Careers and Majors: How Do They Align?
As a high school student, you may feel pressured to choose a college major. You might wonder, “what if I pick the wrong one?” or “does my major decide the rest of my career?” While your major can play an important role in your career journey, it’s not the only factor. Here, we’ll give you an inside look on how careers and majors align and how you can make thoughtful decisions about your major.
Understanding the Connection
For some careers, the connection to your major is clear. If you dream of being a nurse or engineer, specific majors are essential to the career path. However, many careers value skills and experiences over specific majors. For instance, an English major could lead to roles in writing, marketing, or even business. Your major is a foundation, but it doesn’t lock you into one path. Focus on developing transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, all of which are valuable across various fields.
Exploring Major Options
Before choosing a major, consider what subjects excite and motivate you. Are you drawn to math, science, or the arts? What activities energize you? Do you like helping others, working with technology, or being creative? You may consider taking a career assessment, like the one in Scoir to help answer some of these questions.
Once you’ve thought about what you like, and maybe don’t like, start researching careers and majors that align with your interests. You may consider what education is required for specific careers, what majors lead to specific careers, and what skills are most valuable in the field you’re researching.
If you’re starting this process early, it can be a good idea to explore extracurricular activities that will help you explore these interests and build relevant skills.
Stay Flexible
Keep in mind that many students change their majors while they’re in college, and that’s okay! Colleges often offer exploratory or interdisciplinary programs or allow you to combine fields of study. Beyond your major, experiences like leadership roles, volunteer work, and internships can shape your career path and make you stand out to employers.
Choosing a major is an important step, but it doesn’t define your entire future. Prioritize self-discovery, explore interests, and remain open to new opportunities. And remember, most careers have multiple pathways to get there!
