Quick Tips for Figuring Out a College Major and Career Path

Here’s a recent roundup of quick tips from students on the last day of a college career planning class. The question was to share their top career tip for figuring out a college major and career path.

• Pursue something you’re passionate about.
• Know yourself, your interests and passions, and then pursue them.
• Find out what you’re good at and consider pursuing it.
• Pursue something you’re interested in.
• Once you pick a major and career path, realize that they – and you – could change; more importantly, realize that that’s okay.
• Pick something you’ll be interested in for the long run.
• Just do something and see what happens – don’t be afraid to take risks.
• Take a career planning class if you’re undecided to get some ideas.
• Think about what classes you enjoyed in high school and build off that (fine-tune your interests) in college.
• Shadowing.
• Think of what you enjoyed in high school and take related classes in college and reflect on it.
• Think about what you’ve done in the past that you’ve enjoyed doing – would continue doing even if you weren’t paid.
• Look up what you want to pursue and see if you like it – keep looking if you don’t find something at first.
• Pursue something that fits your personality and lifestyle.
• Pick something you’re interested in for the long term; look up and explore many different resources; realize options exist in places where you’re not at.
• If in college and undecided, take a lot of different classes; take general education courses to buy yourself time.
• Take time off to relax and reflect, but realize it’s not a vacation.

Here’s a roundup of quick tips for the same class activity from students the previous quarter.

• Make a pros and cons list.
• Be decisive and realistic.
• Think long term, not just short term.
• Get advice from friends, family and experts.
• Trust your gut.
• Do what you enjoy, consider what it pays, where it’s at, and if it’s reasonable for you.
• Test the subject out (e.g., take classes).
• In choosing a school to transfer to, visit the school.
• Look at your values.
• Consider work and family balance
• Research work aspects, skills and education required.
• Talk to people who look like they’ve got it figured out.
• Be rational; factor in your age.
• Conduct thorough research (e.g., do an internship).
• Set long-term (evaluate stability factor) and short-term goals (be specific).
• Be willing to sacrifice.