The truth about college majors

By: Bella Dalba

 

            As a child, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was an innocent inquiry. As a teenager, however, this prying inquisition induces panic. The majority of high school students are under the impression that, upon their graduation from high school, every aspect of their future must be preemptively scheduled and thoroughly planned. This process begins with selecting a college major, or the field of study on which the student places emphasis. A popular misconception among high school seniors is that they must enroll in college knowing exactly what they want to “major in,” and that they will graduate with a career in the exact field of study they chose as an incoming freshman. Nothing could be further from the truth.

            Still, the pressure to decide is prevalent. Like many students, you’re probably drawn to different fields—or to nothing in particular. Whether you have a major picked out, you’re trying to decide between a few, or you haven’t got a clue, there are plenty of ways to tackle this decision. “Be forward-thinking,” says Seckman guidance counselor Keith Mayer. “Rather than choosing a major and hope a career comes out of it, really concentrate on the kind of job (or jobs) you want. Make a plan that will help you reach an ideal career, where the last step is picking a major.”

            With this in mind, it is important to know that when picking a major, it is not the same as picking a profession. Even with the exception of specialized fields like nursing, engineering, and accounting (which can be changed at any time), majors are generally much more flexible than they seem, particularly in the liberal arts. Fifty to seventy percent of students change their majors at least once, and most will change majors at least three times before they graduate. The major chosen as an undergrad will not define the student’s life, if it even affects it at all. They could be a lawyer with a bachelor’s degree in art history, or study pre-law and end up running a bakery. “Take the pressure off of yourself,” says John Bader, an Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Advising at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. “Don’t feel that it’s a contract. Your major should give you a basic skill set that you can build upon as you gain work experience, but your career is whatever you make it.” With this thought in mind, how does one even begin to choose a major?

            Craig Plummer, an independent college advisor based in southern New Hampshire, suggests starting with some basic questions: “What are you excited about? What makes you happy? Don’t just think about the classes and activities you like; think about why you like them. Are you good at chemistry because you’re really good at writing up the lab? Or does it make you want to do independent research?”

Plummer breaks majors down into two categories. The first are labor-intensive majors like nursing, engineering, and business (specifically at a business school), where starting off with a declared major is your best bet. If you don’t, it tends to snowball: you miss lots of prerequisite courses, it becomes hard to catch up, and you end up spending more time and money completing your degree. “If they’re even thinking about doing engineering or nursing, start off in that degree,” Plummer says. “If students don’t like it, they can switch to another program. At least you’ve got the gen eds (general education requirements) under your belt, and you haven’t lost any time.” The second group of majors – or those that require much less forethought – is much bigger, and encompasses nearly all the other areas of study. These are less specific, and allow the student to experiment in different areas of study. But what if you’re completely undecided?

Until recently, undecided/undeclared majors had a negative connotation: those students were considered unfocused and unmotivated. Not anymore. “I love undecided students. I think they are much more honest and much more open minded,” says Bader. “The student who bravely answers, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’ shows integrity. It really means you’re open.” However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some idea as to what you want to do. “I encourage students to approach deciding on a major by being curious and open-minded,” says Ellen Crabtree, the Associate Director of Academic Advising at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. “It’s important for students to consider their own interests, hobbies, and values--to know themselves--as they approach the ‘major’ decision. Starting with a general field of study will help the student decide whether or not this particular interest is worth pursuing. For example, say the student has an interest in science. There are an abundance of foundational majors available that will allow them to explore different scientific fields (chemistry, biology, etc.) while also preparing them for a number of careers. As their college career progresses, they can build on a simple science major with more specialized classes, internships, student-faculty research projects, or perhaps pursue a second major or a minor. It’s often these extracurricular activities that help them explore your interests and discover what they really want to do in the real world.”

Yet, as great as all this freedom sounds, there is a “practical limit” to being undecided. Though attitudes toward undeclared majors are changing, students don’t always have the same scholarship consideration. If you wait too long to declare a major, it may take longer than expected to finish your degree. That’s another summer session, half year, year, or more in tuition, and not all scholarships and federal loans extend beyond four years. “At some point, you do have to make some kind of decision,” Bader says. “It’s certainly feasible to enter undeclared and still finish in four years—but you need to be strategic. You can’t be purely undecided. Narrow down your options to three or five majors, and choose your courses carefully.”

If you really want to open up your options, consider double majors and/or minors. You will have to devise a specific course schedule to meet the requirements for both majors, but pursuing your passions can only help you. “Find something you love learning about. If you don’t, your college career will be painful,” says Katrina Wells, a recent graduate of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. She chose a double major in math and history, plus a minor in English communications. “I have always been interested in mathematics throughout school and have aspired to help others gain a respect and appreciation for the discipline. I also found history--primarily social and political history--to be of interest after taking geography and government courses in high school. I decided to take these two things that I love learning about as my majors.”

If you have varied interests like Wells, you might instead pursue an interdisciplinary major, which allows you to combine subjects without going the heavy-duty double major route. These self-designed majors hinge on a theme, such as international relations, where students pick classes to support their topic. Many students use this option to pursue a more conventional major that may not be offered at their school, such as American Studies, which generally comprises courses in sociology, history, literature, and art, while others create a course of study entirely unique to them. Interdisciplinary studies require more work and planning than a traditional major, and require administrative approval, but they offer much more flexibility.

The process to declaring a major can be a tumultuous route, but, equipped with the right knowledge and purposeful planning, you will end up exactly where you’re meant to be. “It’s important to consider your options, and not rush into a preliminary decision,” says Lynn Price, an AP teacher at Seckman High School. “The chance to change your major is always there, and almost every student takes advantage of that opportunity.”