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How To Choose a College Major

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




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