Introduction to College Majors With college acceptance season in 2024 having just finished, many people who are still undecided on their college journey have a difficult choice to make

- what major will they let pave the pathway for the rest of their school-bound and work journey?

Furthermore, for those who are still in their earlier stages of high school, picking a college major is essential A.

S.

A.

P so that one can begin to align their interests, courses, extracurriculars, and more to that passion and exhibit it as fully as they can to universities.

Regardless, today we will guide you through exactly how you can go about this arduous process as early on as possible and choose the college major that is right for you.

Without further ado, let's begin!

How to Choose Your College Major What is Your Passion?

To put it curtly, you cannot dive into something that you have no interest in.

How boring would it be to while away your time as an accountant when your true calling lies next to an easel painting away on a canvas?

Yet, it can be difficult for some to decide amongst the many things that interest them on something specific that they want to focus and hone in on in their lifetime.

Here are some things to consider nonetheless: Self-Reflection: Take some time to reflect on your interests, strengths, and values.

What activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

What subjects do you excel in or find intriguing?

Consider your hobbies, extracurricular activities, and any previous academic achievements.

Explore Different Fields: Research various academic disciplines and career paths.

Attend college fairs, seminars, and workshops to learn more about different majors and industries.

Consider talking to professionals or alumni in fields you're interested in to gain insights into their experiences.

Try New Things: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new activities or courses.

Volunteer, intern, or shadow professionals in different fields to gain hands-on experience and exposure to different industries.

Evaluate Your Goals: Think about your long-term goals and aspirations.

What kind of impact do you want to make in the world?

Consider how different majors align with your goals and values.

Consider Your Skills and Strengths: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and skills.

What are you naturally good at?

What skills do you want to develop further?

Choose a major that allows you to leverage your strengths while also challenging you to grow.

Seek Guidance: Talk to your teachers, counselors, and mentors for advice and guidance.

They can provide valuable insights and help you explore your options.

Follow Your Curiosity: Pay attention to what sparks your curiosity and excitement.

Your passion is often tied to what genuinely interests you and motivates you to learn more.

Keep an Open Mind: Be open to change and flexible in your decision-making process.

It's okay if your interests evolve over time, and you may discover new passions along the way.

Do Research on Different Fields Ok, so you have your passion in mind.

Now what?

In what way does "technology" or "biodiversity" translate into a tangible major, career, and job?In other words, how can YOU do research on different fields that have to do with your passion the right way in order to figure out the necessary information that would help you make your ultimate decision?

Well, researching different fields related to your passion requires a systematic approach to gather relevant information effectively.

Here's how you can conduct research in a structured manner: Identify Your Areas of Interest: Start by listing down the specific areas or fields that align with your passion if it is still too broad (like "STEM").

This could be based on your hobbies, interests, or subjects you enjoy studying.

Utilize Online Resources: Use reliable online resources such as academic journals, industry publications, reputable websites, and online databases to gather information about different fields.

Websites like Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and academic databases provided by your school or local library can be valuable sources of information.

Read Books and Articles: Look for books, articles, and publications related to the fields you're interested in.

Visit your local library or university library to access a wide range of academic and non-fiction books on various subjects.

Attend Workshops and Seminars: Attend workshops, seminars, webinars, and conferences related to your areas of interest.

These events provide opportunities to learn from experts, network with professionals, and gain insights into current trends and developments in the field.

Conduct Interviews and Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals, researchers, professors, and individuals working in the fields you're interested in.

Conduct informational interviews to learn more about their experiences, career paths, and the nature of their work.

This can provide valuable firsthand insights and help you make informed decisions.

Explore Online Communities and Forums: Join online communities, forums, and social media groups related to your areas of interest.

Engage with other members, ask questions, and participate in discussions to learn from their experiences and perspectives.

Take Online Courses and MOOCs: Enroll in online courses, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), or workshops related to your areas of interest.

Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide range of courses on various subjects taught by experts from around the world.

Evaluate Career Opportunities and Growth Potential: Research the job market and career opportunities in the fields you're considering.

Look into the demand for professionals in those fields, salary trends, job prospects, and potential for career growth.

Consider Practical Considerations: Take into account practical considerations such as the availability of educational programs, the reputation of institutions offering those programs, geographical location, and financial implications.

Keep Track of Your Findings: Maintain a research journal or document where you can record your findings, insights, and observations.

Organize your notes and references systematically to facilitate decision-making.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can gather the necessary information to make an informed decision about which field aligns best with your passion and interests.

Take Tests to Identify Skills Online career tests can be valuable tools to help you identify potential college majors that align with your interests, personality, and skills.

These tests typically consist of a series of questions designed to assess various aspects of your personality, preferences, and strengths.

Here's what you can expect when taking an online career test: Personality Assessment: Many career tests start by assessing your personality traits, such as introversion/extroversion, openness to new experiences, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability.

These traits can provide insight into the types of environments and work settings where you are likely to thrive.

Interest Inventory: Career tests often include questions about your interests, hobbies, and activities you enjoy.

By identifying your interests, the test can suggest career paths and majors that align with your passions and preferences.

Skills Assessment: Some career tests evaluate your skills and abilities, including both hard skills (such as technical skills or proficiency in specific subjects) and soft skills (such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork).

Understanding your strengths can help narrow down potential major options.

PlayWant to learn how Harvard Undergraduate Rishab Jain suggests finding your passion?

Check out the video above!

Values Clarification: Understanding your values—what matters most to you in a career—can also be a crucial aspect of career exploration.

Some tests include questions about your values and priorities to help you identify majors and careers that align with your core beliefs and principles.

Career Recommendations: Based on your responses to the various assessments, online career tests generate personalized recommendations for potential college majors or career paths.

These recommendations are often accompanied by explanations of why certain majors or careers may be a good fit for you based on your assessment results.

Additional Resources: Many online career tests provide additional resources and information to help you explore your recommended majors further.

This may include links to related articles, profiles of professionals in the field, educational requirements, and potential career paths.

It's important to keep in mind that while online career tests can provide valuable insights and suggestions, they are not definitive or exhaustive.

Your results should be viewed as one piece of the puzzle in your career exploration journey.

It's also a good idea to consider other factors such as personal interests, values, goals, and experiences when making decisions about your college major.

Additionally, not all online career tests are created equal.

Look for reputable tests developed by career counseling professionals or organizations with expertise in career assessment.

Take multiple tests if necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of your strengths and interests.

Finally, remember that career exploration is an ongoing process, and it's okay if your interests and goals evolve over time.

Look at What a Prospective Career is Like Seeing a day in the life of your potential major can provide invaluable insights into what it's like to work in that field, helping you make a more informed decision about your college major.

Here's why it's important and how you can go about experiencing it: Real-world Perspective: Observing professionals in your desired field can give you a firsthand look at what their daily tasks, responsibilities, and challenges entail.

This real-world perspective can help you understand the practical aspects of the major and whether it aligns with your interests and career goals.

Networking Opportunities: Spending time with professionals in the field gives you the opportunity to network and connect with individuals who have experience and expertise in your desired major.

Building relationships with professionals can provide mentorship, advice, and potential internship or job opportunities down the line.

Confirmation or Adjustment of Expectations: Experiencing a day in the life of your potential major can confirm or adjust your expectations about what it's like to work in that field.

You may discover aspects of the major that you hadn't considered before or find that your interests lie in a slightly different direction within the same field.

Hands-on Learning: Some majors may involve hands-on activities or specific environments that are difficult to fully understand from textbooks or lectures alone.

Spending time in those environments allows you to experience the practical aspects of the major and gain a deeper understanding of what it entails.

Here's how you can experience a day in the life of your potential major: Job Shadowing: Reach out to professionals in your desired field and ask if you can shadow them for a day or part of a day.

Job shadowing allows you to observe their daily activities, ask questions, and gain insights into their work.

Informational Interviews: Arrange informational interviews with professionals in your desired field to learn more about their career paths, day-to-day responsibilities, and the skills required for success.

Informational interviews can be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video call.

Internships or Volunteer Opportunities: Look for internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs related to your potential major.

Hands-on experience in the field can provide valuable insights and practical skills while allowing you to network with professionals.

Attend Industry Events: Attend industry conferences, workshops, seminars, and networking events related to your potential major.

These events provide opportunities to meet professionals, learn about current trends and developments, and gain exposure to different aspects of the field.

Online Resources: If in-person opportunities are limited, consider exploring online resources such as virtual job shadowing programs, career exploration websites, and industry-specific webinars or virtual events.

By experiencing a day in the life of your potential major through job shadowing, informational interviews, internships, or other opportunities, you can gain valuable insights that will help you make an informed decision about your college major.

Miscellaneous: Money, Growth, Competition, etc.

Finally, the part you've all been waiting for: money.

Now I know you're not going to listen to me say this, but it is worth saying anyways: money should NOT be your priority when choosing a major, especially if your family is not in a financial crisis.

However, it is still important nonetheless to take account of, as well as are other important factors equally that affect how likely you are to succeed in a major.

Checking for factors such as salary potential, future growth, and competitiveness of a major when applying to college is important for several reasons: Financial Considerations: Pursuing a college education is a significant investment of both time and money.

Assessing the potential financial outcomes of different majors can help you make informed decisions about how to allocate your resources.

It's important to consider factors such as the average salary for graduates in your chosen field, as well as the return on investment (ROI) of your education.

Career Opportunities: Some majors may have more promising career prospects than others.

Researching the future growth and demand for professionals in your desired field can help you anticipate job opportunities after graduation.

Choose a major that aligns with your career goals and offers opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Competitiveness of the Field: Certain majors may be more competitive than others in terms of admission requirements, job market saturation, and advancement opportunities.

Consider the level of competition you may face both during your college application process and in the job market after graduation.

Evaluate whether you have the necessary skills, qualifications, and passion to succeed in a competitive field.

Job Satisfaction: Beyond financial considerations, it's important to choose a major that aligns with your interests, values, and strengths.

Researching factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, and the potential for meaningful contributions in your chosen field can help you assess whether a major is the right fit for you in the long term.

Here's how you can check for money, future growth, and competitiveness for a slot in the college major you're applying to: Salary Research: Utilize online resources such as salary databases, industry reports, and job market surveys to research the average salary and earning potential for graduates in your desired major.

Consider factors such as location, industry, and level of experience when evaluating salary data.

Industry Outlook: Look into the future growth and demand projections for professionals in your chosen field.

Explore industry-specific reports, labor market analyses, and projections from government agencies, professional associations, and research organizations to understand trends and opportunities in the job market.

Admission Statistics: Research the admission requirements and acceptance rates for the college major you're interested in.

Understand the qualifications, prerequisites, and competitiveness of the program to determine your likelihood of admission.

Networking and Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals, alumni, faculty members, and career advisors in your desired field to gain insights into the competitiveness of the major, job market trends, and potential career paths.

Networking and conducting informational interviews can provide valuable firsthand information and advice.

Internship and Job Placement Data: Explore internship and job placement data for graduates of the major you're considering.

Many colleges and universities publish statistics on the employment outcomes of their graduates, including placement rates, industry sectors, and salary ranges.

By thoroughly researching the financial aspects, future growth opportunities, and competitiveness of the major you're applying to, you can make a well-informed decision that aligns with your academic and career goals.

Make the Decision Now the time has come

- that fateful moment when you decide your college major.

Sit down with a trust education adult, a family member, or someone else who you are comfortable expressing yourself too and truly lock in the decision.

Be it on pen and paper, digitally, or through any other medium that you desire, make sure you tangibly state what your major is and how to hope to pursue this major.

Now that you've done that, the hard part is over!

Every time you want to indulge in an activity, pursue an extracurricular, or do something in the hopes that it will affect your college admissions chances or career, just ask yourself

- In what way would this affect my major?

If it isn't something that you believe you will genuinely enjoy, and you really have to stretch things out in order to relate it to your major, then it is probably not worthwhile to engage in in the first place.

So congratulations!

With this newly found wealth of knowledge and sense of direction added to your life, go out there!

Do something new.

Succeed in that major.

And be happy and grounded in it.

Good luck.

A college degree is not a sign that one is a finished product but an indication that a person is prepared for life.

- Edward Malloy, American Basketball Player Hope for the Future of Your College Career If all of this information is making you feel overwhelmed, then don't worry.

This goes for my seniors who already locked in "undecided" out there or are still unsure about what they want to do with their life: it's okay.

You are young, and you don't have everything all figured out yet.

Just take it easy, find a feel for things in the next few years, and don't stress if you feel like changing majors.

Everything is going to be okay, and a fresh start at any point in your life is better late than never.

At the end of the day, if you end up with less experience or a worse off degree but are doing something that you genuinely enjoy, then 50 years down the line you WON'T be regretting any of it at all.

And THAT, that right there, should be comforting to anybody.

Conclusion: How to Secure College Scholarships Great!

So you've gone through the steps outlined in this guide and are excited to be, let's say, a doctor.

It has great pay, medicine is something that you are passionate about, the life is stressful but you like that, and making people's day is right down your alley.

Now for the fun part.

You owe your medical school $200,000 in student fees, and that's just for your undergraduate and bachelor's degree.

As the term has been coined for millions of students around the planet pursuing any major (but primarily STEM), student loans have people "drowning in debt" that seems practically inescapable at this point.

But there is a way out the back alley

- scholarships!

Although they are not easy to secure, merit-based scholarships can be life-savers in helping your parents with the cost of thousands upon thousands of dollars in tuition fees.

Want help and guidance earning scholarships by a Harvard Undergraduate who has procured some of the most difficult-to-attain merit based scholarships in his lifetime and paid off his first year at university for free?

Check out Rishab Jain's scholarship masterclass below:https://www. rishabacademy. com/rishab-s-scholarship-masterclass.