You may be wondering if a certain degree is a good fit for you. It can feel like an overwhelming decision because the choice of career fields truly will affect the rest of your life. However, in today’s workforce, it’s not uncommon for people to switch careers multiple times over their life. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself to choose the absolute perfect path. However, there are some things to consider when picking a college major that can help you feel more secure in your decision.
What Drives You?
So often, students enter college with the idea of pursuing a career path imposed on them by family members or friends. Someone may have told you that you’d make a great lawyer or you should be a doctor like your father. However, if you aren’t truly interested in, even passionate about, your choice of degree, you’re likely to be unhappy. School will not be the fulfilling experience it could be, and you may end up never finding career satisfaction. Instead, it’s wise to really take some time to consider what drives you, what makes you excited and what truly interests you.
What About the Job Outlook?
While finding something you’re passionate about is a good start toward finding your perfect degree match, there are some practical things you should research such as earning potential, number of jobs in the area you’d like to live and the working conditions of your intended job. The career center office at your school should be able to help you with this information. It is possible to balance passion with practicality to find a career path that is rewarding in numerous ways.
What are You Good At?
Besides passion and interest, you need to take into consideration your aptitudes, abilities and personality with relation to a particular field. If you are interested in education, but you don’t enjoy public speaking and presentations, becoming a teacher may not be the best bet for you. However, you can still enter a career field that focuses on educational aspects behind the scenes such as a researcher or policy maker. Again, career counselors possess a number of resources such as aptitude inventories and industry insights that can help you to make an informed decision as to the kind of job that best suits you and whether a degree a good fit.
What Jobs are Available With That Degree?
A specific degree may appeal to you and seem like it’s a great match for your interests and aptitudes, as well as practical in terms of leading to a good job. However, you should really take the time to investigate what kinds of doors this particular major can open for you. Talk to faculty and others who have completed the program before you. Consider any minors or areas of specialization that may lend themselves to this particular degree and could make you stand out in the job market or lead to a specific line of work. It’s advisable to truly have a specific idea of the kind of job you desire, not just a general field of interest.
These are just some tips to get you started on choosing a field of study that will make you happy. Knowing whether a degree a good fit requires in-depth research and soul searching.
