Choosing a major is one of the many important decisions you will make that will eventually shape your career path. Make the right choice and you can look forward to an exciting career after you graduate. Make the wrong choice and you will find yourself struggling through.
Yes, you can change majors mid-way through college if you find that the major you’ve chosen is not the right one for you, but that can be an expensive decision, both in terms of time and money. Instead, it is far better to take the time to do extensive research on potential majors BEFORE making your decision. This means doing more than simply reading about the major online.
Use as many of these ideas as you can to learn more about potential college majors, so you can make a more informed decision.
Shadow A Professional In Their Work Environment
Job shadowing involves following or ‘shadowing’ a professional and observing them while they go about their workday. You don’t do any work during this time. You simply observe the person you are shadowing. The main purpose of this exercise is to strip away the glamorous side of a particular profession and give you a first-hand look at what it really is like to work in that role.
Do an Internship
An internship takes up where shadowing leaves off. It allows you to get a first-hand feel of the job while also shadowing other professionals in that particular workplace. However, there are certain limitations. You can’t intern in all fields. For example, while the healthcare industry may go out of their way to accommodate shadowing requests, they will not allow you to intern as they are responsible for the lives of their patients.
Interview a Professional In The Field
There’s no better way to learn about a profession than by speaking to someone who is already working on that role. Call and set up an appointment and ask if they will help you out by answering a few questions about that particular career path. Most professionals will be glad to answer your questions. They will help you understand the pros and cons of the role, what you need to work in that particular role and what majors will help you get there.
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