by Lisa Bjurstrom

Created on: November 27, 2009

College has become the new high school. More employers are requiring a bachelor's degree, even though the duties of the job do not necessitate any advanced knowledge. This can make the decision on how to spend your next four years even more difficult. How do you decide your college major? How should you determine, fresh out of high school, what you will do for the rest of your life?

Some of those entering college already know what they would like to do, while others do not. They are simply at the university because their parents, or the job market, told them they needed to. While the goal for many is to get out of school quickly and start working in the real world, this is not a decision to take lightly.

My advice is to take your time. You have time before you must declare a major, so use this to your advantage. The knowledge and experience you gain in college affects the career you find yourself in, and while you can go back, it is a lot more difficult to do this once you have a mortgage and children. Use your first year or two of core classes to investigate, explore, and interview in order to gain the most information about the career choices you may have for each major available.

Take an active role investigating your options. Ask yourself the obvious questions. What do you like to do? What are your strengths? What do you already have experience with? Read the school's information regarding each department and then visit the library. There are reference books available which will describe specific job titles, the schooling required, the salary range and the outlook for growth in each area.

Next, explore the area of interest by getting involved. If you're leaning towards a marketing career, join your schools' chapter of American Marketing Association. If you're a fan of the arts, but are still unsure of what path to take in this area, perhaps you can join the drama club. It will expose you to others with the same interests and expand your connections in that world. If you're not one for joining clubs, try to volunteer or find work in that area. The earlier that you get the experience with a potential career path, the easier your decision will be.

Probably the most important step in the decision-making process, is interviewing. Until you do the job, you will not know how much you like or dislike the work involved. Speak with the professors in the department regarding the questions your have. They will either be able to answer your questions, or they will put you in contact with someone who can. Make phone calls to area businesses, asking to speak with the person with the job you would like to have. Most people remember being in the same situation you are in, and would be happy to help you. Perhaps, they can meet you for lunch to discuss their responsibilities, their likes and dislikes regarding their job. They may offer to have you shadow them for a day to see what it's like. Speaking with those who work in your area of interest will give you the best information you can have in order to choose your major.

Choosing a college major is a very difficult task for many high school graduates. Don't rush into this decision. Take into account where you have been, the experiences you've had, and where you would like to be. Investigate the different majors, and how they relate to who you are and want to become. Actively explore the areas you are interested in, taking your time in each one to get the full experience. Then, go speak with the professionals to see if that career would be a fit for you. What will you be happy doing for 40 to 50 hours be week? Take your time with each step and you'll feel confident of your course of study in college.

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