Choosing a Field of Study for College

Carroll: Students need to ask for help in assessing their interests and abilities in relation to various majors and careers. If professional advisers who specialize in advising undeclared students are available, as they are at UNG, students should meet with these advisers to express their goals and dreams, talk about options and learn about the many resources available to find out more about themselves and their options. Higbee: Colleges usually provide students access to a career, values, and interests assessment, and students should complete those assessments early and read through the career ideas provided. The general education curriculum is also a good way to help students learn more about possible majors. Students’ experiences in these classes may give them a sense of what they find interesting and what they dislike. If a student is in a class he or she enjoys, that student should go to the professor’s office hours to talk about that major and the types of internships and jobs possible with that major.

Carroll: Students need to self-assess not only their interests, but also their abilities. For example, a career in medicine may interest a student, but if science is something the student continually struggles with, a biology major may not be a good fit. In that case, a student may realize that a medical career was appealing because he or she was interested in helping people, and there are other careers out there that have that quality without requiring a major that involves years and years of science coursework. Higbee: A student may also be very strong in an academic subject but may struggle in some of the day-to-day aspects of the working environment for the related career fields. For example, students may earn straight-A grades in history, but if he or she is painfully shy, the day-to-day social requirements of being a high school or college history teacher may make those jobs unenjoyable. In those cases, students may still major in those subjects but will need to expand their knowledge of possible internships and pathways for students with those majors. Students may also need to consider logistical issues, such as the types of jobs available in the areas where they plan to live, whether they are willing to move and how far they are willing to commute.

Carroll: Many people are very content in careers that have indirect ties to their actual college majors, because many employers look for soft skills like creativity, excellent communication, and leadership qualities, and not specific college majors. You learn something from every experience you have, and if the profession you are in is not fulfilling, there are always skills you can transfer to another career path. Also, there is always the option of returning to school to earn a certificate in another field, or taking prerequisite courses to enter graduate school for a different profession.

Carroll: Professional advisers and career services centers. Faculty are another great resource, as they are experts in their fields and knowledgeable about graduate schools and possible careers.