Exploring Potential Majors

As students prepare to apply to college, the choices may seem overwhelming. In years past, it was common to be told, “Major in anything—it doesn’t really matter as long as you get a degree.” To some extent, this advice can still hold true. As George Anders argues in his excellent book You Can do Anything, “Employers want to hire college graduates who write well, speak clearly, work effectively in teams, and know how to analyze complex problems. All those virtues are central to a good college education, particularly in the liberal arts.” In fact, many top technology companies actively seek graduates with liberal arts degrees because they often have an excellent ability to communicate, work cooperatively, and approach problems in creative ways. So, if you’re one of the many students about to enter college without a specific career goal, you might give strong consideration to enrolling in a liberal arts program which will typically allow you to wait one or two years before declaring a major.

On the other end of the spectrum are students with specific career goals. For example, if you’re committed to becoming an engineer, a graphic designer, a nurse, or a computer scientist, you will want to ensure you’re exploring universities with these specific majors. Many colleges and universities now offer fascinating majors that didn’t exist a few short years ago, so it’s worth taking the time to explore what’s available. One of my favorite tools to get students thinking about the future is the YouScience online assessment. This tool is unique in that it uncovers an individual’s specific aptitudes and then matches those aptitudes with a wide variety of potential career pathways. Students are then able to learn more about careers they may never have considered and explore relevant majors as they begin their college search. The YouScience assessment is included in My College Road’s comprehensive package but is available for anyone to purchase online, and I highly recommend it.