Stuck on Choosing a Major? Try These Strategies
As you near the end of high school, a lot of pressure surrounds you to choose a college major as soon as possible. At Insight Education, we understand that the college major selection process takes time. Follow the strategies below for practical tips, insights, and resources to help you make an informed choice.
The Pressure Is Real (and It’s Okay to Feel It)
Having an undecided college major can come with lots of anxiety and stress. You may be thinking that everyone around you has it all figured out, but the truth is, you are not alone in your uncertainties. Finding the college major for you is a journey, not a destination — it’s okay to take the time you need to decide what aligns with your interests, strengths, and career aspirations.
Going Beyond “What Do You Like?”
While many major quizzes and tests will focus on passions, we recommend identifying your skills. The major you should choose will highlight your natural talents and abilities, so explore majors that leverage those skills.
Create a skills inventory listing everything you’re good at on a blank paper or an online document. Include everything — big or small — to gauge what categories you can excel in. For example, people with more creative mindsets may prefer the arts, while analytical individuals may be more interested in STEM fields.
What Do You Not Want to Do?
Sometimes it’s easier to identify what you don’t want to do. Instead of scouring an overwhelming list of options, flip the script and focus on eliminating options. Consider your career values and lifestyle preferences to discover some non-negotiables about yourself.
Do you prioritize a work-life balance? Are you a fan of traveling, or would you rather stay in one place? What are your thoughts on desk jobs? List five things you absolutely don’t want in a potential job to start narrowing your career path options.
Get Your Feet Wet
Try jumping into a field you are interested in through internships, job shadowing, volunteering, and informational interviews. Real-world experience will guide your decision to better visualize yourself in this field in the future. As a bonus, these opportunities create great resume builders, helping you stand out to potential employers.
Find and make the most of these opportunities in your area as soon as possible to start exploring fields you’re curious about. We recommend contacting three professionals in these fields for an informational interview. They may also be able to point you in a helpful direction for real-world experience.
Receive College Admissions Guidance With Insight Education
You can trust Insight Education when choosing a college major. Our college admissions counseling programs will help you narrow your college major choice and apply for summer internships that match your academic interests. Your counselor will walk alongside you throughout the process and is here to answer any questions you have.
Over the years, we have helped thousands of students overcome college major anxieties. Schedule an initial consultation with us today to get started on your future.
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