How to pick the right major for your career

Set yourself up for career sucess by choosing a relevant major

With the current economy at a low and the unemployment rate rising, selecting the right college major in preparation for post-graduate success is of the utmost importance. Career competition is fierce, and an inappropriate major for certain career goals can leave you with sparse job opportunities in an already packed market. Taking some time to identify your goals and research major fields can make all the difference when trying to break into the workforce after graduation.

1. Identify your passion/what you want out of your career. Is it love or money?
If money is the goal, take time to research what majors produce the biggest salaries for students upon graduation. If love of a particular profession is already pulling you in a certain direction, find out what successful people in the field chose as an undergraduate major. 

2. Look at current job postings to get an idea of employer requirements. Some careers require specific majors, while others put an emphasis on real world experience and have a variety of educational backgrounds in their chosen employees.

3. Look at major requirements for your department of interest. Majoring in chemical engineering in the hopes of acquiring financial security may not be the best idea if you are a horrible math student. Take some time to research what is required to earn your diploma at your school before you commit to a particular field.

4. Pick your major and visit an advisor. Whether you have specific questions or just want to run your plan by someone with authority on the subject, visiting an advisor in the department(s) you’re interested in can be beneficial and help you navigate from major to career.

Don’t be afraid to change your mind. If you begin taking courses for a particular major and realize that the field just isn’t for you, don’t be afraid to reevaluate your plan or even change your major all together. According to WikiAnswers, 44 percent of college students change their major between the second semester freshman year and graduation. Just take some time to think about what you want to do before you make the switch.