By Erin Harrigan-Schober
Someone once told me that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. The other day I read a quote that said “In order to figure out what to do with your life, pick something you’re interested in and combine that with something you’re good at.” The advice is endless.
According to zety.com’s 10 point checklist, you must first pick a major based on:
- Your abilities
- Your interests
- Your values
- Your passions
- You must then ask yourself the following questions:
- Will I still enjoy this for years to come?
- Is it employable?” (Or Hobby worthy)
- Will this job be around for a long time?” What is the projected growth in this industry?
- Does this job pay well? Is there opportunity for advancement in this industry?
If you still don’t arrive at an answer after asking all of these questions, you may wish to consult a personality profile quiz or interest inventory to match up your strengths and aptitudes with careers. I have found these quizzes to be very helpful and fun when you might not know where to begin. Many schools now allow students to choose a “meta-major,” which groups traditional majors under an umbrella that spans whole fields, such as business or STEM.
If you’re still struggling with what to pursue as a major, it always helps to consult with someone who is paid to help you make decisions on a college campus: your advisor. If he/she isn’t helpful, then you may wish to meet with a career advisor, who can determine what sort of intervention you may need to get you closer to a clear cut path. If that doesn’t bring you some clarity, the tried and true practice of discussing with friends, is probably the most natural conversation to gain some insight and connection from. When all else fails, and if this wasn’t your first option, talk to your family member; mom, dad, brothers, sisters… the people who know you best; who know what you’re good at and may have some experience of their own to impart for you to determine your path. Again, the choice is yours but it can be as arbitrary or focused as you choose. Dig deep and ask yourself “What is going to make me happy and make me some money”? And if you can answer those questions, then you’re already on your way.