When choosing a college major the number of choices available is often overwhelming. This decision can be made easier by breaking the problem down into small, more manageable chunks.
There are three main criteria for selecting a college major:
1. Choose a career that meshes with your personality and a major will follow
2. Find if there is demand for your major.
3. Ensure that the major you have chosen satisfies your life goals.
Choose a career that meshes with your personality and a major will follow
The best method for determining a major is to start with a career that meshes with your personality and work backwards. To do this break your personality down into three major segments: Analytical, Personal, and Creative. Make a mental pie chart of who you are and what types of aspects you want in your career. Now match your mental pie chart to one of the careers shown below or to a career of your choice. More careers can be found at Salary.com (TM). Example: if you feel that you want a career that is very interpersonal and communicative, choose a career with a large red segment (maybe nursing or sales). The examples shown below are all currently high in demand professions.
A breakdown of 10 in-demand occupations (according to http://www.careervoyages.gov/top50occupations-main.cfm). Salaries are from 2004 data.
Registered Nurse/LPN/CNA
Required Degree: BA in Nursing, Certification
# of Years of College: 4, 2, 1
Median Salary: $58K, $39K, $26K
Computer Software Engineer
Required Degree: BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Comp. Sci.
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $81K
Accountant
Required Degree: BA in Accounting , CPA exam
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $54K
Electrician
Required Degree: Certificate, Licensure
# of Years of College: 2
Median Salary: $44K
Sales Representative
Required Degree: BA in Business - Marketing/Sales
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $50K
Police Officer
Required Degree: BA or AD in Criminal Justice, GED
# of Years of College: 2+
Median Salary: $48K
Engineer
Required Degree: BS in Mech., Civil, Elec. Engineering
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $71K
Computer Systems Analysts
Required Degree: BA in Comp. Info. Systems or similar degree
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $71K
Physician/Surgeon
Required Degree: MD
# of Years of College: 8+
Median Salary: $150K+
Financial Manager
Required Degree: BA in Business - Finance, Business - Admin.
# of Years of College: 4
Median Salary: $92K
Once a career path is chosen, look through entry level job postings to determine what degree is required (Monster.com is a good source). Now find a program at a college you are interested in that offers this degree/program. Note: make sure the program you choose is something that you feel you have the skills and the perseverance to complete.
Determining demand for a major
One point that is often overlooked when determining a major in college is the economic demand for that major. Many college students choose a major that they are interested in without looking into the value of that degree. This can cause disappointment upon graduation when one cannot find employment pertaining to their degree. A good way to determine the economic demand for a major is to look through job postings on Monster.com and ensure that at least a couple of these postings require the major that you are planning to enroll in. Additionally, it is important to pick a major that will not be obsolete or low in demand in the near future. An example of a major that was high in demand and now is low in demand is graphic design. Because of the increased supply of graphic designers and the relatively low demand for this profession, there are very few positions available for entry level graduates.Ensure that a Major Satisfies your Life Goals
The final step in determining a college major is to make sure the major you choose coincides with your goals for the future. If you want to physically help other people majoring in accounting is probably not a good decision; a better choice might be pediatrics or social work. Make sure you choose a major that you feel comfortable in, are proud of, and can see yourself utilizing when you graduate!
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