Choosing a major course of study in college can feel overwhelming, but things like a personality test can help you make a decision. Keep in mind, however, that this type of testing is general and will not necessarily predict whether or not you have the skills necessary to perform a particular type of job or complete a particular academic course of study.
How to Pick a Major
Before you take a personality test to help you decide on a major, take some time to learn about possible career paths. If you enjoy learning about history, do an internet search on possible careers with a major in history. If you like helping others, research helping professions. If you don’t like being around other people, do a Google search on “great jobs for loners.”
These activities won’t necessarily narrow your options. In fact, by doing some research on available jobs, you might discover more possibilities. Don’t allow that to overwhelm you. Knowledge is power. By becoming aware of possible career choices, you will be better able to assess the information you receive from any tests you take to help you decide on a major course of study.
Choosing Personality Tests
Not all personality assessments are created equal. When choosing an assessment for the purpose of getting career or education guidance, make sure that you look to a reliable source. Tests from places such as The Princeton Review are more likely to produce sound results than a quiz shared by friends on Facebook. Personality assessments that ask questions on a wide range of personal preferences and have been tested by researchers are most likely to give you results that will shed light on your personal preferences and work potential.
Evaluating the Results
Personality indicators aren’t always the perfect indication of what career path will be best for you. Trust yourself. If you know you don’t like spending time with people or giving good customer service, be skeptical of a test that indicates that you should major in library studies. Unless you plan to work as an archivist, library work is heavily customer-service oriented, and it doesn’t give you much time alone to spend reading those books you love so much. By the same token, if your test results indicate that you would be good at something in which you have no experience, use common sense and do some research to discover if that path is right for you. While you might have the personality to be a great concert violinist, you probably shouldn’t pick a music performance major if you have never played an instrument in your life.
Getting to the point where you are ready to declare a major can be difficult. Gathering information about available careers will help as will getting to know your personal strengths and weaknesses. Visiting career centers and doing online research about a variety of careers can help you, and you may also get some guidance by taking a personality test that is proven to help students choose majors that suit their needs and preferences.
