Students sometimes take advantage of overlapping course requirements by double majoring. This means simultaneously earning two majors that fall under the same degree type e. Not everyone agrees on the value of a double major , though. Unless the course requirements for the majors align closely, pursuing two majors may extend your graduation timeline beyond four years.
A minor is a secondary focus, after your major, that allows you to pursue a personal interest and demonstrate extra value to future employers. Guidance counselors are divided over the value of declaring a minor in college. Guidance counselors are divided over the value of declaring a minor, as it can easily prolong the time to graduation if not carefully scheduled. To complete a minor, students typically take around half as many credits in a secondary subject as they take for their major.
Another difference between a major and a minor is that a major appears on your diploma, while a minor doesn't. Despite this, minors can provide extra detail on a resume when appropriate. In some fields, a minor allows graduates to display their specialization or get a head start if they plan on pursuing another degree. For example, students who plan on becoming high school teachers often minor in education and major in the topic they want to teach.
Income data indicates that college tends to pay off , but not all majors offer the same financial benefits. Many science, technology, engineering, and math STEM majors top PayScale's list of the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree.
Areas of study that lead to lucrative career opportunities attract many students. This means that some of the most academically challenging majors are also some of the most competitive. However, not all learners are cut out for the rigors of STEM curricula. Many students who enroll in these fields ultimately decide to switch majors. While it's important to understand the projected income of different majors when considering your educational options, this shouldn't be your only concern.
Numerous variables contribute to the overall quality of a career. For example, none of the highest-earning majors on PayScale rank similarly high for personal meaning and societal value.
Declaring a college major helps set your future career in motion, but career trajectories change over time , both during college and long after. According to the U. Changing majors usually means taking additional classes and more time to graduate.
The average bachelor's degree recipient takes and pays for credits — about 15 more than they need to graduate. Just remember that, as with your values we previously mentioned, your interests may change over time. The years of university make current interests more volatile than the years before and after it.
At first glance, your passions seem just like interest areas, only stronger. But this is quite an understatement. Passions are areas of deep interest, sure, but they also incorporate your values and abilities into something that becomes a burning, lifelong desire. Following your passions, whatever they may be, is one of the best ways to choose a major, and it generally has the least second-guessing later on. However, as with your interests, passions may be defined later on, even after university is over.
Your close friends - who knows you better? Get their input by telling them what you believe your interests, passions, abilities, and values are. But they might just help you decide what to major in.
So, what about the future? You have interests and passions and these ideas that you value. In other words, will you be able to easily and readily find employment in a related field after you earn the degree?
Avoid the possible discouragement from employment rejection later on by considering a broader field of study rather than something super niche. We live in a time of unrelenting technological progress and innovation. You might have answered that, yes, it is employable, but will it stay that way for decades to come? Employment staples such as accounting are no longer a safe bet. Take a look at this graphic depicting the career earnings projections of graduates in different fields of study:. Nobody wants to struggle later in life or at all , financially.
Need some real-world experience during your studies at uni? Likewise, your future diploma and its efficacy rely largely on the issuer. While there are some schools, like Harvard and Yale, whose alumni are held in high esteem no matter what, most of us attend universities that are great in particular areas.
However, the more selective read: elite the school, the more leniency is usually offered to students as far as experimentation of majors and fields of study. Just take a look at this comparison graphic showing the differences in popular majors at elite schools vs. The great thing about the larger, more-inclusive schools is the sheer volume of courses and certificates offered.
As a young adult still looking for your way, this is the ideal sandbox to flirt with different areas of study until you narrow in on the right one. To increase chances of finding room in the course you desire, make sure that you keep your grades up in any coursework required by your major.
Consider taking a college major assessment test, which helps you decide how to choose a major by asking several dozen questions. These often are a great way to figure out if a particular university major, minor, or career choice is right for you. A chart with descriptions of each Myers-Briggs personality type, created by Wikimedia Commons author J. If you found this article because you are stressing out about what your college major will be, but you are only still in the 5th grade, relax.
Even if you are entering university, most schools and their advisors recommend that you wait before declaring a major. In the U. Consider taking a semester off to find yourself, or perhaps even a gap year sabbatical, traveling around the world or working full time.
This can really put things in perspective for you. Spell check? Start building professional resume template here for free. Choosing a major is ultimately your decision to make. Who better to help you decide how to choose a major than the college advisors whose main job it is to do so? Meeting with the university advisor will offer you more in return than just advice on which major is right for you - with their intimate knowledge of the specific university and campus, they can curate just the right course of study for each student.
Learn more. Choose from nearly 30 approved majors to earn a bachelor's degree at Ball State in three years, giving you a jump-start on your career or advanced degree. That means you'll also increase your lifetime earnings by one year's salary. Trying to decide what major is right for you? Take a quick test and use our online tool to match your personality type with our programs.
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