Deciding on a major
It is no wonder that most college students freeze up when deciding on their major. This one decision will impact your entire life and should be taken seriously.
Choosing a major can be an overwhelming task; especially when you are given so many options. While your choice of major is not set in stone, choosing the right major early in your college career can save you precious time and money.
This archived article was written by: McKenzie Hosenfield
It is no wonder that most college students freeze up when deciding on their major. This one decision will impact your entire life and should be taken seriously.
Choosing a major can be an overwhelming task; especially when you are given so many options. While your choice of major is not set in stone, choosing the right major early in your college career can save you precious time and money.
There are many tips that Lyndsay Reid, USU Eastern academic and career advisor, gives to students that are indecisive in their education path. The first is to take career assessment tests. These tests are created to help students understand how their personal attributes could influence career options. Free assessments can be found on the Career Advising page on Eastern’s website.
Reid also recommends that students attend Student Success Workshops, which are hosted by the college. These seminars cover many different majors and careers and are meant to spark interest for students. The next Student Success Workshop is Thursday, March 7 from noon to 1 p.m. in the JLSC Alumni Room. Attendance is free for students.
Are you thinking about a major, but doubtful that it is the right match for you? There is no easier way of determining if a field of study is a perfect fit until you try it out. Internships are one of the best ways of deciding if a career is meant for you.
Reid explains, “Internships give you the experience of applying knowledge from the classroom into the job, vice versa. You gain work experience, transferrable skills and a firm network.”
These work opportunities give students the ability to find out firsthand if they enjoy a particular career or work field. If interested in internships, contact Russ Goodrich, associate vice chancellor of professional and technical education, for more information on how you can become involved.
When deciding to study a major, consider interests, values and passions. Don’t choose a career based on finances or demands, or the fact that it will make your parents happy. Find a career you would genuinely love doing. In the words of Confucius, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
