Different Majors in College: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing

Deciding on what to major in causes anxiety for many students yet to join college. Some students are unsure of what they want to do because there are different majors in college at their disposal. However, the guide below gives tips and advice on how to choose a major.

WHAT IS A MAJOR, AND WHY CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAJOR IN COLLEGE IS VITAL?  

A major can be defined as a specific subject area in which a student chooses to specialize. A college major sets the foundation for one’s career path by offering them the necessary skills and knowledge. To avoid pursuing a career that does not align with your major, it is crucial to choose the right major. The major should align with your career goals so that it prepares you for the future. Among the top majors, computer science, business administration, finance, human resources, and education stand out. However, psychology is considered to be one of the most competitive majors. 

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MAJORS IN COLLEGE  

Choosing a major is important as it helps students determine the college to attend and whether the major is offered at that particular institution.  

Below are some tips that students can utilize when choosing a major.  

1. CHOOSE A MAJOR BASED ON YOUR INTERESTS 

Another step is to consider what you like doing. List down the things you love doing both inside and outside a classroom setting. Choose a major that interests you and would like to learn more about. Unfortunately, some students may find it hard to identify their interests. However, they can consider taking a personality test to help them align with their interests. Myers-Briggs is a good starting point to help students identify their personality type.  

2. CHOOSE A MAJOR BASED ON ABILITIES AND SKILLS 

Students should identify what areas they are able to perform well in. This method is the best way to eliminate what you do not want to do when deciding what to pursue. Studies show that students who choose to study a field they are skilled in have better chances of making more professional connections after college. Some of the other main factors to consider include employment rates, salary expectations, and the cost of pursuing the major. 

3. CONSULT A COLLEGE ADVISOR 

 College advisors are better positioned to help you decide what major to pursue. They have a more intimate knowledge of what the college offers and will guide you through the process. A college advisor will also give you a long-term overview of how the major you want to pursue translates down your career path. In addition, they act as the student’s support system throughout their studies. If unsure of how to seek advice, here are some questions to ask when consulting a personal program advisor: 

•    What courses do you recommend?
•    Is the major offered in the college?
•    Does the school have a good track record of successful graduates from that major?
•    Can one get a connection with college graduates from the field one would like to major in?
•    Do you have any information that will help me explore careers in that field?
•    Can one change their major? 
•    How long will it take to complete the degree?

4. CONSIDER EMPLOYABILITY AND EARNING POTENTIAL 

The major you choose should readily and easily help you find employment after you have finalized the degree. This is necessary to avoid unemployment later on. Also, take a look at the career earnings projections of graduates from the field you wish to choose. Although money should not be a consideration, it is worth researching more on the future return on investment from the major you will pursue. If you are interested in high-paying jobs, consider pursuing a degree in STEM-related fields such as computer science, biology, mechanical engineering, software engineering, and information technology.  

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MAJORS IN COLLEGE 

Choosing a major is important because it helps students determine the college to attend and whether the major is offered at that institution. The choice of university will always restrict the options of your majors, as some universities offer them while others do not. Other factors to consider include employment rates, salary expectations and the cost of pursuing the major. At the University of the People (UoP), there are plenty of programs you can pick from. Here is a list of different majors offered at the university: 

EDUCATION 

As the number of students increases, the demand for teachers also increases. When students pursue an education major, they get to advance their teaching skills. Students get to utilize effective learning techniques, create a diverse classroom environment, assess their student’s needs, and support them. Also, once a student has graduated, they have the opportunity to make a difference in another person’s life.  

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

Business majors are common in the university. Once a student pursues a business administration major, they will explore the fundamental business principle and practices that enable firms to run smoothly. Furthermore, students get to explore new business concepts that will prepare them to run businesses more confidently. UoP offers a hand on experience approach to team leadership and business strategy. Students who wish to gain strong communication and leadership skills should pursue this major.  

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

As an information technology major, the students get to study computing systems that support a business. Students advance their data analysis, security and cloud computing skills by pursuing the major. Moreso, students can choose to pursue this major because it offers numerous career opportunities and very competitive salaries.  

HEALTH SCIENCE 

The demand for health science professionals is projected to rise as more and more people become reliant on healthcare. UoP offers the Health Science major to students who want to gain a holistic overview of health and find solutions to health-related problems. When students choose to pursue the major, they get to build a strong foundation for a successful career path. 

COMPUTER SCIENCE 

As technology advances, business owners are looking forward to hiring professionally trained computer scientists to improve efficiency and solve technical problems. A computer science major covers topics like programming languages, software, and operating systems. Students should choose to pursue computer programming in UoP because they get to solve complex problems and build conceptual models of computer hardware. Sequentially, they get a strong foundation in the tech field.  

CLOSING REMARKS 

Choosing the type of college major is important and must not be taken lightly. Above all, students should remember that their priorities are clear when choosing a major to pursue. Hopefully, the tips provided above will help you discover your options and choose a major that fits you perfectly. When it boils down to choosing a college major, it is not always straightforward. If you still have unanswered questions, UoP already has the answers for you. Contact us today.