by Prin Dumas

Created on: June 21, 2008   Last Updated: June 23, 2008

Your ability to pick the "right" major in college depends on your capacity to identify yourself as decided or undecided. Different people need different types of knowledge in their brain. The younger you are, the more information you may need to determine who you are and who you want to become. With that in mind, there are two types of college students: the decided and the undecided. Selecting the right major is a different process of each.

The "decided" college student has a passionate view about a particular industry. He or she has a vague understanding about an industry, feels drawn to its charms, and pursues it with a sense of certainty for weeks, months, and possibly years. Said student may or may not grow up to become a professional adult within the industry of their childhood fantasy, but they may very well complete a degree in that field.

The "undecided" college student may have a passion for a particular industry, but he or she is discouraged to pursue it due to finances, talent, and/or practicality. Their desired specialized skill has no certainty for success and so, this college student may complete a degree in a major that seems practical as a "fall-back" option. Said student may or may not grow up to become a professional in the degree they have completed, but they may very well use it (in time and in some indirect form) to pursue their original interests.

Life is great when you feel fulfilled. Aim to pick a major that fulfills (or will fulfill) you. A fulfilling major has the following three components:

1. If you moved onto a Masters or Doctorate level degree in this industry, you should not have to struggle to make a living, IF (keyword) you are good at what you do and are hard at work.
2. When you graduate, you will be excited and happy when you realize that the only job you can get attain is assisting someone else in your field who knows what they are doing. You'll get their coffee, because you'll see (and value) it as the continuation of your learning experience to work closely with this professional.
3. At the height of your success in this industry, your chosen major will not produce a work life that will prevent you from pursuing the personal/social/family values that you currently possess and wish to maintain and further develop.

Re-read the above three statements.

Understand what they really mean before reading more. Picking a major is directly linked to other elements of your life and certainly other life-altering goals.

Example: If you want

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