what to do if you dont know what to major in

What To Do If You Don’t Know What To Major In

• Go Undeclared or Declare a Major and Change It Later Most colleges and universities ask you to declare a major upon admission to the school. However, unless you have a scholarship for that specific major, your choice isn’t set in stone. ...
• Take Courses You’re Interested In ...
• Explore ...
• Talk To Others About What You Want to Major In ...

Full Answer

What to major in if you don't know what you want to do?

7 Majors For Students Who Don’t Know What They Want To Do After College. 1 1. Psychology. If you’re interested in the human mind and human behavior, you may want to major in psychology. As a psychology major, you’ll develop ... 2 2. Liberal Arts/Interdisciplinary Studies. 3 3. Communications. 4 4. Business. 5 5. English. More items

How do I find the right major for me?

At the Internship and Career Center, we recommend that you explore three basic paths to find a major that fits your interests and consider how your major will lead to a career. They are connected. 1. Know yourself using career self-assessments

What to do when you don’t know what to do?

3 Paths to a Major When You Don’t Know What to Do 1 Know yourself using career self-assessments#N#Career assessments can help you gain insights into who you are and what... 2 Know options by learning the labor market#N#Dale Maglalang, left, a human development major at UC Davis, works with... 3 Take a reality check: What matches you? More ...

Is it hard to choose a major in college?

It can be difficult to choose a major when you don’t know what career you want to pursue. But you’re not alone! Many freshmen enter college undeclared and even those who think they know what they want to study end up changing their minds.

What should I major in if unsure?

9 college majors for students unsure of their future careerBusiness Administration. Do you think you want to work in the field of business one day, but aren't sure about what you want to specialize in? ... Information Technology. ... Literature & Languages. ... Sociology. ... Communications. ... Psychology. ... Economics. ... Biology.More items...•

What is it called when you don't know what you want to major in?

Updated on April 03, 2019. You've probably heard the term "undecided major" (also referred to as an "undeclared major") tossed around in a conversation about going to college or choosing a career path.

Is it okay to not know your major?

The first thing you should do is relax and try not to pressure yourself. Deciding on a major, and thus on a future career, can be difficult. Certainly, you've found some things that interest you, and you may have even come up with some majors your considering. It's okay if you don't have it all figured out yet.

What is the most fun degree?

30 fun majorsAuctioneering. This focused degree prepares you for a career in auctions, sales and marketing. ... Costume technology. ... 7. Entertainment design. ... Fermentation sciences. ... Golf course management. ... Jazz studies. ... Nautical archaeology. ... Pop culture.More items...

What Should I Do with My Life?

Figure out what to do next with your lifeExamine your purpose in life. Find your purpose. ... Evaluate your life values. ... Analyze your strengths. ... Examine your career choices and designation. ... Assess your opportunities. ... Explore your hobbies and passions. ... Take field trips and observe other people. ... Read, learn, and get inspired.More items...•

How do I know my major is right for me?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to choose a major:Identify Interests, Values, Passions, and Abilities.Consider the Future.Choose the Right School.Give Yourself Time.Get Help.Spot Any Disadvantages Before Choosing a Major.Change Your Mind.Do a Reality Check.More items...•

Should I go to college if I dont know what to major in?

In short, don't worry too much if you can't choose a major right now. Even if you're not sure about what career you want to pursue, you can still find the value of a college education.

What if I picked the wrong major?

Choose a new major and meet with your advisor Once you decide to make the switch, meet with your advisor to determine the best path forward and get help picking a new major. You need to go talk to him or her for some help.

What to do if you don't know what to major in?

If you don’t know what to major in, in school, remember that you aren’t imprisoned by your choices later on. Employers are ultimately looking for potential hires who can demonstrate an ability to carry their skillset into real-world scenarios.

When you work hard at something, you become great at it?

The truth is that - When you work hard at anything, you become great at it - When you become great at anything, you enjoy performing it more. When you love doing something, there is a big possibility you will become passionate about this thing.

What can mentorship do for you?

Our 'state of mentorship' report sums up the benefits, reports and effects that mentorship has on the modern working environment.

What can psychology graduates do?

Psychology grads make up a large chunk of hires for online tech companies from a non-technical field. Employers’ attractive transferable skills include data handling and statistical analysis, which can be applied to careers like IT, finance, and marketing.

What is a mentor guide for a gap year?

Having a mentor guide you through a gap year gives you the extra security you need to make sure you’re staying intentional with your time. And with MentorCruise’s flexibility and personalized service, you don’t have to choose between work and play. Stay on top of your professional goals while enriching your personal life amongst a community of mentors and mentees at the touch of a button.

What does "try to find your passion" mean?

“Try to find your passion” is that one terrible piece of advice that people will throw at you from all directions as you prepare to choose a major for college.

How to look at the approach above in a more pragmatic way?

One way to look at the approach above in a more pragmatic way is to find a career you’re interested in and targeting the appropriate major that leads to it.

What to do if you are unsure what to major in?

If you’re still unsure what to major in, especially after you’ve taken other courses that interest you, you may want to start exploring outside of school. Volunteering in your community, researching in a local project, or taking part in an internship are three great places to start.

How to choose a major?

Talking to others is a step you can’t skip if you’re unsure about what to choose for your major. Talk to your close family, friends, and loved ones who know you best first. See what they have to say about your personality and interests; they may have suggestions that surprise you.

Why is it important to choose classes?

Choosing classes that sound fun or interesting to you also broadens your spectrum and world view. You’ll be introduced to new ideas, new subjects, and possibly even new career paths. You may end up deciding to completely change your intended path because of one of these courses. This time and the classes you choose will also help shape your college experience and you as a person.

What do college career centers offer?

They can offer advice and point you in the right direction. Your college career center will also offer invaluable information. They have professionals and resources that can help you find a career that matches your personality and interests, while also preparing you for your future job. If you don’t know what to major in, don’t worry.

Do you have to declare a major?

Most colleges and universities ask you to declare a major upon admission to the school. However, unless you have a scholarship for that specific major, your choice isn’t set in stone. If it’s still a toss-up what field you’ll be heading into, choose something you’re leaning towards now. You’re free to change it down the line if you decide a different major is more in line with your desired career—just keep in mind, switching majors can lead to spending another semester or year in school to catch up.

1. Know yourself using career self-assessments

Career assessments can help you gain insights into who you are and what you most enjoy, which will help to prioritize your values. Two websites with free, straightforward options are: California Career Zone and CareerOneStop.

2. Know options by learning the labor market

Dale Maglalang, left, a human development major at UC Davis, works with Miriam Castillo, 14, on a fundraiser for a trip to Washington, D.C. Magiaiang interned at Youth UpRising in Oakland. Calif., where he gained skills in assisting the nonprofit in transforming communities through youth. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

3. Take a reality check: What matches you?

Internship and Career Center Director Marcie Kirk Holland (center) discusses career strategies with a group of student advisors. She suggests students conduct informational interviews to learn about careers. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

What do you do after graduation?

Take classes that sound interesting, find an internship or part-time job, and talk to professors to get a better idea of what you would like to do in the future and what you should major in. ...

What do you learn from a degree in English?

There are many people who rag on English majors, but a degree in English prepares you for a variety of contexts. You’ll learn how to think critically, analyze texts, and write clearly. Critical thinking skills and the ability to write well are skills that you can take with you to any job in any industry .

What can a communications major do?

Communications majors develop skills in public speaking, writing, interpreting, and problem solving which are skills necessary for every field. Communications majors may go on to become…. Investigative reporters. Digital marketing specialists.

What do liberal arts majors do?

While there is an ongoing argument that the liberal arts don’t prepare students for the workforce, liberal arts majors develop interpersonal, research, communication, analytic reasoning, and critical thinking skills.

What do you learn in psychology?

As a psychology major, you’ll develop both quantitative and qualitative skills. You’ll learn how to research and analyze data, as well as develop interpersonal, critical thinking, and writing skills. Many psychology majors find careers as…. 2.

Can you choose a major when you don't know what you want to pursue?

It can be difficult to choose a major when you don’t know what career you want to pursue. But you’re not alone! Many freshmen enter college undeclared and even those who think they know what they want to study end up changing their minds. While you don’t have to officially declare your major until you’re a junior at most colleges, ...

Do you have to declare your major?

While you don’t have to officially declare your major until you’re a junior at most colleges, many students unofficially choose a major in order to get a head start on the course requirements for their major. If you’re not sure what you want to do after college, but still want to choose a major, consider the following: 1.

Tips on Choosing Your College Major

Since this is a huge decision, you should take some time to contemplate your options. Don’t be too fast in making your choice, because if you make the wrong one, that would be years of time, money, and energy wasted. Put the college brochures down for a while and just think of what would ultimately work best for you.

Can You Change College Major?

With so much hanging on the major, it’s understandable that some students are hesitant to make a definitive declaration of their planned major–even before enrolling in that school. Before you can fully narrow it down, a slew of questions may arise. What if I dislike it? What if I wish to study something else, or if it isn’t what I expected?

Know Yourself Using Career Self-Assessments

See more on ucdavis.edu

Know Options by Learning The Labor Market

Take A Reality Check: What Matches You?