|
|
How Do I Choose the Right Career Path?Aug 12 '06 (Updated Aug 30 '06) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Choosing a major is sometimes difficult but there are several tools/methods that can make the process easier. College is a serious undertaking for many and selecting the right university is only the first step in the process of planning for the future. The other important step is selecting a major and while some students already know their desired major before they select a specific college to attend, others are still uncertain and they end up waiting until the last minute to declare a major field of study. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that a student can help to narrow down the selections and pick the major that is right for him/her: What are Your Interests?: Most important among the list of considerations for selecting a college major is one’s own personal interests. Maybe you are the type who likes to work with numbers? Maybe you like science? Maybe you hate the practicality of numbers and prefer the arts? The first thing a prospective student needs to do is make out a list of personal likes and dislikes. From this list, a student can narrow down to a selected area(s) for a major field of study. For some students, this process still doesn’t result in a clear choice. Or, for others, there are too many different areas of interest and many of them are very different from each other. This can complicate the decision process. But unless a student has limitless money and time and can afford the luxury of double majoring in fine arts and engineering, a choice has to be made sooner or later. Other Reasons for Selecting a Specific Major: Interests and skills are the primary reasons that a specific major is selected. But there can sometimes be other factors that lead students down a specific career path, even though that career path may not necessarily be to one’s liking. One example is a family run business. Some students are sons or daughters of a successful mother and/or father who own a business. Often, if the business is in the family and the parents want to keep it this way, a specific major will be expected from the student. Generally, the field of study will be business but depending on the parent’s type of business owned, it could be something else. Another popular but not always good reason for selecting a specific major is money. No, I’m not referring to students who select a major that will require the smallest expenditure of tuition dollars. I’m talking about students who select a major based purely on the earnings potential of workers in that field. Engineering, business, medical, and law are generally considered more lucrative fields and this will sometimes lure students to select a field of study in one of these areas instead of selecting a major in the liberal arts or some other field where earnings may or may not be as high. No Major Here: Is it critical to have a major field of study selected before enrolling in college? The answer, of course, is no. It is very popular nowadays for undecided students to enroll at a university with an undeclared major. If a decision cannot be made, this is often the best way to go. It makes more sense to put off the decision until a later time instead of enrolling in a major field of study and then switch to another field. Many of the class credits that are specific to one major will not be transferable. And this will lengthen the number of years that a student will have to devote to school in order to complete the final major. Final Thoughts: Deciding on a specific field of study can often be time- consuming and frustrating. With some students, it’s a no- brainer: They know exactly what they want to do with their lives and they enroll in college with a sense of confidence. But for others, the decision is more difficult and they have a tough time deciding which field of study is the best fit for their career goals and interests. When I was getting ready to enter college as an undergraduate, I was uncertain what field of study was right for me and I pondered the situation over and over again in my mind. I knew what I was good at but I wasn’t sure exactly which field of study was best. For me, the subjects where I excelled were mathematics and the social sciences. But I also liked teaching, making the major selection a tough one. The many possibilities (those which involve math, social sciences, or both) included accounting, finance, economics, management, engineering, education, history, psychology, and many others. I finally decided on finance but only after entering college as undeclared. I took nothing but general education requirements (classes that apply to any major) for my first year and then registered for the school of business. If students have made a list of interesting fields but still having a difficult time selecting a major, there are a few options to consider. First, most high schools have career counselors who can help students decide on the field that is right for them. These individuals are often a good resource for some reasonable and unbiased assistance. Asking for parental input is usually a good idea too, but students should beware of parents who have money on the brain. Some parents, even though they mean well, will push their son or daughter in the direction of the field of study that has the greatest chances for income and prestige. This may or may not be compatible with a student’s main interests. These types of parents usually claim that they “have their child’s best interests in mind”. But in reality, these parents have equated money with happiness and they sometimes steer their kids in a direction that isn’t right for the student. Another possible way to decide on a major is to take an interest inventory test. Most high schools have tests like this and they can be found on the internet. The way they work is simple. A student is asked questions that relate to specific likes and dislikes, sometimes with an additional “weighted” factor (where the student indicates how much they like something or how well it fits their personality on a scale of one to five). The answers are then tallied together and a list of possible majors is presented. I can remember taking an interest inventory when I was a high school senior (there was no internet- we had to wait a week for the results to be computed). Fortunately for me, the results were exactly the same as I expected with business, economics, teaching, and a few other fields ranking as my best choices. Sometimes, these interest inventory tests can present a possible field of interest you have never considered before. But for me, it turned out exactly the way I expected. Selecting a major because it has the potential to pay well isn’t a good idea but it bears mentioning once more because it is becoming a common occurrence. I know several people who selected majors like engineering, business, and others because “this is where the money is” and I know some people who went to law school for the same reason. I can understand why people want to be financially secure, but a person really has to ask themselves if they will be happy working in a specific career field because of money. Large paychecks are nice, but they cannot compensate for problems like job dissatisfaction. Now, I realize that some people are motivated by money more than anything else and their happiness is driven by large dollar signs. For these types, a major selected based on potential earnings might work out but for others, it can lead to great distress and anxiety. A student has to take a good look at himself/herself before making this type of decision. If a student is worried about narrowing down his/her choices and wants a more generic type of major (but not too generic- selecting a major like General Studies is a bad idea), there are plenty of good choices. Some majors are so wide- open that they can apply to a vast number of jobs. Majors like communications or management, for example, are non- specific in nature and they can qualify a student for a wide array of employment opportunities upon graduation. On the other hand, there are some jobs where no substitutes are permitted. Careers in fields like engineering, for example, require an engineering degree. This is where a student has to know what he/she wants to do for a living and what is required to get there. There are some jobs that will accept degrees from several different majors but others allow no substitutes. Deciding on a major field of study can sometimes take time and dedication to the cause. Some students like me already have a good idea for a future career while others need a little more guidance. Starting out as an undeclared major is a good idea for students who are completely unsure or who are “on the fence” and cannot decide between a handful of majors. Selecting a minor field of study can help, but the selection of a major is the most critical decision to a successful and fulfilling career. Interest inventory tests, guidance counselors, parents, and others can all be helpful assets in this important decision making process. For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below: Advice on College Admissions: Choosing a College or University How to Help Your Child Choose a College How to Apply to College Should I Transfer Schools? Should I Take Time Off? Should I Go to Grad School? How to Create a Resume for a New Graduate How Many Schools Should I Apply To? Advice on College Life: College Survival Tips What is College Really Like? What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates What Should I Know About Greek Life in College? What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning What Should I Bring to School How Can I Succeed in College Academics? How to Manage Your Time How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School? How Should I Prepare for Life After Graduation? Advice on College Finances: Should I Take a Part Time Job? How to Pay Off Student Loans How to Manage Your Budget How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages How to Apply for Financial Aid Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and "How To": 800Score.com How to Take the GMAT How to Take the GRE Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course Reviews of Specific Universities: Wright State University University of Dayton  |
| Read all comments (2)|Write your own comment |
- Top 10|
Ads by Google
|
