A college major allows you to pursue and turn your interests into your dream career. Begin your journey by learning how your college major can transform your future.
Have you completed your college applications? Once you figure out where you want to study, the exciting part is deciding on your major. This is a decision that can shape your coursework and future career path. Because of this, it’s completely normal to be unsure about what you want to study—after all, there are various majors to choose from.
So, if you need more time to choose your major, we’re here to help!
In this guide, we’ll explore what a major is, why it’s important, and some popular major options, as well as answer other common questions about this topic. So, join us and learn everything you need to choose the major that best aligns with your aspirations.
What Is a College Major?
A college major is the specific area of study you choose as your primary specialization. Your college major shapes your academic trajectory and can influence your career path in the future.
Generally, to earn a bachelor’s degree, you have to obtain 120 college credits. Of those, around 60 credits are general education courses like English composition, college mathematics, college algebra, principles of psychology, research and statistical analysis, etc. Your college major coursework takes another one-third to one-half of the credits. The remaining courses are electives, which allow you to explore other areas of interest.
The Importance of Choosing a Major
Choosing a college major is undoubtedly an important decision you’re likely to agonize over. But what makes choosing a major so important?
Your major acts as a lens through which you’ll explore your complex topics and practical applications in your chosen field. By shaping your academic trajectory, your major influences your prospective career path.
College is a transformative journey for personal and intellectual growth. Your major can challenge you academically and expose you to new ideas.
Moreover, your major can shape your critical thinking skills, enhance your problem-solving skills, and foster a lifelong love of learning. These skills not only benefit your future career but also contribute to personal development.
Types of College Majors
Let’s explore different types of college majors.
Academic Majors
Academic majors typically focus on theoretical knowledge and research. Examples include:
- Humanities: History, English, philosophy
- Social Sciences: Psychology, sociology
- Natural Sciences: Biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science
Professional Majors
Professional majors are designed to prepare you for a specific career and can include practical training. Examples include:
- Education: Early childhood development, special education
- Business: Accounting, finance, international business
- Engineering: Civil engineering, biomedical engineering, aviation, chemical engineering
Creative Majors
Creative majors focus on artistic and creative fields. Examples include:
- Fine Arts: Art education, creative writing, art history, theater, dance
- Music: Music education, songwriting, music business, composition, music for visual media
Interdisciplinary Majors
Interdisciplinary majors combine elements from multiple fields of study to provide a broader education. Examples include:
- Environmental studies
- Gender studies
- Anthropology
- International business
Popular College Majors
Are you still trying to decide what to study in college? We’ve got you covered with some of the most popular majors out there.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) Majors: Popular BA majors include English, psychology, history, psychology, communications, anthropology, sociology, and criminal justice.
- Bachelor of Science (BS) Majors: Typical BS majors include biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, game design, accounting, economics, etc.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Majors: Common BFA majors include design, creative writing, music education, dance, animation, film art, drawing, painting, sculpture, visual arts, etc.
- Professional and Applied Majors: Some of the most popular professional and applied majors include nursing, business administration, engineering, and education.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Major
Choosing a major can be difficult, especially if you’re interested in multiple areas or don’t know what kind of career you want. As it’s a significant step in the college process, let’s explore the factors you should consider before choosing your major.
Personal Interests and Passions
First and foremost, you should consider your personal interests and passions. If you don’t like what you’re studying, it can be challenging to complete your coursework. Additionally, it can be tricky to stay motivated.
So, think about what you want to learn about on a deeper level. You should also ask yourself questions such as: “What classes do you like?” “What topics do you spend your time reading about?” and “What are your top ten interests?”
To help you figure out what you’re interested in and passionate about, consider taking a personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This assessment can help you determine subjects that closely align with your personality and interests.
You can also explore potential areas of study and career paths by volunteering, joining student clubs, completing an internship, and working a part-time job on campus.
Career Opportunities and Job Market Trends
You want to ensure that your education leads to viable and rewarding career opportunities upon graduation. Therefore, before choosing a major, you should explore the current and future trends in the job market.
Gather data from reputable sources to determine which industries are growing and which are expected to evolve in the coming years. You can utilize industry-specific journals, market research reports, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to gain insights into job growth rates, employment trends, and sectors poised for expansion.
Technology, data analysis, renewable energy, and technology have been consistently expanding sectors. So, choosing a major that offers skills relevant to these sectors may offer more job opportunities after graduation.
Skills and Strengths
Understanding your skills and strengths can help you make a confident decision about your major. Doing so allows you to determine how you can utilize your skills and strengths in various majors and career options. For example, if you love dealing with numbers, you may want to look into majors that could lead to careers like being an accountant or data scientist.
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However, you should also consider and build on your weaknesses in college. For example, if public speaking isn’t your thing, but it’s something you want to improve, go ahead and try a speech class. You might love it and decide to pursue a career involving public speaking, like a spokesperson or a news anchor.
Advice from Academic Advisors
When choosing your college major, don’t hesitate to seek advice from professors, academic advisors, or professionals in your fields of interest. Their guidance can help you gain clarity in choosing the right major.
Checking in with your academic advisor allows you to gain insight into picking a major. They can also recommend a major you may have yet to consider that meets your academic and career goals.
You can also talk to current students in the program to gain information about what you can expect from the major regarding workload, class sizes, teaching qualities, and other factors that can affect your experience. Additionally, you can take advantage of your school’s alumni network, talk to alumni with careers you find interesting, and ask them about their educational journey.
The Process of Declaring a Major
The timeframe for choosing a major depends on the college or university you attend and their major declaration requirements.
While some schools allow you to declare your major in your first year of college, most schools require declaring your major at the end of your sophomore year. Declaring your major before your junior year gives you plenty of time to fill general education courses in the first two years and focus on your major requirements in your junior and senior years.
But what if you change your mind?
Even if you’ve declared your major, you can still change it later. In fact, about 30% of undergraduates have changed majors more than once. However, if you decide to change your major, check with your academic advisor which courses you can transfer and which courses you need to take.
The Role of College Majors in Career Paths
As mentioned above, the major you choose can influence your career path. But what role does your major play in your future career path?
Your major can lead directly to specific professions. For example, professional majors like nursing lead to a career as a registered nurse and provide special knowledge and skills directly applicable to the profession.
On the other hand, academic, creative, and interdisciplinary majors emphasize developing transferable skills that can be applied in various fields. Some of these skills include problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, etc.
Conclusion
Choosing a major is an important step toward earning your undergraduate degree. Whether you want to focus on theoretical knowledge and research or combine multiple fields of study, there are a plethora of majors to choose from. Some popular options include computer science, communications, visual arts, business administration, engineering, etc.
But before making your decision, consider your personal interests, skills and strengths, job market trends and career opportunities, and advice from academic advisors.
Now that you’ve learned more about declaring your major and the role it plays in your career path, you can start thinking more about where you want to study. We welcome you to explore our bachelor’s degree programs and experience the UOTP difference yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How do I know if I should change my major?
Some of the signs that it’s time to change your major include:
- If your engagement and grades start to slip,
- When your major no longer aligns with your career goals,
- Your major highlights weaknesses, not your strengths,
- You find more interest in another field.
What is the difference between major and minor?
The main difference between a major and a minor is that a major is the main focus of your studies, whereas a minor is a secondary specialization.
Can I pursue a career unrelated to my major?
Yes, you can pursue a career unrelated to your undergraduate studies if your career ambitions change to something outside your major.
