“What do you plan on majoring in?” How much do you dread that question coming up at the dinner table?
Thanks to Aunt Sally, this conversation is back on the table. You don’t want to get back into it with your parents, who are insisting you major in computer science because that’s where all the jobs are. You don’t particularly want to say “I don’t know” because you’re embarrassed that you don’t have a clear direction, and don’t want to appear unsuccessful compared to your friends who have their next 8 years planned out.
Don’t be ashamed. Next time that comes up again, own it. Why do you have to have everything figured out right now? Plus, just because you are undecided about your major doesn’t mean you have no interests. In fact, you might mean the exact opposite—you’re interested in too many things to decide.
So, when another family members brings it up, here are 3 reasons to help back your choice of applying as an undecided major:
1. Explore Different Fields of Study
Part of college is to immerse yourself in different fields of study. Depending on which university you enroll in, you will have a set of general requirements that you have to complete. Take this opportunity to discover new subjects you’ve never had opportunity to learn about in high school.
As you explore and make these choices, reflect on your own academic strengths and what about those subjects you enjoy. Is it problem solving? Is it making observations? Is it meeting new people? See if you can dissect and discover what gets you excited. If it’s making observations, then maybe you can learn more about anthropology. Don’t worry if you don’t end up liking the subject that much! That’s how you end up finding the subject you’re most interested in. Plus, you’re still getting your general requirements done.
2. Network & Meet People from Different Majors
College is all about meeting new people from different parts of the world with different backgrounds and different interests. Even just within you dorm, you are bound to meet students in different undergraduate school, like the business or nursing school, and students who are pursuing different majors. Learn from them. Why inspired them to study these subjects? They might be able to ignite an interest you didn’t know you have.
3. Learn about Different Career Paths
Talk to your dean or your academic advisors. What career paths are out there? You don’t have to be a doctor, lawyer, banker, or these days, a software engineer. There are a lot of respectable career paths that you can pursue that don’t fall into the traditional career choices. If you’re interested in music, you can learn more about music production. Always been an artist? You can be a curator, a fashion designer or a interior designer.
Think about the subjects you enjoy, why you enjoy them and the skills you have. That will help you form specific career paths that can help you figure out what to major in to support your pursuit.
Not knowing what you want to do is completely normal. There is no shame in that, as long as you are making an effort to figure out what you want to do. There’s no better place to do that then in college. Plus, if your family is giving you hard time, ask them what they majored in. Chances are it has nothing to do with the current job they have!
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