Choosing The Right College
Choosing a major goes hand-in-hand with choosing a college. If youve narrowed your choice down to a few majors, you want to be sure to choose a school that offers those majors. Better yet, its a good idea to select a school that excels in the majors youre considering. If you have no idea what youd like to major in, schools that emphasize a more well-rounded and exploratory education such as liberal arts colleges may be the best option.
What Electives Should I Take?
Figuring out which high school electives suit your interests, skills, and class schedule can be tough. Think about what you love to do and what makes you happy as a sort of guide when youre choosing classes for next year. Then, you may have a better idea of how youd feel working in a certain field.
Which Extracurriculars Do I Choose?
Being actively involved in high school can have an impact on whether or not you get into your first-choice major or college. Do you love sports, crafts, politics or writing? Find out which clubs can best serve your passions, and this can help you network and gain real experience in the field of your choice!
Are Volunteer or Internship Opportunities Right for Me?
Volunteering or tutoring can be a good indicator of whether or not youd actually enjoy getting a degree pertaining to that subject or activity. Most organizations are happy for people to give some of their time, so take advantage and start testing out majors and careers by volunteering.
What College Majors Are Worth It
Every college major is worth it, even if you dont end up working in the field you studied. There are liberal arts majors who enjoy lucrative careers as lawyers and physicians.
Remember, part of earning your degree is showing employers and graduate school admission committees that you can learn and accomplish your goals. Colleges have certain rules, requirements, and red tape that define how to succeed. Navigating this landscape helps advertise your characteristics of being a go-getter, problem-solver, and finisher.
If you do work in your degree field, all the better. Your education will help you bypass certain entry-level positions and start earning a professional salary.
Ready To Start Your Journey
- Knowing what you’re interested in and what you’re good at can help you choose a major.
- Talking with your academic advisor could help you learn about new degree options.
- Many colleges let you create your own major so you can focus on a specific topic.
Choosing a major can be tricky, especially if you have multiple interests or don’t know what kind of career you want to pursue. According to a 2020 BestColleges study, 3 in 5 college graduates would change their majors if they could go back.
There are many factors you should consider before committing to a major, including the program cost, salary expectations, and employment rates in that field. In addition, you should think about your personality, personal and professional goals, and interests.
Including these variables in your decision process can help ensure you choose a major that resonates with your personal mission, values, and passions.
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Pick An Easy College Major
Its increasingly popular to characterize college as an expensive sheet of paper, but lament that its required for almost all jobs. People who have this view of college often advise picking an easy major and finishing college as quickly and cheaply as possible.This view saddens me, but its not without merit. Only about 62% of students pursuing a bachelors degree finish within 6 years. Students can put a lot of time and money into their college education only to drop out short of that bachelors credential.If you’re only attending college for the credential, then choosing an easy major may be the right choice for you. It can allow you to complete your degree while working full-time or pursuing other facets of life.
Materials Science And Engineering
- Base Salary: $69,400
- Median Salary : $92,390
- Job Outlook : 2%
Although the job outlook for materials engineers isn’t that high, this major and career should still give you a good shot at making a decent amount of money in the long run.
A materials engineering program integrates the fields of math and science, allowing students to study an array of materials, from glass and plastic to metals and ceramics. A materials science major is extremely similar but normally has a bigger emphasis on improving the function and composition of materials. Some colleges combine the two majors into a single materials science and engineering program.
Classes typically include calculus, physics, chemistry, engineering design, properties of materials, thermodynamics, kinetics of materials, smart materials, and sustainable energy technologies.
- Median Salary : $93,280
- Job Outlook : 11%
Biochemistry is a useful science major to consider if you’re passionate about biological processes and lab work. Biochemists currently have high job growth and a median salary of $93,000.
Although you’ll need a graduate degree to become a biochemist, you can use your bachelor’s in biochemistry in positions such as biological technician or pharmacy technician, which are presently experiencing faster-than-average employment growth .
- Median Salary : $88,190
- Job Outlook : 33%
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Should You Double Major In College
Undergraduates aren’t necessarily limited to one field of study. Most colleges and universities allow students to double major or even triple major. Normally, students who double major choose two academic fields that complement each other, though you’re not required to do this.
For example, students hoping to establish careers in international business might double major in business management and a foreign language. Other popular major combinations include accounting and finance, engineering and math, political science and philosophy, and criminal justice and psychology.
If you don’t have enough room in your class schedule to pursue two majors, you can also in a secondary subject that interests you.
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With so many majors and programs available, how do you know which one is the best pick for you? It can be hard to decide when youre still in high school, honing your interests and figuring out your career goals.
But, knowing what major youre interested in can play a role in determining the right college for you so its an important factor to consider. Thats why weve compiled a list of 200 college majors.
NB: Few schools offer all the majors on this list. Use our school-search tool to find colleges with the program that interests you.
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Answer What Major Is Right For Me
Choosing a major is a big decision and one that you should not take lightly. In order to answer the question, What major is right for me? youll need to think about what you want your life to look like. What do you like to do, what are you interested in, and what do you want your work to be like?
If youd like to give yourself the best chance at success in college and in your career, check out the rest of our site at The Honor Society. We have information about scholarships and a career center to help you get the best start in life. Join today to start living your best life in college and beyond.
What Are The Highest
When considering which major to pursue, determine how important salary and salary potential weigh into your decision-making process. If you’re motivated by high earnings, pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field may appeal to you.
That said, some students care more about the importance of their work than the salary offered they don’t want a job just for the money. Non-STEM degrees that students are often passionate about relate to human services, education, and visual/performing arts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a regularly updated list of positions offering the highest wages. Psychiatrists rank high on this list, as do oral and maxillofacial surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, and general internal medicine physicians.
If you want a job outside of medicine and healthcare, other positions with high salaries include chief executive, airline pilot, computer and information systems manager, architectural and engineering manager, and marketing manager.
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Identify Your Interests Passions And Aspirations
You may love your Sculpture 101 class, but can you really see yourself devoting the rest of your college career to this field? Choose something you know isn’t just a hobby or phase. If it takes you a year or two to figure that out before declaring a major, that’s fine. Explore general education classes to give you an idea of what fields may really excite you. It’s also perfectly okay to change your major if you decide the subject isn’t something you’re truly interested in or passionate about.
Also, please don’t feel pressured to declare a certain major just because your parents want you to be a doctor or a lawyer. Their aspirations aren’t necessarily yours, and you don’t want to spend years of your life studying a subject you can’t stand.
Best College Majors For Future Job Market
Wondering what the best college majors are for the future?
According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 80% of students in undergraduate studies chose their college major based on the potential job prospects. For those of you who are among the 20% wanting your degree as quickly as possible, you may find our article Quick Degrees that Pay Well helpful.
Theres nothing worse than investing in a college major and then finding out the job market for that major is rapidly diminishing! Save yourself the trouble by choosing a major in a field geared for high growth for a good return on your investment.
Below are the best majors for future growth rankings according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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What Are Your Biggest Priorities
Some students pursue certain majors primarily based upon salary potential and job demand. Alternatively, other students choose majors they’re passionate about and/or highly skilled in. Before you choose a major, think about which of these three factors economic advantage, interest level, and ability are most important and relevant to you and your future goals.
Can You Succeed In An Associated Career Field
Generally speaking, the top majors lists are dominated by engineering, nursing, and business related degrees. Several of the top majors are more than just courses of study they’re requirements for certain careers . These careers may be high-paying. But they can also be rigorous or have high burn-out rates. If working on an oil rig doesn’t appeal to you, then Petroleum Engineering probably isn’t a good choice of major.
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What Is The Best College Major To Study
Choosing the best college majors for the future may seem like a balancing act as you contemplate the job market, your personal interests, and abilities. But as you could see with the up-to-date salary data and projected industry growth rates, there are quite a few great options for bachelors degree holders!
Which college major is the best major? The choice is yours.
What Is A Major Whats The Difference Between A Major And A Minor
A major is a specific subject area college students specialize in. Typically, between one-third and one-half of the courses youll take in college will be in your major or related to it. Some colleges even let you design your own major!
A minor is a secondary field you can study in while completing your major degree program. Its a specialization that requires fewer courses than a major. Minors are only required for certain degrees.
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Things To Consider When Choosing A Major:
What Are The Best College Majors To Get A Job
The best college majors to get a job are those in the higher rankings of projected job growth and lucrative salaries such as business administration, healthcare, and technology.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of job growth and salary data for a wide range of professions. When looking for the best major, knowing which majors have the highest rankings in median salary and projected growth rate can be very useful in helping you make a more informed decision.
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What Happens If I Have Multiple Majors Of Interest
Minors are a good place to explore one of your passions without having to fully commit to an area of study. If you loved playing an instrument, you could minor in music studies without turning it into a career. These types of hobby minors show character and can help you stand out when applying for jobs.
You can also take a minor to enhance your degree. For example, a math major with a minor in physics or biology could find themselves in an engineering position and a standout among others in their field.
The downside to adding a minor is that they require you complete about half as many courses as a major. You may wind up spending more on tuition, and possibly even delaying your timeline for graduation.
If choosing a major is hard because youre interested in two things, you might find yourself considering a second major. On one hand, having taking two majors in complementary subjects can make you a much stronger job candidate. A business major who also studied communications would stand out to employers from both industries.
On the other hand, finishing a major usually requires you take around 15 classes. That means more than a full year at school, and all the tuition that comes with it. Youll also have fewer chances to take more experimental classes outside of your field because of all the extra required courses on your plate. Having a second major can pay off, but you have to work almost twice as hard.
How Do I Know Which College Major To Pursue
There are several factors that you should consider when choosing a college major that you believe is the best major for you. Some of the obvious factors include program cost, salary potential, and job demand. If you choose a major that is in the top rankings for one or more of these factors, then you are off to a great start.
One of the biggest factors not mentioned yet is job satisfaction. When finding the best major, you need to look into the future and ask yourself: Will I enjoy the field of work with this college major?
Ultimately, you want to find a certain major that matches closely to your interests, values, and abilities. By doing so, you will have a better chance at achieving happiness with the career path you choose.
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What Do You Like
The first thing to consider when picking a major is what you like to do. By the time you graduate high school youll have enough information and experience from your classes to figure out what you might or might not be interested in pursuing. Here are some ways you can dig deeper:
- List 10 things you love. Listing what you love doing, both inside or outside the classroom, is a great way to see possible paths you can take. If you enjoy art and drawing but youre also interested in technology, consider majoring in graphic design. If youre into business and traveling, investigate majoring in international business.
- Make a list of strengths and weaknesses. Figuring out your strengths and weaknesses can help you assess what kind of major to go into. For example, if public speaking isnt really your thing, you might want to avoid majors that could lead to careers like being a news anchor or spokesperson. You can also take your weaknesses and build on them in college. If public speaking is something you want to improve, go ahead and take a speech class. You might love it!
- Use the Roadmap to Careers Connect your interests to majors and careers, and explore video interviews with professionals in different industries to hear how they got where they are today. Use your College Board login to map your futureits free for students who take the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, or the SAT.
Which College Major Should You Be
- step
In which building did you spend the most time in high school?
- The Bio Lab.
- The Art or Music room.
- The Computer Lab.
- Being on the cutting edge.
- Working on projects all night and day.
- Partying.
You spend most of your after school hours…
- At clubs and bars.
- On campus or at Barnes and Nobles.
- Street performing.
- Discussing class projects with friends.
When hungry or on the road, you grab a bite at
- McDonalds
- All highlighted and post-it tabbed.
- Mostly picture books.
- Free, cuz I download them all as PDFs.
When I grow up, I want to…
- Help people, one at a time.
- Sit in front of my computer.
- Make a good salary.
- Create whatever I want to.
- Change the world.
What’s for dinner?
- Smoked salmon, oriental salad with balsamic vinagrette and a glass of wine. Don’t forget the lemon peel decorations.
- Can’t eat now. Starbucks first, then a meeting to attend.
- Convection-heated peperroni pizza/thermally-activated pockets.
When I wake up, I reach for…
- Water. I’m sooo thirsty.
- My PDA, it better be synced up.
- That free t-shirt I got, time to go to the lab.
- My favorite power tie.
- act like I know what I’m doing.
- am the Boss.
- actually end up doing everything.
- That are rich and powerful.
- That are smart and arrogant.
- That know and do their shit.
- That like intellectual conversation.
- That you could trust with your life.
- That pass the joint around.
- doesn’t get in my way.
- sits across from me in lab, if only I could talk to them.
- will be able to support both of us.
- is available for download.
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