.A. in history
• What are your interests and values andcompared to someone with the history B.A. and a
how can your education further them?law degree.
• What are your academic strengths andAdditionally, many employers prefer liberal arts
weaknesses? Going with your strengths sets you updegrees because they create well-rounded
for success instead of frustration.employees. Conversely, the specific knowledge
• Would you like to attend graduate school,afforded by degrees such as engineering and
or are you eager to begin working right away? Someinformation technology can become
careers have very high education requirements and aobsolete--sometimes quickly--and these grads have
bachelor's degree won't get you a very high levelto continually update their education to remain
position.competitive in their professions.
• How important is money? If money isWhat you choose as your course of study has an
very important, look for degree programs that leadimpact beyond the four-years of classroom work.
to higher-paying jobs for new graduates--most oftenWhen selecting a major, familiarize yourself with your
in technology, engineering, or business.likely income, as well as the job and educational
• How important is job placement?tracks typically associated with the discipline.
Employers swoop in to grab graduates in some fields;#3 Where Are The Jobs?
in others you may have to search extensively orGood news for everybody: The U.S. Bureau of Labor
even move to find work.Statistics projects that over the 2004-14 decade,
• Get out your college's course catalog.total employment will increase by 18.9 million jobs, or
Which course titles pique your interest? Which13 percent. That said, not every industry and
departments sound intriguing? Try a low level courseoccupation will enjoy the same growth rate. If you're
in an interesting program and see if you like it.eager to get work related to your major right out of
• Which courses did you enjoy most in highthe gate, consider the following information:
school and/or college?• Nine of the 10 fastest growing professions
• Go to the U.S. Bureau of Labor websiteare health or computer (IT) professions.
and have a look at the Occupational Handbook. Which• Production occupations and farming,
job descriptions look like good matches for you?fishing, and forestry jobs are expected to fall over
• Look online for interviews with peoplethe next decade.
who work in fields that interest you, or interview a• Business and financial operations jobs are
few folks yourself. Can you relate to them and theirprojected to increase faster than the 13 percent
work experience?average for all occupations.
The more information you gather about yourself, the• Educational services, health care and social
easier your decision will become. A guidance counselorassistance, along with professional and business
or career-counseling center can also help you take anservices are the industry sectors with the most
interest inventory. If you don't have access to suchrobust job growth. The BLS projects these sectors
inventories locally, check with a U.S. Educationalwill grow more than twice as fast as the rest of the
Advising/Information Center or similar program. Theeconomy.
U.S. Department of State hosts the EducationUSASome grads are willing to sling hash while waiting for
program, operating more than 450 of these centersthe perfect professional gig to open up. Those with a
in 170 countries.drama degree, for example, may continue to find
#2 Where Is The Money?service jobs much easier to land than leading parts,
The general wisdom to follow your heart whenas five out of the ten occupations adding the most
selecting a major has the ring of truth. But lookjobs are in service. Most actors are not particularly
deeply. How important is money to your happiness?surprised at having to work outside their field to pay
You'll want to answer this question when choosing athe bills. You needn't choose your major based on
major because your major will very likely impact yourjob projections, but you should acquaint yourself with
earnings.the projections for any career you're considering. To
Even if you don't find money-hunger lurking in yourdo this, head over to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
heart, consider that fellow graduates in differentwebsite and have a look at the Occupational
disciplines may walk into jobs paying as much asHandbook.