Welcome to the club! Deciding on a college and career path can be daunting, especially if you have a wide range of interests and you feel pressured to choose just one. If it’s any consolation, a lot of graduates end up taking jobs that are unrelated to their majors.
Most of these people will say that their college education was not a waste and it helped prepare them for adult life. Remember there is a lot more to college than credits and diplomas, but you will learn about yourself and the world around you and, hopefully, meet some life-long friends. As for choosing your major, never fear! Thankfully, there are many resources out there designed to help you figure out what to do next.
Take your time, but don’t procrastinate on choosing a major. Colleges seem to like it best when you know what you want, which sounds a bit biased. In reality, being able to decide what you want is a sign of maturity and independence. Make it a goal to have your major decision before the end of your sophomore year of college. If you wait too much longer, you might take longer to meet your graduation goals.
Personality tests are helpful in pointing out your personal attributes. A widely used one is the Myers-Briggs typology test. This test is useful for identifying your possible strengths, weaknesses, and compatible career choices for your personality type.
There are plenty of these types of personality test quizzes on the web. You might also want to ask your friends, family, and teachers what they think you’re strengths and weaknesses are. A school guidance counselor is a great resource. He or she can help you identify your interests, abilities, and answer your questions about school and careers.
Sometimes, people think that a particular job is perfect for them until they actually try it out and learn otherwise. On the other hand, you might find that you really enjoy something else that you’ve never tried before. There is really no substitute for first-hand experience.
Internships, or even just a few hours of volunteer work at a local hospital or retirement home, are great ways to put yourself out in the world and used to interacting with people on the job. Also, you have the added bonus of knowing people who can recommend you as a worker for future jobs.
College students change their majors more than you think. If you’re having a hard time deciding on a major, you can always opt for Undeclared and focus on getting a well-rounded education until you’ve found your niche. Even if you haven’t by the time you are a college junior or senior, don’t be discouraged.
A college major in psychology doesn’t necessarily mean you are limited to jobs in that field. It’s quite common to change career directions as well. You might be best off choosing something broad and general, like English or Communications, which are the easiest college majors.
Thinking about college and the future can be very daunting. Try to keep it fun. Enjoy your college years. Make friends. Learn new things. Take it one day at a time.
